The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2022 which provides for enhanced enforcement will give no room for illegal logging in Sarawak.
CHRISTOPHER Gira Sambang (GPS-Tamin) said this would enable the state government to transform Sarawak into a respected producer of certified tropical timber.
“It is our hope that investigations into illegal forest destruction cases would be quickened, and violators strictly punished.
“Our enforcement forest agencies need to examine and evaluate the entire natural forest area under their management so as to promptly detect, prevent and strictly handle acts of encroachment on forest land, according to the directive,” he said this when debating in support of the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2022 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting yesterday (Nov 23).
The Bill provides steep penalties for those who are found guilty of establishing, building, operating, or managing any plant, factory, or premises for carrying out any timber industry without the Timber Industry License or a temporary permit.
“This Bill is one of the initiatives in our effort to continue combating illegal logging in Sarawak, which can bring many negative impacts on the economy, environment and society,” he said.
Gira pointed out that the Totally Protected Areas (TPA) within the heart of Borneo is rich with flora and fauna and has high potential in ecotourism activities.
The Sarawak government recognises the importance of these vast areas in the highlands and needs to work closely with the local community in protecting forests in the area as well as preserving water catchment areas, rivers and combating illegal logging.
“Maintaining healthy forests (in this part of the world) means that the state is in a powerful position to minimise climate change, which is now a global issue,” he said.
