KELANTAN must explain why it allowed a state-owned company to log two of 17 virgin jungle reserves (VJR) in the state, said Amanah’s Husam Musa.

The PAS-led state government has given out logging “compartments” to state-owned company Daulah Najah Sdn Bhd, he added.

“From the notice board (at the edge of the forest), the logging licence was from November 18, 2021 until May 17, 2022,” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

“The logging contract was given to Al Dar Resources Sdn Bhd.”

He also showed copies of an approval letter signed by Kelantan Forestry director Zahari Ibrahim on January 30, 2018.

Based on the document, he said, the state government allowed Daulah Najah to log 291ha of Hutan Simpan Sg Rek and Hutan Simpan Sg Durian.

Of the logging compartments given out, two – numbered 26 and 101 – are designated VJR.

“As such, the state government must explain how it approved logging VJR, which is protected by the Forestry Act 1967, and what is the state’s revenue.”

The ex-Amanah vice-president, who is also an ex-PAS member, said explanation is also needed on whether the contract was given through open tender.

Husam, who used to be in charge of the forestry portfolio in the state, said the state has its own logging contractors and company.

“We have either done it ourselves or have an open tender. It is uncommon to have a separate company (though owned by the Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan) to do the logging.”

He said a Companies Commission of Malaysia site search shows that two Daulah Najah directors are state executive councillors – Hanifa Ahmad and Azami Mohd Nor.

Hanifa is state industry, trade, investment and entrepreneur development committee chairman, while Azami is state works, infrastructure, transport and utilities committee chairman.

“After I exposed this logging scandal on June 2, the Forestry Department seized the timber. I was told that this was done by a special team from Putrajaya.

“As such, what will happen to the seizure?”

Despite the exposé, Husam said the Kelantan government or Kelantan Forestry Department has neither denied nor responded to his claims.

“Can we expect Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan, who is from PAS, to respond to this?” – June 4, 2022.