00:01A 39-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly felling a gaharu tree, a protected species
00:07under the National Forestry Act 1984 at the Melaka Botanical Garden in Ayer Kero.
00:14Melaka Tengah OCPD Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit said the suspect, a Cambodian
00:21permanent resident residing in Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor, was detained after a 53-year-old
00:28forest ranger lodged a police report on May 4. He said the ranger discovered the tree had
00:34been cut down during a routine patrol with another officer at about 10 a.m. that day.
00:40In a statement, Christopher said the suspect is believed to have used a machete to fell
00:45the tree before removing several pieces of wood from the scene. Police later arrested the suspect
00:51and seized a car, a green gunny sack, a machete with a blue sheath and several pieces of wood
00:56believed to have come from the fell tree. Christopher said the suspect, who has a prior record linked
01:02to drug abuse, tested negative in a urine screening conducted after his arrest. He added that the man
01:09has been remanded for four days until Friday to assist in the investigations. The case is being
01:15investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for Theft, as the incident allegedly took place within
01:22an area under the local authorities' jurisdiction. Gaharu, also known as akka wood, is highly prized
01:29for the fragrant resin it produces, which is commonly used in luxury perfumes, incense and
01:35traditional medicine. Its high market value and limited natural supply have made gaharu trees
01:42a frequent target for illegal harvesting, especially in forest reserves and isolated areas.
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