The Penan. Photo: Rod LV

Malaysia File

World Bank Report brands Malaysian forestry: "a Sunset Industry".

A recent report on a survey of Malaysian forestry carried out by the World Bank concludes that a 'drastic slowdown' in the rate of logging is needed to stop the extinction of the industry (and hundreds of creatures!). The report called for an immediate reduction of 260% in the annual area of primary forest logged. It sited 'institutional weaknesses' and 'private incentives which favour unsustainable approaches' (corruption and greed!) as obstacles to sustainable forestry. It said the industry should accept 'normal rates of return, not exorbitant profits'. The Bank forecasts that at current rates the forests of Malaysia will be exhausted by the mid 90's making the industry a 'sunset industry'.

The report estimated that 700 thousand indigenous people rely on forests in Sarawak for their livelihood making use of 2 million hectares of forest; each hectare of 'undisturbed forest continuously provides non-wood products with a net value between US$312 - $810 annually'. On this basis the report is unenthusiastic about the continued expansion of plantations, favouring instead community forestry such as growing Durian.

It's a shame that the bank has to see everything in dollar signs but positive that they have come down on our side for once!