By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, April 27: A total of 226 illegal logs in various sizes worth RM22,000 have been seized by Forest Department Sarawak enforcement officers in Sg Lipus, Kanowit.
The department in a statement today said its enforcement team foiled the attempt by illegal loggers to hide the logs in the forest.
Following intelligence received, close monitoring and early detection using hi-tech equipment, Forest Department Sarawak managed to identify the tactics employed by illegal loggers.
Enforcement officers from the department’s Sibu office raided the location and used excavators to dig and pull out the illegal logs from their hiding place.
The case will be investigated under Section 96 (I), the Forests Ordinance 2015 (Chapter 71).
Forest Department Sarawak director Datu Hamden Mohamad said those found guilty of possessing illegal logs will be fined not less than RM25,000 to RM150,000 or imprisoned not exceeding five years or both.
He added repeat offenders will be fined between RM150,000 and RM500,000 or imprisoned not more than 10 years or both.
At the same time, he urged the public not to team up with any individual or companies conducting illegal logging activities and to provide information on illegal logging to the authorities if they are aware of any suspicious logging in their area. — DayakDaily
