Perak Passes Enactment To Adopt National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022

IPOH, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Perak State Legislative Assembly today passed a Bill to adopt the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1667].

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, when tabling the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 (Application) Bill 2026, said that between 2023 and 2025, a total of 8,075 field monitoring activities were conducted across Permanent Forest Reserve areas to strengthen control and ensure early detection of encroachment and forestry offences.

He said that during the same period, 13 integrated operations were carried out in collaboration with various enforcement agencies to enhance the effectiveness of comprehensive, coordinated enforcement on the ground.

"As a result of these continuous efforts, 127 forestry offences were recorded, including 28 cases involving illegal logging. During the same period, 228 individuals were detained to assist in further investigations.

"Of the total number of cases investigated, seven cases were successfully prosecuted in court," he said.

Saarani said that, overall, enforcement actions resulted in a total of RM1,155,450 in compounds and compensation, while RM146,000 in fines were imposed and settled in accordance with existing legal provisions.

"These achievements reflect the effectiveness of continuous enforcement and a collective commitment to ensuring forest management is carried out with greater integrity, firmness, and efficiency.

"Therefore, with the enforcement of Act A1667, the effectiveness of enforcement actions is expected to increase significantly, further strengthening the authorities' capacity to address forestry-related offences strictly and comprehensively," he said.

He added that the Perak State Executive Council Meeting on May 29, 2025, had agreed to approve the adoption of the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1667], with the exception of Sections 7, 8, 24(a) and (b)(i), and 60(d).

The Bill was subsequently passed with a majority voice vote.

Meanwhile, the House also approved a motion to appoint members of the Selection Committee, chaired by State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid.

Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen was appointed as deputy chairman, alongside six other assemblymen from both the government and the opposition, as committee members.

Lintang assemblyman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, who is also the State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, and Food Industry Committee chairman, said when tabling the motion that the committee is responsible for establishing terms of reference and responsibilities as well as selecting members for Special Select Committees.

Additionally, the assembly passed a motion to establish Special Select Committees on Ageing Society, Urban Poor, Smart Cities, and Food Security.

The sitting was adjourned to a date to be determined later.

-- BERNAMA