KUALA LUMPUR: The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry is considering to amend the National Forestry Act 1984 to ensure there are more stringent measures taken against those who encroach into forests in Malaysia.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the purpose of this amendment is to put in stringent measures to prevent encroachment.
“We will bring an amendment to the Parliament, where people can be detained if they are found loitering in the forest without permission of the agency involved,“ he said at a press conference after the launch of the Hutan Kita exhibition at KL Tower today.
The amendments to the National Forestry Act includes increasing the penalty and also custodial sentences. It is likely to be tabled in March next year.
He also said a standard operating procedure (SOP) to degazette lands in different states for deforestation or plantation purposes is also in the works.
“This SOP is not law binding because the land is under the purview of the state government. If states don’t follow the SOP, we have no power to take action against the state, but the people will be informed of the SOP and the people can take necessary action against the state governments,“ he said.
He added that this SOP will include all types of forests, namely virgin forests, educational forests and open forests.
Meanwhile, Xavier also said he is working closely with the Primary Industries Ministry to ensure that the forest is preserved well.
“We already banned the export of logs to other countries and this is thanks to Sabah and Sarawak for the total ban. We can only sell timber which has been certified. It has been happening and it’s good,“ he said.
He also said Malaysia’s timber is in high demand in the world market, so the country must have a sustainable timber industry to work with industry players and also fulfilling the agenda of international agencies at the same time.
