PRESS
RELEASE
IN
KUALA PENYU, 9 AUGUST 1997
PBS:
STATE COMMERCIAL FOREST RESERVE GONE
KUALA
PENYU, Sat. – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) today claimed that some
1.7 million hectares of the state’s commercial forest reserve have
been aimlessly alienated to 17 large companies for logging and reforestation
purposes.
Its
deputy president Dr Maximus Ongkili made the claim while officiating
the opening of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the PBS Kuala
Penyu division in Kampung Sawangan near here this morning.
"We
have been informed that 17 companies were each awarded about 100,000
hectares of commercial forest reserve apparently for reforestation
purpose but it is public knowledge that the real aim is to extract
timber from the areas alienated to the respective companies", he
said.
Dr
Ongkili said the alienation was done quietly and the government
has not given any information as to why such a massive area of forest
reserve should suddenly be given to private companies, many of whom
are large companies listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE).
"The
total Class II commercial forest reserve in Sabah is about 2.7 milion
hectares, of which some one million hectares are under the custody
of Yayasan Sabah. By giving away 1.7 million hectares to the private
sector, this means Sabah literally has no more commercial forest
reserve. This is mismanagement of the highest order and sellout
of the state’s forestry heritage and assets", he stressed.
According
to Dr Ongkili, at least six of the companies awarded the timber
areas were companies who have no previous experience in timber or
forestry enterprises, while the rest were mainly public listed companies
or companies owned by public listed corporations based outside of
Sabah.
"The
BN state government owes an explanation to the people of Sabah as
to why forest reserve of such size should suddenly be given away
to private companies. What is the purpose of the alienation and
who are the real owners of the companies concerned? What are the
conditions attached to the alienation and what is the schedule of
actual forest replanting?
"We
are of the opinion that the decision to alienate such a huge area
of forest reserve for logging and reforestation is void of logic
and economic rationale. It would mean that the commercial forest
reserves are no longer the asset of the people of Sabah but rather
owned by the private sector.
"From
the point of view of efficient and sustainable forestry management,
this is disaster for the people of Sabah. There is now no reason
for the Forestry Department to exist because there is hardly any
forest reserve to manage", he alleged.
The
Bandau member of parliament said the state government has been selling
state assets ever since it came to power adding, "now even the forest
reserve are being recklessly given away to unknown people".
Dr
Ongkili also questioned the state government on the existence at
present of two state directors of forestry.
"We
understand that a new director of forestry who is only a regional
officer of the department has been suddenly promoted to the top
position without following proper procedures. The existing director
is also officially holding the substantive post.
"Apparently
there is even plan to terminate the appointment of the existing
director without giving any valid reason. This is typical BN style
of administrative blunder and abuse that cannot be allowed by the
people of Sabah to continue", he stated.
Dr
Ongkili urged the delegates of the meeting to be ready for an election
which could be held any time, stressing "that PBS must be returned
to power to end the continued abuses committed by the state government".
Also
present at the meeting was Penampang MP Paul Nointein, Kuala Penyu
PBS chief and other supreme council and divisional committee members.
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