The Kelantan Forestry Department yesterday seized two tonnes of timber worth RM10,000, believed to be from illegal logging by locals in the Ulu Sat Permanent Forest Reserve, Machang.

Its director Zahari Ibrahim said in the 4pm raid, his officers found pieces of wood in various sizes that had been cut from ‘keruing’ and ‘nilam’ logs, and believed would be sold to certain housing companies.

"However, no arrest was made as the culprits might earlier have got wind of our enforcement raid," he said.

Zahari said illegal felling of trees and cutting of the logs were done by locals yesterday as it was a public holiday, being Workers Day, thinking that the Forestry Department's staff were also on holiday.

He thanked members of the public for the tip-of on the illegal activity.

The case is being investigated under Section 15 of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term not exceeding 20 years.

- Bernama