Khin Tharaphy Oo — Thirteen members of the Forest Department staff in Arakan State’s Taungup Township were transferred elsewhere after a large haul of illegally logged timber was seized in the township last year.
A total of 360 tonnes of teak, and some 3,630 tonnes of other hardwoods worth an estimated K7.8 billion ($5.9 million) were seized along with several vessels in the sea west of Taungup and adjacent rivers and creeks from October 17 to December 23. Sixty-one suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, according to the Tatmadaw True News Information Team.
The head of the township Forest Department, who was among those moved to new postings, suggested that the government had transferred them out of concern for their security.
“I don’t think we were transferred for other reasons,” said U Myo Swe Thein, the local department head. “[Forest Department] staff are often threatened [by illegal loggers]. We have reason to fear for our safety.”
U Myo Swe Thein said he submitted a request to his superiors seeking a transfer due to such worries.
“They didn’t threaten me face to face. But when I travelled by car, bikers would pull up in front of my car and express that they wanted to pick a fight,” said U Myo Swe Thein.
Some department staff said they did not submit requests for transfer, but were included in the transfer list issued on December 18.
“Forest Department staff have to join [Tatmadaw and police personnel] in arresting illegal loggers. So, some might have negative views of us, and the higher-ups arranged transfers for us out of their concerns for our safety,” said ranger U Min Naing, who was also transferred.
A Taungup Township resident who declined to be named suggested that the transfers were in fact punitive.
“As they have turned a blind eye to large-scale illegal logging, the central government and the military have taken action against them. I heard that they were given light punishment and just transferred,” the Taungup resident told DMG.
When asked about the transfer, Arakan State Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mines U Kyaw Lwin told DMG to inquire with the state government spokesman. U Win Myint, who is the spokesman as well as the Arakan State municipal minister, replied that he had no knowledge of the case.
More than 5,000 tonnes of illegal timber were seized in Arakan State last year, and most of the seizures were reported in Taungup Township, according to the state Forest Department.
