I have not approved a single logging concession, says MB Sanusi

 

Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor denied that he had approved logging concessionS since assuming the menteri besar post in May 2020. - NSTP file pic

ALOR SETAR: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor denied that he had approved logging concessions since assuming the menteri besar post in May 2020.

Sanusi clarified that all ongoing logging activities in Kedah were concessions approved by his predecessors.

"I wish to clarify that all the companies that obtained logging concessions are required to pay between 10 per cent to 30 per cent of the total premium value soon after securing approval.

"However, some of the companies were dragging their feet in paying the premium since their turn to carry out the logging works is still a long way to go.

"So, when I came into office, I decided that we should get the companies to honour the premium payment schedule so that the state could collect the revenue that we have targeted," he said.

Sanusi added that since enforcing the logging premium payment, the state has to date generated RM60 million revenue from the companies.

"We need to collect the premium because the state Forestry Department has to bear the initial cost of border plotting, tree markings, expanding buffer zone of the river and so on, even before the companies begin logging," he said.

Sanusi was responding to remarks from Datuk Ir Amiruddin Hamzah (Pejuang-Anak Bukit) in the Kedah Assembly sitting today on the amount of logging premium collected by the state government.

During the debate session today, Amiruddin had read out a written reply from the state government on the amount of logging premium collected in the state under three Menteris Besar, including Sanusi.

"During Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir administration, (both the first and the second term), the state had collected RM94 million logging premium.

"During Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah administration, the state had collected RM164 million and under Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi, the state had collected RM60 million logging premium since May 2020 until recently," Amiruddin told the House.

Sanusi hoped that the explanation would correct the misperception that he had approved logging permits in Kedah after assuming the post.

On a separate issue concerning logging and sand mining approval for the Forest Reserve in Gunung Raya, Langkawi, Sanusi said the approval was made by Mukhriz's administration.

"The approval for two compartments for Yayasan Islam Negeri Kedah (Yiked) was made by the state Natural Resources Committee on 23 April 2020, during Mukhriz's administration.

"The committee had approved 40ha land in two compartments for logging and sand mining, it was subsequently endorsed by the state executive council led by Mukhriz himself," he said.

He said checks with the state Forestry Department also confirmed that the department has never issued approval for such activity in Gunung Raya.

As such, Sanusi said whatever issue raised by Mukhriz on the matter backfired to himself.

During the debate session earlier today, Mukhriz, (Pejuang-Jitra) questioned the state government's decision to approve the sand mining and logging permit in Gunung Raya, despite not obtaining consent from the state Environmental Department. - NST