GOF raids sawmills across three states, seizes over RM97mil in timber, goods
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the first two phases of "Ops Sawmill", a targeted initiative under the broader "Ops Bersepadu Khazanah", involved raids on 18 premises, namely two in Terengganu and 16 in Kelantan.
These led to the arrest of 53 individuals and the seizure of timber and equipment worth RM66.5mil.
Phase three, he said, covered 14 raids on seven premises in Pahang, and four each in Terengganu and Kelantan, with 45 more arrests and RM30.84mil in goods confiscated.
He added that 18 Malaysians had been released on bail, while 27 foreign nationals remained in custody. Those detained included six Myanmar nationals, seven Bangladeshis, 12 Indonesians, and one each from Nepal and India.
Azmi said 11 offences were identified during the operations, with investigations conducted under several laws, including the Immigration Act 1959/63, National Forestry Act 1984, Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Employee Amenities Act.
He noted that while some premises held valid operating licences, several had breached legal conditions.
"In one case, early intelligence suggested non-compliance, but by the time of the raid, the operator had renewed their licence and rectified the issues, so no action was taken," he said. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
RM8.6m copper factory busted in Perak for operating illegally, man in 40s arrested
IPOH, Aug 2 — The General Operations Force (GOF) seized various types of copper materials, several machines, and other equipment valued at RM8,586,000 in an enforcement operation at an unlicensed factory in Simpang Pulai yesterday morning. Northern Brigade (Ulu Kinta) GOF Commander, SAC Shahrum Hashim, said a local man was also arrested during the operation, which was named Op Hazard. 'The GOF, assisted by the Perak Inland Revenue Board, the Batu Gajah Municipal Council, and the Perak Department of Environment (DOE), arrested a local male who is in his 40s, along with the seized items at a factory that processes copper dust and raw materials into copper scrap, which is suspected to be for export,' he said in a statement. He added that intelligence gathered over the past month found that the activity had been ongoing for about a year, and inspections revealed that the factory was operating without any approval from the DOE. He said the case is being investigated under Section 34A and Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and the Perak DOE also took action by issuing a stop-work order under Section 38(1)(a) of Act 127. 'The case is also being investigated under Section 113(2) of the Income Tax Act 1967, which pertains to making incorrect declarations to eliminate or reduce income for oneself or others. Or providing any false information regarding any matter that affects one's own or another's tax liability,' he said. He stated that if convicted, the penalty will be 45 percent of the tax evaded. — Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Simpang Pulai factory raided, over RM8.5mil in copper, equipment seized
PETALING JAYA: Over RM8.5mil worth of copper materials and machinery were seized, and a local man was arrested during the Ops Hazard enforcement operations in Simpang Pulai. Ulu Kinta, General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade Commander Senior Asst Comm Shahrum Hashim said in a statement on Friday (Aug 1) that the factory was suspected of processing materials intended for export overseas. 'Intelligence units gathered over a month revealed that the illegal activity had been continuing for more than a year. Inspections showed that the factory had been operating without any approval from the Environment Department,' he said. The Northern Brigade Intelligence Branch of the General Operations Force, with support from the Inland Revenue Board of Perak, Batu Gajah Municipal Council, and the Perak Environment Department, took part in the operation from 7.00am to 8.00pm on Friday. According to Shahrum, the case was being investigated under Section 34A and Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. 'GOF is actively conducting monitoring and patrols around Perak, Penang, and Kedah to curb illegal activities. The brigade remains committed and consistent in enforcement efforts and will not compromise in upholding the law,' he added. He has urged the public to be the eyes and ears of the authorities by reporting illegal activities to the relevant enforcement agencies.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Bukit Aman: Don't turn justice into vigilantism
KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has warned against the prevalence of mob justice following the death of two suspects - a snatch thief and a flasher - who were attacked by members of the public in two separate incidents recently. Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said they understand the public's frustration when witnessing crimes, but strongly advised against taking matters into their your own hands. "We don't want justice to turn into vigilantism," Azmi told the New Straits Times. "Malaysians must allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties. "Let the police investigate and take appropriate action through legal means. He said the public should immediately contact the police in such situations and avoid actions that could lead to unintended consequences or criminal liability. In two recent incidents, police arrested 15 people who were suspected of assaulting the suspects which led to their deaths. On July 27, a 51-year-old man was beaten to death by members of the public after he had allegedly committed sexual harassment by exposing his private parts at the parking area of a supermarket in Jasin, Melaka. Members of the public, who noticed the suspect's behaviour, gave chase and caught up with him. He was then assaulted. The suspect, who was married, was found dead in front of a kindergarten. Following the incident, police arrested seven people, including a Pakistani national to assist in investigations. On July 22, a suspected snatch thief was allegedly beaten to death in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The snatch incident, involving a 36-year-old kindergarten teacher occurred in a residential area in Batu 9, Cheras. Her screams alerted several member of the public who caught and assaulted the thief. Paramedics confirmed that the suspect, believed to be a foreigner, had died, believed to be as a result of the beatings. Police arrested eight men, aged between 22 and 72, who were believed to be involved in the assault of the suspected thief. Meanwhile, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) executive council member Datuk Muhammad Fuad Talib said no one was above the law. The former Subang Jaya police chief said laws have been enacted through public representatives and should be respected. "Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. "It should be remembered that the court of law will sentence these offenders once they are convicted," he said adding that the public should not punish suspects. He said such actions were nothing more than seeking vengeance. "No one should inflict harm or use excessive force when apprehending and effecting a public arrest. "Minimum usage of force could be used if the suspect resisted not to cause injuries or death," he said adding that if the suspect surrendered and did not resist, no harm or force could be inflicted on him.
