Malaysia: Pulau Kukup may lose its protected status

mohd farhaan shah and venesa devi The Star 5 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: Pulau Kukup, one of the few remaining pristine wetlands in South-East Asia, may stop being a fully protected national park as the state government is said to be de-gazetting a law that gives it the status.

Concerns were sparked by a gazette dated Oct 25 that has gone viral on social media notifying that the state authorities will cancel the whole area as a national park under subsection 3(3) of the National Park Environment Enactment (Johor) 1989.

According to sources, the decision was made by the state government in October to de-gazette Pulau Kukup National Park.

They added that a letter to that effect was sent to Johor State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.

The sources also said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian was expected to make an announcement on the matter.

Malaysian Nature Society vice-president Vincent Chow said he would be really upset with such a decision.

“We are surprised to hear this. There has been no consultation with the stakeholders on the matter, especially those who are dependent on the island such as fishermen.

“The area is the second largest mangrove island in the world but why is the state government not proud of it?” he said when contacted yesterday.

Chow also expressed concerns that the move to de-gazette the law might disrupt the ecology of the island and drive out many animals.

“If it is turned into a port or terminal, there will certainly be more pollution in the area,” he said.

State Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the issue would be discussed with the Johor National Parks director and Osman, who is also the park chairman.

“We need to discuss Pulau Kukup before making any official statement,” he said but declined to comment further.

Pulau Kukup, located off the coast of Pontian, has been a national park since 1997 and mostly uninhabited. Renowned for its mangrove forests, it is one of five Ramsar sites in Malaysia.

Ramsar sites are wetland sites accorded international importance under the United Nations’ Convention on Wetlands.

According to the Johor National Parks Corporation website, Pulau Kukup plays host to endangered animals such as the flying fox, smooth-coated otter, bearded pig and long-tailed macaque.


Johor govt slammed for degazetting Pulau Kukup
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 5 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: Lawyers for Liberty has described the state government’s decision to degazette Pulau Kukup as a national park area as unacceptable and irresponsible.

Its adviser, N. Surendran, said the decision had shocked and disappointed the nation, and added that there was no conceivable reason for doing so.

“It is unacceptable and highly irresponsible to deprive an area of outstanding ecological and environmental value such as Pulau Kukup of its much-needed national park status,” said Surendran.

He said Pulau Kukup was the world’s second largest uninhabited mangrove island and was listed as a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention 1971.

The island supports various threatened animal species and is categorised as an “Important Bird Area”.

“The sudden revocation of Pulau Kukup’s status is tantamount to destruction of a site harbouring unparalleled ecological treasures.”

Surendran said the state government had yet to provide a reasonable explanation for degazetting the island even though the decision was made as early as Sept 24.

“Why the silence on a matter of such importance? The area was originally gazetted as a national park in 1997 by the then Barisan Nasional state government.

“By degazetting, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government is proving that they are even worse than the BN in terms of environmental preservation and protection.”

Surendran noted that PH had long criticised BN over environmental degradation, and, as such, it was inexcusable for a PH state to degazette the island.

“With the degazetting, Pulau Kukup is now in immediate danger of encroachment and the destruction of its rich ecosystem and wildlife.

“We urge Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian and the state exco to immediately disclose to the public why the degazetting exercise was carried out.” Surendran also asked the state government to disclose who would profit or benefit from the decision, and whether it intended to destroy the natural habitat and develop the island.

“We strongly urge the prime minister and Federal Government to intervene to save Pulau Kukup. “The PH Federal Government cannot simply stand by and watch an internationally recognised natural treasure of Malaysia be compromised or destroyed.

“The degazetting reflects ill upon PH as a whole,” said Surendran.

He said, although land was a state matter, the Federal Government had adequate legal powers to intervene and protect any area which qualified as a natural heritage site.

“This must now be done as a matter of the utmost urgency.”


