Sarawak stops issuing new logging permits
Published on: Friday, January 23, 2015
Kuching: Sarawak is anxious to avoid a similar devastation brought about by floods in the peninsula and vows to tighten its forest policy.Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the State government would submit a proposal to increase the penalty imposed for illegal logging or infringement of the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance in the next State legislative assembly sitting, expected to convene in June."What happened in Kelantan and Cameron Highlands was an eye opener and a warning to us.ADVERTISEMENT "We do not want the same devastation to happen here," Adenan said when announcing the new forest policy at the State Legislative Assembly building."If our forest are exploited, the devastation that will befall us will be worse because of the size of our State."Earlier, Adenan said the State government would no longer issue new timber licences in the State land and permanent forests estates. The State government, he said, was considering terminating more than half of the existing licences.To date, the State had issued 572 timber licences, of which 204 are in the state land and permanent forests estate, 155 Occupation Ticket (OT) licences and the rest were mangrove and Belian (Iron wood) licences.ADVERTISEMENT The timber licences and OT licences produced the bulk of Sarawak's timber logs of nearly nine million cubic metres last year, which was deemed to sufficient to feed the local timber industries with excess for export."Reducing these OT licences will not affect out output as those that will be terminated are mostly not producing any logs or areas that are difficult to harvest," said Adenan, adding that this would be done on a case-by-case basis.
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He also said the review of the licence holders was timely with the objective to consolidate the logging industry, so that it could be effectively regulated, monitored and controlled to mitigate environmental degradation as a result of logging."I understand the industry has brought prosperity and economic development tot he state for the last 90 years.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"But, to ensure the sustainability of the industry in years to come, we have to get rid of those unscrupulous and irresponsible operators, who are only interested in quick gains."He stressed that action would be taken, including licence termination, for any violation of the terms and conditions of the licence by licences, contractors or sub-contractors to curb illegal logging.