BERA: Swift action by the Pahang State Forestry Department Enforcement Unit (JPNP) foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,400 logs of various types worth RM3 million from the Permanent Chini Forest Reserve and Chini Supplement Forest here yesterday.
Its director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin said after receiving complaints from the public, JPNP launched Ops Ganyang where a team of 20 enforcement officers led by JPNP chief assistant director Mohd Rahim Ramli conducted a three-day operation in the area which enabled them to prevent the smuggling.
He said the inspection in the area revealed nine logs ready to be transported along with three bulldozers which were used by the syndicate to perform the illegal activity.
He said the investigation revealed that the syndicates involved in the activity comprised several highly experienced individuals who were performing licensed logging activities so it was hard to pinpoint the mastermind.
"Licensed logging activities near the place are used as a means to shield illegal activities from being detected by Bera Forest Ranger's enforcement officers and staff.
"I take what has happened seriously and will continue to stem timber smuggling in the state," he said today.
He said the syndicates involved in the activities only selected quality wood which had high demand from sawmills such as meranti, keruing, kempas and merbau.
Mohd Hizamri said his department was conducting further investigation and a comprehensive case study to identify the mastermind involved and prosecute him under the National Forestry Act (APN) 1984.
He said the enforcement unit was given two weeks to complete investigations into the case, the biggest this year, before the parties involved were nabbed. The Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia forensic (JPSM) unit was also brought in to help with investigations.
"To curb timber smuggling , we will continue to use the Forest Monitor Using Remote Sensing (FMRS Plus) system developed by JPSM , apart from drones.
"The RM1 million allocation will also be used to further strengthen enforcement at state and local levels, " he said, hoping the community could continue to alert them of illegal activities in the forests.
Mohd Hizamri said the same enforcement team also arrested four men between the ages of 20 to 60 years old during another raid in the forest Chini reserve area, in possession of a lorry and two four-wheel drive vehicles modified to carry sawn timber, in the Permanent Chini Forest Reserve area.