Motion to review the de-gazetting of Pulau Kukup's National Park status passed by Johor state assembly
Ibrahim Isa New Straits Times 6 Dec 18;

KOTA ISKANDAR: The issue concerning the degazetting of Pulau Kukup’s national park status has taken a new twist after the Johor state assembly today passed an urgent motion for the state government to review the matter.

A proposal to review the decision was tabled by Senggarang assemblyman Khairuddin A Rahim.

The Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) assemblyman’s motion was supported by all Pakatan Harapan (PH) representatives.

However, all Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblyman did not support it.

Khairuddin had argued that the Taman Negara Johor Pulau Kukup’s status as a national park should be maintained due to its importance as an eco-sensitive area.

He said the island had the world’s second-biggest mangrove forest and was ratified as a Wetlands of Importance International site (RAMSAR).

“Therefore, it should not be de-gazetted as a national park,” he said.

He also argued that news concerning Pulau Kukup’s status had caused much confusion among the people, leading some to accuse the current administration of being responsible for the degazzetement.

“This is absolutely not true as Pulau Kukus’s status as a national park was removed way before the 14th General Election (GE14),” he said.

Yesterday, Johor exco member Aminolhuda Hassan said the de-gazetting of Pulau Kukup's national park status was done by the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

Meanwhile, Tenang assemblyman, Solihan Badri, said Pulau Kukus’ status must be maintained for future generations.

He said the island was a pristine wetlands with 27 different mangrove species, including the rare Bakau Kurap, and was also home to different mammals, reptiles and bird species.

Bukit Naning assemblyman Md Ysahrudin Kusni, said the island was too precious to be taken of the national parks list and everything must be done to restore its status.

After the three assemblymen debated the motion, it was approved and passed by the state assembly with a majority support of the Pakatan Harapan-led assembly.

Concerns about the island’s status were sparked by a gazette dated Oct 25, that had gone viral on social media, notifying that the state authorities will cancel the whole area as a national park under subsection 3(3) of the National Park Environment Enactment (Johor) 1989.

It was reported that Pulau Kukup will become Sultanate land after the Johor government de-gazetted it from a national park.

Earlier this week, the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the island, one of the few pristine wetlands in South-East Asia, will be "better protected" after its status is changed from national park to Sultanate land.

Tunku Ismail said it was also practised in the United Kingdom where all the parks belong to the Crown.

“However, this does not change the status, policies, and usage of the park where it continues to remain a national park status,” he said.

There are six national parks in Johor including Endau-Rompin Peta, Endau-Rompin Selai, Tanjung Piai, Pulau Kukup, Gunung Ledang, and Sultan Iskandar Marine Park.

Pulau Kukup, located off the coast of Pontian in south Johor, has been a national park since 1997 and mostly uninhabited.

Renowned as the world's second largest uninhabited mangrove island, it is one of five Ramsar sites in Malaysia.

Ramsar sites are wetland sites accorded international importance under the United Nations’ Convention on Wetlands.

According to the Johor National Parks Corporation website, Pulau Kukup plays host to endangered animals such as the flying fox, smooth-coated otter, bearded pig and long-tailed macaque.

Pulau Kukup to keep national park status
mohd farhaan shah The Star 7 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: Pulau Kukup, said to be among the biggest uninhabited mangrove forests in the world, will remain a national park following confirmation from the Johor palace.

The state assembly also app­roved an emergency motion yesterday, saying that the national park status should be maintained for environmental preservation.

Pulau Kukup, which is about one kilometre away from the mainland near Pontian, came under the spotlight when a gazette dated Oct 25 about the state authorities cancelling its status as a protected national park went viral on social media.

Yesterday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim tweeted a letter from the office of the Johor Sultan’s Private Secretary to the state Land and Mines Office.

The letter, dated Dec 5, carried the signature of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and made clear Pulau Kukup’s status as a national park.

