IPOH: Extreme sports enthusiasts should not enter forest reserves without acquiring permits from the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department.
Its deputy director-general Datuk Roslan Ariffin said the permits were necessary for their safety.
“If there is no permit, it would be hard for search-and-rescue operations and they wouldn’t be covered by insurance.
“It is not difficult to apply for a permit. It’s only about RM30 and there are even some states offering RM10 for a permit,” he said in a press conference here after a dialogue and briefing session by the department on the Environmental Quality (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015.
He said those who failed to apply for a permit could be charged under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984, with a maximum of three years jail sentence or a fine up to RM10,000.
“We ask for their cooperation to get permission first. If it is raining, it is advisable to not go enter the jungles," he said.
On a report by the New Straits Times about foreigners being involved in illegal logging activities, Roslan said such groups normally target lands with high value forests such as Cameron Highlands.
He asserted however the department is consistent in its efforts to protect forests reserves from being encroached but admitted there are issues that needs to be addressed such as cooperation from other agencies, non governmental organisations and communities.
"It is important that other agencies, non-governmental organisations and villagers help to address this problem by becoming department's 'eyes and ears'," he said.
On arming Forest rangers with firearms, Roslan said there were states where some of the department officers being issued with weapons.
“Directors and officers have pistols, while other members have shotguns. So far, Perlis, Malacca and the Federal Territories officers do not have firearms," he said.
Translated from Berita Harian