Bigger fish, politicians in illegal logging?
Joseph TawiePublished: Nov 1, 2014 8:00 AM | Updated: Nov 1, 2014 9:00 AM
Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) believes that there are 'bigger fish' and politicians involved in illegal logging in the Baram district.
Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) believes that there are 'bigger fish' and politicians involved in illegal logging in the Baram district.
"What the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC) officers have arrested are 'small fish' only, and I believe there are 'bigger fish' involved," said SAVE Rivers chairperson Peter Kallang.
He was commenting on the arrest of a manager of M.M. Golden Sdn Bhd, Teng Yek Foo and boat operator Laseh Seling who were trying to bribe MACC officers so they would not to report their illegal activities at Long Kesseh, Baram.
They were found guilty and fined RM10,000 each and jailed one day in default two months' jail by a Sessions Court in Miri on Wednesday.
In a statement, Peter (left) said that M.M. Golden was extracting Tapang and protected species of trees within the area of Long Kesseh, especially at the proposed site of the Baram HEP Dam without a the Forestry Department permit.
The company claims to have the licence to log the said area, but now this so called logging licence has come under question as to how the Forestry Department can issue a logging licence for logged over areas without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done, as required by the law, he added.
He also said SAVE Rivers also wants the MACC to probe Sarawak Forestry Corporation enforcement officers’ (SAPU) actions as well as police colluding with a company doing illegal logging to dismantle the blockade at KM15 Long Kesseh.
Shocking pagar makan padi
"SAVE rivers views the actions as plain disgraceful," he added.
"What is more shocking is that the one of the officers from SAPU by the name of Ahsan Odau claims he has the authority to dismiss the native customary rights (NCR) claims of the Kayan community of Long Kesseh and that the logging company has absolute rights to log the area and order the police to arrest the Baram Dam protesters who erected the blockade there," said Peter.
In connection with the illegal logging and the alleged endorsement of the Forestry Department, represented by their officer, Ahsan Odau, a police report had been lodged and a complaint has been lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Miri by Anyie Eng from Naha' on October 28, 2014.
He had requested the authorities to investigate the illegal logging activities and the alleged involvement of the Forestry Department.
Meanwhile in Sibu, two illegal loggers were charged with trying to bribe enforcement officers.
Law King Chai, a site supervisor for Syarikat KCL Timber Service Sdn Bhd was accused of offering a bribe of RM2,000 to a police inspector on September 8, 2014 at a logging camp at Boyan, and Lee Hock Liang, an assistant supervisor of Syarikat Bario Pacific Sdn Bhd for offering a RM10,000 bribe to an MACC officer on April 25 this year at a logging site in Sungai Antu Pala, Kanowit.
Law was released on a bail of RM8,000 with one surety, while Lee was allowed bail of RM5,000 with one surety. Their cases will be heard in December.
Chief Minister Adenan Satem has expressed concern over the rampancy of illegal logging activities and has called on enforcement authorities to go after the culprits.
"What the Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC) officers have arrested are 'small fish' only, and I believe there are 'bigger fish' involved," said SAVE Rivers chairperson Peter Kallang.
He was commenting on the arrest of a manager of M.M. Golden Sdn Bhd, Teng Yek Foo and boat operator Laseh Seling who were trying to bribe MACC officers so they would not to report their illegal activities at Long Kesseh, Baram.
They were found guilty and fined RM10,000 each and jailed one day in default two months' jail by a Sessions Court in Miri on Wednesday.
In a statement, Peter (left) said that M.M. Golden was extracting Tapang and protected species of trees within the area of Long Kesseh, especially at the proposed site of the Baram HEP Dam without a the Forestry Department permit.The company claims to have the licence to log the said area, but now this so called logging licence has come under question as to how the Forestry Department can issue a logging licence for logged over areas without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done, as required by the law, he added.
He also said SAVE Rivers also wants the MACC to probe Sarawak Forestry Corporation enforcement officers’ (SAPU) actions as well as police colluding with a company doing illegal logging to dismantle the blockade at KM15 Long Kesseh.
Shocking pagar makan padi
"SAVE rivers views the actions as plain disgraceful," he added.
"What is more shocking is that the one of the officers from SAPU by the name of Ahsan Odau claims he has the authority to dismiss the native customary rights (NCR) claims of the Kayan community of Long Kesseh and that the logging company has absolute rights to log the area and order the police to arrest the Baram Dam protesters who erected the blockade there," said Peter.
In connection with the illegal logging and the alleged endorsement of the Forestry Department, represented by their officer, Ahsan Odau, a police report had been lodged and a complaint has been lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Miri by Anyie Eng from Naha' on October 28, 2014.
He had requested the authorities to investigate the illegal logging activities and the alleged involvement of the Forestry Department.
Meanwhile in Sibu, two illegal loggers were charged with trying to bribe enforcement officers.
Law King Chai, a site supervisor for Syarikat KCL Timber Service Sdn Bhd was accused of offering a bribe of RM2,000 to a police inspector on September 8, 2014 at a logging camp at Boyan, and Lee Hock Liang, an assistant supervisor of Syarikat Bario Pacific Sdn Bhd for offering a RM10,000 bribe to an MACC officer on April 25 this year at a logging site in Sungai Antu Pala, Kanowit.
Law was released on a bail of RM8,000 with one surety, while Lee was allowed bail of RM5,000 with one surety. Their cases will be heard in December.
Chief Minister Adenan Satem has expressed concern over the rampancy of illegal logging activities and has called on enforcement authorities to go after the culprits.
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