PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 3:27 PM by Luigi

Concern over Malaysian logging in Niue

From tvnz, Oct 23, 2006.

A Malaysian logging company linked to the decimation of the Solomon Islands rainforests has got its sights set on Niue.

The island nation, which relies almost entirely on aid from New Zealand, is planning on going into business with the group.

The Niuan government is allowing a the company to log the rainforest, however no-one told the hundreds of locals who own the land.

One of the Malaysian investors in the deal is Steven Fong Hak who was the general manager of a company called Silvania Products in the Solomon Islands.

Silvania's been condemned by environmental groups as having one of the worst forest practises in the world.

The company had its licence revoked several times in the 1990's for illegal logging.

Fong Hak has recently been dumped from the Niue logging project after falling out with business partner Philip Chung, who agreed to be interviewed by One News on the proviso that his face wasn't shown.

"We are coming here with sincerity, we want to protect the forest, we cut big tree, turn into money, improve the lifestyle of the people," he said.

But Chung also has a reputation in the pacific.

In the 1980's a Solomon Islands High Court found his company Solmac Construction and Timber Ltd had operated without a licence and destroyed a plantation.

Chiung now says he does not recall not having a licence and he is keen to make sure everything is above-board in Niue.

"We want our names to be recorded in the history of Niue to do something good for the country," said Chung.

But many Niueans aren't so sure.

Local logger Harry Bray says there is only one way a foreign company can make a profit from Niue's forest.

"They would just take everything, to be able to do that they would have to take everything and what they didn't take they would destroy in the process of taking the timber that is of size," says Bray.

The logging deal has raised eyebrows internationally.

Aid donors, including New Zealand, asked Niue to think again before going ahead with it.

The Niuan government is now biding its time but to keep the Malaysian investors interested they are offering them fishing licences and tourism ventures.

But logging remains the Malaysians main aim.

"If they do not allow us to invest in that project maybe we have to say bye bye," says Chung.

And saying goodbye will be a big deal for Niue's government.

Instead of the big business investment it was desperately hoping for, the tiny nation will be back to begging for aid.



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A Malaysian logging company linked to the decimation of the Solomon Islands rainforests has got its sights set on Niue. The island nation, which relies almost entirely on aid from New Zealand, is planning on going into business with the group. The Niuan government is allowing a the company to log the rainforest, however no-one told the hundreds of locals who own the land. One of the Malaysian investors in the deal is Steven Fong Hak who was the general manager of a company called Silvania Products in the Solomon Islands. Silvania's been condemned by environmental groups as having one of the worst forest practises in the world. The company had its licence revoked several times in the 1990's for illegal logging. Fong Hak has recently been dumped from the Niue logging project after falling out with business partner Philip Chung, who agreed to be interviewed by One News on the proviso that his face wasn't shown. "We are coming here with sincerity, we want to protect the forest, we cut big tree, turn into money, improve the lifestyle of the people," he said. But Chung also has a reputation in the pacific. In the 1980's a Solomon Islands High Court found his company Solmac Construction and Timber Ltd had operated without a licence and destroyed a plantation. Chiung now says he does not recall not having a licence and he is keen to make sure everything is above-board in Niue. "We want our names to be recorded in the history of Niue to do something good for the country," said Chung. But many Niueans aren't so sure. Local logger Harry Bray says there is only one way a foreign company can make a profit from Niue's forest. "They would just take everything, to be able to do that they would have to take everything and what they didn't take they would destroy in the process of taking the timber that is of size," says Bray. The logging deal has raised eyebrows internationally. Aid donors, including New Zealand, asked Niue to think again before going ahead with it. The Niuan government is now biding its time but to keep the Malaysian investors interested they are offering them fishing licences and tourism ventures. But logging remains the Malaysians main aim. "If they do not allow us to invest in that project maybe we have to say bye bye," says Chung. And saying goodbye will be a big deal for Niue's government. Instead of the big business investment it was desperately hoping for, the tiny nation will be back to begging for aid. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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