Latest news with #NationalForestryAct1984
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Forestry DG: Permanent Reserved Forests in Peninsular Malaysia stable, slight growth since 2000
KOTA BARU: The total area of Permanent Reserved Forests (PRF) in Peninsular Malaysia has remained consistent and has even recorded a slight increase since 2000. Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said while some PFR areas have been degazetted over the years to accommodate national development, the reduction was not significant. "Some areas of PFR in the country have experienced a reduction in size due to degazettement for purposes other than forestry. "However, in general, the size of PFR in Peninsular Malaysia has remained consistent and is increasing. "Some reduction has occurred due to degazettement for non-forestry purposes in line with national development. "These reductions are usually compensated with equivalent or larger replacements by state authorities, in line with Sections 11, 12, and 13 of the National Forestry Act 1984," he said. As of 2023, Zahari said the total area of PFR stood at 4,854,658.03 hectares, while non-PFR forest area covered 888,888.08 hectares, based on data from the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department. "Compared with 2022, there was an increase of 2,638.54 hectares in PFR area in 2023," Zahari said. He stressed that illegal logging or uncontrolled tree felling are not major contributors to PFR changes, and that forest governance continues to be managed according to established laws and frameworks. On May 28, it was reported that the shrinking of wildlife habitats is a major contributor to the rising number of human-wildlife conflicts in the Gua Musang district, with several incidents causing injuries among villagers. Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said the issue, especially in Orang Asli settlements in the interior, had become increasingly worrying. He said one of the main causes was uncontrolled logging and agricultural activities that encroach on forest areas. He added that the conflict involved not just elephants entering villages, but also tigers attacking livestock and bears roaming through settlements. "We need a serious investigation into the root cause. However, it cannot be denied that unregulated logging and encroachment into wildlife habitats are major factors. "When the forests where these animals live continue to shrink, they have no choice but to enter human settlements in search of food and shelter," he said. Syahbuddin called on authorities to review the issuance of logging permits and establish buffer zones to protect villages from wildlife intrusion.
New Straits Times
05-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Pahang closes state, eco-forest parks for Aidiladha weekend
KUANTAN: All eco-forest parks and state parks throughout Pahang will be closed to visitors in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations this weekend. The Pahang State Forestry Department (JPNP) announced that all parks under its jurisdiction will be closed from June 7 to 8 (Saturday and Sunday). "All recreational activities, including hiking, will be temporarily suspended during these two days. "However, privately managed eco-forest parks, including those operated by entities appointed by the Pahang government, will remain open," read the statement. JPNP cautioned that the safety of visitors to privately managed parks is the sole responsibility of the respective operators, and the department will not be held liable for any untoward incidents. The department also warned that individuals who fail to comply with the closure notice may face legal action under the National Forestry Act 1984. For enquiries, visitors may contact JPNP at 09-5732911 or 09-5732914.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Three men, including Indonesian, detained for encroaching into forest reserve
RAUB: Three men, including an Indonesian national, have been detained for allegedly encroaching into the Rotan Tunggal Forest Reserve in Kampung Sang Lee near here on motorcycles, police said. District police chief Superintendent Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman said the department was alerted to individuals spotted trespassing into the forest site at around 8am yesterday. "Police personnel from the Raub district headquarters and Tranum police station monitored the area for several hours before they spotted three men on separate motorcycles entering the forest reserve," he said in a statement. Shahril said the intruders, aged between 38 and 51, were detained in the forest reserve at approximately 12.30pm. The suspects were handed over to the Forestry Department for investigation under Section 88(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carries a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Shahril said police view the encroachment of forest reserves as a serious offence. He urged members of the public with information on such activities to contact the Raub police headquarters operations room at 09-3552222. On April 30, five men — including four Indonesian nationals — were detained for allegedly encroaching into the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Nearly 40 nabbed as illegal timber racket cut short in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: The General Operations Force has raided illegal timber factories in Kelantan, seizing various items worth about RM31.2mil. South-East Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30pm on Monday across four districts – Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli – under Ops Khazanah. 'Eight officers and 65 personnel from the South-East Brigade Intelligence Branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, as well as the Strike Force and the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. 'A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained, while 5,537 various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated,' he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. Nik Ros Azhan said the forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, valued at around RM14.98mil, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75mil. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985 and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. 'Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings,' Nik Ros Azhan said.
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Four Indonesians among five held for encroaching forest reserve in Pahang
KUANTAN: Police have arrested five men, including four Indonesian nationals, for allegedly encroaching into the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Mukim Tras, Raub, yesterday. Raub district police chief Superintendent Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman said the arrests followed a tip-off from the public about suspicious activity in the area at around 5pm. A police team was dispatched to the scene and came across a local man driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle and an Indonesian man on a motorcycle. Further checks in the vicinity led to the discovery of a makeshift shelter occupied by three more Indonesian men. "All five people, aged between 40 and 65, were detained. The Raub District Forestry Office has been notified for further action and investigation," Mohd Shahril said in a statement today. He said the case is being investigated under Section 88(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984.
