The National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022 comes into effect today
The National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022 [Act A1667] comes into effect today in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan, aimed at improving the management of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK).
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, stated that the enforcement of this Act began after it received Royal Assent on 7th September 2022 and was published in the Gazette on 20th September 2022.
He mentioned that the enforcement of Act A1667 in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan is being implemented simultaneously with the enforcement of the National Forestry (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 [P.U.(A) 50/2025], which includes provisions for conducting public inquiries before a Permanent Forest Reserve area in the Federal Territories is de-gazetted.
“The enforcement of P.U.(A) 50/2025 makes the Federal Territories (JPWP) the second region to have the legal framework and procedures for conducting public inquiries before de-gazetting a Permanent Forest Reserve, following Selangor.”
He further explained that these regulations outline the processes before, during, and after the public inquiry is conducted.
Nik Nazmi added that these regulations could serve as a reference for other states, which are currently drafting their subsidiary laws to enforce Act A1667.
At present, the total area of Permanent Forest Reserves in the Federal Territories is 152.97 hectares, comprising 84.689 hectares in Kuala Lumpur and 68.281 hectares in Labuan.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRES), through the Federal Territories Forestry Department (JPWP), is working to expand the area of Permanent Forest Reserves in the Federal Territories by gazetting the Bukit Dinding area in Ulu Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, covering 20.05 hectares.
Nik Nazmi stated that the gazetting of this area will protect and preserve it as a green space, acting as a “green lung” for the surrounding areas.
“This gazetting will also increase the total area of Permanent Forest Reserves in the Federal Territories, and in turn, support the country’s commitment to maintaining at least 50 percent of the national land area as forest and tree cover.”
He believes that the implementation of Act A1667 and the subsidiary regulations P.U.(A) 50/2025 in the Federal Territories will strengthen the management of Permanent Forest Reserves and improve enforcement effectiveness regarding the country’s invaluable forest resources.
Overall, Act A1667 contains 62 provisions for amendments and improvements, including tightening the process of de-gazetting and replacing Permanent Forest Reserves by introducing the requirement for a public inquiry before a forest reserve is de-gazetted.
“This policy implementation is expected to strengthen public and international trust in the Federal Government’s commitment to effectively address social, economic, and environmental preservation issues,” he concluded.