Putrajaya to discuss logging guidelines with state gov'ts - Xavier

PARLIAMENT | Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Xavier Jayakumar told the Dewan Rakyat today that Putrajaya has completed its guidelines on logging activities in sensitive areas.

"The guidelines are ready and (we) will inform the state governments," he said during the question-and-answer session.

Xavier said that the guidelines, proposed by Forestry Department, are meant to ensure that logging activities in sensitive areas are carried out sustainably.

He added, however, that it is up to the state governments to comply with these guidelines.  

Xavier was responding to Mustapa Mohamed (Harapan-Jeli) who raised concerns over uncontrolled logging activities nationwide and the status of government's efforts.  

According to Xavier, the forestry department only issued licenses for logging activities for 35,364ha (2017) and 34,883ha (2018) of permanent forest reserves.  

The government also allowed logging activities at 36,720ha of government and private land last year.