Open AccessPromoting Sustainable Timber Harvesting Through National Forestry Act 1984
Author(s) -
Muhammad Nur,
Haniff Mohd Noor,
Suriyani Muhamad,
Rokiah Kadir
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
asian journal of law and governance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2710-5849
DOI - 10.55057/ajlg.2022.4.1.3
Subject(s) - sanctions , illegal logging , logging , punishment (psychology) , context (archaeology) , law enforcement , business , enforcement , commission , deterrence theory , forestry , political science , law , geography , psychology , finance , social psychology , archaeology
This study explored respondents’ perceptions regarding the adequacy of heavy, moderate and light punishment associated with offences under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313) as the primary forestry law enforced in Peninsular Malaysia. It also examined the role of supervision and inspection in controlling illegal logging and forest offences as well as the adequacy of law provisions concerning inspections in logging area, in transit and in manufacturing premises. Questionnaires were distributed to seek responses from related stakeholders of forestry enforcement agencies. The output of data analysis indicated that an effective law should carry adequate sanctions in order to have the deterrence effect, scare prospective offenders and discourage repeated commission of the convicted offences. The outcomes of the survey revealed that as a whole, Act 313 was effective to control illegal logging. In the context of punishment, heavy punishment associated with serious offences was rated as effective compared to moderate and light punishment. Findings on specific aspects of legal provisions as identified in this study may provide awareness for relevant agencies for revisiting policies towards achieving sustainable timber harvesting.