THE new Kedah government must prove that it is facing a RM1 billion suit by loggers over their withdrawn concessions, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Fear of being sued by loggers? You say there is a RM1 billion suit. You are ready to submit to the demands of the loggers?

“Show evidence that the suit exists, and that the state government will lose,” the former prime minister said in a Facebook post today.

He was referring to Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s statement that while Kedah has no plan to expand logging activities, it still has to find a way to avoid paying RM1 billion in compensation to licensed loggers whose concessions in permanent forest reserves have been withdrawn.

Sanusi said prior to the ban, 40 concession holders were allowed to carry out logging.

To avoid payment, he said, the PAS-led state government wants to allow these companies to harvest “production forests” instead.

“If we don’t do this, the state government will have to face court action and demands to pay compensation to the logging companies.

“These replacement forests have to be production forests, as defined and allowed by the Forestry Department under the law. These options will be carefully studied.”

Former menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, too, disputed the RM1 billion compensation claim.

“Where did this RM1 billion figure come from? During Pakatan Harapan’s time, as late as two weeks ago, there were no claims from logging concession owners for that amount.

“I said in my exit speech that the new Kedah menteri besar should not reopen logging concessions. Now, the menteri besar’s seat is not even warm yet, and we are open for logging again?” he said on Facebook today.

Mukhriz stepped down as menteri besar after losing support in the state assembly, resulting in the fall of the PH state government and subsequent takeover by Perikatan Nasional, of which PAS is a member.

Dr Mahathir slammed the new Kedah administration for selling the people’s interest in favour of loggers.

“Previously, Kedah got the third-largest investment after Selangor and Penang. But now, a new history is made with Kedah’s forests handed over to loggers.

“Don’t sell off the people, the forests and the state’s wealth to enrich your logger friends.”

The Langkawi MP added that the logging concessions were withdrawn to preserve water catchment areas and benefit about four million residents.

“The concessions were stopped to allow adequate water supply for padi fields in Kedah and Perlis, which produce 50% of the nation’s rice supply.” – May 27, 2020.