From January to October 2017, the State government has successfully confiscated 10, 783 logs with a royalty worth RM676, 345.
This was in response to Dudong assemblyman YB Datuk Tiong Thai King during the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) sitting on November 10th by Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak, YB Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh on how many illegal logs are confiscated by the Government this year and its estimated value.
Among the methods by the State to combat illegal loggings is the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) initiative that includes various agencies such as Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM), Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM), Sarawak Forest Department, Sarawak Forestry Cooperation, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Chief Minister’s Department.
The State has also established 48 One Stop Compliance Centre (OSCC) in the vicinity of the logging areas to monitor logging activities.
Apart from that, the State is adopting the latest technology such as drone, hyperspectral and compact airborne tactical system to monitor logging activities.
According to YB Datu Haji Len Talif, as of now, about 528 enforcement operations have been held by the Sarawak Forest Department.
“Out of this, about 40 investigation papers have been opened for further action,” said YB Datu Haji Len Talif.
He also said that since 2014 to October 2017, 17 cases has been prosecuted in court, 10 cases has been sentenced while another seven cases are still on trial.
