KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing has urged for timber operations to cease not only in Baleh but throughout the state.
“However, it must strictly follow the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) rules,” he added.
He stated that probing into the causes of the recent logjam Rajang River as urged by Sibu MP Oscar Ling is good, but it may be a waste of time.
“We know what caused the logjam as well as the culprits. However, the question is do we have the will to make them accountable for the devastation they have caused?” he said when contacted today (August 24).
Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman, reminded that if a timber company’s permit to operate has not expired, stringent standard operating procedure (SOP) for operations must continue to be enforced.
The Infrastructure and Port Development Minister also called for the allocation of more depilated land areas for genuine reforesters.
“But these areas must be planted with suitable species like meranti, engkabang and belian among others. In this way, the trees planted are available for our domestic use.
“It should not focus on timber species like acacia because it has limited uses,” he said.
