Don't blame us for scrapping of forest project, says group
Residents during a 2024 protest against logging in the Upper Baram Forest Area. (BMF pic)
PETALING JAYA : Environmental group Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) tonight denied a claim that it failed to meet conditions set by the Sarawak government, which led to the termination of a forest project.
It said the claim was baseless.
BMF said the Sarawak government's policy change over logging core protection zones was the real reason for the International Tropical Timber Organisation's Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) project being scrapped.
'We are not willing to take the blame for a policy change by the Sarawak government,' Lukas Straumann, the director of the Switzerland-based group, said in a statement.
Earlier today, Sarawak deputy minister for urban planning, land administration and environment Len Talif Salleh told the state assembly that BMF had focused solely on the Penan community in the UBFA.
He said BMF had overlooked other key indigenous groups such as the Kenyah, Kelabit, and Saban, who also have legitimate interests in the area, and that such an approach risked undermining community harmony.
Separately, Celine Lim, the managing director of Sarawak-based NGO SAVE Rivers, said they had worked with non-Penan communities, adding that these groups were part of the UBFA Project Steering Committee.
'So, it is not true that the overall communities were not well represented via the NGOs' coalition,' she said.
Lim accused Len Talif of villainising the role of SAVE Rivers.
Len Talif had said the project's termination would not affect the well-being of local communities as various initiatives by the forest department, ministries and government agencies were being executed to improve livelihoods across multiple sectors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Judicial review on ‘deviant' fatwa not an attack on Islam, says SIS
The Federal Court is expected to deliver its judgment on the challenge by SIS Forum (Malaysia) and its co-founder against a fatwa that labels the women's rights group 'deviant' on June 19. PETALING JAYA : Sisters in Islam (SIS) says the challenge brought by SIS Forum (Malaysia) and its co-founder against a fatwa that labels the women's rights group 'deviant' under Islamic laws is not an attack on the religion. SIS said the judicial review is an exercise of the constitutional right of Malaysians to seek legal redress in matters that affect their fundamental liberties, particularly the right to be heard, and to ensure that due process under the law is observed. 'The fatwa in question, issued in 2014, declared SIS deviant without affording us the opportunity to defend ourselves. 'It also has wide-reaching implications on freedom of expression, association, and religion as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution,' it said in a statement. SIS said it is not alone in raising concerns about the lack of procedural fairness in how fatwas are issued and enforced. 'Scholars, lawyers, and rights-based organisations have long pointed out the need for transparency, consultation, and accountability within the fatwa process, especially when such pronouncements affect civil society groups and individuals directly,' it said. The women's rights group and its co-founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, are appealing a Court of Appeal decision handed down in 2023 which dismissed its challenge of a fatwa imposed by the Selangor religious authorities 11 years ago. The Federal Court's decision is expected to be delivered on June 19. In the 2014 fatwa, the Selangor Islamic religious council (Mais) decreed that SIS had deviated from the teachings of Islam by subscribing to liberalism and religious pluralism. On Wednesday, the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais) called for special prayers to be held at all mosques and suraus in the state to seek divine blessings and guidance over the group's challenge of the fatwa. Jais director Shahzihan Ahmad called for the prayers to be held to seek God's continued protection of the sanctity of Islam in the state and for His guidance for the apex court in reaching a just decision. SIS said it remains steadfast in promoting an understanding of Islam that centres on equality, justice, and compassion, principles deeply rooted in the higher objectives (maqasid) of the shariah. It said that as believers of the faith, it values sincere prayer and reflection, especially in moments of public deliberation. 'However, we find it necessary to clarify and reaffirm the principles upon which our ongoing legal challenge is based. 'We urge all parties to engage in dialogue rather than division, and to allow the judiciary to perform its role free of undue pressure or politicisation. 'We trust in the independence and wisdom of the Federal Court to assess our case based on the rule of law, the constitution, and principles of justice,' it said.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
380m viaduct to link southern Penang to Silicon Island
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow and members of his state executive council on Silicon Island, which has now reached 64.75ha. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : The Penang government will build a 380m marine viaduct connecting southern Penang with Silicon Island, with the link expected to be open to the public by December 2028. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four-lane viaduct is a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, aimed at strengthening connectivity between Silicon Island and Penang's second bridge, and supporting long-term urban growth. Construction work on the viaduct would begin this month with the first phase expected to be completed by mid-2027. 'The total cost of PIL2A phase one is RM390 million, covering the construction of 1.5km of infrastructure connecting the land area at Permatang Damar Laut to Silicon Island, including the construction of a 380m permanent marine viaduct. 'The components will also connect Silicon Island with the second bridge at the Batu Maung roundabout and the Penang International Airport through the construction of an elevated highway,' he told reporters after visiting Silicon Island to see the progress of development there, which has now reached 64.75ha. A 0.8ha community hub, which includes a food court, a community hall and a one-stop service centre for fishermen, will also be built at Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. Chow said to support the initial water supply needs of the island, a suction tank and pump house will be built on Permatang Damar Laut, with construction to commence in the third quarter of this year and expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd CEO Farizan Darus said the total construction cost for the community facilities, pump houses and suction tanks is estimated at RM36 million. Silicon Island, with an area of 930.78ha, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government. It marks the first time the state government is directly undertaking a reclamation project.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
MACC concludes probe into Sabah assemblyman's alleged misconduct, case sent for review
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has completed the investigation paper regarding a video clip of the alleged corruption scandal involving a Sabah state assemblyman. According to a source, the investigation paper was sent to the prosecution for review two weeks ago. The source said there is a possibility that prosecutions will be carried out against several individuals soon. Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the matter and said that there might be further prosecutions against several other individuals. Recently, several video recordings have gone viral, allegedly showing conversations related to corruption between certain individuals and several Sabah lawmakers regarding the issue of mineral licensing in the state. The MACC had previously announced that it had opened investigation papers regarding the matter and conducted a thorough investigation, including digital forensic analysis of the evidence. — Bernama
