GLCs among firms probed in forestry case

KOTA KINABALU: Government-linked and public-listed companies are among more than 10 concessionaires investigated for breaching forestry laws in Sabah.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the companies were identified recently after he banned the export of timber in Sabah.

“Following this decision, we have reactivated a special task force to investigate illegal logging activities and have seized over 40,000 logs from various locations since then,” he said yesterday.

He said the logs were worth millions in taxes alone and were seized in Tongod, Sandakan, Ranau and Kalabakan between July 5 and 14.

Asked whether any politicians were involved in these companies, he said to wait for the outcome of the probe into the cases.

On whether Sabah Forestry Dep­artment director Datuk Sam Man­nan knew about the illegal activities, Mohd Shafie said he may have known since Mannan had been overseeing the industry for years.