According to the letter, Pulau Kukup will remain a national park despite its status being changed to a “Sultanate land”.

The letter also stated that Sultan Ibrahim had agreed to the position of Pulau Kukup under the Sultanate Land Enactment.

However, the island will continue to be used as a national park where it must be guarded and regulated by the state government through the Johor National Parks Corporation and become a tourism attraction for the state.

Tunku Ismail said that under Sultan Ibrahim’s vision and plan, Pulau Kukup would remain a national park, similar to the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park in Mersing.

“I’m confident that whatever decision made by His Majesty and the state government is in the best interest and sovereignty of Johor,” he said.

“I do not understand why this issue has to be blown up and politicised, as land matters are the prerogative of the state government.”

It is learnt that the state executive council will hold a meeting, chaired by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, on Dec 12 to discuss the matter.

Yesterday, the state assembly adopted an emergency motion that the Johor executive council review the move to de-gazette Pulau Kukup.

During the debate on the motion, the assemblymen noted how Pulau Kukup could be a buffer for waves and erosion and that it is rich in flora and fauna.


MB to explain bid to de-gazette Pulau Kukup
mohd farhaan shah The Star 8 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, who has come under much flak over the earlier revoking of Pulau Kukup’s national park status, is expected to answer to his critics on the final day of the state assembly meeting tomorrow.

For now, he declined to answer queries about Pulau Kukup, which has been categorised as “sultanate land” following an announcement from the Johor palace, after the state government de-gazetted the island and cancelled its position as a protected national park.

“I will answer on Sunday after two other executive committee members finish their winding up speech at the state assembly,” said Osman, who is also the state Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, to reporters yesterday.

On Thursday, Bersatu supreme council member Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said if the Pakatan Harapan state government under Osman had approved the move, then it was no better than the previous Barisan Nasional government.

Pulau Kukup, which is near Pontian, is apparently among the biggest uninhabited mangrove forests in the world.

A gazette dated Oct 25 about the state authorities cancelling its status as a protected national park went viral on social media.

On Thursday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim tweeted a letter from the office of the Johor Sultan’s Private Secretary to the state Land and Mines Office that made clear Pulau Kukup’s status as a national park.

According to the letter, Pulau Kukup will remain a national park despite its status being changed to a sultanate land.


Johor will state stand on Pulau kukup during winding up on Sunday
Bernama New Straits Times 7 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: The state government will be stating its stand on the position of Pulau Kukup, Pontian as a national park during the winding-up at the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Sunday.

Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said he would also be using the session to answer all questions raised by assemblymen in their debate speeches.

“Now only two executive councillors have not replied (winding-up). I will speak after the two have spoken.

“As such, whatever replies and questions raised by the assemblymen in the debate, I will answer them then.

“There will be no other issues, everything is under control, no problem,” he said after officiating the Back to School and Baiti Jannati Programmes organised by Tenaga Nasional Berhad with the office of Kempas state constituency here today.

Osman was commenting on the stand of the state government over the status of Pulau Kukup which has become a hot subject among the people after the gazette on the cancellation of Pulau Kukup as a national park was disseminated via social media three days ago.

Earlier, State Islamic Religious Affairs and Education Committee chairman Aminolhuda Hassan alleged his committee was not aware of the cancellation of the reserve even though it was gazetted on Sept 24.

According Aminolhuda, the approval for the cancellation was made at an executive council meeting by the previous government in March.

Yesterday, the Johor assembly passed an emergency motion for a Johor State Government Council Meeting to take note and review the status of Pulau Kukup National Park.

Pulau Kukup, located in the district of Pontian, has an area of 647 hectares and is surrounded by 800 hectares of mudflats and it is the second largest mangrove island in the world as well as one of the five Ramsar sites in Malaysia.

