Forestry Dept denies claim of fresh logging activity in Merapoh forest

BENTONG: The Forestry Department today said there is no new logging activities in the Merapoh Forest in Lipis, 92km from here, as claimed by a non-governmental organisation.

Its director-general Datuk Nor Akhirruddin Mahmud said claims that road clearing works were being done for logging purposes were untrue and that the road, which was no longer in use, was an old road built for logging activities.

"The road was re-used to transport machinery out after logging activities in the forest were completely stopped," he told Bernama when met here, today.

Nor Akhirruddin was met at the Terosot Forest Restoration, Reclaimed and Recovery Programme in compartment 46, Lentang Forest Reserve, Janda Baik here today, which was launched by Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang, Tengku Fahd Muad'zam Shah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Last Thursday, Malaysian Natural Heritage Protection Organisation (Peka) president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil, claimed that fresh logging activity was taking place in the Merapoh Forest, about 10km from a recent logging area.

She claimed that road clearing works were being carried out in stages, adding that a notice in the area stated that logging would involve an area of 668.79 ha on land owned by the Pahang Agricultural Development Board, in the mukim of Batu Yon using a licence due to expire on Dec 14. -- BERNAMA