Seberang perai utara: The General Operations Force (GOF) of the Northern Brigade raided an illegal sawmill in the Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), here before arresting two men and seizing various logs and equipment including machines, worth RM1.863 million, on Wednesday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Northern Brigade Commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh stated that Op Sawmill was carried out at 7 am by police Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) in collaboration with the Penang Forestry Department. "In the operation, the police managed to arrest two local men aged 38 and 55 who are believed to be workers at the factory and a joint inspection with the state Forestry Department found that the premises were being used as a location for collecting and processing logs without approval," Singh said in a statement last night.

Singh further explained that the inspection revealed the operator had purchased and cut logs without any permit or approval from the Penang Forestry Department. Additionally, the inspection uncovered that the licenses for the sawmill, plywood, veneer, and blockboard had expired since December 31, raising compliance issues with forestry regulations and timber industry licensing.

During the operation, Singh's team seized various types of log cutting and processing machines, various types of logs, and a lorry believed to be used to transport logs, all valued at RM1.863 million. The case has been handed over to the Penang Forestry Department for investigation under Section 68(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984 for possessing, custody, or control of any forest produce without a permit.

Singh also emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting activities related to storing and processing logs without a license, urging individuals to provide information to the PGA Northern Brigade. This would enable immediate action to be taken to ensure the sustainability of the forest and the preservation of the country's produce.