(MY) credibility of green groups

[Guest guest]

Credibility of green groups questioned - Nes Straits Times

 

2009/12/30

 

*By Ooi Tee Ching*

*KUALA LUMPUR:* Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth (FOE), Wetlands

International and World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) could play invaluable

roles in highlighting environmental problems and promote public and

corporate oversight. But when these non-governmental organisations become

biased and apply double standards in their whistleblowing, many begin to

doubt their credibility.

 

" Public trust and integrity are the essence of any NGO should we want to

stay true to our purpose and remain relevant in today's context, " said

Malaysian

Nature Society president Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor.

 

" In the last decade, we've seen an increasing presence of foreign green NGOs

in Southeast Asia.

 

" The objective of these foreign green and animal rights NGOs in setting up

affiliates here is questionable, " he told the New Straits Times in an

interview here.

 

Examples include Amsterdam-based Friends of the Earth (FOE) giving financial

support to Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Swiss-headquartered WWF funding anti-palm

oil lobbyist Wetlands, which in turn contributes to Global Environment

Centre, a non-profit organisation set up in Malaysia to support the

protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources.

 

There is also the UK-based Oxfam International giving money to Indonesian

NGO Sawit Watch that purports to " highlight the negative social and

environmental impacts of oil palm " .

 

Earlier this week, Malaysia's Registrar of Societies Datuk Mohd Alias Kalil

warned that Sahabat Alam Malaysia would be deregistered if in the fight for

its cause, it is proven to indulge in extremist acts that threatens the

country's interests.

 

When asked to comment, Salleh said: " At Malaysian Nature Society, we cherish

the right to speak up for the conservation of nature but we're certainly not

an extremist group.

 

" In fact, we don't agree with Greenpeace, FOE, Wetlands, Sawit Watch and

WWF's biased approach, specifically their anti-palm oil lobby.

 

" We're a green NGO but we do not lobby against select industries or seek

representation at negotiating tables to set up trade barriers disguised as

environmentally-friendly me-asures. "

 

Salleh said the Malaysian Nature Society had, throughout its 70 years of

existence, stuck to its core activities of expeditions and explorations into

the deep jungles and caves to inculcate love for nature among its members.

 

" As the oldest green NGO in Malaysia, we take pride in being transparent. We

have never haboured any hidden agenda or ulterior motives. We publish all

contributions and expenses in our annual reports. I can assure you every sen

is accounted for, " he said.

 

Today, it is an undisputable fact that financially strong NGOs like Rainforest

Action Network (RAN), Greenpeace, FOE, Wetlands, Oxfam International and WWF

wield great clout at international decision-making forums on global warming.

 

 

One would expect that with great power, comes great responsibility.

 

 

But to date, it is unclear whether these NGOs have institutionalised

external oversight of their decision-makings.

 

Are there independent audits to determine the effects of their policies and

practices on the orang-utans and indigenous people they claim to be helping?

 

 

These NGOs are whistleblowers, judge and jury, all roled into one -- a stark

contrast to independent boards in corporations.

 

On the other hand, oil palm plantation companies, whe-ther listed on the

stock exchange or privately held are a responsible lot by virtue of the

industry being tightly regulated.

 

About 50 corporates involved in palm oil-related businesses are listed on Bursa

Malaysia. Related party transactions and profit/ loss accounts are open to

public and regulatory scrutiny.

 

Every oil palm planter, miller, refiner, trader and cargo forwarder is

subjected to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board's (MPOB) stringent regulation.

 

This means the government keeps tab of agricultural land planted with oil palm

trees, quality of seedlings that are planted in the estates, how much palm

oil is produced and how soon and the quality of oil shipped out.

 

Every shipment is reported to MPOB within 24 hours. Those in the industry

who do not comply face heavy penalties.

 

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Sahabat Alam at a loss over registrar's warning

 

2009/12/30 - New Straits Times

 

* *

*KUALA LUMPUR:* Sahabat Alam Malaysia, an affiliate of Amsterdam-based Friends

of the Earth, does not want to speculate on the motive behind the Registrar

of Societies' warning about its possible deregistration. Earlier this week,

the Registrar of Societies (ROS), Datuk Mohd Alias Kalil warned that SAM can

be deregistered as a non-governmental organisation if there is proof that it

is involved in activities which threaten the nation's interests.

 

Speaking from Miri, Alias said ROS is monitoring SAM closely and any other

NGOs which acted extremely in their cause.

 

In an interview yesterday, SAM secretary Meenakshi Raman said: " We don't

know what motivated the ROS to give such warning.

 

" We were caught by surprise when we saw it in the news. There was no

official letter from ROS, so we shall wait and see. "

 

Friends of the Earth have in the last five years blamed the oil palm

industry's rapid growth to deforestation and peatland degradation, which in

turn is blamed for species extinction, worsening climate change and the

displacement of indigenous people.

 

It lobbies for a moratorium on the conversion of forests and peat land into

plantations be it oil palm, rubber or timber species.

 

Asked if SAM received funding from Friends of the Earth headquarters in

Amsterdam, Meenakshi replied: " Yes, we do just like other affiliates in

other countries. We don't see any problem with this. We're a credible

organisation and we take our cause seriously. "

 

To a question whether SAM considered whether lobbying for a moratorium on

forest and peatland could serve as trade barriers seeking to limit the

growth of the oil palm and rubber industry, she replied: " We stand by the

view that agriculture has to be sustainably produced and we're concerned

about deforestation.

 

" We hold the view that our activities are consistent with the government's

policy on environmental protection. We don't see how we're acting against

the interests of our country. "