On paper, a total 5.73 million hectare or about 44 percent of Peninsular Malaysia is “forest”.

But of that, only 84 percent is Permanent Forest Reserve. That is 4.85 million hectares. The rest are state or private-owned forests, and other reserves.

And of the Permanent Forest Reserve, about 61 percent are ”production forest”, leaving 1.93 million hectares protected. This is 14 percent of Peninsular Malaysia -  a far cry from the 44 percent considered “forest” on paper.