Human Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G.Palanivel said through the cooperation, JPSM should step up compliance and monitoring, as well as action against reports of power abuse.
“Periodical checks on enforcement process, as well as investigation into cases of abuse and misappropriation should be addressed seriously because the role of JPSM must be seen and heard aloud as guardians of Malaysia’s forest,” he added.
He said this in his speech at the signing of the Integrity Pledge and launch of the JPSM No Gift campaign here today.
The text of Palanivel’s speech was read by the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Zoal Azha Yusof.
Palanivel said the government had approved the setting up of the Forestry Integrity Unit at the JPSM headquarters last August and since then, it had received 15 complaints.
He said based on statistics, there had been a drop in illegal logging cases, from 24 cases in 2011, to only eight cases in 2012 and two cases, so far, this year.
Meanwhile, Forestry director-general, Datuk Sri Abd Rahman Abd Rahim, said he would not compromise with any officers involved with corruption.
“We will work with the MACC in this issue,” he added.
He said JPSM was committed in its target to have the size of the permanent forest reserve in the peninsula at five million hectares by 2020, from 4.8 hectares currently.
— BERNAMA
SYASA AZE MIS
