On Today Show
— Nicholas Mujah, General Secretary SADIA – Sarawak’s Timber Industry Under Fire: NGOs Push for EU Action to Protect Indigenous Rights
— Bruce Yee, the PKR branch leader for Sarikei – 30 Minutes From Town, But 30 Years Without Water: Sg Ribong’s Struggle for Clean Water
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Nicholas Mujah, Setiausaha Agung SADIA – Industri Perhutanan Sarawak Di Bawah Tekanan: NGO Desak Tindakan EU Untuk Melindungi Hak-Hak Orang Asal
— Bruce Yee, Ketua Cabang PKR Sarikei – 30 Minit Dari Bandar, Tetapi 30 Tahun Tanpa Air: Perjuangan Sg Ribong Untuk Mendapatkan Air Bersih
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Nicholas Mujah, General Secretary SADIA
*Sarawak’s Timber Industry Under Fire: NGOs Push for EU Action to Protect Indigenous Rights*
Several local and international NGOs have urged the EU to classify Sarawak's wood products as "high risk" under the new EUDR regulations that will come into force in 2025. Nicholas Mujah, representing SADIA, also expressed agreement with the NGOs' call. The SADIA office in Kuching receives almost daily reports of encroachment on indigenous people's land by logging companies, oil palm plantations, and mining operations, a result of decades of unchecked aggression. According to Nicholas, the devastating effects of climate change are already being felt, and without decisive action from the EU, the invasion and dispossession of the indigenous people's land and rights will continue.
He addressed concerns that blocking Sarawak's wood products, palm oil, and mining products from the EU market might negatively impact the economy of Sarawak and Malaysia. However, Nicholas clarified that the EUDR does not mean a total ban on sales. Instead, products must be produced in compliance with transparent laws that respect the rights, customs, and culture of local and indigenous populations.
Nicholas also pointed out that the GPS government in Sarawak often cites MTCS (Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme) as proof of compliance with industry standards. However, he criticized the MTCS audit process, stating that it relies too heavily on existing laws and fails to respect the rights and customs of the indigenous communities that own the forests. He added that the MTCS audit does not account for the social impact, and worse, the audit teams often consist of individuals from the timber industry itself. Furthermore, state-level enforcement agencies responsible for approving logging permits are frequently influenced by powerful politicians, leading to logging and plantation activities that violate indigenous rights.
