SIPITANG: The Sabah Forestry Department has seized 1,700 pieces of valuable wood worth more than RM1 mil in Long Mio here.
Its chief conservator Datuk Mashor Mohd Jaini said the seizure was the result of the aerial survey conducted recently.
“The seizure was carried out to assist in the investigation into a complaint on encroachment of the Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd (SFI) concession area in the Ulu Sungai Padas Forest Reserve,” he said in a statement today.
Mashor said the aerial survey had detected a pile of logs in an area and alerted the department’s special enforcement team before the raid was carried out.
He also warned all logging operators and landowners not to take the matter lightly.
The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Forest Enactment 1968, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000 and a jail term of up to 20 years. – Feb 7, 2020, Bernama
