Junz rapped for questioning explanation on heli logging
KOTA KINABALU: Likas assemblyman Junz Wong has come under fire for questioning the explanation by Sabah Conservator of Forest Datuk Sam Mannan on helicopter logging in the state.
Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Abdul Rahim Ismail, who is also the chairman of Sabah Backbenchers Club, said that it does not take a genius to understand the explanation by Sam.
Abdul Rahim in a statement yesterday opined that the Parti Warisan Sabah vice president must either be daft, have a lack of comprehension or simply pretending not to understand the detailed explanation to further his political agenda.
He pointed out that there is nothing technical or complicated about Sam's clarification on helicopter logging. It was a straightforward and detailed explanation that any layperson could understand.
A government that has something to hide will not give a lengthy and detailed response when queried on issues, he stressed.
“Instead of accepting the explanation, Junz is again trying to mislead the people by saying it is too technical, not good enough. He must have a very low opinion of his supporters, assuming that they would not be able to understand the explanation on heli logging given by the Conservator of Forest.
“I am not surprised by his latest statement. He has a bad habit of making allegations without checking his facts, proving how consistent he can be in his attempt to demonise the Barisan Nasional government,” Abdul Rahim said.
He believed that political motivation is likely the reason behind the Parti Warisan Sabah vice president for lodging a report with the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission claiming Yayasan Sabah signed a lop-sided deal with a timber company and questioned the helicopter logging method used.
To this the State Forestry director revealed there were two contractors appointed and retorted why Wong had only revealed one of the appointed contractors.
“Is there something else we are not purview to?” Sam said in response to the allegations made by Junz.
Junz had even claimed 14 elephants were killed three months after the deal was signed in July 2013 in the Gunung Rara forest reserve area in Tawau.
“Had he made a quick check, the elephants were killed four years before the deal was signed - again a clear sign of his ability to shoot his mouth without checking his facts,” he pointed out.
Junz also suggested the offer price offered to a subsidiary company at RM65 per cubic metre was unfair.
Sam replied: “If it is questioned that RM65 per cubic metre for Yayasan Sabah needs revision, apart from the automatic price escalation of 10 per cent every year, compounded, there are provisions to allow changes, in prices subject to mutual consent.
“At the time of the negotiations some time back, prices were not as good as they are today and there was no helicopter operator, as they left Sabah temporarily. There were no real world prices or costs to fall back on, since no operation was happening.
“It is believed that Yayasan Sabah will allow harvesting first, during which time, current real world sales figures will be collected and only then, will prices be reviewed. The foundation cannot re-negotiate whatever terms, since production is only about to start in Gunung Rara Forest Reserve. In the absence of real world data, everything is speculative.
“Perhaps it is also apt to mention that the contractors are paying the government of Sabah, apart from royalties, premium and other fees, a conservation fee of RM10 per cubic metre or RM500 per hectare given an average yield of 50 cubic metre per hectare for forest restoration. This will be used for forest management throughout Sabah.”
Sam went on to explain that helicopter logging was introduced in 2004 and that Yayasan Sabah is allowed to harvest timber in areas beyond 25 degree slopes.
The company mentioned by Junz, Rakyat Berjaya Sdn Bhd has been allowed to recommence helicopter harvesting on a “oneoff” basis on a 15,000-hectare site that would be reverted into a totally protected area after three years. The site is also a Class 2 (Commercial Forest Reserve) forest and is not in Maliau Basin as contended.
From the original concession area of 1.1 million hectares, some 750,000 hectares or nearly 75 per cent of the Yayasan Sabah area had already been turned into totally protected areas. Almost all the virgin forests have been locked up for posterity.
It also comes with stringent criteria to follow such as conditions to be set by the Maliau Basin Management Committee, if old roads or landings were to be used in zones buffering fully protected sites.
“Maliau Basin is safe. It is being watched everyday,” he said.
The government, with its policy of protecting the forests in Sabah, agreed to the airborne system because of its minimal impact at five per cent as compared to 70 per cent for conventional tractor logging or 35 per cent for reduced impact logging with tractors.
Preserving the forest is a priority for the state government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Efforts have been put in place to recreate healthy and productive forests in these and other forest reserves.
Through its sustainable forest management policy, 53 percent of Sabah or 3.9 million hectares of State land have been permanently set aside as Forest Reserves, Protection Areas and Wildlife Conservation Areas.
The state government has also decided to set aside 30 per cent of its total landmass or 2.2 million hectares as Totally Protected Areas, which it hopes to achieve in the next five years. This exceeds the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) target of 10 percent.
Sabah is also a hub for tropical rainforest research involving renowned international research organisations such as The Royal Society of the United Kingdom, The Nature Conservancy of the United States of America, Sime Darby Foundation, Abraham Foundation, WWF-Malaysia IKEA, Petronas as well as key local higher learning institutions.
“My advice to Junz is to stop twisting facts to mislead the people as a favour to his political master,” Abdul Rahim said.