We did not approve logging in forest reserve, says ex-MB

Friday May 9, 2008 New Straits Times, Malaysia

We did not approve logging in forest reserve, says ex-MB

By CHRISTINA TAN

SHAH ALAM: Former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo claims his government had not approved any logging activity in the Raja Muda Forest Reserve but had tried to prosecute offenders instead.

“We tried to take two persons to court, unfortunately we did not have enough evidence,” said the chairman of the shadow Selangor exco committee at the Umno building here yesterday.
It was reported on Wednesday that a total of 650ha of land in the water catchment area in Kuala Selangor, including the Raja Musa Forest Reserve, has been illegally cleared over the past two to three years.

Dr Khir said this was the work of a syndicate, adding he would lodge a police report against the trespassers soon.

On another matter, Dr Khir questioned the integrity of a member of the current state executive council, claiming that he had committed a serious offence by obstructing a police operation during an anti-vice operation in Puchong Jaya in November.

On Nov 4, it was reported that DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu was arrested for allegedly obstructing police and enforcement officers from sealing a budget hotel in Puchong Jaya.
When contacted, Liu said he went to the hotel after a guest called him for help.
He said the guest had wanted to collect the money he left in the sealed hotel but was arrested by several undercover policemen.

He was in the police lock-up for a day before he was released unconditionally, Liu said.