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MACC detects new tactic used by timber theft syndicates

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered a new tactic used by the timber-theft syndicates to prevent it from being detected by the authorities.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Mohamad Jamidan Abdullah said instead of building a special camp as a timber collection centre, like they used to do, the syndicates would now cut the trees and take the timber out of the forest on the very same day to prevent from being detected.

"Prior to this, they would cut and gather all the timber in one place. When they heard that the authorities were mounting an operation, they would bury the timber to prevent it from being seized.

"Now, they have changed their modus operandi by cutting the trees and taking out the timber from the forest on the very same day before sending it to timber factories for processing," Mohamad Jamidan told reporters after officially closing a seminar on deforestation in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, yesterday.

The two-day seminar was also attended by Kelantan MACC director Moh Samsuddin Yusof and Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel.

Mohamad Jamidan said timber theft syndicates were also detected to have operated in different states to confuse the authorities.

"For example, timber stolen in Bentong, Pahang, will be sent directly to a factory in Serdang, Selangor," he said.

Such a crime, he said should be curbed as it not only causes revenue loss for the state and country, but could also lead to the theft of other natural resources, such as gold and bauxite.

- Bernama

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