‘State Forestry Dept to be revamped’

KOTA KINABALU: The state government will revamp the Sabah Forestry Department as several officers, including top officials, are being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) for alleged corrupt practices.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal yesterday said State Secretary Datuk Hashim Paijan would look into ensuring that the department would be headed by the right people.

“I have to get new staff to ensure that we have fresh blood and ideas with the right people leading the department.

“It’s crucial as we need land premium and the revenue coming from the timber and forestry industry,” he said, adding that a qualified individual was needed to manage the department.

It was reported earlier that about 40 MACC officers conducted raids at various places in Sandakan, Tawau, Tambunan and here in connection with an alleged graft case involving the Sabah Forestry Department.

To another question, Shafie said the state was open to appointing outsiders to lead the department, similar to the Sabah Water Department.

“We have a choice. There are staff members who have been there for quite some time. So, we will wait and see.”

The chief minister noted that Sabah had lost billions of ringgit from timber revenue to private companies in the last 15 years, adding that it was about time the state adopted “a new style of governing in managing its resources for the benefit of Sabah people”.

During a press conference on the Par ti Warisan Sabah-led government’s first 100 days in office, Shafie touched on efforts by the government to reform government-linked companies and bodies, such as Yayasan Sabah.

“The foundation has over a million hectares of land, but the people don’t benefit from it.

“Therefore, we will reform such agencies to ensure Sabah people can enjoy (revenue from) the resources,” he said.

On the 20 per cent oil royalty promise made during the 14th General Election, Shafie said the government would push for the royalty to be paid based on gross value to oil-producing states.

Though it would not be easy, he said, it had to be realised as demanded by the people in the state.

“We have seen right after the election that a promise like 20 per cent based on net profit has been mentioned by( federal) leaders.

“However, the demand is not in tandem with what the people of Sabah and Sarawak have asked for.

“I’ve communicted this to the chairman of Petronas the stand of the Sabah government and state cabinet that the 20 per cent should be based on gross (profit),” he said.

Speaking on governing the state in the first 100 days, Shafie said it had been a smooth ride with minor hiccups, adding that the new government was confident of the progress of Sabah.

I have to get new staff to ensure that we have fresh blood and ideas with the right people leading the department. DATUK SERI MOHD SHAFIE APDAL Sabah chief minister