world news - 18.09.2007
Law against illegal logging to be made tougher
The National Forestry Act, 1984 will be amended
soon to ensure more effective prosecution of illegal loggers and those
who buy illegally felled timber.
Under amendments to be made soon, those suspected of carrying out
illegal logging would have to prove that the timber was obtained
legally.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new law would
enable better prosecution of those involved in illegal logging, which
damages the environment and tarnishes Malaysia’s image globally.
Najib admitted that prosecuting illegal loggers was difficult, and even
if cases were brought to court, the level of success was low.
“This is because the need for burden of proof is high. We will be able
to fare better with this fundamental shift in law, which we believe
will be a sufficient deterrent.
“We will also be using new technologies, including remote sensing, to
detect areas where such activities take place,” he said after chairing
the National Forestry Council’s 21st meeting Tuesday.
He said between 2004 and 2006, a total of 166 illegal logging cases
were recorded in permanent forest reserves. Pahang, Perak and Kedah
were high in the list of illegal logging activities.
However, he said the biggest destructions were in Kelantan where the
state government had de-gazetted the Lojing Highlands area, making
land-clearing activities there legal.
Earlier this year, The Star broke the story about the lush forest
reserves in Lojing being logged almost bare by 22 companies, of which
only five had Environmental Impact Assessments approved.
“I do not know if we can prosecute them as the logging is legal with the state having de-gazetted the area,” he said.
Najib also asked states to look for new areas to be gazetted for water
catchments, adding areas totalling more than 800,000ha has been
gazetted for the purpose.
See also:
- — Brazilian wooden furniture exports reduced to $149.7 million in January-July 2007
- — Brazilian furniture producers shift focus to flooring
- — Canada: Huge drop in timber supply predicted
- — Severe bark beetle attacks in Sweden
- — Stora Enso sells out in North-America
