LOK KAWI: The present Board of Trustees (BoT) and main community leaders of a gazetted Native Grazing Reserve encompassing three villages refute that illegal logging is going on at 810 hectares (2,000 acres), near here.They contend that the felling involving Kg Kaiduan, Kg Bisuang and Kg Bolotikon constitute development for an integrated oil palm project by Excel Spot Sdn Bhd. Thus, the work done by the company is not unlawful as it was appointed for the task by the BoT in early 2003.
The company would only be acting illegally if the logs were taken out of the reserve without obtaining Form 2B (to pay royalty to the government) issued by the Forestry Department.
"As long as the logs are within the reserve, the company is not doing anything wrong," they said.
They said Excel Spot had obtained the District Office's approval to enter the reserve as well as clear the area and received support from the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry (Dovsai).
However, they lamented they had yet to obtain approval from the Secretary of Natural Resources of the Chief Minister's Department to enable the company to pay for the royalty and take it out of the reserve.
According to them, the company would follow-up with the department (Natural Resources) on the matter.
The BoT and community leaders regretted Sabah KeADILan Public Complaints Bureau Chief Christina Liew's action of visiting the site and talking to only one side.
Wakil Ketua Anak Negeri (Native Chief Representative) for Kg Kaiduan, Lacius Sipanal, said:
"There is no illegal logging in the Kg Kaiduan grazing reserve.
The timber felling has been approved and recommended by the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry."
He earlier held a meeting with the villagers organised by Kawang People's Development Leader (PKR), Juil Nuatim.
The purpose of the meeting was for the PKR to explain why some infrastructure there had yet to be repaired.
Also present were heads of the three villages and other community leaders from Kg Mandalipau, Kundasang, Mook and Kogopon.
