Tarikh: 4th April 2017

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Mohamed Hanipah

Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Kedah,
Aras 4, Blok B, Wisma Darul Aman,
05503 Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman

Dear Chief Minister of Kedah,

From Malaysian Students: Please help us protect the Ulu Muda Rainforest in Kedah

We are writing to express our concerns for the Ulu Muda rainforest that is currently under risk
due to devastating logging activities next to Muda River. We want to share our experience of
visiting this special, and one-of-a-kind forest that is a jewel of Kedah and something that
Malaysia can be very proud to have, to ask for your help in protecting Kedahs heritage and the
biodiversity.

We are students who live in North Malaysia and were introduced to Ulu Muda through a unique
programme where we bring groups of other students to experience this incredible forest. We call
our project GreenSmiths, and our mission is to develop the leadership of young Malaysians
through developing eco-engineering solutions and stewardship towards our earth. Ultimately,
we believe young Malaysians will seek to benefit their communities ways of living by
continuously rethinking the way that we live with the Earth, developing solutions for the benefit
of the current and future generation!

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Recently we brought two groups of inspiring students from the government schools, SMK Bukit
Selambau and SMK Tunku Sulong to the rainforest, where they created videos documenting
this rare, beautiful environment. They wanted to share the stories and images of the incredible
range of animals and wildlife. They were lucky enough to even witness a whole herd of
elephants including young calves - this is incredible! Places like these are quickly disappearing
globally, but we believe Ulu Muda can be preserved and become one of the best preserved
original rainforests in the world. The students were amazing, they interviewed local boatmen
and took videos and images of the wildlife. Many of them said they wanted to keep this for own
children to see in the future, and want to bring other students to experience this amazing forest.

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We recognise that climate change, water shortages, pollution, the need for a total revolution in
food production, and a lack of sustainability are all serious risks to humanity. We also recognise
these issues are complicated - but we believe strongly that together with the amazing local
people who live around the forest, and with all Malaysians working together to protect their
unique landscapes and environments, we could have something that people all over the world
would be envious of: a truly untouched area of forest.

And who knows? There are undiscovered species and potential cures for diseases hidden in
these forests. Let's look to the future!

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Please could you help us? We have heard there is serious logging right next to the water
catchment area which poses are serious risk to health through water contamination, but also
means that this beautiful area that is unique could be destroyed - and our children may never
get to experience it. We also want to thank you as we know there has previously been support
and help from members of the Council in Kedah: we believe you care greatly for the people and
communities and want the best for a state known for its incredible beauty across the whole of
Malaysia.

We would be very happy to bring those who are not familiar to the forest to come and see for
themselves the incredible wildlife that exists, and why preserving it for future generations is so
important for all Malaysia, but also for humanity. Please join us in protecting Ulu Muda!

Yours truly

GreenSmiths Committee
Yue Shern, Song, Jon, Jaslyn, Kathryn

www.greensmiths.org

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References:

Logging in Ulu Muda Reserve should be halted:

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/09/logging-in-ulu-muda-reserve-should-be-halt
ed/

Letter in The Star - Protect Ulu Muda from Logging :

http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2017/03/16/protect-ulu-muda-from-logging/

The challenge for future generations - reaching the climate change goals:
http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/3/23/15028480/roadmap-paris-climate-goals

Protect Ulu Muda - a crucial water catchment for Kedah & Penang:
http://www.pba.com.my/pdf/news/2017/08032017_PBAPP_ProtectUluMudaNow_3.pdf

Previous campaign asking for the upholding of 2003 directive banning logging:
http://www.mengo.org/resources/articles/16-joint-statement-by-the-friends-of-ulu-muda-ii-on-the-
proposed-logging-at-ulu-muda