By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 16: Sarawak’s law will take precedence in any matters related to the forest, wildlife, and land within the State.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh highlighted this in responding to the Federal government’s call for all State governments to fully support and adopt the amendments to the National Forestry Act (Act 313) which have been approved and gazetted at the Federal level in September this year.
Len Talif emphasised that any amendments to the law in Parliament which are not supported by the Sarawak government will not be accepted.
“However, the Sarawak government has acknowledged the principles of the National Forestry Act, provided they do not contradict Sarawak’s law, regulations and ordinances.
“We have explained and emphasised that anything to do with our forests and land falls under Sarawak’s autonomy,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Integrity Day 2023 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Len Talif mentioned that prior to the amendments being tabled in Parliament, discussions have been conducted at the department-level.
“Ultimately, the State law will overwrite what has been decided in Parliament. This means Sarawak retains the right to implement and enforce our laws and regulations regarding wildlife, forests, and related matters within the State,” he said, citing Sarawak’s forest ordinance, wildlife protection ordinance, national park ordinance and Land Code as integral to this framework.
Similarly with the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Len Talif explained that Sarawak authorities are presently in discussion with the Department of Environment (DOE), particularly on the devolution of power or authority in terms of environment as NREB has authority to enforce laws in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has yesterday (Nov 15) called on all State governments to fully support and adopt the amendments to the Act, which aims to strengthen forest enforcement in combating the illegal harvesting of forest products and increasing forest preservation and conservation activities.
Among the key improvements is the tightening of the degazetting and replacement process of Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) as well as the introduction of a public investigation process before the degazetting of any HSK and the simultaneous replacement of the degazetted HSK.
Besides that, the maximum fine for forest offences has been increased from RM500,000 to RM5 million and the maximum prison term from seven years to 20 years.
Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan, SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton, and Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Jack Liam were among those present. — DayakDaily
