MELAKA: A 39-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly chopping down a gaharu tree, a protected species under the National Forestry Act 1984, at the Melaka Botanical Garden in Ayer Keroh here.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said the suspect, a Cambodian permanent resident living in Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor, was detained after a report was lodged by a 53-year-old forest ranger on May 4.
He said the ranger discovered the tree had been felled during a routine patrol with another officer at about 10am on the same day.
"My men launched an investigation immediately after receiving the report and managed to trace and arrest the suspect based on intelligence gathered.
"The suspect has been remanded for four days until Friday (May 8) to assist investigations," he said on Thursday (May 7).
Christopher said investigations found the suspect is believed to have used a machete to cut down the tree before removing several pieces of wood from the location.
He said police seized a car, a green gunny sack, a machete with a blue sheath and pieces of wood believed to be from the felled tree.
Christopher said the suspect has a prior record related to drug abuse but tested negative in a urine screening after his arrest.
"We are investigating the case under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft," he said, adding the alleged theft occurred within a site under the local authority’s jurisdiction.
Gaharu is sought after for the resin it produces, which is used in luxury perfumes, incense and traditional medicinal products.
High demand and limited natural supply have made gaharu trees a frequent target for illegal harvesting, particularly in forest reserves and secluded areas.
