Illegal logging cases on the decline since state waged war in 2014
KUCHING: The Sarawak Forest Department’s efforts in countering illegal logging have shown positive results.
This was marked by the decrease in the number of cases from 214 in 2014 to 208 in 2015 and subsequently to 113 in 2016.
The department’s success was due to the initiatives of the state government in taking on illegal loggers head- on since 2014.
“Since the state government waged war against illegal loggers in the middle of 2014, various initiatives were taken to intensify the efforts,” the department said through a press statement yesterday. The statement was issued to highlight official statistics and its achievements in the period between 2014 and 2016.
Among the initiatives were the setting up of the One- Stop Compliance Centre, signing of the Integrity Pledge by timber licencees throughout Sarawak, and launching of major operations in collaboration with various government enforcement agencies.
The decreasing trend in number of cases was evidenced in the decrease of total quantity of seized logs from 90,873 m3 in 2014 to 47,060 m3 in 2015 and subsequently to 13,566 m3 in 2016.
Within the period between 2015 and 2016, the department brought 16 cases to court and out of this number, eight cases secured conviction by imprisonment and/or fine in the total sum of RM56,000.
The state government also collected RM8.53 million in compounds and another RM3.53 million from the sales of produce.
“The Sarawak government’s efforts in curbing illegal logging activities thus far is worthy of praise. However its success could only be achieved with the cooperation and commitment of all enforcement agencies and members of the public who provide leads and tip- off,” the statement said.
“The Sarawak Forest Department through the state government and various enforcement agencies will continue to counter illegal logging activities as per directed by the late chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem whose vision is zero illegal logging by 2020,” the statement said.