KOTA KINABALU: After announcing the temporary ban on export of logs last week, the state government today announced efforts to review all logging concessions and Forest Management Units (FMUs) in Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the move was to ensure FMU-related logging activities were done in accordance with regulations to avoid further damage to forests, water catchment areas and the wildlife habitat.
The study was also to manage illegal logging activities which were still believed to be happening at reserve forests, as well as ensuring the FMUs follow transparent procedure like replanting of forests and not plant oil palm instead.
He will be briefed in detail on these concessions and FMUs by the Sabah Forestry Department next week, Shafie told reporters after the state cabinet meeting here.
“The drastic move is needed before things get worse and destroy the conservation policies practiced by the government.
“We will review all concessions and FMUs (whether they have followed regulations) as issues like elephant deaths might be related to these activities.
“We will focus on critical areas like water catchment and wildlife habitat.
“Legal action will be taken against those found guilty of misconduct,” he stressed.
Shafie said he was informed by the Forestry Department that there were incidents of water catchment including reserve forest areas being encroached.
“We must determine why reserve areas were used for logging. I am aware that it is one of the state’s resources but we must make sure it does not turn into a problem for Sabah,” he said.
On the ban of logs exports to outside of Sabah, Shafie said this included logs that had been put in ship cargo and those waiting for trans-shipment.
He said these logs could not be released and could only be sold to local industries using the raw material such as furniture factories.
Last week after attending a closed-door briefing by state-sanctioned Yayasan Sabah Group, Shafie made the announcement to stop the export of logs from Sabah to ensure supply was sufficient for local demand.