187 cases of illegal logging in Peninsula M'sia over 10 years

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 187 cases of illegal logging and 2,617 cases related to forest offences involving 514.61 hectares of land in Peninsular Malaysia were recorded between 2008 and last year, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji said the illegal logging activities included unauthorised timber harvesting.
"As of Dec 31, 2017, the permanent forest reserves in the peninsula comprised 4,811,226 hectares of land, which is about 36.5 per cent of the total area of land in Peninsular Malaysia. The forest reserve area has increased by 23,968 hectares or 0.5 per cent over 10 years namely from 2008 to 2017," he said.
He was replying to a question from Senator Chandra Mohan S. Thambirajah.
Tengku Zulpuri Shah said the ministry would propose the amendment of the National Forestry Act 1984 to strengthen the enforcement efforts such as the fine and penalties to curb illegal logging activities.
He said the ministry had set up an enforcement team called "Elit Team" which was stationed at the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia and added its personnel from 50 to 300 starting this year. — Bernama