BY ALLAN JAY AND NATASHA JEE
BAU: A 36-year-old foreigner was arrested by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) enforcement unit after he and two others were caught encroaching into Dered Krian National Park (DKNP) today (Apr 3).
Two other suspects managed to run away after the team spotted them during their daily patrol.
The first suspect, who was in possession of three bags of soil, was nabbed and handed over to Bau police.
The suspect is now remanded and their tools used confiscated pending further investigation by authorities.
It was confirmed by the corporation that the suspect and his two accomplices were involved in illegal gold mining at Mount Tabai, which is inside the DKNP.
Controller of National Parks and Nature Reserves Zolkipli Mohamad Aton assured that SFC will not tolerate illegal activities in the area including mining, logging and wildlife trade.
“Anyone caught doing such activities will be brought to justice,” he said.
The local people were again reminded not to encroach onto Mount Tabai and they should do their part to protect the state’s natural heritage by sharing through SFC’s hotline any information about illegal activities in their area.
The hotlines in various regions are at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), or 019-8290994 (Miri).
