Critics of the Bakun dam project should also consider Malaysia's record in meeting global standards of conservation ahead of developed nations, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today.

He said this when questioned if Malaysia's conservation record would look much better if the country had not embarked on the massive dam project in Sarawak.

"There is a question of balance. If you look in terms of record, we have exceeded the global standards. Countries in the developed world have not even met that target," he said without going into details.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the ministerial segment on the seventh Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today. The conference is expected to come up with a programme to protect bio-diversity in 2010..

The minister also dismissed the notion that Malaysia's indigenous communities are not afforded much rights.

"My first response would be that, on an international scale, our record is very good on the rights of the indigenous peoples," he said

"Second, we do admit we need to take care of their interests. The government is open to consultation with various groups."

Reports unfounded

On the allegations of official complicity in the laundering of illegal Indonesian timber, as alleged recently by environmental groups, Najib disclaimed that this was even an issue.

"The (primary industries) minister has repeatedly said there is no such thing. So what is the issue?" he said, adding that the issue has been taken up with Indonesian authorities via the Foreign Ministry.

Since last week, Malaysian authorities have repeatedly stressed that the Indonesian government should take full responsibility for the illegal logging in their territory.

"It is up to the host country to decide on the enforcement. It is entirely up to them. We as an outside country cannot interfere," said Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding, who was also present at the press conference.