[Borneo Project comments: Biofuel from monoculture plantations is not an environmentally or socially acceptable solution for renewable energy. In the case of cassava, below, as for oil palm plantations all over Borneo, indigeneous communities and the biodiversity of remaining forests are destroyed when native customary rights (NCR) lands are converted to corporate monocultures. It is a blatant violation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when Sarawak's Land and Survey Department signs away NCR lands before communities give prior informed consent.]

Plan For Cassava Plantation In Julau, Sarawak

SIBU, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- A South Korean-Malaysian joint venture is mulling setting up a cassava plantation on about 2,000ha of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land initially in the Balut area in Julau district.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Joseph Salang, who is Julau MP, said the state Land and Survey Department recently confirmed the land status which could pave the way for the plan.

He said here today during his weekly constituency visit: "RMS Furn Corporation Sdn Bhd based in Sarikei has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean company to produce bio-ethanol which can be used to produce bio-diesel.

"Cassava's other popular use is in the traditional production of liquor as done in Japan and Korea."

He said it is now up to the company to proceed with its plan in partnership with landowners in the area.

Salang said if the project materialises, it will benefit the people and landowners as, besides jobs and business opportunities, more roads will be built to access the area which in turn could facilitate the entry of amenities like power and water supplies.

-- BERNAMA

Original article link: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=291027&cat=sre