SHAH ALAM: Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo yesterday denied his administration had turned a blind eye to illegal logging at a forest reserve in Tanjung Karang.

Contrary to what was reported in the media, he said the Forestry Department did take action against the syndicate, which he claimed were Pakatan Rakyat members.

"We have a list of the 10 people in the illegal land committee who sold the land to unsuspecting buyers."

Dr Mohd Khir alleged that the state government had the same list and urged it to take action against the culprits, adding that two people were arrested, and their machinery and motorcycles seized last November.

However, he said no further action was taken because of a lack of evidence.
On Wednesday, it was reported that 650ha of the Raja Musa and Tanjung Karang forest reserves were ravaged by syndicates with political links.

The deforestation at three different sites, which are water catchments areas for rice farmers, had been going on for between two and three years.

State Agriculture, Natural Resources and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Yaakob Sapari said the Forestry Department had seized excavators and issued compound notices against the culprits.

Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Swee Lim reportedly also said a syndicate had logged the area before selling the land to unsuspecting buyers.

Dr Mohd Khir said the present state administration should not blame the former Barisan Nasional government for the destruction.