KOTA TINGGI: THE Johor Forestry Department is being probed over extensive illegal logging traced near a dam which is under construction.
After months of surveillance at the Seluyut Forest Reserve here, 26 Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission enforcers zoomed in on Tuesday, raiding a kongsi shared by about 20 foreigners who were involved in the activity.
The workers, who were here illegally, were handed over to the Immigration Department.
A man, in his 50s, who had been supervising the illegal immigrants, tried to bribe the officers with RM3,000 in cash on condition that the foreigners be freed. He, too, was arrested.
The MACC is now investigating several state Forestry officers for possible involvement in the illegal felling of trees which had put the forest reserve under threat of destruction.
MACC senior assistant commissioner Ruslan Che Ahmad, who led the operation, told the New Straits Times that MACC was tipped off by the public who claimed that the activity had been carried out extensively since several months ago.
“There were piles and piles of timbers found at the forest together with the presence of heavy machinery and vehicles.
“We want to know who had authorised the felling of forest trees in this protected zone.”
Initial investigations showed that a company was given a licence to clear the 39.94ha forest reserve to make way for the construction of the dam.
However, the company was believed to have defied the licensing conditions by starting the logging activity even before the approved date on Oct 15.
“We want to know whether the Johor Forestry Department is aware of what is taking place in the forest reserve and why no action has been taken so far.” said Ruslan.
Meanwhile, sources close to the MACC said at least eight enforcement officers, including Forestry rangers, were held in Sarawak to assist in their investigations into similar activities reported in several districts in the state.
It is understood that MACC may be making more arrests nationwide to put a stop to illegal logging activities.