Papua New Guinea is home to one of the world’s last great tropical rainforests, a vital ecosystem that stores carbon, supports thousands of species, and sustains Indigenous communities. But a new report titled “Malaysia’s Timber Colony: Exposing Malaysia’s Grip Over Papua New Guinea’s Forests” has revealed just how much control Malaysian-linked companies have over the country’s forests. The investigation finds that 97% of Forest Clearing Authorities - licenses meant for agricultural development - are actually held by Malaysian-linked timber companies, driving large-scale deforestation and the exploitation of local landowners. We speak to co-authors of the report, land owner and land rights activist Samuel Kime from Papua New Guinea, Johanna Michel, Deputy Director of Bruno Manser Fonds, and Adam Farhan, the Director of RimbaWatch, to find out more.

Image Credit: Bruno Manser Fonds

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