KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 28): Sarawak recorded the most illegal logging cases last year, accounting for two-thirds of the total caseloads in the entire nation, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change.

The ministry told Dewan Rakyat that a total of 90 cases of illegal logging were recorded last year, with Perak the second highest for the number of illegal logging activities with 11 cases last year, followed by Kelantan’s 10 cases, four cases in Sabah, two in Selangor, and one each in Johor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan.

“Criminals (who) conducted these wrongdoings have been charged under the National Forestry Act 1984 in Peninsula Malaysia, Forests Ordinance 2015 (Chapter 71) in Sarawak, and Forest Enactment 1968 in Sabah,” the ministry told Dewan Rakyat in a written reply dated Monday (Feb 27).

The ministry was responding to Che Alias Hamid [PAS-Kemaman], who asked for the rate of illegal logging cases in each state since 2022; and to what extent is the effectiveness of new technology like drones in reducing the illegal logging activities.

The ministry said the Forestry Departments in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak have adopted technologies like forest monitoring using remote sensing system in the peninsula, continuous monitoring of surveillance system in Sarawak, and the iForSabah app system in Sabah for forestry monitoring and enforcement.

“These systems utilise geographic information system technology, remote sensing and high resolution satellite images to detect any changes within areas of permanent forest reserve,” it said.

“In addition, technologies such as drones are also used to help curb forest-related crimes through air monitoring in certain locations,” it added.

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