Why This Lawsuit Matters?
This is not just about trees.
The earmarked deforestation area is larger than Perak and Johor combined — roughly the size of Switzerland.
If converted, Malaysia's forest cover will fall below the 50% threshold promised to the world.
Rising temperatures.
Deforestation directly increases global and local temperatures.
A 2020 Malaysian study found higher forest cover correlates with land surface temperatures 2.4°C lower.
Biodiversity collapse.
Malaysia is 1 of only 17 megadiverse countries on Earth. Between 2015–2021, over 3,300 human-elephant conflict complaints were filed — habitat loss is a primary cause.
Flooding & disaster.
Deforestation accelerates flooding. Flood-relates losses reach RM933.4 million in 2024, up from RM755.4 million in 2023
Human rights at stake.
The indigenous community are gradually being dispossessed of their ancestral lands, homes & sources of livelihood.
Eco-anxiety.
A global survey of 10,000 young people found nearly 60% are very or extremely worried about environmental problems, 75% believe the future is frightening.
Intergenerational injustice.
The generation that destroyed Malaysian forests won't be here to face what comes next. Young people will – that is why they must rise & fight today.