We, concerned individuals and NGO's would like to state here that we fully understand that members of JOANGOHutan were invited to participate in the development of the Malaysian timber certification process.
We also recognize that JOANGOHutan has now withdrawn their participation, as they found the process highly flawed due to the following points:
1) The certification initiative agenda was established by the Malaysian government
in favor of industry stakeholders.
2) Malaysian NGO's were not adequately consulted nor represented from the onset
of the process, nor were their positions fully included once their participation
was requested.
3) The Malaysian Timber Certification Council's (MTCC) scheme, as it is currently
drafted, does not recognize the rights of indigenous people and local forest
communities.
Therefore:
¢ We, the undersigned, support JOANGOHutan's rejection of the MTCC scheme, otherwise known as the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities and Standards of Performance (MC&I) for forest management certification.
¢ We agree with JOANGOHutan's demand that the land rights of forest-dependent communities must be addressed satisfactorily and conclusively before any certification scheme can be deemed credible.
¢ We demand that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) reject the current MTCC scheme, and insist upon the restarting or reintiate the MC& I through a transparent and accountable process. This process must:
o Include the equal input of all stakeholders from the onset,
o Be lead by an independent, non-political body, and
o Uphold FSC principles #2 & #3, that clearly protect the rights and benefits
of indigenous peoples.
** JOANGOHutan was formed by 14 Malaysian NGO's and community organizations
that had been participating in the MC & I process, and had unanimously agreed
to withdraw in September 2001.
The coalition's objectives are to reflect NGO's and indigenous communities' concerns and interests on matters relating to the development of timber certification.
JOANGOHutan Membership:
1. Persatuan Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (POASM-Association of Indigenous
People in Peninsula Malaysia), Semenanjung Malaysia;
2. Sinui Pai Nanek Sngik (SPNS), Perak;
3. Komuniti Orang Asli Daerah Slim River, Perak;
4. Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), Selangor;
5. Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS Trust), Sabah;
6. KERUAN Association, Sarawak;
7. Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS), Sarawak;
8. SILOP, Sarawak
9. Indigenous Peoples' Development Centre (IPDC), Sarawak;
10. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL), Sarawak;
11. SACCESS, Sarawak;
12. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM-Friends of the Earth), Malaysia;
13. SOS Selangor (Save Our Sungai Selangor), Selangor;
14. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM-Voice of Malaysian People), Selangor.
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