COMPROMISING FOREST ENVIRONMENT IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Abstract

Well managed forests that ensure the conservation of resources are not only significant for the communities dependant on forests but also for ecological service for the benefit of wider society. Nevertheless, in recent years the riches of nature particularly forest seems to be abandoned as a result of rapid and mixed development. This paper highlights the importance of the rights of public in Peninsular Malaysia to be involved with forest environmental information in any stages of environmental issues up to decision-making processes where the principle 10 of the Rio Declaration comes into discussion. With growing recognition of the rights of the indigenous peoples to land and forest resources, issues regarding the Orang Asli communities as an important stakeholder in forests are also discussed. Supported by contemporary issues and cases, even though public participation seems to be properly stated in the relevant legal content, regrettably in term of public participation in forest environment, this concept is seemed not favoured by those in authority because it is seen as a factor which may impede progress of the development project. This paper infers that the concept of public participation indeed seeks involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision. Furthermore, it is now emerged as a concept which is considered as vital part of democratic governance to enhance accountability. Thus, as a matter of fact, environmental information is a mere report rather than to be disclosed to public.