Mangrove thieves in Selangor flee the scene

Stuart Michael The Star 3 Sep 10;

LOGGERS, boatmen and ring leaders involved in mangrove stealing at various locations off Port Klang in Selangor have vanished from the scene for fear of being detained or charged for their illegal activities.

During a recent three-week operation headed by the Selangor State Forestry Department, the team succeeded in crippling the entire mangrove-stealing operation. Five foreigners were nabbed and detained for two weeks.

Meanwhile, the state has removed and confiscated the mangrove trees that have been felled and placed at the collection areas.

State Forestry assistant director (operations and enforcement) Mohd Yussainy Md Yusop said the 30 tents had also been removed by the loggers. They have left behind some empty cooking gas tanks, clothes and other utensils.

On Aug 30, StarMetro in an exclusive report entitled “Mangrove Crooks” revealed how the mangrove thieves operate by stealing mangrove trees which led to the state Forestry Department declaring war on them.

Yussainy said the boats that used to ferry the mangrove logs were now empty and moored at the jetty.

“We will continue to conduct raids at these collection areas and the islands off Port Klang every week for the next two years to ensure a complete stop to these activities.

“There are no more foreigners staying on the island doing this job. When we first conducted the raid, they bolted and did not return to their tents.

“We have increased patrolling around these islands to ensure mangrove trees are not being felled,’’ he said.

Yussainy added that as of July 1, the state had not issued any licences to companies or individuals to cut mangrove trees in the area.

He added that the department wanted the mangrove forest to be rehabilitated.

He said it would take about 25 years for the mangrove swamp around Port Klang to rehabilitated to its original state.

“This is because the environment has been damaged by the felled mangrove trees. We will also step up conservation efforts by planting more mangrove trees in these areas,’’ he added.

State Agriculture, Natural Resources and Entrepreneurial Development Committee chairman Yaakob Sapari, who was attending a buka puasa event in Shah Alam recently, said he had received the report on this matter and urged the relevant authorities to cooperate with the State Forestry Department.

On allegations of his involvement in this issue, Yaakop denied it, saying there is no proof.

“Let the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission investigate and it will show that I am innocent,’’ he added.