Malaysian logging group exposed

Malaysian logging group exposed

A report by Greenpeace has revealed illegal practices by a Malaysian logging company, prior to a UN biodiversity conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur later this month. Rimbunan Hijau are alleged in the publication to be involved in political corruption and abuses of indigenous people’s rights within its logging operations.

The company operates logging ventures in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Gabon, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Russia, and supplies products on sale throughout the world. The UN meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention for Biological Diversity, or ‘Summit for Life’, begins on the 9th February.

"In Papua New Guinea, for example, Rimbunan Hijau is logging without landowner consent, in logging concessions that have not been initiated or allocated properly under the National Forestry Act, and in contravention of environmental law," stated Stephen Campbell of Greenpeace International. "As hosts of the Summit for Life on Earth, the Malaysian government should set the example by ensuring that Malaysian companies operating internationally are held accountable for their destructive practices in the world's remaining ancient forests," he added.

Read “The Untouchables: Rimbunan Hijau’s world of forest crime and political patronage”, by Greenpeace (pdf file)   click here