KUCHING, Dec 3: Sarawak’s improved Forest Ordinance includes both penalties and fines and up to 10 times fines for timber confiscation, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
According to Awang Tengah, in terms of enforcement against illegal logging and illegal exploration in the Permanent Forest Reserve, the Sarawak government has a specific strategy to address it.
“Sarawak government is also using the latest technological facilities in monitoring and combating such illegal activities,” he said.
Awang Tengah said this when representing Sarawak during the 79th National Land Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob held virtually recently.
During the meeting, Awang Tengah also emphasised the importance of reforestation and the need for the Federal government to provide incentives in the form of soft loans to companies participating in reforestation projects.
Also present were Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad and Land and Survey deputy director Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood. — DayakDaily