Apart from that, it is also a biodiversity attraction as it is also the habitat of 12 species of fauna and 76 species of birds. BERNAMA


Cabinet: Pulau Kukup must remain a national park
Zanariah Abd Mutalib New Straits Times 8 Dec 18;

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet is of the view that Pulau Kukup must remain a national park so that the area stays the second largest uninhabited mangrove area in the world.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said this was the consensus reached during Friday’s Cabinet meeting.

“The change in status of Pulau Kukup (from national park land to Sultanate land) will definitely have an effect on its recognition as an area of international interest as well as Malaysia’s reputation as a country which takes care of biodiversity.

“The people also generally support the idea of maintaining the national park status so that the ecosystem of Pulau Kupup is looked after because of its importance internationally as well as for the good of future generations.

“Any failure to manage this area properly can lead to us losing a priceless treasure of biodiversity for good, and affect efforts to acknowledge Mersing as a national geopark,” he said.

Xavier said Pulau Kukup, located in Pontian district and covers 647ha, has a unique mangrove ecosystem.

He said there were 18 species of mangrove at the Pulau Kukup mangrove forest, adding that this was one of the richest in the country as the Larut Matang mangrove forest has 21 species despite having a land area of 40,000ha.

“Pulau Kukup has also been identified as a stop for migratory birds and a shelter and breeding place for threatened birds such as storks, the Chinese egret and the mangrove pitta, as well as a resource for fish and aquaculture.”

The Johor government had recently announced that Pulau Kukup had been degazetted as a national park and declared sultanate land.

However, the Johor assembly later voted to urge the government to review the decision.

On Thursday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had tweeted that his father, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had decided that Pulau Kukup would remain a national park.

On Friday, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman said the state government would state its stand on the issue during the winding-up of the state assembly beginning Sunday.

Pulau Kukup to remain a treasure
venesa devi The Star 9 Dec 18;

JOHOR BARU: The federal government wants Pulau Kukup to remain as a national park after its degazettement by Johor last week sparked public outcry and a move by the Mentri Besar to explain it today.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said this was the decision made during the Cabinet meeting on Friday.

He said the move to change Pulau Kukup’s status from that of national park to Sultanate land might affect Malaysia’s reputation internationally in preserving biodiversity.

“The change in status of Pulau Kukup will definitely have an effect on its recognition as an area of international interest as well as Malaysia’s reputation as a country which takes care of biodiversity.

On Thursday, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim had tweeted a letter from the office of the Johor Sultan’s Private Secretary to the state Land and Mines Office that made clear Pulau Kukup’s status as a national park.

According to the letter, Pulau Kukup, the world’s second largest uninhabited mangrove area, will remain a national park despite its status being changed to Sultanate land.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian is expected to answer his critics on the final day of the state assembly meeting today.

The island, said Dr Xavier, had over 18 species of mangroves, with an ecosystem that could rarely be found and was under the threat of extinction.

“Pulau Kukup has been identified as a stop for migratory birds and shelter as well as a breeding place for threatened animals such as burung botak (storks), bangau cina (Chinese egret) and pacat bakau (mangrove pitta).

“It is also a resource for fish and aquaculture. It is home to an invaluable biodiversity treasure for the country as well as for the state of Johor and any failure in managing the area can lead us to lose these treasures for good,” he said, adding that such a move might also affect efforts to acknowledge Mersing as a national geopark.

Malaysian Nature Society vice-president Vincent Chow said the priority was to ensure that the wetlands would continue to be protected – be it as a national park or a Sultanate land.

“We want to support the move of making Pulau Kukup a Sultanate land wholeheartedly, but how would we know if it is something worth supporting if the state government does not explain to us what it actually means?

“The state government needs to let Johoreans know how the change will impact Pulau Kukup, including if it will retain its position as a Ramsar site,” he added.

Ramsar sites are wetland sites designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention, a UN environmental treaty.

Concerns were raised on social media that the state authorities would cancel the whole area as a national park under subsection 3(3) of the National Park Environment Enactment (Johor) 1989.