When it comes to industrially logging the World's remaining ancient forests, Malaysian logging companies and their government apologists play hardball. After years of cut and run timber operations yielding little benefit for the country, Cambodia's government has taken moves to remedy the situation with higher royalty rates. When a Malaysian logging company shut down rather than comply, the Malaysian government's representatives have turned up the pressure.
South colonialism is alive and well.
In late February 2000 the Malaysian Primary Industries Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Yaik, visited Cambodia to lobby the RGC and get the royalty rates reduced. News that the Malaysian government is weighing in on behalf of Samling could prove decisive in the long- running dispute. The other concession companies have consistently breached the terms of their concession agreements taking advantage of the lawlessness in Cambodia over recent years. It is ironic that the concessionaires, which have presided over a period of such unprecedented forest destruction, complain the minute that the RGC attempts to put forestry in order. Recipients should seek permission to reprint the article from the source listed above.