Frederick Kugan
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) strongly deny allegations in two articles published by
the Sarawak Report titled Illegal Logging In Sabah! (By the State Government) dated Dec 1, 2024 and Sabah Forestry Admits Log Extraction and Export – Says Timber
is Disease Ridden dated Dec 3, 2024.
Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said the Sarawak Report falsely cited a press release by the SFD in the latter article.
SFD denied having issued the press release, he said, adding this is an irresponsible act done with malicious intent by the Sarawak Report.
“Sabah Forestry Department will lodge a police report.
“On the first article, the allegation by the Sarawak Report that timber is being flushed out without proper dues being paid is incorrect. SFD has been collecting royalties from the extraction of Acacia mangium trees in accordance with the Forest Rules 1969.
“On the issue of the Ceratocystis wilt disease outbreak, SFD in coordination with Yayasan Sabah, are taking steps to contain and eliminate the threat posed by this disease.
“This issue was raised and discussed at the recent November State Legislative Assembly Sitting,” he explained in a statement today.
