MUKAH: The Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) denied that there was any illegal logging activity at Mile 42, Jalan Sibu-Selangau.
On the contrary, logging works in the area are carried out by valid licensees.
The department in a statement, said an operation carried out by the General Operations Force (GOF) involving RM2 million worth of logs and heavy machineries on Wednesday (Jan 18), was inaccurate.
“All statements regarding the forest offences and illegal logging as published by certain quarters, were incorrect.
“This was confirmed by the department’s enforcement officers on Jan 19 in a detailed investigation after receiving the case from GOF,” the statement read.
Logging works in the area is carried out by a valid licensee and the location of where the logs were seized, was in the ‘Place of Royalty Marking’ area approved for the licensee.
The department added that the licensee has been given legal approval to carry out the felling, which indicated the logs were the result of legal logging activities.
Hence, all enforcement agencies assisting in the enforcement of forest offences, are called on to refer to SFD first before issuing any statement.
This was agreed by all members of the last State Illegal Logging Task Force Meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The department noted that such a matter needed to be implemented to avoid confusion, which may affect Sarawak’s reputation and good name in issuing correct facts and news regarding efforts to combat illegal logging.
