State forestry director Abdul Khalim Samah said an investigating officer had been appointed a day after allegations about the logging surfaced on social media.

He said so far the department has yet to obtain a complete report from the officer. He urged all parties not to speculate on the matter as the investigation is still ongoing.

“So far, the timber logging area has been sealed for further investigations. We have also issued orders to stop work against two given logging licences,” he said.

Gua Musang district police chief Sik Choon Foo also confirmed receiving a report made by a forest ranger regarding encroachment into the Nenggiri forest reserve.

He said some people had applied for permits to enter the area but they were rejected for fear of affecting evidence in the case.

“We rejected the applications not because we have something to hide but to allow the investigating officer to conduct new investigations on the alleged offences.”

In another development, commenting on a video showing swift currents and conditions along Sungai Brooke, Lojing, in Gua Musang, on June 16, Khalim said this incident was due to opening of vegetable farms and not from logging activities.

He said logging activities had not been allowed in Lojing since 2008.

“In fact, this incident happened outside the forest reserve area and is beyond our control. We are aware of the matter because I have the report after officers were sent to investigate the matter on June 17. The report will be sent to the Kelantan menteri besar soon.”