Grand Perfect Sdn Bhd
"I briefly visited the Acacia HQ of Grand Perfect in Kuching, to give a short, summarised presentation of my mission to The Planted Forests Project board at the office in Kuching.
Failing to dress like everyone else in the high-rise office block. No suit or court shoes. Tights or shirt. Instead, khaki cargos, a white long sleeve t-shirt and a backpack. I didn't believe we all worked towards the same agenda either. Some cry at red earth, others see new opportunity within the organisation.
In 2007 I was fortunate to meet a wonderful Director of the Planted Forests Project, and having given a presentation to the project and its major shareholders, such as Samling and KTS. I was then given the opportunity to meet Iban Chiefs from the Tatau district to discuss concerns, whilst accompanied by the auditor.
We (3 Longhouse Chiefs, 1 Chiefs wife and myself) Were to be shown around South East Asias largest Acacia plantation for the day. I was collected first from The Harbour Hotel, by a white 4x4 with blacked out windows. We then collected the people who mattered. I immediately felt uncomfortable, as I was sat in the front of the vehicle. 2 minutes into the journey I asked the driver to pull over. I requested the driver ask the 'main' Chief to sit in the front.This pleased the Chiefs wife who I was now sat next to in the back, as we journeyed through endless plantations of Acacia at various ages. Passing the occasional Japanese interests.
We paused at a bee keeping project, and sat gazing into the land and the various other 'projects' taking place. I looked to the chief and let out a big sigh. He smiled and his wife comfortingly tapped my leg, Just like a family member would.It was the perfect time for my phone to ring, as my ringtone was of Bullfrogs, which made the chiefs wife laugh. Home was calling, but on that occasion I didn't answer as the ringtone was providing too much entertainment! Yes, you can get good signal in Borneo!"
"The State Government of Sarawak has allocated 490,000 hectares of land for the planting of acacia trees. It includes 290 longhouses."
Acacia Trial #1
Acacia Trial #2
Acacia Trial #3
Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Soil erosion, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity
Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination.
Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination.
Socio-economic Impacts
Potential: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/
Potential: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/
The communities are still fighting to cancel the license conceded for the plantations and guarantee their customary land rights.
Legislations
The communities declare they have been informed that their rights have been recognised and stated very clearly by the Federal Court in the case of Madeli Salleh and the Court of Appeal in the case of Sagong Tasi. The formal laws have validly recognised and respected customs in acquiring native customary rights. The Federal Constitution also accords protection to natives and recognises native customary rights.
Legislations
The communities declare they have been informed that their rights have been recognised and stated very clearly by the Federal Court in the case of Madeli Salleh and the Court of Appeal in the case of Sagong Tasi. The formal laws have validly recognised and respected customs in acquiring native customary rights. The Federal Constitution also accords protection to natives and recognises native customary rights.
Non Specified hectarage of mixed plantation
Eucalyptus Trial #1
Eucalyptus Trial #2
"This project is affecting the lives of Iban (Sea Dayak) indigenous peoples in five longhouses (communities), divided over two customary territories. Besides, the license was issued without their free, prior and informed consent or acknowledgement of their customary rights to their land. Also a forest reserve, the Sujan Forest Reserve, was created without proper consultation of the native communities."
Tapang - The only protected tree species.
Preserved for bee keeping (Bees imported from China)
Grand Perfect Sdn Bhd Shareholders
Landscaped for Acacia
A forest that once was and what will be
Landscaping for Acacia Plantation
A further expanse of Acacia at Stage 2.
In-depth look at stage 2-3
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Acacia Plantation
Degraded land with saplings in struggling conditions.
Monitoring exotic plant introductions
SEGAN’s management is aware of the potential problems that might arise from the introduction of exotic species. However, no exotic species grown by SST has been identified as an invasive plant pest by any government agency. Furthermore, only four exotic genera (Acacia, Eucalyptus, Gmelina and Paraserianthes) are currently planted commercially (as opposed to trialled). All four are known to regenerate naturally, to a greater or lesser degree, under SEGAN’s conditions but this not is considered to be an adverse environmental impact. To date only A. mangium has established itself outside of the LPF. However, it is a pioneering, short lived light demander and is only known to regenerate in open areas, e.g. burnt over. In the hill padi cropping cycle areas it may be considered as beneficial because it both protects and, as nitrogen fixer, improves the soil. As the local demand for mangium logs increases this might also create economic opportunities for communities.
In 2011, 5 indigenous Iban (Dayak) communities – longhouses –, that share two common customary territories inside the concession area, one in the Satai area, including the communities of Rumah Mering, Rumah Mujah and Rumah Belaja, and the other territory in Sungai Binyo (Binyo River), including Rumah Sengok and Rumah Mikai communities, expressed their concern about this concession in a memorandum to the Sarawak state authorities and to the federal government.
Monitoring is by observation.
SEGAN’s management is aware of the potential problems that might arise from the introduction of exotic species. However, no exotic species grown by SST has been identified as an invasive plant pest by any government agency. Furthermore, only four exotic genera (Acacia, Eucalyptus, Gmelina and Paraserianthes) are currently planted commercially (as opposed to trialled). All four are known to regenerate naturally, to a greater or lesser degree, under SEGAN’s conditions but this not is considered to be an adverse environmental impact. To date only A. mangium has established itself outside of the LPF. However, it is a pioneering, short lived light demander and is only known to regenerate in open areas, e.g. burnt over. In the hill padi cropping cycle areas it may be considered as beneficial because it both protects and, as nitrogen fixer, improves the soil. As the local demand for mangium logs increases this might also create economic opportunities for communities.
In 2011, 5 indigenous Iban (Dayak) communities – longhouses –, that share two common customary territories inside the concession area, one in the Satai area, including the communities of Rumah Mering, Rumah Mujah and Rumah Belaja, and the other territory in Sungai Binyo (Binyo River), including Rumah Sengok and Rumah Mikai communities, expressed their concern about this concession in a memorandum to the Sarawak state authorities and to the federal government.
Monitoring is by observation.
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