September 2007

MTCC warns Samling to resolve conflict with indigenous Penan in Sarawak

11 September 2007

Several reports in the local Malaysian press have reported that The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) have issued a warning to logging company Samling to "improve its relationship with the local community" within an undisclosed timeframe. The warning was issued in light of another incident where the local Penan communitiy recently erected blockades to prevent access by loggers.

A seperate press release issued by the internation NGO Bruno Maner Fonds states that MTCC has informed Samling to resolve land conflicts with Penan communities by November 2007. The press release alleges that MTCC has "threatened to revoke" the company's MTCC certification of 56,000 hectares in the Upper Baram region of Sarawak. 

Samling issued a response to the reports dated 13 September 2007.

Sources:

1. Reassure Penan, timber firm told, The New Straits Times, 11 September 2007.
2. Forest certifiers issue ultimatum to Malaysian timber giant, Bruno Manser Fonds press release, 11 September 2007.
3. Samling Global Sets Record Straight on Long Benalih Issue, 13 September 2007.