Bruno Manser Fund praises Adenan

IN what can be called an amazing coup for Sarawak, our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem has received plaudits from the Bruno Manser Fund – a Swiss-based NGO that has had nothing good to say about our State for decades.

Yes the BMF has joined the ranks of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and UK-based NGO Nature Alert in praising our Chief Minister.

Adenan is currently in London and besides meeting with Sarawakian students and professionals there, he also met with nature-based NGOs, including the BMF.

According to a post on its website, the NGO said Adenan used his first official overseas visit to reach out to NGOs and call for international support to transform the Sarawak timber industry.

Of course BMF called the Chief Minister’s pledge to save our State’s forests and fight against timber corruption a “surprise”. 

Adenan also underlined that a transformation towards sustainability is vital for Sarawak’s timber industry and he called on NGOs to assist with the necessary reforms.

“No more timber concessions are being given out,” the NGO quoted Adenan as saying. 

“No more palm oil is needed – cukup (there is enough).“ 

Adenan also said he regarded the forest not only as a timber resource but as a value in itself and stressed that he is determined to fight illegal logging and timber corruption “until the last log is accounted for“.

Well our CM’s stance may have surprised the BMF but is no surprise to us Sarawakians as we know that the fight against illegal logging and corruption has been in high gear in the State thanks to him.

Our Cabinet and elected representative have also signed integrity pledges.

Don’t be surprised. Adenan walks the talk.

We Sarawakains know it and now the world is beginning to realise it too.

Kudos Datuk Patinggi. 

Here’s the story from The Star:

Bruno Manser Fund lauds Sarawak CM’s clean timber industry stance

BY SHARON LING

KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has earned plaudits from Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) for pledging to save Sarawak’s forests and fight timber corruption.

BMF, well known as a fierce critic of former chief minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, said Adenan had used his first official overseas visit to reach out to NGOs and call for international support to transform Sarawak’s timber industry.

In a speech at the Malaysian High Commission in London on Monday night, Adenan reiterated his commitment towards sustainability in the timber industry and called on NGOs to assist the state with the necessary reforms.

According to BMF, Adenan told guests at the High Commission that no more timber concessions were being given out and that he would combat illegal logging and timber corruption “until the last log is accounted for”.

“Adenan thus distanced himself surprisingly clearly from the policies of his predecessor, Taib Mahmud, who had abused Sarawak’s natural resources during his 33-year tenure as chief minister,” BMF said in a statement on Tuesday.