KULIM: The Kedah Forestry Department is probing a syndicate specialising in encroaching forest reserves in the state to plant oil palm trees, before selling them to willing buyers at a cheap price. Earlier today, the department demolished some 4,000 oil palm trees in the encroached Compartment 25 and 26 of the Gunung Bongsu forest reserve. Among the agencies involved are the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department, State Forestry Department, police, state National Integrity and Good Governance Department, state Land and Mines Office, Kulim Land Office, Kulim District Council, Public Works Department, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), Kulim Penghulu office, as well as the Kulim/Bandar Baharu Parliamentary service centre and Kulim constituency service centre. The case is being investigated under Section 81 (g) of the National Forestry Enactment 1985 for encroaching forest reserves, which carries a fine not more than RM10,000 or jail term up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Faisal urged the public to immediately alert the department should they notice any suspicious logging activity at forest reserves in the state.

Source: New Strait Times November 22, 2017 13:30 UTC