Our conscience clear

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KUCHING: Jabu: State fully aware of its obligations, responsibilities to protect its forest.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang yesterday assured that the state government would never destroy the state’s forests at its whims and fancies.

He said the government was aware of its obligations and responsibilities to protect the forest.

Fielding questions from foreign media during a dialogue at Hilton Hotel here, Jabu said allegations that the government was destroying its forest to make way for oil palm plantations were baseless.

The foreign journalists from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Canada visited oil palm estates in Stenggang, Bau, yesterday morning.

“Some NGOs pretend to know a lot about us (Sarawak), but they have never visited the state. Although they do not know us, they painted and reported negative things about us,” lamented Jabu, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture.

He hoped that the eight foreign journalists would highlight the truth in their writings.

Among the questions raised by the participants concerned land development involving Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), oil palm development, NCR land, and the effects of land development on the habitat of Orang Utans.

Among other things, Jabu said that the development of oil palm plantations on NCR land was aimed at eradicating poverty in the rural areas.

He said the government would continue to develop the oil palm sector, either on a plantation or smallholding basis.

In addition, high-yielding rubber trees would also be planted to eradicate poverty.

On the effects of oil palm plantation development in relation to the Orang Utan habitat, Jabu said the government would not destroy forests where Orang Utans were found.

“We take our forest management seriously as our focus is on forest sustainability. In addition, we also have a forest replanting programme to ensure the sustainability of our forests.”

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