Enforcers inspecting the illegal logs.
The seized illegal logs.
KUCHING: An integrated operation codenamed ‘Ops Gergaji’ with the aim of eradicating corruption and tax evasion through illegal logging activities yesterday saw law enforcers raiding 48 premises and freezing a total of RM560 million in company or individual accounts.
The operation that begun around 9.30am involved 400 enforcers from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak was spearheaded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in collaboration with the state government. Other agencies involved were the Police, General Operations Force, State Forestry Department and Inland Revenue Board.
The operation was launched following public tip-offs and thorough surveillance by MACC and other government agencies, MACC said through a press statement yesterday.
Out of the 48 premises raided, 27 were sawmills and log ponds while the rest were business premises located in six districts – Miri (13 premises), Kuching (12), Sibu (12), Bintulu (6), Bakun (3) and Kapit (2).
A total of 375 company or individual accounts with a total amount of RM560 million were frozen and more than 500 logs were confiscated in the process.
“The integrated operation proves the commitment of the state and federal governments in combating corruption in the logging or timber sector apart from curbing illegal logging which has been rampant in Sarawak all this while.
“It is claimed that illegal logging activities had caused the state and federal government to lose billions of ringgit.
“The effort is also aimed at protecting the state’s forest and natural resources.
“The success of the operation is attributed to the concerted efforts of various government agencies,” MACC director of investigation Dato Mohamad Jamidan Abdullah was quoted as saying.