PETALING JAYA, May 28 — The Forestry Department welcomes investigations into its officers at Perlis State Park after the discovery of mass graves of suspected migrants.

Its director-general, Datuk Seri Dr Abd Rahman Abd Rahim, said forest rangers from the state park and several other staff of the Perlis Forestry Department had been questioned by authorities.

He said the Forestry Department only had a staff of 27 at Perak State Park, led by a forest ranger, to look after the estimated 5,000ha park.

However, he pointed out that the grave sites were found close to the border, making it a security issue and not the main responsibility of the forest rangers.

“I give my full support. If there are any of my officers involved, I will not hesitate to bring them to justice but we can’t take action against any officer based on allegations and suspicion,” he said when asked to comment on whether there would be any overhaul to procedures or transfers..

“The issue now is about how the border can be so easily penetrated.”

Rahman also said the border area was a safety risk for the Forestry Department staff who were unarmed and ill-equipped for border patrol.

“Even if our people go in, they would go in with security officers. That is a security area ... just because it happened in the forest, you can’t just point the finger at the department,” he said.

Rahman said the department would hold discussions with the Home Ministry to determine the roles of the forest rangers.

“If they want us to take on that responsibility (of border security), then they must equip us with arms and more rangers,” he said.