A TOTAL of RM1.1 million in compound and RM4.9 million in revenue from the sale of confiscated timber have been recorded since 2022.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that up to April this year, the Sarawak Forest Department (FDS) recorded a total of 217 forest offence cases.
During the same period, 15 cases were registered for prosecution in court, with four cases already concluded, while 11 cases are still undergoing prosecution and trial.
“In ensuring the conservation of forest resources and wildlife in Sarawak, the Sarawak Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) are committed to high levels of enforcement activities,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech today.
Additionally, the Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development said that from January to April this year, SFC initiated nine investigation papers for offences related to Fully Protected Areas (TPA) and wildlife.
He added one case has been brought to court for prosecution, while eight cases are still under investigation.
“For the same period, a total of 13 cases from the previous year were prosecuted in court, with 12 cases resulting in compound or imprisonment, and one case receiving a good behaviour bond.
“Up to now, the total fines collected since the beginning of 2024 amount to RM35,500, while the total court penalties amount to RM180,492,” he said.
He praised the Sarawak Forest Department for being reclassified from a high-risk corruption status in 2020 to a low-risk status by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MAAC) for the year 2023.
