Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) wants the state government to disclose in detail the status of the land at a new site near Felcra Nasaruddin in Bota for the construction of an international airport. -NSTP File
PARIT: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) wants the state government to disclose in detail the status of the land at a new site near Felcra Nasaruddin in Bota here for the construction of an international airport.
Its research field officer, Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman, said details related to the status of the land, current land use zone, topography and topography of the proposed site should be disclosed.
He said this was crucial so that the assessment of the level of sensitivity of the area involved could be known.
“The state authorities have yet to state in detail the status of the land, the current land use zone as well as the topography of the proposed airport site.
“So far we do not know the level of sensitivity of the proposed international airport project site.
“It should be noted that, originally, the land status of the proposed airport project site was part of the Parit Forest Reserve (HS Parit) which was abolished a long time ago,” he said when contacted.
Meor Razak said he hoped the state authorities would no longer involve land areas that have the status of protected areas, especially permanent forest reserves.
On Friday, state Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the new location was about 40km from the original proposed site of the airport in Seri Iskandar.
He had said, however, that the proposal to build an airport on a 1,618.7ha site required a thorough study before implementation.
Meanwhile, Felcra Nasaruddin residents expressed mixed feelings about the proposed construction project near their residences.
Felcra Nasaruddin Rukun Tetangga chairman, Mariyaton Kaftiah Yusof, said it was indeed a good idea as it would create job opportunities for the young people of the second generation of Felcra.
However, she also admitted that she was reluctant if part of the land owned by the settlers was taken over, resulting in them having to be relocated.
“We are happy because our young children here will get job opportunities and many facilities will be built near the airport.
“But, if some of the land we have worked on needs to be taken over for this project… I think most of us would feel a bit upset if we were ordered to move.
“Even if we get compensation, how long can the money last compared to the many years of work we have done on oil palm plantations here,” said the 54-year-old, who is a first generation settler who has been living here since 1986.
Another first-generation resident, Syed Wahari Syed Mohamed, 62, said so far, residents have not been called to consult with any party related to the project.
“We are not clear which part of the Felcra settlers’ land will be taken,” he said.
A second generation settler who wished to be known only as Mas said that it was indeed good news because it would bring economic overflow and various facilities along with the development of Bandar Seri Iskandar.
“(However), after this construction is completed, the cost of living here will increase, as well as the price of land and daily necessities,” said the 34-year-old who works as a grocery store assistant.
Source : New Straits Times Online
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