Rise in illegal logging activities despite raids

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Abdul Rahim (centre) witnesses Kalai Chelvan (left) handing over duty to Salehuddin.

Abdul Rahim (centre) witnesses Kalai Chelvan (left) handing over duty to Salehuddin.

KUCHING: Illegal logging activities are increasing in the state despite continued crackdown by law enforcement agencies.

Federal Marine Police commander SAC Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the rise in number of busts made by state Marine Police in the first six months of this year showed that illegal loggers were undeterred by the prospect of being caught.

“In the first six months of this year, State Marine Police conducted 21 operations against illegal logging in Sarawak and seized RM7.34 million worth of logs from 18 operations over the corresponding period last year which netted RM5.72 million worth of logs,” Abdul Rahim revealed.

“We, along with other enforcement agencies, have repeatedly cracked down on illegal logging activities but these cases seem to increase with time. It shows that the illegal loggers are not afraid.”

Abdul Rahim said it was pertinent for the public to continue to channel information on illegal logging activities to the police to prevent theft of the state’s resources.

He said this after witnessing ACP Salehuddin Mat Zaman take over the reins from state Marine Police commander N Kalai Chelvan who moved on to become Federal Marine Police deputy director (General Policing/Strategic/Investigation).

Abdul Rahim said: “On our part, we need to reach out more and strengthen ties with the community for such activities to be immediately brought to our attention.”

He revealed that a proposal was put forward under the PDRM Strategic Plan 2015-2020 to set up two more Marine Police regional bases in the country to add to the current five.

“We are looking to create one in the north of Peninsular Malaysia comprising Kedah, Perlis and Penang to combat the flow of illegal immigrants and smuggling of drugs and weapons from Thailand; and another one in Sabah to combat ransom-for-hire and other criminal activities.