As Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem had issued a strong warning against the six big timber tycoons in the state to sign the integrity pledge, the Save Sarawak Rivers Network hopes that Adenan can “walk the talk” by tackling the illegal logging activities.

Save Sarawak Rivers Network chairperson Peter Kallang said that Adenan must change the timber industry of Sarawak following his stern words.

“I hope that the chief minister will really walk his talk, which is welcomed to change the timber industry itself,” Peter told a press conference today.

Commenting on Adenan’s achievement since he took office in March, Peter ( left ) said that Adenan had acted differently from his predecessor Abdul Taib Mahmud, who had become the governor of the state.

However, he pointed out that they had yet to see any “substantial change” that Adenan had made in major issues as the state government is still pushing for the mega dam projects.

“For example, like the mega dam projects, nothing changed. He’s trying to push it through,” he added.

He also noted that there were around 250 to 300 cases regarding the native customary rights land between the state government and the indigenous people still awaiting judgments.

As such he urged Adenan to also revoke all the cases should he listen to the people.

‘Look at the small logging companies as well’

Echoing Peter, Baram Protection Action Committee (BPAC) chairperson Philip Jau, who also attended the press conference, said that Adenan should also resolve the illegal logging activities by the small logging companies.

“I personally welcome the comment by the chief minister and I hope that he is not only looking at these big timber companies but also the small ones, which I believe they are also involved in illegal activities.

“This is because we don’t want our forest to be destroyed as this is very important for everyone of us, it helps our environment and diversity,” he added.

Yesterday, Adenan was reported issued a stern warning at a gathering of timber tycoons, telling them “not to mess with him ” when asking them to sign the integrity pledge.

The six timber companies are KTS Holding, RH Forest Corporation Sdn Bhd, Samling Shin Yang Group, Ta Ann Group and WTK Holding.

However, he today clarified that he had never accused the tycoons and their companies of corruption and claimed that certain newspapers had misrepresented his words.

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