KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) does not rule out the possibility of illegal loggers bribing the authorities to transport their logs out of the state before the monsoon season begins.
Kelantan MACC director Datuk Moh Shamsuddin Yusof said he believed many illegal loggers would attempt to bribe Forestry rangers, especially those at the inspection station in Laloh near Kuala Krai.
He said the MACC will station its officers at the station to monitor the situation and nab those attempting to offer and receive bribes.
“It is possible that timber-laden lorries will pass through the station regularly.
“Most of these illegal timber operators operate in Gua Musang. Despite having only six investigation officers, we believe we can curb this menace,” he told the New Straits Times today.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Timber Association chairman Lim Boon Kiat said the association’s 200 members are ready to stop their logging activities once the rainy season begins.
“We will not do something that is against the law or violate the rules. We will bring out the logs and resume our work after the monsoon season ends,” he said.
Lim said the association’s members understand how logging activities during the rainy season can damage the environment.
“We also know that the safety of our workers is at risk if they are told to work during the monsoon season.”
Sources told the NST that corruption may occur at the inspection station in Laloh due to the high number of timber lorries passing through the area every day.