Author / Gerome Z.

by Gerome Z.

Sarawak’s Timber Industry Is Finished Says Devastating Secret Assessment

Sarawak Report has acquired details of a secret report, recently commissioned from a leading global consultancy, advising the state government that a radically changed approach is needed to manage its once resource rich economy, thanks to the careless and greedy destruction of previously luxuriant forests.

The findings make grave reading, painting a scenario whereby bad management and greed have exhausted one of the key income streams for the state, namely its natural resources, whilst much-trumpeted ?industrialisation and modernisation? drives have largely failed in the hands of family companies linked to politicians and their cronies.

The report explains the backdrop to remarks by Malaysia?s finance minister, Lim Guan Eng, last week, who shocked many in Kuching by predicting that Sarawak could find itself bankrupt within three years based on the present state of its finances.

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by Gerome Z.

Sarawak looking at hydrogen sales for revenue

KUCHING: Sarawak is looking at producing hydrogen and other commodities to derive revenue for the state?s coffers through the imposition of a sales tax, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg

He said under the Sarawak Constitution, a sales tax, such as the five per cent imposed on petroleum products starting from Jan 1 this year, is not confined to one commodity only.

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by Gerome Z.

The Truth About Sarawak’s ‘Forest Cover’ – Why Shell Should Think Twice Before Engaging With The Timber Crooks

Looking for all the world like a gruesome bunch of mafia dons, the head honchos of Sarawak dressed casual this weekend and waddled out to some turf to grin for their favourite PR organ, the Borneo Post (owned by the timber barons of KTS) in order to proclaim their belated attempt to get onto the tree planting band-waggon.

The broad face of the mysteriously wealthy deputy chief minister, Awang Tengah dominated the shot (his earlier positions included chairman and director of the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation and minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources). Meanwhile, his boss Abang Johari posed planting a symbolic sapling, described as a native plant but of a ?fast growing? kind.  So, what is this all about?

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by Gerome Z.

Championing palm oil’s cause

A RECENT European Union (EU) plan proposing to restrict palm oil in its biofuel programme has once again put the palm oil industry into public scrutiny, requiring palm oil producers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable production.

A statement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the United Nations? 73rd General Assembly last year reinforced Malaysia?s full commitment to the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, underscoring the importance of shifting towards sustainable palm oil consumption and production.

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by Gerome Z.

Cronyism, Kickbacks and An Eco-Catastrophe – The Story Of Murum Dam

One of the Governor of Sarawak?s key political henchmen cum holders of public office made a rare foray into the headlines this week to?attack?the appointment of a new Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, who is expected to break the log jam on corruption cases.

Idris Buang, who has himself combined various public and private offices with political roles, complained that the appointee has been a known member of PKR and would, therefore, be biased.

Perhaps the assemblyman, who has been linked to a number of?high profile controversies?is fearful of more active investigations into the Sarawak scene? ?For example, Sarawak Report has received details of one report to the MACC last year, which has yet to be acted on, relating to the clearing of timber worth a billion ringgit from the Murum Dam basin through a contract granted by Sarawak Energy (SEB) while he was on the board.

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by Gerome Z.

Tycoon in legal tussle over timber licences

A showdown between politics and business is set to unravel in the ?Land Below the Wind?.

Centred on Sabah?s lucrative timber industry, a legal tussle has begun involving the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government, financially-struggling timber concessionaire Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd (SFI), SFI?s receiver and manager Grant Thornton Consulting Sdn Bhd and Pelangi Prestasi Sdn Bhd, a company related to one of the richest bumiputras in Malaysia, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.

Also Involved in the suit is China pulp and paper company Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.

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by Gerome Z.

Global Warming Threatens Future Of Malaysia’s Oil Palm Says Top Malaysian Crop Expert

Developing crop diversity is not a threat to Malaysia?s oil palm industry. Rather it could be a vital saviour, one of the world?s top crop scientists based in KL has been explaining to the country?s leading politicians, who appear to be listening.

Professor Sayed Azam-Ali heads the prestigious Crops For the Future Research Centre (CFFRC) supported by the Malaysian Government together with Nottingham University, which is fast becoming one of the world?s most highly regarded research centres in terms of meeting future challenges for global food security.

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by Gerome Z.

SEDC Taken For A Ride Or What?

Doing the rounds on social media is a story that has been raising eyebrows in Sarawak.

The public investment vehicle that is supposed to be assisting development in the state, namely the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has just poured a very substantial sum into the purchase of a cattle farm over in Darwin: way over the valuation and market price, according to Australian media outlets.

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by Gerome Z.

Taib?s daughter fails again in bid for an injunction against Swiss NGO

Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud?s daughter Jamilah Taib and her husband Sean Murray has failed again in their bid for an injunction against Switzerland-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) over alleged defamation.

On Wednesday, a Swiss Court of Appeal rejected their bid for an injunction to provisionally ban 255 publications linking her, her closest family members and her Canadian real estate companies, Sakto Corporation and Sakto Development Corporation, to alleged money-laundering and to grand corruption in Sarawak.

?We are delighted about this extremely clear and favourable judgment,? said Lukas Straumann, the executive director of BMF, in a statement today.

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