Government officials identified as responsible for the Jalur Gemilang mistake in the SPM report will face action, confirms Shamsul Azri.
** updates on Operation Khazanah
KOTA BHARU, April 29 - The General Operations Force (GOF) cracked down on illegal timber factories across four districts in Kelantan yesterday, with an estimated RM31.2 million worth of seizures and 39 detained individuals.
The raids, which took place at 1.30 pm, were led by the Southeast Brigade Commander, Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, and involved a total of 69 personnel from various branches and departments.
According to Nik Ros Azhan, the confiscated items included a mind-boggling 5,537 types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools, and several processing machines. The forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the haul, valued at around RM14.98 million, followed by the wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million.
The detained individuals, including undocumented workers from Myanmar, highlighted immigration-related issues, as well as offenses related to operating without valid licenses under the National Forestry Act 1984 and the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985. All detainees and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action.
It's worth noting that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licenses are subjected to legal proceedings. Checks by the local authorities also revealed violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. The operation serves as a proactive approach by Malaysian authorities to tackle illegal timber operations and their associated legal and environmental issues.
Sources:[1] Bernama[2] TBS eNews[3] Malaysiakini
- Immigration-related issues involving undocumented workers from Myanmar were highlighted during the raids conducted as part of Operation Khazanah in Malaysia.
- The raids in Malaysia, led by Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid, targeted illegal timber factories in four districts of Kelantan, resulting in seizures worth approximately RM31.2 million.
- In addition to illegal timber, the raids resulted in the seizure of 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools, and several processing machines.
- The Kelantan Forestry Department and police have taken over the detained individuals and seized goods for further action, as the detainees were found to be operating without valid licenses under the National Forestry Act 1984 and the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985.
- The Operation Khazanah is a proactive approach by Malaysian authorities to tackle illegal timber operations and their associated legal and environmental issues, which fall under the general news and crime and justice categories.
