KUALA LUMPUR – The floods that recently hit Malaysia have intensified questions about the extent to which the nation’s forests, particularly in Pahang and states with vast tracts of woodlands, are being preserved and protected.
The high waters brought along debris that included fully logged or chopped trees, suggesting rampant deforestation and felling in and around rainforests – including areas marked as forest reserves.
In a shocking discovery, it has been found that land meant for lumbering and licences for logging is being openly offered online.
Even more worryingly, the areas peddled for cutting down trees like the precious meranti include forest reserves, even though the designation means they are to be protected to preserve their flora, fauna, wildlife and ecosystems.
The forest reserves found to be eyed for felling include the Sg Nipah Forest Reserve and Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve, which brim with numerous rare and common species of flora and fauna.
On a website called majalah.com, The Vibes sighted numerous postings where forest lands are being advertised for logging activities.
Typing “balak Pahang” (Pahang timber) on the website’s search box revealed at least 100 advertisements.
One of the advertisements listed was titled “Kawasan Kayu Balak 999 Ekar utk Dijual” (999 acres of timber area for sale).
When the number listed on the website was contacted, the person who took the call explained that the land concerned is actually located in Terengganu.
The land itself has been approved for logging by the authorities, he said. However, the advertisement states that the premiums have yet to be paid.
He explained that premiums are only paid when the state Forestry Department enters the land and determines which trees can be cut.
The Forestry Department would enter the compartment where logging will take place and survey how many trees are available for logging. That's how the premium would be determined,” the person said.
A “compartment” refers to a fixed area of land where logging is allowed to be carried out.
Last month, The Vibes reported that the Environment Department had approved 46 environmental impact assessment reports, some of which comprise logging and deforestation activities.
Forestry department, state foundation purportedly involved?
The Vibes also sighted a document bearing the letterhead of the Terengganu Forestry Department as an example of how lumbering permissions are supposedly given.
It appears to have given approval to log two compartments at the Sg Nipah Forest Reserve on lands amounting to 404ha.
Another advertisement revealed that three parcels of land – 209ha, 212.4ha, and 224ha – at the Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve in Pahang are also being sold for logging.
According to the listing, each of the three areas has a separate logging licence.
It also says that logging, as per what is marked on the lands, can yield 37.1 to 44 tonnes per ha.
Payment including premium would be based on rates set by Yayasan Pahang (the main Pahang state foundation) and the company which the land has been offered to,” the advertisement reads.
Upon contacting the number listed in the advertisement, it was revealed that the area has a significant amount of meranti trees and all necessary approvals have been obtained.
According to Yayasan Pahang’s website, the foundation was established in 1983 with the vision to improve education, sports and cultural development as well as create education opportunities for students in the state.
Currently, the chairman of Yayasan Pahang is Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy.
‘Cuci mangkuk’: mowing entire areas clean of trees
Meanwhile, another posting that advertises logging land for sale in Pahang reveals up to 1,619ha available.
When contacted on WhatsApp, it was revealed that the land is located in Bebar, Pekan.
Instead of logging using the marking system, the land is being treated as “cuci mangkuk”, where all trees in a given area can be cut down.
It is estimated the logging in the area via complete denudation can yield up to 49.4 to 69.2 tonnes per ha.
For those intending to log only without purchasing the land, the price is listed as RM9,000 per acre (RM3642.25 per ha).
Those interested in both buying the land and logging are looking at a negotiable RM13,000.
The advertiser further revealed that they have other pieces of land available, but for now only 1618.7ha are available for sale.
The land is being offered for tree felling amid a massive flood crisis that has gripped various parts of Malaysia.
During the height of the crisis last month, the Pahang Social Welfare Department’s InfoBencana app had said that more than 25,000 people were evacuated to 239 relief centres.
Nine districts were severely hit by floods, namely Bentong, Raub, Lipis, Jerantut, Temerloh, Bera, Maran, Kuantan and Pekan.
The state Disaster Management Committee’s secretariat reported that several major rivers in Pahang were at dangerous levels, including Sg Pahang, Sg Jelai, Sg Tembeling, Sg Lipis, Sg Bentong, Sg Lembing, Sg Lepar and Sg Belat.
The other states to be severely impacted by the floods with thousands of evacuations and homes inundated in chest-high waters included Terengganu, Kelantan, Perak, Selangor and Johor. – The Vibes, January 10, 2021
