PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan government has given approval for logging to be carried out in the Nenggiri permanent forest reserve in Gua Musang.
This was revealed by deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah who said that a logging licence had been issued to a logging company.
“Although the logging activities are allowed, the company will still have to follow regulations and receive approval of the environmental impact assessment (EIA),” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.
He added that the state had never exceeded the logging limits set by the federal government.
He stressed that logging should not be made into such a big issue as it had been an integral contributor to the state government’s revenue for a long time.
Amar said the government did not deny that there had been theft of logs in Kelantan, adding that the matter would be investigated by the forestry department should any reports be filed.
“The theft of logs does not only happen in Kelantan, but in all states. If there are reports of theft, we will investigate and take action accordingly,” he said, adding that the state government should not be blamed for the matter.
Previously, Save Kelantan chairman Husam Musa claimed that state government subsidiary Daulah Najah Sdn Bhd was logging within compartment 26 of the forest reserve which was previously gazetted as a virgin jungle reserve.
He also claimed that there was a “theft” of logs in compartment 25, which involved an estimated loss of up to RM5 million, adding that the forestry department had since seized the logs for further investigation.