Foreign rings stealing nation’s timber
Syndicates recruiting illegal immigrants to cut the logs, says Civil Defence report
FOREIGN syndicates seem to be massively involved in illegal logging in the country as suggested in a comprehensive report by the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (APM).
These syndicates had, over the years, been sending their men who were also foreigners to Malaysia to do the dirty job. They also recruited illegal immigrants all over the country, who were more than happy to hide in the jungles and get paid for work. Sources told the New Straits
Times that the syndicate would first send a squad to recce a forest area.
Later, these foreigners would camp beneath the thick jungle canopy and assess whether their loot was worthwhile.
Some of the syndicates were based in Southeast Asia, but there were others from outside the region.
The sources with intimate knowledge of the syndicates’ operation said the tactics applied by these foreign thieves in plundering some of the country’s most valuable natural resources included an “almost impenetrable” method of smuggling out the stolen items.
“The transport network to take out their loot is multi-pronged. Sometimes, they use state roads, other times, the sea lanes.
“We have also established that the syndicates also used highways to expedite clearance of the timber they fell.
“But they always moved at night and almost never use uncovered lorries that you can see carrying logs.
“Evidence strongly suggests that they have logistical support from local people, the authorities, as well some companies,” the source said, adding that ongoing investigations were zooming in on certain ports for having possibly facilitated the movement of stolen timber out of the country.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said the names of those responsible for illegal logging, including in forest reserves where logging is banned, would be stated in the report that was being prepared.
Once it is submitted to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the government will know exactly which forests in the country have been “raped”.
The sources said among the forests that had been illegally-cleared by the syndicates were those in Pahang and Kelantan.
In Pahang, a source said among the most affected areas were Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill and Janda Baik.
“The syndicates have also penetrated forest reserves in Gua Musang, Kuala Krai and Tanah Merah in Kelantan.
“Some state governments are aware of these land clearing, but there are those which are clueless. Some district offices have admitted that they were aware of the illegal logging but did nothing,” the source said, adding that there were occasions where illegally-cleared land were only discovered when the authorities flew over them in helicopters.
Among timber highly-soughtafter by the syndicates were high-grade types that could fetch anywhere between RM2,500 and RM7,000 per tonne.
They included the premium Merbau and Meranti varieties. The value increased if they were sent out as sawn timber.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is expected to receive the full report next Wednesday, said he would first need to study the report with his officers.
“After that, I will sit down again with Shahidan as he has agreed to help deploy personnel from the Civil Defence Department to monitor and carry out preventive measures to arrest any illegal land clearing,” he told the NST.
Wan Junaidi said his ministry would also consider roping in the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to assist in investigations.
Under the National Blue Ocean Strategy, some 10,000 Civil Defence personnel are working with the Forestry Department in enforcement initiatives.