NGOs disappointed over RM1.4b credit to forest plantation operators

 

Six environmental NGOs have expressed deep disappointment over the approval of more than RM1.4 billion in soft loans to assist forest plantation industry operators from 2007 to 2025.

Reacting to a statement by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) on the loans, the NGOs questioned if the ruling by the National Land Council last year was adhered to before MTIB approved the allocations.

The ruling agreed in principle with the implementation of a moratorium on approvals for new forest plantations in forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia.

The group of NGOs comprised of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), Greenpeace Malaysia, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa), Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (Grass), Persatuan Penggerak Bumi Hijau Malaysia (Bumi Hijau) and Persatuan Sahabat Ekologi Perak (Ekologi).

Kuasa adviser Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said the provision of loans to forest plantation industry operators who planted certain tree species such as Buloh and Paulownia was not in compliance with the guidelines on the establishment of forest plantations by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia.

“We are of the view that policies that encourage the development of forest plantations (monoculture plantations) in permanent reserved forests need to be reviewed and should not be encouraged to be implemented in permanent reserved forests,” he said in a statement. - Mkini