Updates

SD Guthrie Linked to Deforestation in Sarawak

New evidence confirms that SD Guthrie continues to be implicated in deforestation in Sarawak, despite its sustainability commitments and international obligations. BINTULU, 20th October 2025 — Three  ground investigations between December 2024 and September 2025, supported by satellite analysis, local community testimony and drone imagery, documented active forest clearance within...

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Communities Protest Bamboo Plantation Near Bakun Dam

Sungai Asap communities protest the Rich Venture bamboo plantation

BELAGA, SARAWAK – The Customary and Native Land Committee of Hulu Balui has protested against a large-scale bamboo plantation by Rich Venture Sdn. Bhd. near the Bakun Dam in Belaga, alleging encroachment into Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and severe environmental damage. The plantation, licensed under LPF/0056 and covering 44,545...

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New report reveals Malaysian exploitation of Papua New Guinea’s forests 

Photo by Bruno Manser Fonds.

At a press conference today in Port Moresby (PNG), a groundbreaking new investigative report: “Malaysia’s Timber Colony: Exposing Malaysia’s Grip Over Papua New Guinea’s Forests” was published, revealing the disturbing role of Malaysian-linked companies in local deforestation. According to its findings, 97% of PNG’s Forest Clearing Authorities (FCAs) are controlled by Malaysian-linked companies. The...

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Malaysian Authorities Halt Human Rights Investigation at Borneo Logging Hotspot

Malaysian Human Rights Commission SUHAKAM stopped by Sarawak government from visiting Penan village of Ba Data Bila, drawing criticism from local activists.  MIRI, SARAWAK – Communities in the Upper Baram region of Sarawak, Malaysia, express deep concern after the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was stopped from visiting Ba Data...

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Switzerland to quit International Tropical Timber Organization 

UN timber body loses key member state after Malaysia project failure. “ITTO is no longer a credible institution when it comes to forest conservation and sustainable tropical forestry”, says BMF director Lukas Straumann.  (BERN/YOKOHAMA). The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has initiated consultations for Switzerland to leave the...

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Sarawak Premier challenged by forest activists in Paris

The delegation from Sarawak entering UNESCO headquarters

Bruno Manser Fonds launches “Save the Baram forest” campaign at UNESCO headquarters (Paris) Forest activists told Sarawak Premier Abang Johari during his visit to Europe that his first step towards climate protection should be the conservation of old-growth forests in Sarawak. A delegation from the Switzerland-based nature protection agency Bruno...

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The Borneo Brief Q2 2025

During the second quarter of the year there were a lot of developments for Indigenous and environmental rights in Sarawak. Join Jettie Word from The Borneo Project and Celine Lim from SAVE Rivers to discuss the latest stories. Read more about these...

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