New allegations against logging giant Samling

Samling Global Ltd faces another blow as the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) has accused the timber company of continued bully tactics against the native Penans. BMF claims the latest actions are to silence the Penans on their claims of sexual abuse of Penan women and girls by Samling’s loggers.

According to the Swiss-based nonprofit, Samling has threatened to suspend all transport services into the area if seven new allegations of sexual exploitations of their logging workers against female Penans are not retracted. The BMF said a Penan headsman was asked by Samling officials to sign a statement, failing which all transport services for locals would be suspended. The headsman refused to sign the statement, but now the Penan community is concerned about the ramifications.

In response to this, Samling Global Ltd expressed surprise by these allegations. The timber giant responded in a statement, reproduced in part on Malaysiakini:

… Our position towards the (sexual abuse) issue remains the same. The company does not condone any illegal and criminal activities, and any staff suspected of such misconduct would be handed over to the authorities.

Samling explained that it is merely taking precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety and to prevent any misunderstanding when providing transportation assistance to forest communities. Company officials stated that it had explained to the communities that a more stringent policy is necessary to safeguard their interest and its own if it is to continue providing transportation assistance. The company stated:

Samling stands by its corporate social responsibility efforts and initiatives, and will continue to provide various forms of assistance to forest communities in the area of its operations.