KUCHING: An International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) project in the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) has been terminated due to non-compliance by a foreign NGO, the Sarawak legislative assembly was told on Tuesday (May 20).
State Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the terminated project was the "Management of Upper Baram for Conservation and Sustainable Development with Involvement of Local Communities", which involved the Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF).
"The project was terminated because BMF did not comply with the conditions set by the Sarawak government.
"They focused solely on the Penan, whereas other communities including the Kenyah, Kelabit and Saban also have common interests in the area.
"This can disrupt the harmony among the communities," he told Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS-Telang Usan) during question time on Tuesday (May 20).
Len Talif said BMF also wanted to designate the project area as a "Purely Conservation Area" for the survival of the Penan, although there was already a totally protected area nearby.
He said ITTO agreed to the termination during a steering committee meeting on Oct 10 last year.
"The decision to terminate the project will not affect the livelihood of the communities in the area, including the Penan.
"This is in view of the various projects to improve living standards which are being implemented by the Forestry Department and relevant department agencies," he said.
Len Talif said this was the only ITTO project in Sarawak to be terminated to date.
He said the state Forestry Department had worked with ITTO on 16 projects since 1992, including three in Ulu Baram and one in Sungai Menyang, Lubok Antu.
"The Sarawak government, through the Forestry Department, has no problem working with any NGO, whether local or foreign, as long as their agenda does not go against the policies of the state or Federal governments," he added.
