Environmental group questions Pahang's refusal to probe forest reserve policy

A prominent environmental group has publicly criticized Pahang's decision to reject calls for an independent inquiry into the state's forest reserve policies, suggesting the move signals unnecessary secrecy around resource management. The organization urged state authorities to reconsider their position, asserting that a transparent public investigation would serve the interests of both the government and the public. According to the group, the state government should welcome rather than resist external scrutiny of how forest reserves are administered and protected. The rejection of the inquiry proposal has raised concerns among environmental advocates about the transparency of decision-making processes affecting the state's natural resources. The group maintained that opening forest reserve management to public inquiry would demonstrate good governance and address legitimate concerns about conservation practices in the region.