Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had pushed for a moratorium when he was the opposition leader.

The PAS MP said while logging licences were under the purview of the state governments, Putrajaya could impose the moratorium to compel them to preserve their forests.

“We hope that Tambun (Anwar) could include this item (moratorium) in the budget.

“Although the (ecological fiscal transfer) quantum was increased from RM70 million to RM150 million per year, this moratorium was (pushed by) Tambun when he was the opposition leader,” Khairil said while debating the supply bill.

He also called on the natural resources, energy, and climate change ministry to name the logging companies that were given licenses in the last five years.

In January last year, Anwar had urged the environment and water ministry to disclose all logging licences that were given out from 2017 until 2021. He also called for a moratorium on logging.

Anwar had claimed the massive floods that hit states like Pahang in 2021 were due to logging activities.