Kuala Lumpur, 9 May 2025 – The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) is aware of a recent TikTok video by The Borneo Project raising concerns about our Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) and the certification of the Samling Group. The video discusses findings by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regarding alleged activities affecting important conservation areas and logging within a national park.
To ensure everyone has the correct information, MTCC would like to clarify the following:
- When Our Certification Applied: The specific areas mentioned in The Borneo Project’s video were not certified by MTCS at the time the alleged activities supposedly happened. The Ravenscourt and Gerenai Forest Management Units (FMUs) only received MTCS certification much later, in 2018 and 2020. Importantly, these certified areas do not include the location where the alleged activities took place. Therefore, these past events were outside the scope of MTCC’s responsibility at that time.
- Our Promise to Do Things Right: As the owner of the MTCS, MTCC is deeply committed to the highest standards of sustainable forest management. We ensure this through regular audits by independent third-party auditors and a strict certification process. This guarantees that all certified forests follow environmental protection rules and fully comply with the law. Any area certified under MTCS must continue to meet these strict requirements, including protecting High Conservation Value (HCV) areas – places with special environmental or cultural importance.
- Setting the Record Straight: MTCC intends to address the incorrect information in the video. The claim that Samling was involved in illegal logging within areas certified by MTCS is not true. The areas highlighted in the video are not part of the forests managed under MTCS certification. Therefore, the video’s claims do not accurately represent Samling’s current MTCS certification status.
- We Ask for Accurate Information: MTCC encourages all groups, including non-governmental organizations, to make sure the information they share is accurate and reflects the current situation. Reporting responsibly helps everyone have a clear understanding of sustainable forest management, which is vital for working together to protect the environment and promote sustainable forestry in Malaysia, the country we love.
MTCC is always ready to have open and productive conversations with all stakeholders, to address any concerns and build a better shared understanding of sustainable forest management in Malaysia.
For further information kindly contact:
Muhammad Hasif bin Azizan ([email protected])
Director Communications & Marketing, MTCC
About the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
MTCC was established to develop and operate the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), a voluntary national timber certification program that provides independent audits of forest management practices to ensure sustainability. For over 25 years, MTCC has championed sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing. As the first tropical timber certification scheme in the world to be endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), MTCS plays a crucial role in promoting responsible forest management in Malaysia. Website: https://mtcc.com.my