Husam’s allegations of new logging approvals untrue, says Forestry Dept

The Kelantan Forestry Department (JPNK) has denied a meeting with the Kelantan caretaker government to approve new logging permits in the state.

The department was responding to Kelantan Pakatan Harapan chief Husam Musa’s letter to caretaker menteri besar Ahmad Yakob reminding the latter not to take decisions on state logging, following the dissolution of the state assembly.

Husam wrote to Yakob last Thursday to express his concern over the meeting scheduled for today.

The state Forestry Department said the meeting this morning did not discuss approvals for new logging permits, which Husam had claimed were reported to involve large swathes of forest reserves.

“His allegation of large areas of logging areas to be considered at the meeting is altogether untrue,” Kelantan Forestry Department director Zahari Ibrahim told the media today told reporters at Kota Bharu

“I stress, the state has maintained its record of not approving any new logging areas, especially forest farms, since 2013,” he added.

Zahari said his department will lodge a police report against Husam’s claims. - Mkini