One particular area, Borneo Island (which is shared by three Southeast Asian
countries, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia) has endured major deforestation, losing
50% of its lowland rainforest, mainly to massive deforestation for palm oil plantations (Shoumatoff 2017). Despite the massive land claim, Malaysia respondents
stated that the country’s total forested area decreased by only 0.49 mil ha (from
18.78 to 18.27) from 1990 to 2014 (NRE 2016). Illegal deforestation has also been
addressed by both governments (Indonesia and Malaysia) in Borneo, although in a
survey, respondents from Malaysia stated there had been an improvement in the
illegal deforestation situation (Lawson and MacFaul 2010). This improvement, due
to regulations put into effect by the Malaysian government, indicates deforestation is
not taken lightly by the government. However, several parties including Borneo
locals, international organizations and ecological experts have stated their dissatisfaction regarding the government’s handling of the issue. Many believed the lack of
transparency was a factor in the ineffective eradication of illegal logging, which
worsened the deforestation crisis. The public urged both palm oil plantation owners
and the government to take steps to manage risk. The most popular opinions
promoted sustainable plantation and reforestation (Aguilar et al. 2007), to minimize
ecological damage. However, as soil needs time to reclaim its natural nutrients,
reforestation takes quite a while. Several alternative options for fuels, oils and timber
were also put forth as ways to lessen a world consumption of these commodities, all
of which contribute to the loss of rainforest. However, such alternative options often
cost more than that which can be gained from Malaysia’s forest.
11.2 Problem Statement
Southeast Asia is known for its vast rainforests, which constitute about almost 20%
of forest cover with the richest biodiversity in the world (Victor 2017). Most
concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests (Bradford 2018). Malaysia
is one of the countries with the fastest disappearing forests due to deforestation; this
14.4%
9.6% 8.4% 8.2% 7.1% 6.9% 6.4% 6.2% 5.6% 5.3%
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
16.00%
Fig. 11.1 Major forest countries which faced highest percentage forest loss between 2000–2012.
(Source: Butler 2013)
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
177
countries, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia) has endured major deforestation, losing
50% of its lowland rainforest, mainly to massive deforestation for palm oil plantations (Shoumatoff 2017). Despite the massive land claim, Malaysia respondents
stated that the country’s total forested area decreased by only 0.49 mil ha (from
18.78 to 18.27) from 1990 to 2014 (NRE 2016). Illegal deforestation has also been
addressed by both governments (Indonesia and Malaysia) in Borneo, although in a
survey, respondents from Malaysia stated there had been an improvement in the
illegal deforestation situation (Lawson and MacFaul 2010). This improvement, due
to regulations put into effect by the Malaysian government, indicates deforestation is
not taken lightly by the government. However, several parties including Borneo
locals, international organizations and ecological experts have stated their dissatisfaction regarding the government’s handling of the issue. Many believed the lack of
transparency was a factor in the ineffective eradication of illegal logging, which
worsened the deforestation crisis. The public urged both palm oil plantation owners
and the government to take steps to manage risk. The most popular opinions
promoted sustainable plantation and reforestation (Aguilar et al. 2007), to minimize
ecological damage. However, as soil needs time to reclaim its natural nutrients,
reforestation takes quite a while. Several alternative options for fuels, oils and timber
were also put forth as ways to lessen a world consumption of these commodities, all
of which contribute to the loss of rainforest. However, such alternative options often
cost more than that which can be gained from Malaysia’s forest.
11.2 Problem Statement
Southeast Asia is known for its vast rainforests, which constitute about almost 20%
of forest cover with the richest biodiversity in the world (Victor 2017). Most
concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests (Bradford 2018). Malaysia
is one of the countries with the fastest disappearing forests due to deforestation; this
14.4%
9.6% 8.4% 8.2% 7.1% 6.9% 6.4% 6.2% 5.6% 5.3%
0.00%
2.00%
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
14.00%
16.00%
Fig. 11.1 Major forest countries which faced highest percentage forest loss between 2000–2012.
(Source: Butler 2013)
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
177