KOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah forest reserve land areas listed for sale online cannot be traded, says Chief Conservator of Sabah Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan (pic).
He said the areas highlighted by non-governmental organisation Rimba Watch involve about 121ha within the Sg Pinangah Forest Reserve and 4,500ha in the Banggi Forest Reserve and are not for land-trading.
"Based on the sketches (placed online), we believe one of the areas was in Sg Pinangah Forest Reserve, which is under a long term sustainable forestry license agreement with approved management plans. It is not for sale," said Kugan.
Kugan said that the seller even put up for sale Banggi Forest Reserve which is a Class I Protection Forest
"It is very irresponsible," he said.
However, he said that they are still investigating the online forest reserve land sales and advised the public or investors to be very cautious about unscrupulous individuals trying to scam them
"They must have ulterior motives for doing so. These forest land sales are not valid deals, they are being done with the intention to scam unsuspecting investors ," he said.
Kugan urged any member of the public to contact the Sabah Forestry Department on all matters related to any Forest Reserve.
On Monday (July 30), Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor also cautioned the public to verify information with relevant government agencies and departments.
He said the government was unaware of the alleged sales of state forest reserve land being advertised on a social media platform and added that it will investigate the issue.
"The public should not be easily influenced on what is being put up in social media. There is a lot of deception on social media platforms. They must check with relevant agencies or departments," he added.
A viral post published last Friday alleged that nine listings of land in rainforest areas totalling 80,000ha in Sabah and Sarawak were being advertised on an online marketplace.
Last week, Rimba Watch highlighted the two online trading platforms putting up sales involving nine listings for land within a rainforest reserve area of 80,000ha on Sabah and Sarawak.
