Latest news with #SabahForestryDepartment
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Record bid for Sandakan's First Historical Tree Trail
Teo (right) briefing the minister on the MPR – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia project at the English Tea House in Sandakan. Also present are the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai (second left) and Deputy Permanent Secretary I Alesia Sion (left). SANDAKAN (May 29): Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew has expressed full support for the proposed 'Malaysia Book of Records – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia' recognition for Sandakan. She said the recognition will definitely accentuate Sandakan's position as a popular travel destination on the world tourism map. 'There is no dearth of tourism hotspots in Sandakan, once known as The Little Hong Kong of Borneo. Today, it is acknowledged as the Nature City, and renowned as the 'Gateway to Borneo's Wildlife'. 'The number of historical trees found in the vicinity of the Agnes Keith House is amazing,' Liew said after touring the area during her recent visit to the district. Briefing the minister, President of the Sandakan Tourism Association, Teo Chee Kim said the 'Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) – First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia' proposal is a joint initiative by the Sandakan Tourism Association and Sandakan Heritage Trail. 'We are working on this endeavour in collaboration with MBR, the Sabah Forestry Department, and Sandakan Municipal Council, among other stakeholders, to make the recognition status a reality. 'The Sabah Forestry Department in particular has rendered assistance in identifying the historical trees, some of which are more than 100 years old,' he said. Meanwhile, Teo in a presentation highlighted the key tourism attractions in Sandakan, namely the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House Museum, Turtle Islands Park, Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Lankayan Island Diving Resort and Gomantong Cave.
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Jail and fine now for illegal carbon projects
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: Application would go through the Sabah Forestry Department's Chief Conservator of Forest prior to submission for approval by the Sabah Cabinet. - FMT pic PENAMPANG: The Sabah Government is now focused on carbon trading, but not yet on the natural capital beneficial aspect, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Some clarity has emerged from the recent State Legislative Assembly session as it was stated that all carbon trading activities in Sabah now require mandatory licensing, following amendments to the Forest Enactment 1968 to regulate such activities. Now, anyone carrying out carbon projects in Sabah without a licence can be fined between RM100,000 and RM5 million and jailed up to five years, or both. Offenders can be ordered to pay up to 10 times the amount of fees or royalties owed, or up to 10 times the value of any forest produce involved, or any other charges due. The amendment on Part IIIB of the Forest Carbon Activity outlines that only those with written approval from the Sabah Cabinet can receive a licence, which will come with certain conditions and fees. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Daily Express
Illegal felling in Forest Reserve: Logging firm, boss fined
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: They were convicted under Section 30(1)(g) of the Forest Enactment 1968 and punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the same Enactment, which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on conviction. - pix for illustration purposes only Kota Kinabalu: A logging company owner and its manager were fined a total of RM100,000 for having 238 logs for which the royalty was not paid, Friday. Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus meted out the sentence to manager Tiong Chee Khong and owner Yun Ket Chun, both 49, after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against them. Advertisement Each of them was fined RM50,000 or eight months' jail. They paid the fine. The duo were found guilty, without lawful authority or legal right, of having the logs measuring 630.17 cubic meters with unpaid royalty at 10.30am on Feb 7, 2020 in a log storage on the side of the logging road in Occupancy Permit No. JP (SOG) OP.132/2017 in Sipitang Forest Reserve, Sipitang. They were convicted under Section 30(1)(g) of the Forest Enactment 1968 and punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the same Enactment, which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on conviction. The prosecution called 12 witnesses while three defence witnesses testified in the hearing. Advertisement On Dec 18, 2024, the duo were freed from three charges of felling 707 logs illegally in the Forest Reserve and State land in Sipitang without their defence being called. During mitigation, counsel Aaron Mark, who defended the duo, asked for a minimum fine only to be imposed on his clients, saying it was their first offence and level of harm is low as it involved monetary values to the State Government. Aaron further said the logs were rightfully cut and it was not related to damaging environment. However, Forestry Department Prosecuting Officer Peter Jack Empah urged the court to hand down an appropriate and deterrent sentence so as to send a clear message to the public that such offences will not be tolerated. Peter also submitted that the offence committed by the duo not only involves a violation of the law, but also impacts the State Government's revenue in terms of tax collection. 