Fourteen organisations, mainly NGOs, have raised strong objections to the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) voluntary timber certification process.
The coalition says the process is seriously flawed as it does not protect and recognise the rights of indigenous people and local forest communities. Objectors say they cannot support the certification of any timber with the MTCC standard as being ‘sustainably produced’.
The MTCC says the objection is a ‘result of misunderstanding and fear of being taken advantage of’.
The withdrawal of the NGOs is a setback for the MTCC as Malaysia’s certification scheme needs to be endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
