See startles Sarawak state assembly with his revelation

PKR assemblyperson See Chee How delivered a startling disclosure at the Sarawak state legislative assembly sitting today with his revelation of the timber licences issued to companies after the dissolution of the legislative body on March 21.

However, See (left), who is also PKR information chief, did not want to discloses the names of these companies, though, he claimed that they were in his possession.

The Batu Lintang representative also told reporters that the one of the officials responsible for the issuing the licences had entered politics.

The lists licence details are as follows:

1.Timber Licence T/8487 issued on March 21, 2011 for NCR Land at the Lemanak Area, Lubok Antu, with a concession area of 3,281 ha;

2. Timber Licence T/8493 issued on March 25. 2011 for State land at Batang Ai / Sg Engkari within the Batang Ai Catchment area, with a concession area of 830 ha;

3.Timber Licence T/8492 issued on March 25, 2011 at the catchment area and NCR land measuring 2,250 ha adjoining T/8493;

4. Timber Licence T/3568 issued on April 11, 2011 over the State land at Sg Dangap/Sg Bian area in Pakan District, with a concession area of 3,367 ha; and,

5. Timber Licence T/8497 issued on 14 April 2011 over the State land between Sg Tu and Sg Sangang at the west side of Sg Sarawak Kiri, which is the Bengoh water catchment area, with a concession area of 2,612 ha;

Blatant contravention of laws charge

See said: "Then, we have T/8496, next to the Bengoh timber concession area covered under T/8497, T/3567 in Balai Ringin, T/3561 and T/3566 in Kanowit and T/9181 in Bakong.

"It is understood that there are more than these timber licenses issued in between the time when the previous State Assembly was dissolved on March 21 and the polls on April 16," he said, when debating the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abang Muhamad Salahuddin Abang Barieng's address.

Besides the improper timing in the issuance of the timber licences, he said it was a blatant contravention of state laws to issue timber concession licences for water catchment areas and known native customary rights (NCR) lands.

He added: "One particular person or his family" are not the beneficiaries of these timber licences.

"It appears so, and I was quite relieved when I researched into the background of the companies and concession holders that I was not looking at one particular person or his family.

"I, therefore urge Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to look into this matter and enlighten us as to his findings."

"I am not being personal, contrary to the suspicions of certain quarters. In fact, I was told by my sources that the honourable member of Balingian (Taib) was not aware of the matter," he said. - Malaysiakini