Nature Alert: Hamzah: Allegations That Malaysia Is Destroying Forests Untrue

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Hamzah: Allegations That Malaysia Is Destroying Forests Untrue

personal note: Some people never

get out of denial.

This person wants people to think

the photos and newspaper

articles you read here are all fiction.

----------------------------

August 11, 2009 17:40 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The allegation by some international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that Malaysia is destroying its natural forests to plant oil palm is untrue, said the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Hamzah Zainudin.

"In reality, we have proven to the world that the natural forest cover in the country comprises 60 percent of our total land area.

"Therefore, it is untrue when they state that we are destroying the natural forests to plant oil palm.They are actually afraid that our production of palm oil is of a better quality compared to the edible food oils that come from other plants," he said when asked about the speculation by European NGOs that Malaysia was destroying its forests and habitation of the Orang Utan for the purpose of planting oil palm.

Hamzah had earlier launched a publicity programme to enhance the use of local timber organised by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) here.

He said those making the allegation had the intention to curtail the development of Malaysia's palm oil industry and not due to a desire to save wildlife said to be endangered by the opening up of forests.

Asked about the measures being taken by the government to overcome the allegations, Hamzah said one of the steps was to continue highlighting to the world, the stability of the palm oil being produced by the country.

"When we talk about upstream activities, we have our own guidelines on how to plant palm oil or other commodities. We also have boards like the malaysian Palm Oil Board to seriously look into the matter and not just simply plant oil palm.

"All this while, we have been informing the world, that we are producing products from commodities in a sustainable manner," he said.

--BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=431925

Hall of Shame for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Palm Oil Industry.

Nothing can prepare one for the sight of the systematic extermination of orangutans by the government of Indonesia.

Look at the photos and news articles on these pages in the context of a statement the President made to the media on 10th December 2007.

“In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch of an orangutan conservation plan at the climate talks in Bali.

“The fate of the orangutan is a subject that goes to the heart of sustainable forests … To save the orangutan we have to save the forest.”

Statements like these are most welcome, but unless backed up by action, such words fall on deaf ears within the Ministry of Forestry....who are busy granting licences to cut down the very forests the President says they should protect!

When you think you are to busy to help, please could you reflect for a moment on .........

The following extract refers to environmental problems in general. I just hope you find it as thought provoking and relevant to orangutans as I have.

"This is such a shocking and unpalatable fact that most people deny it, or they just don't want to think about it. They believe as individuals, they can do little about it, so push it to the back of their minds. But I can't do that.

When something has to be done, we need to do it. It doesn't matter how big the challenge is or how hard the solution; if I know something is wrong, and I am in a position to help, I will do my best to make it right." Duncan Bannatyne, successful British businessman.