Bentong MP Wong Tack, who previously led environmentalist group Himpunan Hijau, has been appointed the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) chairperson.
Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Teresa Kok, who oversees MTIB, confirmed the appointment today.
"We were criticised on logging issues. He is an environmentalist, so let him regulate the timber industry," she told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Kok also stressed that Wong Tack's appointment was not a violation of Pakatan Harapan's pledge not to have political appointees in government-linked companies (GLCs).
"We are not using this to do business […] it's a regulatory body. It regulates the industry and pushes for development and licensing. So it's not a GLC," she said.
The position was previously occupied by Baram MP Anyi Ngau who was previously aligned with the BN coalition.
Wong Tack is known for his activism against the Lynas rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
He was last month fined by the Kuantan Sessions Court for participating in an unlawful assembly in relation to a protest at Lynas' factory in Gebeng in 2014.
However, the RM1,500 fine against him was below the RM2,000 threshold which would have disqualified him as an MP.
Wong Tack, who contested on a DAP ticket in the May 9 general election, defeated MCA president Liow Tiong Lai.
Wong Tack won 25,716 votes to Liow's 23,684 votes while the PAS candidate, N Balasubramaniam received 5,706 votes.
It was Wong's second time contesting the seat. He lost in the 2013 general election.- Mkini
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