New Straits Times 29 Apr 11;
KUALA LUMPUR: The country lost an estimated RM754 million to sand thieves and illegal loggers last year.
According to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) annual report 2010, the government lost an estimated RM745 million in royalties because of sand theft and RM8.95 million from illegal logging.
With an estimated 3,000 lorries transporting illegally mined sand over the one-year period, losses amounted to RM600 million. Another RM145 million was lost from smuggling sand to a neighbouring country.
It said that throughout last year, MACC received 410 tip-offs on corruption and power abuse related to illegal sand mining.
Forty-five investigation papers were opened, resulting in 43 arrests, with 22 individuals involved charged in court with corruption and other wrongdoing related to sand mining.
It said the bribes amounted to RM321,528, with RM88,000 being the highest amount received by an offender uncovered during "Ops Pasir".
Six people were also arrested for bribery involving sex.
Besides offering bribes to enforcement officers, the culprits also threatened them.
"The illegal sand-mining locations were fenced up and guarded by tontos, a few of whom were armed.
"They not only interfered with enforcement work but also threatened enforcement officers," it said.
As for illegal logging, it said the losses were based on the estimated value of the illegally felled logs seized during "Ops Balak" last year.
Throughout last year, 10 investigation papers were opened from 46 tip-offs received on corrupt practices related to illegal logging.
Some of the operations against illegal logging were carried out in Johor, Perak and Pahang, including the Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands road, Kedah and Hulu Selangor.
In an enforcement operation at the Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve in Lenggong, Perak, the MACC found 800 logs worth RM250,00O.
In another operation at the Tersang Forest Reserve in Raub, illegally felled logs were sold at RM2,500 each.
In an operation in Kedah, the MACC arrested the South Kedah District Forestry director, an officer and two rangers for soliciting bribes from a timber businessman.
The report said illegal logging not only caused revenue losses but also destroyed the ecosystem, besides threatening the lot of the Orang Asli, who depended on the jungle for a living. -- Bernama
