Ineffective Govt machinery???

I refer to the letter Bureau urged to do own probe on environmental complaints! in which it was stated that the Public Complaints Bureau's " over-reliance on feedback from government agencies that it is investigating can undermine its ability to resolve recurring problems of over-development in Cameron Highlands..." I feel that the Bureau is trying to do its best in most instances, and in my experience writing to the Bureau, I observe that it has been proactive. However, I do agree with the writer that just writing to the departments concerned regarding the public complaints, and waiting for their replies, is not the best way to deal with most Government departments and authorities. In my experience, most of our letters that are written to the management (email addresses that are listed in the PM's website) have been returned with the message "mailbox full" or "non existing address"! In some cases, replies to our email enquiries are answered by the secretary, or the driver. However, most of the time, it's a great silence. It shows up the general "couldn't care less" attitude of the officials who are in charge of the various departments and functions. To address the problem, and to ensure the efficacy of the PCB, it is suggested that the PCB be required to made mandatory reports to a Sub-Committee in the Parliament, similar to the Public Accounts Committee(PAC) on a regular basis. Such accountability would make its role more effective.

Forest Reserves,,, what are they?

I refer to the letter written by the Malaysian Nature Society, PROTECT THE FORESTS, SCRAP THE KLORR PLAN in which it was stated that "the proposed Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road (KLORR) would go from Selayang to Cheras and cut through the Klang Gates Wildlife Reserve and the Ampang and Gombak Forest Reserves.." I would like to ask the Government and the local authorities what is actually meant when a certain tract of land has been designated as a "reserve"? Can it then be arbitrarily decided by later politicians to "re-designate" those lands and use it for whatever purpose they deem suitable for the moment? If I am not wrong, the Klang Gates Reserve is also essential as part of the water catchment area, besides preserving our dwindling wildlife such as the endangered tapirs. It would be interesting to hear from the authorities, if a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study (EIA) has been conducted, and the results published. Please, let us mean what we way, when we announce proudly that Malaysia supports the moves to contain global warming and a greener Earth.

On the same subject, it is heartening to read in your paper that the Selangor state government has aborted the Cementery Project in the form of a promise not to develop the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. It is also commendable that the State govt has announced plans to make the area a recreational forest for the enjoyment of its denizens.