Environmental and human rights groups are calling on the European Union to classify Malaysia’s Sarawak region as ‘high risk’ under its latest anti-deforestation rules. Its controversial decision could have far-reaching effects on the region’s sprawling timber and palm oil industries, leading to a brawl between conservationists and the economic interests it stands for.
The Deforestation Regulation of the EU
The European Union is planning to impose a new regulation that seeks to limit deforestation and linked human rights abuses. The legislation, called the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), is set to take effect at the end of 2023.
Hundreds of commodities such as coffee, cocoa, soy, timber and rubber will be required to pass an exhaustive checklist of conditions under the EUDR before they can be imported. They will must assess the rights-risks of their production practices for these commodities. Restrictions on imports could result in major economic repercussions for countries that do not meet the EU’s criteria
However, while governments in some countries, such as Germany and Brazil, had called on the EU to postpone the EUDR implementation, campaigners from environmental and human rights groups are pushing for the regulation to proceed as scheduled. They say the reg is a crucial move to fight the global climate crisis and protect at-risk communities.
Sarawak: A Hotspot of Concern
The EUDR campaigners have zeroed in especially on Malaysia’s Sarawak region as a prime melatonin supplement production site, according to environmental and rights groups. As Malaysia’s largest state by area, Sarawak covers rainforests and sequestered Penan communities on the island of Borneo.
A joint statement from Malaysian and international organisations claims that the Sarawak government is planning to convert hundreds of thousands of hectares of natural forests to timber plantations. The grave concerns extend to the accusation of biodiversity and Indigenous rights underpinning their solution for forest dwellers along with a way of life and culture in the forest.
The groups claim that logging companies in Sarawak have already been bulldozing the forests of Indigenous people without essential consultations or grant. This is a gross violation of these communities’ ownership to the land.
In addition, the NGOs point out that Sarawak’s forestry department and the Malaysian government plantation and commodities ministry have not, to date, reported on these complaints which does not create a good opennes and transparency image.
Conclusion
A plea by environmental and human rights groups to classify Sarawak as ‘high risk’ under new EU anti-deforestation rules underscores the long-term challenge of tackling ongoing deforestation and rights abuses in the region. This EU determination could have significant repercussions for Malaysia’s timber and palm oil sectors, as well as the threat of increased monitoring or trade barriers. The struggle around Sarawak underscores the need to tangle environmental protection and human rights with economic development as the global community battles climate chaos.