'The unpaid taxes to the State Government amount to approximately RM60,000. Their action of failing to pay taxes to the State Government appears to challenge the authority of the Sabah Forestry Department as the statutory body responsible for forest resource management in Sabah. 'If such actions are not curbed, they will have long-term effects on society and may encourage more individuals to commit similar offences in the future. 'The Sabah Forestry Department regards the offence as extremely serious,' said Peter. The court ordered for the seized logs to be forfeited to the Government through the Forestry Department. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Daily Express
Logging firm owner, manager fined RM100,000 for unpaid timber royalties
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KOTA KINABALU: A logging company owner and manager were fined RM100,000 by the Sessions Court here on Friday for possessing 238 logs without paying the required royalty. Judge Elsie Primus ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt against Yun Ket Chun and Tiong Chee Khong, who were each fined RM50,000 or face eight months' jail, which they paid. Advertisement The offence took place on Feb 7, 2020, in the Sipitang Forest Reserve, where the duo was found in possession of 630.17 cubic metres of logs without lawful authority or royalty payment. The pair were convicted under the Forest Enactment 1968, with the prosecution arguing the offence deprived the state of RM60,000 in revenue and challenged the Sabah Forestry Department's authority. The court also ordered all seized logs forfeited to the government, following calls for a deterrent sentence to prevent similar offences in the future. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Sabah Forestry and French group to collaborate on agroforestry research deal
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: Indra and Prof Rival posing with the signed LoI by both parties, together with other officials at the handing over ceremony. SANDAKAN: Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to formalise a collaborative partnership on TRAILS 2, a long-term agroforestry research initiative aimed at transforming oil palm landscapes to support both biodiversity and sustainable productivity. TRAILS 2, short for Agroforestry Plantations for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, represents an ambitious step toward reconciling environmental conservation with agricultural development. Advertisement The project seeks to assess innovative oil palm-based agroforestry systems that integrate native tree species, improve ecological connectivity, and deliver critical ecosystem services such as soil fertility, microclimate regulation, and habitat provision for wildlife. The study site is at Melangking Oil Palm Plantation in Sukau, where the company has set aside some 100 ha for this biodiversity research. The LoI, signed at SFD Headquarters in Sandakan, reflects a shared commitment to addressing pressing global challenges—deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change—through science-based approaches tailored to tropical ecosystems. It also paves the way for more resilient land management practices in the face of increasingly unsustainable monoculture plantation models. As part of the collaboration, SFD will facilitate coordination with key regulatory agencies, such as the Sabah Biodiversity Centre and the Department of Agriculture to ensure the TRAILS 2 project aligns with local and national legal frameworks. Advertisement In addition, the Forest Research Centre Sepilok, the research arm of SFD, will provide technical guidance and support in forest ecology and long-term monitoring. In addition, CIRAD is also working with HUTAN, an NGO led by Dr Marc Ancrenaz on wildlife monitoring. Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests, represented by Indra Sunjoto, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning & Management), stated this partnership with CIRAD reinforces Sabah's leadership in sustainable forestry. TRAILS 2 opens new opportunities to demonstrate that oil palm production and biodiversity conservation can co-exist through thoughtful land-use innovation. While Professor Alain Rival, representing Dr Jean Marc Roda, the CIRAD Regional Director for Southeast Asian Island Countries, commented, with TRAILS 2, they want to move beyond debate and put our research and development partnership into action. Long-term field experiments and accurate monitoring are essential to build scientific evidence for sustainable agroforestry, especially in complex landscapes such as Sabah. The research will explore multiple agroforestry configurations—from interplanted native tree rows to forest islands embedded within plantations—while monitoring their effects on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and palm productivity. Findings from TRAILS 2 are expected to provide robust data to guide growers, policymakers, and conservationists toward regenerative oil palm-based systems. This initiative also supports Malaysia's broader environmental agenda and aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Development Goals. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
