Malaysia: Johor Govt Assures Forest City Project Will Not Affect Malay Reserve Land

Bernama 23 Sep 14;

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has given assurance that the status of the Malay reserve land, as well as private-owned land, near Forest City site in the Straits of Johor will not be affected by the project.

In fact, State Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the welfare of fishermen in the area would also be taken care of through the special fund set up by the state government.

"Johor needs development, but we admit that there are concerns among residents, especially concerning Malay reserve land, because they fear that the land will be sacrificed to develop the area.

"We would like to inform the people that the Forest City project will only involve sea reclamation and not land reclamation. This kind of approach is also being practised in other countries, such as Australia and Singapore."

Ayub said this in response to the commotion which broke out at the meeting between Forest City developers and residents in Kampung Pok, Gelang Patah, last Sunday.

-- BERNAMA