KUCHING: Australia has succumbed to pressure and agreed to pay-off Ta Ann Tasmania millions of ringgit in compensation in relation to a contentious logging rights to wild timber.
Chief Minister Taib Mahmud-linked Ta Ann Tasmania announced on Friday that it will accept a ‘compensation’ package from the Australian government for relinquishing over 40% of their wild timber rights which they had secured from the Tasmanian State Forestry Department in 2006.
Ta Ann, which is helmed by Taib’s cousin Hamid Sepawi, said it would accept a federal government payment amounting to RM85 million.
The company announced that it will “surrender 108,000 per annum of its native forest veneer peeler billet supply entitlements of 265,000m per annum in consideration of A28.6 million inclusive of GST .”
The deal however was subject to Ta Ann Tasmania “continuing its timber processing operations in Tasmania for a minimum of fiveyears until June 30, 2018, failing which TAT shall refund a percentage of compensation ranging from 90% to 25% on the remaining non-complaint period” said the statement.
The deal also listed that payment will be paid out in two parts – RM66.28 million (A$22.3 mil) upon signing of the agreement and balance RM18.64 million (A$6.27 mil) upon the company’s compliance with other terms of the agreement.
Friday’s compromise solution however does not stop Ta Ann from further logging in a major conservation zone.
The Australian government has come under attack from environmentalists over a number of lopsided contracts with Ta Ann, given the company’s “highly questionable record.”
The most controversial of these is the 2006 contract with Ta Ann allowing it to source wild timber for its two veneer factories in the state.
While the move has vindicated environmental campaigners in Tasmania who have suffered vilification and arrests for protesting against the logging in Tasmania’s forest areas, it has also raised serious questions as to why Ta Ann was given such logging permits in the first place.
According to online investigative portal Sarawak Report, Green campaigners are relieved at the decision by the Australian government to pay off a large chunk of Ta Ann’s claims to Tasmania’s forest areas.
But, they say it does not go far enough and they are demanding to know why Tasmania entered into such binding and destructive agreements with Ta Ann in the first place.
“The partial payment to Ta Ann reduces the damage the company will do in the state, but it will fuel demands for more information about how the controversial Sarawak company run by Taib’s cousin was granted its opportunities,” it said.
FMT
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