Author: saveriversweb

  Having grown up in Sarawak, we know the feeling of standing in lush, verdant forests—humid and sweaty, yet at ease, enjoying the symphony of insects and animals. The richness of life in an old growth rainforest was something we took for granted. What we also unfortunately know all too well, is the gut-wrenching feeling … Continue reading Silent forests, silent voices: the struggle to save the Baram Peace Park

Malaysian Borneo’s last primary rainforests under threat despite international conservation promises Logging Camp at Ba Data Bila (Ba Data Bila, Sarawak, Malaysia) A massive logging operation in Sarawak’s Upper Baram region poses an immediate threat to the Malaysian state’s last primary rainforests in the heart of Borneo. According to community sources, logging operators linked to … Continue reading Massive logging operation undermines Malaysia’s international credibility

Opposition erupts in Layun Forest Management Unit, while Long Pakan community blames Samling’s logging operations for destruction of an HCV protected salt lick Salt lick destroyed by Samling according to Long Pakan community. (BARAM/SARAWAK) People from the Penan village of Long Pakan in the Baram region have reported that timber giant Samling's operations have resulted … Continue reading Penan Community Accuses Samling of Destroying Protected Salt Lick

Environmental Groups, Indigenous Communities Should be at Malaysia, Indonesia Meetings (Brussels, May 31, 2024) – The European Commission should include independent civil society groups in ongoing key talks with Malaysia and Indonesia over its anti-deforestation rules, a delegation of Indigenous, human rights, and environmental organizations said today. In June 2023, the two Southeast Asian countries … Continue reading EU: Include Civil Society in Anti-Deforestation Task Force

Timber giant Shin Yang begins questionable Social Impact Assessment process for carbon project as questions about Sarawak’s carbon initiatives are put to Sarawak’s parliament (BARAM & KUCHING / SARAWAK) Today in the Sarawak State Assembly critical questions are being asked about the state’s carbon market initiatives. At the same time, timber giant Shin Yang is … Continue reading Mounting Concerns Surround Sarawak’s Carbon Market Strategy

While government and industry leaders meet in Kuching for a Sustainable Forest Management conference, Indigenous communities from Northern Sarawak are disappointed with empty promises of sustainability certification.  (BARAM / SARAWAK / MALAYSIA) Many Penan and Kenyah communities from the Baram Peace Park, Northern Sarawak, see no future in logging. In letters sent to companies holding … Continue reading Baram Peace Park communities see no future in logging 

After various complaints from civil society, PEFC International is asked to demonstrate accountability and to prove that the Malaysian certification scheme MTCS complies with its own standards and, thereby, with the Dutch timber procurement policy. (THE HAGUE / NETHERLANDS) The Dutch government expects PEFC International to conduct an investigation into the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) following growing concerns … Continue reading Dutch government calls for investigation into Malaysian timber certification

-Sarawak State Comments Fuel more Resistance to Proposed Dams Baram, Miri (7th FEB 2024) The petition against the proposed Tutoh/Apoh cascading dam demanding for community engagement and consultation, has successfully collected 650 signatures in less than 2 months since it was organized. Currently, the signatories to this on-going petition come from 19 communities within the … Continue reading PRESS STATEMENT: 650 Signatures Collected against Tutoh/Apoh Cascading Dam

16th January 2024 Mulu communities expressed their resistance to the proposed Tutoh/Apoh cascading dam citing lack of full community consultation and project disclosure. This month, communities impacted by the proposed Tutoh/Apoh cascading dam project are busy collecting signatures for a petition to the Premier of Sarawak’s office. The petition is currently 500 signatures strong. It … Continue reading New Cascading Dam Plans Leave Communities in the Dark (Proposed Apoh/Tutoh Dam)

This is the joint statement by Samling Plywood (Miri) Sdn Bhd and Samling Plywood (Baramas) Sdn Bhd (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Samling”), the Plaintiffs named in the claim filed at the Miri High Court and registered as Suit No. MYY- 23NCvC-1/6-2021 ('the Suit'), and SAVE Rivers Sdn Bhd, Peter Jalong Kalang @ Peter N.J … Continue reading JOINT STATEMENT OF SAMLING PLYWOOD (MIRI) SDN BHD, SAMLING PLYWOOD (BARAMAS) SDN BHD AND SAVE RIVERS SDN BHD