Guest guest Posted June 9, 2002 Report Share Posted June 9, 2002 ***************************Advertisement*************************** TechCentral http://star-techcentral.com ***************************************************************** This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from thestar.com.my URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/6/9/nation/pklogs & sec=nation ________________________ Sunday, June 9, 2002 CM wants report on contractor By MUGUNTAN VANAR KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat has asked for a full report on alleged moves by a contractor to stop enforcers from acting against illegal logging in the Kalabakan area. The contractor is said to be linked to a “top Sabah politician.” Chong gave the directive following unconfirmed claims that the Special Enforcement Unit under the Chief Minister’s Department had seized 1,000 logs inside the Benta Wawasan timber concession area in Luasong. He has asked his special unit officials and the Forestry Department to submit the report “as soon as possible.” “They say they have completed the report ... I want it immediately because this matter is of public interest,” he told reporters after opening the 8th Global Nanyang University Alumuni reunion here yesterday. “I want to know the names (of those trying to stop it). I don’t want speculations that’s why I am asking for the report,” he said. He added that he would disclose details if there was any truth to the matter. The state would not compromise on issues of illegal logging and would act against anyone said Chong He added that he had been checking all reports on illegal logging for the past 12-months. The area concerned comes under the 200,000ha site for the controversial China-Sabah joint venture pulp and paper mill project. Benta Wawasan, a Yayasan Sabah’s subdiary, was given the area for logging in “preparation” for the mill project – the future of which is still caught in discussions though the state said it would go ahead with the RM4bil project on its own if the China deal fell through. They have been calls to stop logging in the Kalabakan area close to the bio-diversity rich Maliau Basin and Danum Forest Research Centre. However, Chong recently told reporters that the state could not revoke the licences signed “before his time” (as chief minister), as the contracts were airtight. <!-- Page: 19 --> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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