40,000ha in Sabah illegally cleared

40,000ha in Sabah illegally cleared

KOTA KINABALU: The State is not without its share of rampant illegal land clearing activities, the likes of which caused the tragedy in Cameron Highlands in the peninsula, recently.

However, in its attempt to arrest the problem, certain quarters have been fond of painting a negative picture of the authorities, particularly the Forestry Department, instead of commending them for implementing the law.

The Government, through the Forestry Department, had over the past eight years recovered about 40,000 hectares within forest reserves that had been illegally cultivated with oil palm trees.

Forestry Director Datuk Sam Manan said the offenders, who are local "towkays", have been charged in court and fined together with their workers, most of them illegal immigrants.

"That was not the only case of illegal land clearing in the State. In fact, it was very rampant until stronger political will put a halt to it," he said, adding that the areas where the problem is most prevalent are Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Beluran and Paitan in Pitas.

He said, between 1999 and 2002, illegal land clearing activities were massive especially in the Ulu Kalumpang Forest Reserves and some parts of Lahad Datu and one big company operating illegally in Beluran.

"These are local individuals, local towkays using illegals as workers. Contrary to belief, there are very few companies involved in this activity. All driven by greed. They thought they could get away with it.

"Maybe they could have because there was no political will, no political support a long time ago. But ever since Datuk Seri Musa Aman became the Chief Minister, we have managed to enforce the law better because of his support," he said.

According to the department's annual report last year, encroachment of forest reserve lands such as illegal oil palm plantations are the main threat and most pervasive operation in the State since 2003 until late 2013.

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40,000ha in Sabah illegally cleared