Latest news with #ZainuddinJamaluddin
The Star
01-08-2025
- The Star
QuickCheck: Was a man caught trying to transport over 900kg of illegally sourced durians to sell?
DURIAN can be a thorny subject. Most people love the taste of this tropical fruit and hate the profiteering. With the global market for fresh durian valued at US$7.7bil (RM33bil) in 2024, it is obvious that there is a lot of money to be made from the King of Fruits. Recently, it was claimed that a man was caught transporting over 900kg of durians that had been taken from trees planted in a forest reserve. It was also claimed that he man was on the way to sell the ill-goten fruits. Are the claims true? Verdict: TRUE A 48-year-old man was arrested while transporting 919kg of what are believed to be musang king and D24 durians, according to Sinar Harian. According to the director of the Pahang State Forestry Department, Zainuddin Jamaluddin, preliminary investigations revealed that the fruits came from trees that were illegally planted in Compartment 91 of the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub. 'The seized durians are grade C and D, and are believed to be for the local market. "The vehicle and load have been seized for further action under the National Forestry Act 1984 for trespassing on forest reserves," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 29). It was reported that the durians were worth about RM5,000. Zainuddin added that the suspect was released on police bail after providing a statement. "The department's investigative officers will conduct further investigations before legal action is taken for extracting forest produce (durian) without permission. "The Gunung Benum Forest Reserve is known to be the location of durian and other fruit trees such as mangosteen, rambutan, petai and kantan, which are planted illegally," he said. "The department has identified nine main areas that are often the location of illegal agricultural activities in this forest reserve. "We advise residents who live near forest reserves not to move forest products or carry out any activity without permission, to avoid legal action," he added. Reference: my/article/741231/berita/ semasa/tak-sempat-jual-durian- tanaman-haram-di-hutan-simpan- gunung-benum
New Straits Times
01-08-2025
- New Straits Times
Durian farmer caught with 919kg of Musang King, D24 from protected forest
KUANTAN: A durian farmer's plan to profit from Musang King and D24 durians planted illegally in the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve was thwarted when authorities intercepted a four-wheel-drive vehicle transporting the fruit yesterday. The four-hour patrol, which ended at 7am, led to the arrest of a 48-year-old man and the seizure of 919kg of durians worth about RM5,000. Pahang Forestry Department director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said the grade C and D durians were believed to be for local markets. Investigations showed the trees were located in Compartment 91 of the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub. He said the department seized the vehicle and the durians under the National Forestry Act 1984 for encroachment and unlawful extraction of forest produce. "The man who was detained was later released on police bail after providing a statement. "The investigating officer will continue with the probe before legal action is taken for removing forest produce (durians) without authorisation," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian. Daily patrols have been conducted since July 21 following the launch of an integrated operation with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit, the General Operations Force (PGA), Rela, and the Raub District and Land Office. "Gunung Benum Forest Reserve has become a site for illegal cultivation of durians and other fruit trees such as mangosteen, rambutan, petai, and kantan, believed to be planted by local residents," Zainuddin said. He said the department would not compromise with those involved in illegal activities in the reserve. More than 40 forestry personnel, along with officers from other agencies, are involved in the 60-day operation. Nine areas have been identified as hotspots for illegal farming. He urged communities living near the forest reserve not to harvest or carry out activities in the area. "Forest department enforcement units constantly patrol high-risk areas within the reserves. Aside from illegal farming, there are also individuals entering the forests for recreation. Entering a forest reserve requires a permit or official permission. "We have placed numerous signboards stating that entry without authorisation is an offence. Everyone must comply to avoid facing legal action," he said.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- New Straits Times
114 ops against illegal durian farms conducted in Raub since 2019
KUANTAN: The Pahang Forestry Department (JPNP) has conducted 114 enforcement operations in forest reserves encroached for illegal durian cultivation across Raub since 2019. JPNP director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said a total of 101 assets and equipment were seized within the forest areas, including pickup trucks, motorcycles and pesticide spraying tools. He said the operations, carried out by JPNP's West Pahang Enforcement Unit in collaboration with district-level enforcement agencies, were not without challenges. "These include encroachments in remote locations, navigating through fenced-up areas and traversing narrow and dangerous paths. We continue with consistent enforcement to ensure such encroachments do not persist. "The department does not compromise on the illegal conversion of forest reserves into durian orchards," he said when contacted today. Zainuddin said firm action will be taken against forest reserve encroachments, particularly where the land has been turned into durian orchards or used for other unauthorised activities. "Illegally planted durian trees are cut down using chainsaws, regardless of their size or location within the forest. "Following this, replanting activities involving various high-quality timber species, including meranti, merbau, perah and keruing, are carried out by the department's Silviculture Office. "Encroachments are detected through patrols, drones and satellite imagery," he added. In 2021, the Forestry Department felled some 15,000 Musang King trees on 101 hectares of land within the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Pahang Forestry Dept carried out 114 enforcement operations in forest reserves since 2019
KUANTAN: The Pahang Forestry Department has conducted 114 enforcement operations in forest reserves which were encroached for the illegal durian farm cultivation across Raub since 2019. Its director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said a total of 101 assets and equipment were seized within the forest areas, including pickup vehicles, motorcycles, and pesticide spraying tools. He said during the operation which saw the department's West Pahang Enforcement Unit, teaming up with district-level enforcement agencies, exposed to various challenges. "The challenges include encroachment in remote locations, forced to pass through areas which are fenced up, narrow and dangerous stretches. "We continue to carry out enforcement consistently to ensure that encroachment does not persist. "The department does not compromise on illegally converting forest reserves into durian orchards in certain areas," he said when contacted today. Zainuddin said the department takes firm action against forest reserve encroachment, especially where the forest has been turned into durian orchards or utilised for other activities. "Durian trees will be cut down using chainsaws, regardless of the size of the trees or the location within the forest area. "After the illegally planted trees are chopped, replanting activities involving various high-quality timber, including species such as Meranti, Merbau, Perah, and Keruing are carried out by the department's Silviculture Office. "Encroachments are detected through patrols, drones, and satellite imagery," he said. In 2021, Forestry Department cut down some 15,000 Musang King trees in an area measuring 101 hectares at the Batu Talam forest reserve in Raub.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- New Straits Times
114 enforcement operations carried out against illegal durian farms in Raub forest reserves
KUANTAN: The Pahang Forestry Department has carried out 114 enforcement operations against illegal durian farms in forest reserves in Raub since 2019. Its director, Zainuddin Jamaluddin, said 101 assets and equipment were seized within the forest areas, including pickup vehicles, motorcycles and pesticide sprayers. He said the operations, carried out by the department's West Pahang Enforcement Unit together with district enforcement agencies, were met with various challenges. "The challenges include encroachment in remote areas, fenced-off zones, and narrow, dangerous routes. We continue to enforce the law consistently to ensure encroachment does not persist," he said today. "The department does not compromise on the illegal conversion of forest reserves into durian farms." Zainuddin said firm action is taken against encroachment, especially where forests have been turned into durian farms or used for other purposes. "Durian trees are cut down with chainsaws, regardless of their size or location in the forests. "After the illegally planted trees are removed, replanting is carried out by the department's Silviculture Office using various high-quality timber species such as Meranti, Merbau, Perah and Keruing. "Encroachments are detected through patrols, drones and satellite imagery." In 2021, the Forestry Department cut down about 15,000 Musang King trees over 101 hectares in the Batu Talam forest reserve in Raub.
