Between 2002 and 2023, Malaysia lost millions of hectares of humid primary forest. In places like Gua Musang in Kelantan, the impact of forest loss is being felt directly by Orang Asli communities. Villages in Pos Pasik, Pos Simpor, and Pos Bihai are reporting polluted rivers, damaged crops, conflicts with wildlife, and increasing pressure on customary lands. Some residents are now facing possible legal consequences for defending those lands through peaceful blockades. We speak to Heng Kiah Chun, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Malaysia, to examine what is happening on the ground and the policy changes that are being called for through the #HutanKitaHakKita campaign.


Image credit: Greenpeace Malaysia

Between 2002 and 2023, Malaysia lost millions of hectares of humid primary forest. In places like Gua Musang in Kelantan, the impact of forest loss is being felt directly by Orang Asli communities. Villages in Pos Pasik, Pos Simpor, and Pos Bihai are reporting polluted rivers, damaged crops, conflicts with wildlife, and increasing pressure on customary lands. Some residents are now facing possible legal consequences for defending those lands through peaceful blockades. We speak to Heng Kiah Chun, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Malaysia, to examine what is happening on the ground and the policy changes that are being called for through the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.greenpeace.org/malaysia/petitions/our-forests-our-future/"> #HutanKitaHakKita</a> campaign. Image credit: Greenpeace Malaysia

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.