Samling: Action by international body opportunity to clear the air

Sarawak timber giant Samling today confirmed it has received a notice from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that the council has accepted a complaint against the firm.

According to Samling, in the notice, the FSC said it intends to contact all stakeholders to explore alternative dispute resolution, without initiating a full investigation.

The FSC on Wednesday announced that it has accepted a complaint against entities of Samling Global Limited that are connected to two FSC certificate holders.

The FSC in its announcement said it will "explore whether alternative dispute resolution measures, further investigations or a direct decision may be pursued".

The entities are alleged to have "indirect involvement" in "unacceptable activities" as defined in FSC's Policy of Association, in a complaint to FSC in October 2022.

The complaint by a coalition of NGOs pertains to activities in several areas, including the Upper Baram Forest Area, between 2017 and 2022, the FSC said.

In response, Samling said FSC’s move is welcomed as it provides the firm with a chance to "clear the air".

"Samling welcomes FSC’s initiative as an opportunity to address and refute the numerous allegations and misinformation that have been made against Samling by irresponsible parties once and for all," it said in a statement to Malaysiakini.

READ MORE: Loopholes in timber cert scheme raise questions of greenwashing

'No choice but to sue'

The FSC announcement comes as Samling's lawsuit against Sarawak NGO Save Rivers is set to go on trial next week.

Samling is suing Save Rivers for what it perceives to be defamatory statements by the NGO regarding the company's activities in the Upper Baram area.

The move is considered by critics as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (Slapp), but Samling said this was a last resort to clear its name.

Save Rivers is also part of the coalition of NGOs whose complaint prompted the ongoing FSC action.

Other members of the coalition are Gerenai Community Rights Action Committee (GCRAC), Keruan Organisation, The Borneo Project, and Bruno Manser Fund.

The NGOs had also complained over the same matter to the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, but the dispute resolution process was suspended pending the lawsuit against Save Rivers.

Not evidence of wrongdoing

Meanwhile, Samling assures that it will facilitate any alternative dispute resolutions and cooperate with the FSC through "proactive and transparent dialogue".

It also clarifies that FSC's decision to accept the complaint is not evidence that the group's FSC certificate holders are involved in any wrongdoing, and reiterates its denial of the allegations.

Yesterday, William Tingang, an indigenous resident of Long Moh in Baram, said FSC's decision to accept the complaint is proof the complaint has substance.

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