What is happening in the primary rainforest on Borneo?

Background

In the Malaysian state of Sarawak, one of Southeast Asia's last primary rainforests is being destroyed. According to our research, at least 4,000 tonnes of tropical timber – equivalent to almost 100 football pitches – are being transported away from the village of Ba Data Bila every month from an area covering170,000 hectares. The estimated market value is over 2.1 million US dollars per month.

The deforestation area is located in the protected Suling Sela'an forest, a designated biodiversity hotspot. Particularly alarming is the fact that much of the deforestation is taking place in the core zone of the planned Baram Peace Park area – in the middle of one of the last intact primary rainforests in the world.

Map: Deforestation activities (red) in the Baram Peace Park area around Ba Data Bila

Who is behind this?

The company responsible is Borneoland Timber Resources ("Borneoland"), led by influential timber magnate Hii King Chiong. The logging licence was granted by the Sarawak government behind closed doors – without an environmental impact assessment and without consulting the surrounding indigenous communities.

According to local sources, Borneoland supplies the timber to the Shin Yang Group. One of the main customers for Shin Yang's timber products is Japan. Other customers include Europe and the USA. Shin Yang did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.

Image: The Malaysian company Shin Yang supplies Japan, Europe and the USA

The indigenous Penan are resisting

The indigenous Penan community in the Baram area is particularly affected. Residents who disagree with the deforestation are being displaced and ignored.

They depend on the forest for their livelihood. Our Penan partners report an alarming rate of destruction, disrespectful encroachment on their ancestral land – their home – and the massive destruction of their forest.

Despite numerous complaints and a court case, deforestation continues unabated.

Image: The villages in the Baram area want to protect their forest

The Penan's struggle

The Penan are fighting with admirable courage against the destruction of their habitat:

• they have erected roadblocks, which have been repeatedly destroyed.
• They have submitted letters of protest and complaint to the government, Borneo and the Human Rights Commission.
• A local petition with 500 signatures was submitted – and ignored.
• Finally, they filed a lawsuit with the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. The case is still ongoing.

The Penan are fighting back with blockades against the deforestation of their forest.

Image: Blockade in the Baram area

That's why we need you:

• The lack of transparency and the systematic ignoring of the voices of those affected must finally come to an end. The Penan need our solidarity – now.
• The last primeval forests of Borneo must be protected.

The Bruno Manser Fund supports the Penan in every step of their resistance against illegal deforestation. But we need your help to do this.

Sign our petition now – and support the campaign with a donation.