Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: In a bid to reduce illegal logging cases, Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) launched a user-friendly website (www.timalaysia-forestwatch.org.my) to monitor rainforests. Users can use this website to alert the concerning authorities over suspicious activities.
TI-M’s Executive Director, Alan Kirupakaran said, “I believe with the co-operation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), using simple tools like the Google Earth, geospatial technology (satellite, imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3D globe) will allow the public to become active participants in protecting our forests.”
Kirupakaran mentioned that since the website’s creation, TI-M received many public tip-offs regarding illegal logging activities and authorities had managed to investigate and expose six cases of illegal logging nationwide.
According to a report published in The Star, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup told the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament of Malaysia) that the country has lost around RM 10.7 million in revenue to such activities.
Alan assured that TI-M would help monitor the website with relevant authorities as well as with ForestWatch’s expert monitors from the Malaysia Forestry Department.
Source: The Star
