In London meet with timber corruption critics, Sarawak CM vows to protect forests
(Malay Mail Online) – Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has promised to protect his state’s forests from logging during a rare meeting with critics of alleged timber-related corruption there, activist group Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) said today.
The group said Adenan gave a speech in London saying no more timber concessions will be given out in Sarawak, during which he also stated his view that a forest is valuable in and of itself, rather than just as a source of timber.
“No more palm oil is needed — cukup (there is enough),” the Sarawak leader who took over the state’s reins about a year ago was quoted saying at the Malaysian High Commission in London.
Adenan also voiced his determination to combat illegal logging and timber corruption “until the last log is accounted for”, the group said.
BMF said Adenan had spoken of the vital need to transform Sarawak’s timber industry and ensure sustainability, as well as urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help in reforms.
Adenan’s speech showed him differing from his predecessor and current Sarawak governor, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s administration.
“Adenan thus distanced himself surprisingly clearly from the policies of his predecessor, Taib Mahmud, who had abused Sarawak’s natural resources to massively enrich himself and his family members during his 33-year tenure as Chief Minister.
“But no indication was given by the enigmatic politician if he was willing to recover the state assets stolen by the Taib family,” BMF said, having observed that Clare Rewcastle Brown — a UK-based editor of Sarawak Report and fierce critic of the Taib administration — was also one of Adenan’s guests.
Earlier today, east Malaysian Doris Jones posted several photos on social networking site Facebook, showing Adenan’s meeting with her and BMF’s executive director Lukas Straussman at the Malaysian High Commission in London.
Doris is a Sabahan currently residing in the UK and wanted by local police here for allegedly spearheading a movement to push for east Malaysia’s secession from Malaysia.
It is unclear what Adenan discussed with the duo, with Doris stating that Sarawakians will find out at a later time and adding that his comments were not far from what she expected.
According to BMF, a delegation of natives of Sarawak’s indigenous Penan tribe delivered a memorandum to Adenan after his speech, where they sought his endorsement for community-runned nature reserve Penan Peace Park.
