KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 22 -- Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has denied granting any logging licence since becoming the state chief in May, after land clearing was brought to light by a Facebook user recently.

In a statement by his office, Muhammad Sanusi instead said that the Facebook post showing a satellite image of a cleared forest near the Ahning Dam in Kuala Nerang was an effort to tarnish the image of the current state government.

"According to Forestry Department records, logging licences in the area near the Ahning Dam were given in 2019.

"It is effective from February 25 to August 25 (as the licence renewed by the Forestry Department due to unfinished harvesting work)," said the statement.

The statement added that the...