Logging ongoing in Pahang despite moratorium - opposition rep

An opposition Pahang assemblyperson has questioned why logging has continued despite the existence of a state-wide logging moratorium.

In a statement today, DAP Bilut lawmaker Lee Chin Chen highlighted a case of “large-scale logging” in a forest reserve in Kuala Raka, Bentong.

Sharing aerial images of the site, he said he had also heard the sound of trees being felled when he paid a visit to the area recently.

“I was shocked to receive complaints (from nearby residents) because such logging is against the Jan 3 order issued by the state forestry department,” Lee said.

Earlier this month, the department imposed a “temporary stop-work order” on all logging activities after many parts of Pahang were hit by deadly floods.

The floods led to criticism that logging was the main culprit, especially after shocking images of an accumulation of wood debris in Sungai Kerau surfaced.

The department has repeatedly refuted that logging was a factor in the flood crisis.

Malaysiakini has yet to receive a response from Pahang Forestry Department director Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin about the Bentong site.

He has also yet to comment on the current status of the state-wide logging moratorium.

Police report lodged

Meanwhile, Lee said that fellow DAP assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui has lodged a police report against the logging concessionaire involved.

Residents from Taman Shahbandar Height, a housing area near the logging site, were also parties in the report.

“They hope the police will be strict in investigating where logging in the area violated any laws,” he said.

Lee shared images of a notice board at the logging site which stated that the forestry department had given permission to the concessionaire to log the area from Sept 11, 2021, to Jan 31, 2022.

Malaysiakini is withholding the name of the concessionaire company pending comment.

He thus urged the BN-led Pahang government to immediately stop issuing logging licenses to allow for a review of the state’s logging policy.

“The Pahang people can’t bear to face another flood,” he cautioned. - Mkini