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Syndicate behind illegal logging in Sarawak: GMKuching: Organised syndicates are suspected to be the main culprits involved in illegal logging activities in Sarawak’s national parks and nature reserves. Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd’s Security and Asset Protection Unit (Sapu) General Manager Sani Bakar said Friday “machinery and heavy vehicles, found at the sites has led us to believe that organised groups are behind such activities.” Areas affected by such activities included the Gunung Gading National Park near here and several national parks and natural reserves in Miri and Bintulu, he said. The wholly-owned state government company was set up in June this year to oversee the state’s sustainable forest management and conservation of its assets including wildlife. He said so far Sapu had seized 524 tonnes or 944 cubic metres of logs and timber, three lorries, one tractor and other machinery following the arrest of two men, who had also entered the state illegally. Apart from cooperating with licensed timber companies to curb illegal logging, Sani said his company was using innovative programmes and technology to demarcate protected areas and timber concessions. He said so far 153kg of wild boar and deer meat as well as soft shelled turtle meat had been seized from traders and restaurants in the state as they were from animals, listed under the totally protected species. Five establishments were cited for trading in protected animals without appropriate licences while another one for keeping wildlife in captivity without a licence, he said. Under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, anyone caught for possessing or trading in wildlife is liable to a maximum fine of RM50,000 and a jail term of up to five years. He said seized wildlife were normally sent to wildlife rehabilitation centres, like the Matang Wildlife Centre here, to have their conditions evaluated by experts before being released into their natural habitat. In efforts to increase its enforcement activities throughout Sarawak, he said the company had taken various initiatives such as organising public education to make the people realise the consequences of committing forest crime. At present, the company has a 1,400-strong workforce, including 82 enforcement personnel. - Bernama
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23
August 2003
MTC’s
