The Effectiveness Of Strategies In Combating Illegal Logging In Peninsular Malaysia

Many strategies and efforts have been implemented by the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) to combat illegal logging in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the effectiveness of the strategies in combating illegal logging never been determined or very often been questioned. Therefore, the study was conducted to observe the trends of illegal logging cases from1987to2010and the effectiveness of the two main strategies being implemented by the FDPM in combating illegal logging. Data and information from2001to2010on illegal logging cases, value of penalty and loss, number of enforcement staffs and number of arrests were collected from FDPM. Correlation and regression analysis were carried out to determine the relationship and effect between strategy I (policy and legislation) and strategy Ⅱ(enforcement operations). Illegal logging cases, value of penalty and loss are factors that represent strategy I. While, illegal logging cases with number of enforcement staffs and number of arrests are factors that determined the relationship and effect of strategy Ⅱ. The trend of illegal logging cases from1987to2000shows declining trends. This trend represents the situation of illegal logging cases before and after the amended National Forestry Act1984(NFA) in1993. While, trend of illegal logging cases from2001to2010shows a small increasing trends but a low percentage. This trend represents current situation of illegal logging case in Peninsular Malaysia. For strategy I investigated, there is no factor correlated significantly with illegal logging case. For strategy Ⅱ, only number of arrest is correlated significantly with illegal logging case. The regression models developed show the relationship between the illegal logging cases and the number of arrest as follows:Number of arrest, b=0.374, p=0.005Further studies should be conducted to predict how much penalty should be introduced to make sure that forest offenders stop the crimes as it is important for the FDPM to strengthen the legal aspects of reviewing and amending the National Forestry Act1984. Study on the corruption and illegal logging also should be carried out to determine how strong the corruption influences the illegal logging in Peninsular Malaysia.