News

Amazon withholds book on Sarawak governor Taib Mahmud
02.12.2014"Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia" by Lukas Straumann not delivered to customers - American online retailer accused of bowing to Malaysian ruler’s legal threats
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Urgent action needed to save Sarawak’s last intact forests
25.11.2014International body names Malaysian state “ground zero of deforestation“
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International conference organizers turn blind eye to Sarawak Energy
18.11.2014Civil society groups criticize international energy conference in Kuala Lumpur sponsored by Sarawak Energy
moreA stunning development in Sarawak under its new Chief Minister
17.11.2014For the first time in the history of Sarawak, which has been part of Malaysia since 1963, a Chief Minister has taken on the timber industry
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Major Ottawa real estate development secretly funded by Borneo ruler’s family
12.11.2014Explosive documents released on the occasion of the Canada book launch of Lukas Straumann’s Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia – Royal Canadian Mounted Police criticized for their inaction over Taib family assets in Canada
moreHuman Rights Groups Demand Police Stop Intimidating Rightful Landowners
04.11.2014By SUARAM, SAVE Rivers, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), International Rivers, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), and Bruno Manser Fund (BMF)
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Malaysian government attempts to stop Yokohama launch
03.11.2014Book on Sarawak Governor Taib Mahmud leads to crisis in International Tropical Timber Organisation
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Surprise meeting with Sarawak press: Swiss author presents book on Taib corruption in Kuching
29.10.2014Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia by Lukas Straumann is available where books are sold from 3 November 2014 (Bergli Books; 320 pages; ISBN 978-3905252682; approximately EUR 24.70, USD 32.60, CAD 35.40, GBP 19.65, MYR 105). For international orders (free shipping): www.money-logging.org
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Sarawak government sends troublemaker to anti-dam blockade on anniversary
23.10.2014While indigenous peoples are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their blockades against the proposed Baram Dam, the government is sending a troublemaker and the police to eliminate the resistance.
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New book on Borneo governor’s eco-crimes to be launched in multi-city publicity blitz
22.10.2014Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia by Lukas Straumann to be released on 3 November 2014 – Author appearances scheduled for Yokohama, Ottawa, Vancouver, San Francisco, Washington DC, London, Basel, Brussels and Geneva
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Asian Development Bank Urged to Shelve Loan for Sarawak
08.10.201440 organizations call on the President of the Asian Development Bank to withdraw a proposed loan to Sarawak Energy for a transmission line.
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“Don’t become complicit in human rights violations”, power industry warned
10.09.2014International power companies meeting in KL this week have met with protests: indigenous peoples are asking them not to become involved in Malaysian dam building.
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Energy industry warned against investing in Sarawak
08.09.2014As international power companies meet in KL for the ASEAN Power Week, the Bruno Manser Fund has released a fact sheet for investors on the risks of doing business in Sarawak.
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New book to expose Malaysian ruler’s environmental crimes
03.09.2014Swiss author Lukas Straumann takes on Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud and his kleptocratic family – Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia to be published in November 2014 by Bergli Books.
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Length of Sarawak’s logging roads: twice the Earth's circumference
27.08.2014Sarawak’s logging companies have created a road network 88,111 km long in the Malaysian state’s rainforest – this is the latest revelation on the Bruno Manser Fund's Sarawak Geoportal.
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Scientists honour Bruno Manser on his 60th birthday
25.08.2014Two newly discovered animal species from Borneo remember the missing Swiss rainforest advocate
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New release - Available from November 2014!
21.08.2014Lukas Straumann
Money Logging
On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia

Respect Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Withhold Consent for Malaysian Dam, Says New Report
18.08.2014Fact-finding mission reports on fundamental human rights violations committed by Malaysian company Sarawak Energy at the proposed Baram Dam, while blockades of villagers against the dam reach day 300.
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Malaysian lawyers slam Sarawak dam resettlements
07.08.2014The Malaysian Bar Council finds a series of basic rights violated at the resettlement sites of the Murum Dam and attests Sarawak Energy a lack of interest in the resettled people.
