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MACC cracks down on illegal logging in S'wak
Published:  May 12, 2015 7:21 PM
Updated: 11:41 AM

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission have launched a crackdown against illegal loggers in Sarawak, six months after chief minister Adenan Satam's warning to timber industry.

Codenamed 'Ops Gergaji', the crackdown saw the bank accounts of 375 companies, valued at RM560 million, frozen and more than 500 logs were seized.

MACC's investigation director Mohamad Jamidan Abdullah said the crackdown, which began at 9.30am, was aimed at rooting out corruption, illegal logging and tax evasion.

Jamidan said illegal logging in Sarawak had resulted in billions of revenue lost for the state and federal government.

Headded that Ops Gergaji involved at least 400 personnel from the MACC, police, Sarawak state government, forestry department and inland revenue board.

Raids were conducted simultaneously at 48 locations, which includes 27 saw mills and log ponds. Other premises were offices in Miri, Kuching, sibu, Bintulu, Bakun and Kapit.

Investigations will be conducted under Section 17(a) and 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, said Jamidan.

After taking reigns as chief minister in eight months, Adenan lambasted the state's logging industry players for corruption during a function attended by timber tycoons.

According to Star Online , Adenan warned timber tycoons that he will "put the fear of God into people who are dishonest".

The chief minister had earlier brought together bosses of the state’s "big six" logging firms to sign integrity pledges.

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