NGO claims massive logging near Batu Punggul, Maliau

NABAWAN: President Sakag Sabah, Haji Masmin Kadad, claimed that massive logging was going on in forest reserves, including near Batu Punggul, and want especially Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate.
He said when he visited the area he found many logging vehicles including some loaded with logs which he estimated to be under four rounds in size.
He also questioned if the alleged activities were carried out with government approval.
On the alleged logging activity at the junction of Batu Punggul forestry area which is about 1,500 acres and said to be reserved by the Government for tourism, he claimed he saw there about eight logging trucks parked by the roadside about 2km from Batu Punggul.
"These activities probably have been happening since quite a long time ago but the relevant authority did not take action.
There were fresh logged sites and this time it is serious because it is close to Batu Punggul," he said.
Similarly he said there were also alleged logging activities going on near the Maliau Basin which the Prime Minister would visit at the end of the month.
Sakag claimed the tactic used by the loggers was to place logs on the road to prevent vehicles particularly that of the enforcement authorities from getting in while at the same time enabling them to log as many trees as possible. Then the loggers will wait until the weekend or holiday to take out all the logs to the sawmills for process, he further claimed, saying the logs are sent to Kalabakan where it will then be shipped to Tawau.
"They will use the Sapulut or Keningau roads and travels at night time," he said, adding there were also Forest Management Unit (FMU) areas which were actually used for logging activities and not replanting trees.
"This is contributing losses to the Government. Thus it is vital for it, particularly the MACC and Auditor-General to take action immediatelyÉwhy should this thing be let to take place without any action from the Government," he said.

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