Shafie tight-lipped over exact reason for forestry chief’s removal

Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal non-committal when asked if Sabah’s Conservator of Forests Sam Mannan was removed because of the on-going probe into illegal logging in Sabah.

Shafie Apdal says Sam Mannan’s contract with the state Forestry Department was also coming to an end. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Shafie Apdal was non-committal when asked if the removal of Sam Mannan as the state’s chief conservator of forests was due to the ongoing probe into illegal logging in Sabah.

“The decision has been made to cut short his contract.

“We will see if there’s any connection between his termination and the ongoing probe,” he told reporters after chairing the state Cabinet meeting here today.

Shafie said Mannan’s contract with the state Forestry Department was coming to an end.

“This move is also to ensure that there will be an independent investigation carried out and that everything is done based on procedures,” he said.

To a question if Mannan was also the subject of the probe, he answered “don’t know”.

Mannan was given three months’ notice that he was being removed as Sabah’s conservator of forests, with the notice taking effect from Aug 1.

The letter, which had been making its rounds in social media, was signed by the state secretary through the state Public Services Commission. -FMT