While Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem distances himself from the policies of his predecessor Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak Report stressed that whether he delivers remains to be seen.

It said that while Adenan responded positively to activists and Taib’s critics during a meeting in London, he was also defensive and unwilling to make specific commitments.

“There was no shortage of scepticism (among the audience) on the eve of a state election over a speech delivered by one of the key warhorses of the four decades old regime.

“Adenan is intimately tied to the network of politically connected family monopolies, which have sucked Sarawak’s wealth and given precious little back. 

"The same crony conglomerates still control the state’s major concessions and economic opportunities,” Sarawak Report said in its article today.

Adenan had met the activists during a function at the Malaysian High Commission in London on May 4, which included anti-logging group Bruno Manser Fund, alleged secessionist Doris Jones ( left ), and Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle Brown among the audience.

 In his speech, he reportedly pledged among others that there would be no more timber concessions nor palm oil plantations, except community palm oil plantations.

Sea-change

Sarawak Report appeared to give Adenan’s speech a cautious thumb’s up, saying that it is undoubtly an attempt to reach out to the Sarawak government’s critics with the message that he agrees it is time to change.

“These were dramatic, bold statements and they represent a devastating sea-change from his predecessor’s stance, simply and uncompromisingly delivered.

“Although qualifications on the details could well come later, this chief minister cannot get away from the new principles he is now signed up to,” the report said.

It stressed that Adenan must now follow his words with action if he hopes to build trust.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Report also quoted Adenan announcing that its editor Brown ( right ) is no longer banned from entering the state.

“I learn that Clare Brown is here with us and I want to say I have no problem with that and she is welcome” he was quoted as saying, added the ban “should be considered lifted”.

He reportedly said this while driving home his message that he is eager to engage with NGOs for support and advice to tackle illegal logging.