The fine and jail sentence imposed on illegal loggers will be raised to RM1 million and a minimum of five years imprisonment when the amendment to the National Forestry Act 1984 is implemented soon.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the amendment was being studied by the Attorney-General's Chambers before the bill was tabled in Parliament next year.

"The (National Land Council) meeting has agreed to amend the National Forestry Act 1984 to strengthen the enforcement of the acts pertaining to forestry in combatting illegal logging and forestry crimes.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers will study the quantum of minimum fine before the bill is tabled in Parliament," he told reporters after chairing the 66th meeting of the National Land Council at Parliament building today.

Based on the original provision, a fine of not more than RM500,000 and a jail term of between one and 20 years can be imposed on anyone found guilty of extracting primary forest resources.

Muhyiddin said it was hoped that the amendments could ensure that the forestry sector moved in line with the current challenges and issues which involved aspects on the prevention of illegal logging, a more effective implementation of preservation and rehabilitation activities as well as the strengthening of the development of the national forestry sector.

In addition, the meeting also agreed with the Annual Felling Ration (CTT) in the Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) for the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) period (2011-2015).

He said the National Forestry Council had agreed that the Annual Felling Ration in the Permanent Forest Reserves under the 10MP be fixed at 199,165 hectares or 39,833 hecrates annually for peninsular Malaysia.

The Annual Felling Ration for Sabah was fixed at 300,000 hectares or 60,000 hectares annually and the Annual Felling Ration for Sarawak was 775,000 hectares or 155,000 hectares anually, he added.

- Bernama