Saturday 13 March 2010

Malaysia Perak to boost efforts against illegal logging

Thursday March 11, 2010 The Star

Malaysia Perak to boost efforts against illegal logging


IPOH: The Perak Forestry De­­partment has been directed to beef up its enforcement team and use satellite to track illegal logging activities in the state.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said it was not easy for the department to monitor the state’s large forest area with its present staff strength.

”We hope these moves will be helpful in stamping out illegal logging,”
he told reporters here yesterday after chairing the weekly state exco meeting.

Dr Zambry was commenting on reports that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had uncovered illegal logging at a 100ha site near Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands along the border with Pahang.

He said the department had also been instructed to prepare a report on the MACC’s probe for the state government.

”We have received conflicting reports as some told us that the contractor is licensed to log while others claim that the contractor has actually encroached into the area,” he said.

Dr Zambry also welcomed the joint operation between MACC and the Forestry Department on the matter