KOTA KINABALU: There is no illegal logging taking place in the interior Sook district, says Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Zulkifli Suara.
He said that after news was published about a raid at an illegal timber collection point – where millions of ringgit worth of timber and heavy machinery were seized – speculation and false narratives began circulating, claiming Sook was an illegal logging hotspot.
“These claims are false and misleading. The area of operations was a temporary stumping collection point, which had permission from the Sabah Forestry Department,” he said in a statement on Friday (March 27).
Zulkifli said the logs were from licensed contractors and were accompanied by the required documents, including check-scaling forms.
The logs were transported legally and had transit passes issued by Sabah Forestry Department officials, he added.
A total of 28 units of logging machinery seized in the operation were also found to be registered with the Road Transport Department and the Sabah Forestry Department, he said.
“However, there were some non-compliances involving administrative matters, including the absence of property hammer marks from the Sabah Forestry Department,” Zulkifli said.
But this does not amount to illegal logging offences, he stressed, as he urged the public to stop speculating or spreading unverified information that could cause confusion and damage the image of forest management in Sabah.
“We are committed to strengthening and enhancing our enforcement to ensure that forest resources are protected, while making sure all logging activities are carried out legally,” he said.
On March 18, the General Operations Force (GOF) reported the raid and seizure of the logs as well as heavy machinery while conducting an integrated operation dubbed Ops Sawmill in an area in Sook.
Since then, many social media platforms have claimed that illegal logging activities were busted in Sook, a statement that is inaccurate and misleading.
