1,000 illegally felled logs seized in joint ops

by Azam Hj Zawaie & Norni Mahadi
Sarawak Tribune 02.02.2002

Miri - The Forestry Department here made the biggest single seizure of illegally felled logs during a joint operation with the anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) early Thursday morning.

Regional Forestry Officer here Encik Elbson Marajan revealed that the seizure of 2,500 cubic metres of logs, valued at RM 1 million, was the biggest ever recoerded in a single raid by the department.

"The ACA received a tip-off early Thursay morning and alerted us. A team of six men from both department immediately went to the site in Kuala Baram, not far from Miri Port," he said.

He added that upon reaching the site, the team came across 1,000 logs as well astwo barges and two cranes, but no one was around.

The logs have neither property nor royalty marking.

Marajan pointed out that should the logs, which are of export quality, had not been detected, it would cause the state a RM200,000 loss in royalty.

He also said that no one had yet come forward to make any claim on the barges and the cranes worth RM3.5 million which had been confiscated by the department.

The logs, comprising Meranti, Kapor and mixed species, are believed to have been felled illegally in upper Baram and Tinjar areas.

"We also do not rule out that the logs could have been felled in concession areas," said Marajan, who admitted that without any arrest, he would not be able to determine how long the illegal activity had gone undetected.

He said the officers, if identified, could face various charges under the Forestry Ordinance 1954, which carries a sentence of up to five years' jail and RM50,000 fine or tenm times the value of the seized logs.

In another development, 39.4 kg of wildlife meat and two terrapins were seized in a joint operation conducted by the department's enforcement unit on eareries here recently.

"Three restaurant operators have been booked and will be charged under section 29 (2) and 33 (3) of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, which carries a maximum jail term of one year and RM10,00 fine," revealed Marajan.

He appealed to the general public to assist the department in curbing illegal trading and sale of all protected wildlife species in the state.

Members of the public who have information can call the department at 085-442600/413361 or 082-446426/319119.