Pahang state govt ceased all logging activities in Bukit Makro

KUANTAN - All logging licenses surrounding Bukit Makro, Maran have been revoked according to Pahang Forestry Department (JPNP) director, Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin.

The licence which is granted to Amanah Saham Pahang (Aspa) involving an area of 40.45 hectares, was revoked on Jan 17, said Mohd Hizamri after taking into account the post-flood situation of the state and public interest.

"No longing activity was done by the license holder at this time. Only preliminary works of cleaning the roads and the construction of the logs holding area on government land has started.

"JPNP had ordered for the works to be stopped during the monsoon season and during the flood in Pahang, recently,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mohd Hizamri said the machinery involved in the logging operation has also been removed from the area.

He explained that the area is not a reserve forest as claimed by certain parties but government land approved by Aspa for logging activities.

"Every assessment, especially those related to environmental impacts have been approved by the relevant authorities,” he said.

Previously, logging issues in the area sparked concerns among the residents regarding the risk of landslides, headwater phenomena and mud floods.

The incident also went viral on social media after an environmental activist urged the state government to stop all logging activities in the area.