A PAS leader today refuted a news report which claimed that illegal logging activities were being carried out in the party-controlled state of Terengganu.

When contacted, state exco member Mustafa Ali said: "That report is unfounded. I have said before that whatever logging is occurring (in Terengganu) is in accordance with the law."

In the Aug 13 News Straits Times report, it was alleged that illegal logging was taking place at a permanent forest reserve in Kampaung Kemat, near the state's Sekayu recreational forest.

According to Mustafa, who is also Dungun MP, logging in a permanent forest reserve within a water catchment area is not allowed.

However, he said logging in a permanent forest reserve is permitted when there is 'selection felling' as opposed to (clear-felling, uniform systems or) other logging practices.

Award questioned

He added that if the allegations were meant to put the Terengganu forestry department in a negative light, it would not work because the state department is recognised as one of the best in terms of forestry management.

"Our forestry management and practices have led us to achieve such an award because of efforts to ensure sustainability and other (ecological) principles.

"Nevertheless, there are now attempts to question even that achievement," said Mustafa.

The PAS leader was referring to Terengganu Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Idris Jusoh who questioned whether the state forestry department deserved the ISO 9000 award.

"If they want to question the award to our state department, they might as well ask their own government. It's the government's own agency that issues such things," said Mustafa.

Logging scam

Last month, malaysiakini exposed a logging scam involving Umno Pahang. Following this, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said logging practices in the PAS-controlled Kelantan and Terengganu should also be probed.

In addition to charges of unlawful logging at Kampung Kemat, there have also been allegations of excessive logging in the catchment areas surrounding the Kenyir hydroelectric dam.

There were also reports that illegal logging had been carried out in Tembar and Petuang that had led to the polluting of rivers in the area.