KOTA BARU, April 21 — The Kelantan Forestry Department has identified 7,284 hectares of Permanent Forest in the state that has been illegally exploited by syndicates, before selling the plots of land to the public.
Kelantan Forestry Department (KFD) director Zahari Ibrahim said the worst hit area was Gua Musang, with a total land area of 3,840 hectares, of which 404 hectares are from Ulu Galas and Batu Papan.
In a press conference at his office here today, Zahari said the operation conducted by a team of 34 enforcement officers from the department yesterday revealed the exploitation of the two areas by syndicates led by individuals from Pahang and Terengganu.
Zahari said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate would deceive the public by claiming their venture in the areas had received the approval of the Kelantan palace.
He said the officers seized machinery and equipment for starting illegal farms, and arrested three locals in the Ulu Galas permanent forest.
He said the three suspects would be prosecuted under the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 1993, and they had also been found to have breached the Kelantan Forestry Enactment.
Zahari said the operation was among a series of specially planned enforcement exercises by the department to curb the widespread of encroachment of forest reserves in recent years.
The operation targeted 'hotspots' where syndicates were believed to be using the name of the palace to evade the authorities and hoodwink the public, he said. — Bernama