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Sarawak Energy downplays security risks at mega-dam
07.07.2014A confidential assessment of the turbines of the Murum Dam reveals severe security issues – Sarawak Energy asked to put safety first and stop all preparation works for further dams
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“Fight for your rights!” - Norway’s indigenous Sami people encourage Sarawak dam opposition
25.05.2014Sami Television and Norway’s state radio, NRK, report on Malaysian delegation’s visit to the controversial Alta Dam hydropower plant in Northern Norway
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Surprise call at Norway headquarters: Borneo natives take Norconsult to task
21.05.2014Norwegian consultancy group Norconsult refuses to receive a Malaysian NGO delegation in Oslo – Indigenous spokesman Peter Kallang: “We ask Norconsult to stop assisting Sarawak Energy in destroying our livelihoods” – Bruno Manser Fund condemns Norconsult’s arrogant stance
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EXCLUSIVE: Norwegian chief prosecutor reports Sarawak Energy CEO to Malaysia’s corruption watchdog
20.05.2014Økokrim classifies allegations against Torstein Dale Sjøtveit and the Taib family as „gross corruption“ - Bruno Manser Fund calls on Malaysia’s Anti Corruption Commission MACC to act swiftly and eradicate corruption in the Sarawak hydropower sector
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Norwegian energy company refuses dialogue with Sarawak natives over dams
19.05.2014Norconsult CEO & President John Nyheim refuses to meet with a Malaysian NGO delegation that is currently in Norway – Nyheim: our partners in Sarawak have „not been convicted on any allegations of corruption or malpractice“ – Save Rivers Chairman Peter Kallang: „Norconsult’s conduct is a disgrace“
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ABB to review Malaysia business
15.05.2014Swedish-Swiss power technology provider meets indigenous delegation from Sarawak – Bruno Manser Fund demands USD 1,5 million indemnization for indigenous communities from ABB
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Borneo natives take anti-dams campaign to Europe
13.05.2014NGO delegation from Sarawak visits Switzerland and Norway to meet government officials and European energy corporations’ headquarters – ABB and Norconsult to be held accountable for their Malaysia business
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Manulife shareholders witness Taib family protest
01.05.2014Sarawak campaigners rally in Toronto, speak at shareholder assembly to protest against the Canadia finance giant’s deals with Politically Exposed Foreign Persons (PEFPs) from Malaysia
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EXCLUSIVE: Manulife Financial under fire over dodgy loans to Malaysian potentate’s family
30.04.2014Canadian insurance giant arranged CAN$ 146 million in mortgages for a real estate group with links to Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud. Extremely high annual interest rates alarm observers over money-laundering compliance.
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Scientists present alternative to Sarawak’s mega-dams
23.04.2014A new study by the University of Berkeley shows how Sarawak’s future lies with small-scale, local energy solutions rather than with risky and expensive large-scale hydropower. The scientists are presenting their findings tomorrow at the ASEAN Renewable Energy Week in Kuala Lumpur.
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Oxford University study says large dams are uneconomical
21.04.2014Just in time for this week’s ASEAN Renewable Energy Week, new scientific results have questioned the economic viability of large dams. Calculations by the Bruno Manser Fund show that the Malaysian Bakun Dam scores even worse than the average large dam.
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65,000 demand that ABB withdraw from Sarawak
17.03.2014The Bruno Manser Fund has handed over a petition against ABB’s dealings in Sarawak, Malaysia – ABB refuses to provide any information on its business ties with the Taib regime
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Sarawak Geoportal discloses rainforest damage brought about by Petronas gas pipeline in Malaysian Borneo
03.03.2014The Bruno Manser Fund’s newly released Sarawak Geoportal shows a new 500 km Petronas pipeline’s trail of destruction between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak
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Malaysian MP sues Sarawak potentate Taib Mahmud over unconstitutional commercial activities
26.02.2014High Court orders the outgoing Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to appear in court over his commercial activities in Malaysia and the United States of America
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Europe should freeze trade talks with Malaysia if Taib is appointed Governor of Sarawak
25.02.2014NGO community will call for political and economic consequences if Malaysia continues to violate its international obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption
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Sarawak Geoportal creates transparency on land use in Malaysian Borneo
24.02.2014A new interactive web-database launched by the Bruno Manser creates transparency on land use in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The site releases hitherto confidential official maps and detailed information on land use changes and rainforest destruction in Sarawak.
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Bruno Manser Fund lodges police report against Taib family over laundering of timber kickbacks in Canada
16.02.2014New documents suggest that Malaysian politician’s family laundered funds from Hong Kong companies that administered kickbacks from the Malaysia - Japan timber trade
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Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud resigns, proposes former brother-in-law Adenan Satem as his successor
12.02.2014Sarawak natives about to miss historic opportunity to get another Dayak Chief Minister or Governor
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EXCLUSIVE: Sarawak Chief Minister sold secret San Francisco property for USD 17million
11.02.2014Bruno Manser Fund urges US and Malaysian authorities to confiscate the proceeds of the Taib sale – Taib Mahmud acted in violation of the Sarawak constitution.
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Sarawak constitution prohibits Taib Mahmud from becoming Governor over illegal business activities
10.02.2014Bruno Manser Fund calls on the Malaysian King to respect the constitution and to deny Taib the office of governor of Sarawak – Malaysian judiciary urged to prosecute Taib Mahmud and his closest family members for multiple criminal activities.
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Anti-dam blockades in Malaysia reach day 100!
30.01.2014Indigenous landowners have been blocking the works on the proposed Baram Dam in Sarawak for 100 days. They resisted attempts of bribery by the dam builder Sarawak Energy.
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