KOTA BARU: All states in the country have exceeded the Annual Felling Ration (CTT) set by the government and issued new licences for forest plantation projects, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

       The Energy and Natural Resources Minister said this was due to the government's proactive action which always focused on protecting the country's natural resources.

       He said although forests are under the state government in terms of administration and management, it is the Forestry Department which controls production licences at federal level.

       "There is no denying that there is illegal encroachment on forests but monitoring and enforcement are often carried out against illegal loggers," he said.

       He said this after visiting Hashim Mustapha, the former Kelantan FA coach and a prolific striker in the 90s, at his residence near Kampung Guchil Bayam, here on Friday (May 6).

       Takiyuddin, who is also the Kota Bharu MP, also said that there were no new forest plantations being licensed by any state following the implementation of a 15-year moratorium on plantations in permanent forest reserves in the peninsula.

       "The state government may allow a company to conduct replanting and it can cut down an area but the company has to replant new trees.

       "I can confirm that there are no more new forest plantation licences issued. When there are no new licences issued, it means there is no more forest exploration," he said.

       Meanwhile, in another development, Takiyuddin said a total of 27 million trees of various species were planted nationwide last year under the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign 2021-2025. – Bernama