Over 40,000 logs impounded
KOTA KINABALU: The Chief Minister's Department (CMD) through its special task force unit has identified 40,161 timber logs which were believed to have been processed without tax at several locations throughout the State.
Disclosing this at a press conference here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal said the companies, including governmentlinked companies, allegedly responsible for logging activities without stipulated taxation were identified following the temporary ban on export of logs, announced sometime last month.
The logs were discovered in Tongod, Sandakan, Ranau and Kalabakan mills earlier this month, with the most in Kalabakan at 19,000 logs.
Shafie said the task force, comprising CMD officers, Forestry Department as well as enforcement personnel, had conducted operations from July 5 to 14 at various reserved logging areas including Sabah Foundation concessions, namely Tangkulap Forest Reserve at Sungai Pinangah, Trus Madi Forest Reserve and Gunung Rara Forest Reserve.
"As a result of the operations, police reports have been filed by members of the special task force unit against companies suspected of breaching the Forest Enactment 1968.
"Logging operations have been suspended and the logs obtained have been taken into custody by the task force, while investigations from the State Forestry Department are assisted by the police for further action," said Shafie.
Other than evading logging tax, the companies are also investigated for processing oversized trunks, moving logs without approval, failing to produce documents and logging prohibited species.
Shafie said quite a number of companies had been identified but he did not give the exact figures, while the value of confiscated logs had yet to be confirmed.
He said the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) had also been alerted to the situation, adding that further action against the companies might include revocation of licences.
"I hope we can correct this matter. Rest assured that whatever action we take, it may involve some of the companies that have concessions given before, which may have been used to list the company on some stock exchanges.
"I hope people are mindful that we are very firm to ensure that action must be taken against them who have breached the law. They should not have done it," he said.