A total of 148 investigation papers were opened by the Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) between January 1 to October 31 this year which included 116 illegal logging cases, 14 smuggling cases and 18 others involving other offences. – File photo
KUCHING: A total of 148 investigation papers were opened by the Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) between January 1 to October 31 this year which included 116 illegal logging cases, 14 smuggling cases and 18 others involving other offences.
Second Urban Development and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said during the same period, 26,806 cubic meters of logs with royalties worth RM1.74 million were successfully seized.
“Out of this total, 26,012 cubic meters of logs were seized from illegal logging, 116 cubic meters were from smuggling cases and 678 cubic meters were seized from other offences,” he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today.
He disclosed that 21 cases were registered and charged in court from 2015 to October 2019.
“Of these cases, ten were successfully convicted in court with 24 people fined and sentenced to prison.
“During the same period, 86 compounds were issued of which 78 compounds worth RM8.812 million were collected by the Sarawak Forest Department for various forest offences.”
He also touched on the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 where as of Oct 31, 62 cases involving various offences were detected or reported.
“This involved the seizure of 150.2kg of wildlife meat, 634 live animals, 1,116 turtle eggs, 2,233 wildlife parts, 477 protected plants and 21.8kg agarwood (gaharu).
“A total of 33 suspects were arrested or questioned whereby two were then convicted of possessing turtle eggs and they were sentence to one month and three months imprisonment respectively.”
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said the GPS state government remains committed to curb illegal logging in the state.
In view of this, the state government has established a Special Task Force to curb illegal logging under the supervision of the State Task Force on Illegal Logging.
“The team is responsible for coordinating all joint operations that will be implemented in collaboration with various state and federal enforcement agencies.”
In addition, he said the special task force will make use of the latest technologies such as hyperspectral, satellite imagery, Revlog System and Revlog Mobile Application continue to detect illegal logging activities while land, water and air operations will also be further strengthened to protect the state’s forests.
“I urge all parties to cooperate in providing information to the Sarawak Forestry Department in the event of any suspicious activity in their area.
“This is to enable preliminary action to be taken to prevent illegal logging that results in the destruction of the forest ecosystem and loss of resources to the Sarawak Government.”