KUCHING: The state Forest Department and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), have foiled a log smuggling activity which saw the confiscation of 1,150 logs of various sizes in Mukah, Dalat and Selangau.
Enforcement officers have their pictures taken with some of the confiscated logs from a recent sting.
The recent bust, from three log ponds, is the biggest sting in the areas thus far following more than two weeks of patrol and surveillance work. Total value of confiscated logs, however, is still not known.
“We are satisfied with the success of this operation. I assure you that similar operations will be carried out in other areas to ensure that logging licensees abide by the Forests Ordinance,” state Forest Dept director Sapuan Ahmad said in a statement received here yesterday.
In reference to another successful collaboration between the two agencies which resulted in the seizure of 250 logs, suspected to be smuggled out from areas in Ulu Sungai Balingian, he said a series of similar operations had yielded positive results.
Similar bust was carried out at Sungai Anus area in Sibu-Bintulu road which resulted in the confiscation of 247 logs. This was done to avoid paying taxes, investigations revealed.
The department also seized 653 logs from a log pond at Bukit Sengalang in Sibu-Bintulu road. Checks revealed that the confiscated logs were not cut down in accordance with the logging procedures.
Stern action would be taken on the operators if they were found guilty in court, warned Sapuan.
He also cautioned sawmill operators throughout the state to only process logs that had their royalty assessed and possessed valid and complete release documents. Sapuan said this needed to be adhered to strictly, to support the effort of the Forest Dept in curbing illegal logging and log smuggling activities.
Meanwhile, in response to recent media reports on public concern that the Orang Utan onservation area in Batang Ai was affected by logging activities in the area, he said a thorough investigation was being carried out.
“The department is conducting observation from various angles including field investigation work, monitoring owners of registered licences, their logging regulations and approved logging concession boundaries. We assure you that the perpetrators will not slip from our hands if found guilty of violating the regulations,” Sapuan said.
As a pro-active measure, he said the Forest Department welcomed complaints from all parties on any suspicious logging activities particularly in areas gazetted (or in the process of being
gazetted) as national parks.
Sapuan said efforts to take care of the forest and its resources did not solely rest on the shoulders of the department but on everyone.