Sarawak Forest Dept welcomes FSC's conditional continuation with Samling Group
KUCHING (May 10): The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has welcomed the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) recent decision to retain its association with the Samling Group, subject to conditions.
In a statement, FDS said the decision, announced last April 25, which followed an assessment by an independent expert panel, affirms the ongoing improvements and commitment by Samling towards sustainable forest management in Sarawak.
FDS reiterates that the allegations brought forth by several civil society organisations, both local and international, do not reflect the actual situation on the ground.
'These claims are misleading, inaccurate, and fail to acknowledge the continuous progress and transparency shown by licensed forest operators under the monitoring and regulation of the Forest Department,' it said.
The complaint, as noted in the FSC decision, involved forest areas not certified under FSC, but under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Importantly, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) had already completed its investigation and closed the matter in 2021, confirming the validity of the MTCS certificates.
The FSC Panel did find a small-scale violation outside certified areas but concluded that it was not sufficient to justify disassociation, given the overall scale and context, reaffirming that most of the operations met compliance expectations.
FDS said it recognised Samling's continuous efforts to enhance environmental and social governance, especially in stakeholder engagement, certification compliance, and sustainable forestry practices.
'These efforts align with Sarawak's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030,' they said.
FDS also urged non-governmental organisations (NGO) and stakeholders to engage constructively and truthfully, grounded in evidence and facts.
While they remain open to transparent dialogue, they will not condone the dissemination of baseless accusations that undermine the integrity of Sarawak's forestry sector and its internationally recognised certification systems. Forest Department Sarawak Forest Stewardship Council lead Samling Group
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