By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 10: Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has announced its request for the termination of the Upper Baram Forest Area Project (UBFA) PD 902/19 rev.3 (F) during a Project Steering Committee meeting held today.
According to a press release, the decision comes in light of ongoing challenges and disruptions that have hindered the successful implementation of the project.
The UBFA project, funded by the City of Basel, Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF), and the Government of Japan through the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), has faced significant interference from both local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), particularly BMF and Save Rivers.
FDS said these interventions have led to a growing distrust and the spread of misleading information among local communities, compromising the project’s integrity.
In his opening remarks, State Forests director Datu Hamden Mohammad stated: “Since the project’s inception in Sept 2023, we have faced numerous disruptions that hinder our progress.
“This includes the submission of official letters to high-level officials, overseas demonstrations, and publishing damaging articles containing unsubstantiated allegations against Sarawak and the ITTO without consulting project partners.”
Hamden emphasised the importance of aligning project goals with Sarawak’s development and conservation plans, as contained within the International Tropical Timber Council’s (ITTC) approved project document.
However, he noted that the changing and differing aspirations of some stakeholders, particularly NGOs, have created insurmountable challenges.
Consequently, through FDS, the Sarawak government has ‘regrettably’ requested the termination of the UBFA project under Article XI Section 11.01 c of the project agreement, citing that its continued approval and funding no longer serve the project’s objectives.
“This decision was made after careful consideration and in alignment with Sarawak’s strategic objectives under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“The Sarawak government remains committed to supporting the people of Upper Baram and plans to pursue the project with different funding sources,” Hamden added. — DayakDaily
