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Exquisite red sandalwood worth
RM4.5mil was seized at the Westport Free Zone, following weeks of
surveillance by the Port Klang Authority and the Malaysian Timber
Industry Board (MTIB).
Weighing 15 tonnes, the contraband wood is believed to be have
been smuggled in from India and was on its way to China where it
is in high demand.
The rare commodity, available only in two places Cuddhpah and
Chittoore in Andhra Pradesh, is more valuable than gold. The
cargo was exported from Haldia Port in Orissa, India. It was
seized here on April 29.
MTIB director-general Dr Jalaluddin Harun said the huge demand for
the rare sandalwood had enticed smugglers to use Westport as a
transshipment route in the illegal trading of the exotic wood.
The sandalwood was declared as galvanized iron. Cut as logs
measuring 1.2m to 3.4m with a width of 20cm, all the 269 red
sandalwood logs were stacked in a container, he said.
He added that smugglers had attempted to use Malaysia, Singapore
and even Myanmar as transshipment hubs to bring the wood to China.
Red sandalwood known as Pterocarpus santalinus does not yield oil
and is fragrant when fresh. It is used in the carving of statues
of Chinese deities, altars, traditional musical instruments and
furniture.
Dr Jalaluddin said from January to now, MTIB had uncovered seven
smuggling cases involving red sandalwood worth RM19.2mil.
Port Klang Free Zone manager R. Sri Muhunan said the port risk
management team would continue to be on high alert for such
smugglers.
We will work with the authorities and neighbouring ports to
ensure that illegal trading of exotic wood is curbed.
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