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New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Three of seven timber factories raided on Monday were unlicensed
KOTA BARU: Three of the seven timber factories raided by the General Operations Force on Monday were found to be operating without valid permits. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the state Forestry Department informed him of the matter yesterday. "I was informed that the GOF had raided seven timber processing factories and one timber storage site in Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Jeli and Tanah Merah on Monday. "Following the operation, the department conducted thorough inspections and found that three of the factories did not possess valid permits," he told the New Straits Times. He said the three factories were still in the process of applying for permits but are believed to have been conducting illegal rubberwood sawing activities. Fadzli said police reports had been lodged against all the factories and the timber storage site involved. "Machinery seized from the cases have been moved to the evidence storage facility in Manal, Tanah Merah," he said. He added that various measures had been taken by the Kelantan Forestry Department to prevent a recurrence of such offences. "This includes the confiscation of timber logs from premises operating without valid permits," he added. He said the Forestry Department would closely monitor licensed factory areas identified as high-risk for receiving illegally-felled timber. In Op Khazanah conducted on Monday, the GOF raided seven illegal timber factories and seized various items valued at about RM31.2 million. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid had said the simultaneous raids began at 1.30pm in four districts. The operation involved 73 officers and personnel from the Southeast Brigade's intelligence unit, the 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, the Strike Force, and the Kelantan Forestry Department. A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained. Authorities also confiscated 5,537 pieces of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines. Nik Ros Azhan had said forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, estimated at RM14.98 million, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million.
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Illegal logging: Kelantan warns timber factories – break the law, face the axe
KOTA BARU: Tired of illegal logging in the state, the Kelantan government has warned licensed timber factory operators of severe repercussions should they get involved in such activities. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said any form of misconduct would not be tolerated. He told the New Straits Times the state government took the issue seriously as it involved state and public assets. Fadzli's warning followed the General Operations Force's (GOF) Op Khazanah raid on illegal timber factories in the state, leading to seizures of various items valued at about RM31.2 million on Monday. Bernama reported that GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30pm across four districts — Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli. "Eight officers and 65 personnel from the Southeast Brigade intelligence branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions and the Strike Force, together with the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. "A total of 39 people, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained while 5,537 of various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated," he said yesterday. Nik Ros Azhan said forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures at about RM14.98 million, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. "All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. "Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings." Fadzli praised the enforcement authorities, especially GOF, for their action, adding that he hoped such incidents must not happen again. He also confirmed that the state government, via the Forestry Department, had also received several other reports regarding illegal logging. "Investigations are underway, and firm and serious action will be taken," he added. Fadzli said the state government was waiting for a detailed report on the raids and seizures from GOF and the Forestry Department.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
GOF cracks down on illegal timber factories in Kelantan, seizes RM31.2 million worth of goods
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) raided illegal timber factories in Kelantan under Op Khazanah and seized various items valued at approximately RM31.2 million yesterday. Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30 pm across four districts, namely Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli. 'Eight officers and 65 personnel from the Southeast Brigade Intelligence Branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, and the Strike Force, together with the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. 'A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained, while 5,537 various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated,' he said in a statement today. Nik Ros Azhan said the forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, valued at around RM14.98 million, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. 'Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings,' he said.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
GOF cracks down on illegal timber factories in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) raided illegal timber factories in Kelantan under Op Khazanah and seized various items valued at approximately RM31.2 million yesterday. Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30 pm across four districts, namely Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli. 'Eight officers and 65 personnel from the Southeast Brigade Intelligence Branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, and the Strike Force, together with the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. 'A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained, while 5,537 various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated,' he said in a statement today. Nik Ros Azhan said the forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, valued at around RM14.98 million, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. 'Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings,' he said.
Malay Mail
29-04-2025
- Malay Mail
Ops Khazanah: GOF seizes RM31.2m in goods during raid on illegal timber factories in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU, April 29 — The General Operations Force (GOF) raided illegal timber factories in Kelantan under Op Khazanah and seized various items valued at approximately RM31.2 million yesterday. Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the simultaneous raids were conducted at 1.30 pm across four districts, namely Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli. 'Eight officers and 65 personnel from the Southeast Brigade Intelligence Branch, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions, and the Strike Force, together with the Kelantan Forestry Department, were involved in the operation. 'A total of 39 individuals, including undocumented Myanmar workers, were detained, while 5,537 various types of forest timber, 25 units of heavy machinery, 93 wood-cutting tools and several processing machines were confiscated,' he said in a statement today. Nik Ros Azhan said the forest timber accounted for the largest portion of the seizures, valued at around RM14.98 million, followed by wood-processing equipment worth RM11.75 million. He said the offences uncovered included operating without valid licences under the National Forestry Act 1984, the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1985, and violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. 'All individuals detained and the seized goods have been handed over to the Kelantan Forestry Department and police for further action. 'Checks by the local authorities also revealed that several factories had valid rental documents, while those without licences will be subjected to legal proceedings,' he said. — Bernama
