Forestry staff quarters, vehicle shot by poachers

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LAHAD DATU: The State Forestry Department’s workers’ quarters and vehicle at the Forest Checking Station (FCS) along the Silam-Danum Valley road in the Sepagaya Jungle Reserve had been shot at with firearms, believed to be illegal poachers.

Its director Datuk Sam Mannan, in a statement yesterday, said a police report had been lodged about the shooting incident that occurred on July 9 at around 7.30pm.

“We believe the shooting was the work of poachers who were trying to enter the forest reserve. The case is now under investigation by the Lahad Datu police.

“This case must be viewed seriously to prevent any similar incident from happening in the future. If such a situation is not addressed immediately it will affect the safety of forestry officers and staff on duty, the local and foreign visitors, and it will also threaten the security and public order in the state,” he said.

Sam said the FCS is equipped with a CCTV and footage of the shooting incident had been handed over to the police as evidence.

Sam explained that the shooting took place minutes after a motorcycle with two unidentified rider and pillion rider were approaching the FCS and went through the bushes to avoid the FCS control gate.

“There was no casualty during the shooting incident, but the effect of shots can be seen on the front door and right rear side of the department’s vehicle and the building of the staff quarters.

“It is believed the shooting was done by poachers who were trying to enter the forest reserve,” he said, adding that it was the second shooting incident which took place at the same area.

“A group of about 20 people attacked the District Forestry Officer of Malua and Ulu Segama and damaged several vehicles and government properties in the vicinity of the housing complex and office Ulu Segama Malua, Kawag Base Camp on April 2, 2009.”

Sam lamented that such incidents affected the running of the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)) in the Ulu Segama Malua Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu.

He said some international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), local and foreign scientists and researchers are involved in the management of SFM in forest area concerned.

The area is one of the top tourist destinations in the state and if such incident is not checked it would affect the state’s tourism industry, particularly in the Danum Valley, he added.