Latest news with #HamdenMohammad
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Logging Conflict Escalates In Sarawak As Penan Take A Stand
As Malaysian timber group Borneoland Timber Resources strips 4,000 tonnes of timber each month from protected forest, Indigenous communities have responded with blockades to defend their land. Indigenous Penan communities in Sarawak's Upper Baram region have recently set up blockades against large-scale logging activities by Borneoland Timber Resources Sdn Bhd ('Borneoland'), a politically-linked Malaysian logging company. Groups of locals fighting the encroachment have established blockades at Ba Olé (within the boundaries of Ba Data Bila), Long Benali and Ba Pengaran Kelian. Some of these blockades have since been dismantled by timber workers. In April alone, 162 logging trucks with an estimated load of 25 metric tons each left the forests of Ba Data Bila. This amounts to approximately 4,000 tons of timber, valued at around MYR 9 million (US$ 2.1 million), in just one month. The logging concession, granted last year without public tender, encompasses protected forest within the Upper Baram Forest Area. According to Sarawak Forest Director Hamden Mohammad, «the primary purpose of a protected forest is to preserve and safeguard the ecological integrity of the land, ensure environmental protection of soils and water, and in some cases, support productive forest activities.» Despite sustainability promises, Borneoland's timber operation lacks any kind of certification or publicly available social and environmental impact assessments. The area was part of a sustainability showcase project under the auspices of the International Tropical Timber Organization ITTO. The project collapsed last year after Sarawak's authorities unilaterally terminated the project. Earlier this year, eleven community leaders took legal action and applied for a judicial review in the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak, demanding the immediate recall of the 170,000-hectare timber license granted to Borneoland.
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tuyut gets new Mini FoSCC to boost forest compliance, enforcement in rural Sarawak
Hamden signs a plaque to officiate the event while others look on. MIRI (May 9): The Sarawak Forest Department has launched a new Mini Forest One Stop Compliance Centre (FoSCC) in Tuyut to enhance sustainable forest management and strengthen enforcement in remote areas. The ceremony was officiated by the Forest Department Sarawak director Datu Hamden Mohammad, who expressed gratitude to all attendees and partners involved in establishing the facility. 'The presence of this mini FoSCC is highly meaningful in supporting the JHS' continuous efforts to manage forests sustainably and with integrity,' he said. The newly launched facility will serve as a vital platform for license holders and forest officers, streamlining processes related to compliance, enforcement, and timber audit. First introduced in 2017, the FoSCC concept decentralises forest department operations, particularly in rural areas, to reduce the need for long-distance travel among stakeholders. The Tuyut branch is part of a broader initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which includes the upgrading of five FoSCCs. These upgraded centres feature mobile container-based offices equipped with solar power, clean water supply, basic furniture, and ICT facilities. 'This initiative also aims to address compliance gaps and prevent revenue leakages in forest revenue management while improving environmental conservation overall,' Hamden added. He stressed that regular patrols, transparency, and strong governance remain central to the department's efforts to combat illegal logging and promote good forestry practices. To date, 30 FoSCCs and six Forest Checking Stations (FCS) are operational and play a key role in daily enforcement and licensing activities. Hamden expressed hope that the new facility would benefit both the department and the surrounding community by promoting more efficient and responsible forest management. 'Let us continue to work hand in hand – government agencies, local communities, and all stakeholders – to safeguard Sarawak's forests for future generations,' he said.
Borneo Post
30-04-2025
- Borneo Post
Forest Dept foils RM275,000 illegal logs smuggling in Bintulu, five detained
The lorries loaded with illegal logs seized by SFD during the raid. KUCHING (April 30): The Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) foiled an attempt by five men to smuggle illegal logs using tipper lorries in the Kemena Industrial Estate area of Bintulu last Friday (April 25). SFD director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the operation was carried out around 8.20pm during routine patrols by enforcement officers. 'There were five lorries found loaded with illegal logs of various species and sizes. Four local men and one Indonesian were detained,' he said in a statement. Checks revealed that the lorry drivers were unable to produce valid timber ownership documents issued by the department. All five lorries and their timber cargo — estimated to be worth RM275,000 — were seized and taken to the Bintulu Regional Forest Office for further investigation. The suspects would be charged under Section 96 of the Forests Ordinance, 2015 (Cap 71) for unlawful possession of forest produce. Hamden reaffirmed the department's commitment to combating illegal logging and timber smuggling across Sarawak. Bintulu illegal logs Sarawak Forest Department smuggle
The Star
30-04-2025
- The Star
Timber smuggling bid using dump trucks foiled in Bintulu
KUCHING: The Sarawak Forest Department has foiled an attempt to smuggle illegal timber using dump trucks near the Kemena Industrial Estate in Bintulu. Its director Datuk Hamden Mohammad said five men, comprising four locals and one foreign national, were arrested in a raid at 8.20pm on Friday (April 25) when department personnel were conducting prevention and enforcement activities around the estate. "They found five dump trucks carrying timber of various species and sizes. "All the drivers failed to produce valid timber possession documents from the department," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 30). Hamden said the enforcement personnel then seized the dump trucks and illegal timber, valued at an estimated RM275,000. The seized items were brought to the Bintulu regional forest office for further action. Hamden added that the suspects will be charged in court under Section 96 of the Sarawak Forests Ordinance for unlawful possession of forest produce. "We remain committed in our efforts to curb timber smuggling and illegal logging in Sarawak," he said.
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak forest, timber officials in benchmarking visit to Japan research institute
The Sarawak delegation during the field visit to Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute. Hamden is at eighth right. KUCHING (April 26): A Sarawak delegation made a benchmarking visit Thursday to the Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute in Tsukuba, Japan. Led by Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) director Datu Hamden Mohammad, the delegation comprised representatives from the department, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), and Sarawak Timber Association (STA). SFD in a statement described Sumitomo Forestry as a leading institute in forestry technology, tissue culture techniques, bio-refinery, and research and development on carbon storage and nature. 'The delegation was briefed on research conducted by the institute on enhancing the strength and durability of wooden materials and improving the performance of wood-based boards,' read the statement. On April 23, the delegates visited the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) where they participated in scheduled programmes including presentation on various wood research conducted by FFPRI, demonstrational experiment of wood structure, and a visit to an experimental wooden house. 'This visit is significant for the stakeholders in the timber industry in the pursuit of adopting Industrial Revolution 4.0 technology, with emphasis made to the use of automation and digital technology,' said SFD. It said that with Japan as the main importer of wood pallets, Sarawak sees great potential in wood pallets and the engineered wood industry to generate green energy. This, added the department, is in line with the Sarawak government's green energy policy and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg's green economy vision.
