The illegal logs that were seized at a sawmill in Sebauh.
MIRI: A Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) enforcement team yesterday raided a sawmill in Sebauh for suspected buying and processing of illegal logs.
During the 1.25pm operation, the team seized rafted short logs suspected to have been taken from Binyo Penyilam Forest Reserve, said FDS in a press statement.
“The case will be investigated under Forest Ordinance 2015 which carries a maximum RM150,000 fine or ten times the value of logs or timber seized as estimated by the director of Forests,” it added.
Meanwhile, in the middle of last month, FDS embarked on and led a National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) named ‘Operasi Bersepadu 1’. It was joined by personnel from the state security and enforcement unit (UKPN), Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Battalion 10 of the General Operations Force (GOF) Sibu, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Immigration Department and other related agencies.
The operation targeted three sawmills – two in Tanjung Manis and one in Sarikei – suspected of processing logs taken from illegal sources.
“All the sawmills were directed to stop their operations and under further investigation by the department,” FDS added.