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Malaysian CSOs learn the links between finance and forest protection

  • Publication Date | September 22, 2022
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Deforestation, Forest & Finance, Forest Conversions, Forest Degazetting
  • Tags | ESG
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On July 5 and 6, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Profundo, as part of the Forests and Finance Coalition, organised a 2-day introductory capacity-building workshop for Malaysian civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kuala Lumpur.

The workshop was attended by 16 participants from 10 CSOs, which included groups that work on forests, climate change, community rights and fisheries. 

The overarching objective of the workshop was to build the capacity of CSOs and increase their understanding of the financial sector and its impacts on forests and communities. Participants learnt about how the finance sector operates and its impacts on sustainability and social justice; the role of responsible investment and financing policies in the finance sector; how responsible financiers can drive improvements in the standards and practices of companies engaged in forest-risk commodity supply chains; and how the Forests and Finance website can be used in their work and campaigns.

This workshop was designed to allow the participants to learn more about how the players in the financial sector, which includes banks and institutional investors, operate and make decisions. The workshop participants, who mostly prior to this, may have had modest knowledge on such matters, greatly benefitted from the exchanges and sharing conducted during the workshop. 

Speakers and participants at the forest and finance workshop | © SAM

Among others, the participants learnt about the different types of banks and governance models; the role of capital markets; human rights, social and environmental impacts of the financial institutions’ operations; and how due diligence is conducted and decisions are made in the sector. The workshop also discussed how to read a company’s balance sheet (assets; debt and other liabilities; shareholders’ equity) and which financial institutions provide debt and equity. Last but not least, the workshop also discussed the standards and regulations for financial institutions on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and how they can exert more influence on such issues.

During the second day of the workshop, SAM convened a panel discussion for speakers from the financial sector to speak about standards and regulations for banks on human rights, social and environmental issues, sustainability policies and commitment. They also shared their experiences in developing and implementing ESG risk frameworks, including challenges faced in implementing these policies. The session provided an opportunity for the CSOs to have an open conversation with speakers from the financial sector to exchange perspectives on ESG-related issues.

While this may be a new realm for SAM and many local CSOs, the institutional knowledge that we all have on environmental and social issues in Malaysia can help improve policymaking in the financial sector, so as to ensure that the sector does not contribute to deforestation and ecological degradation as well as violations of community rights. 

Given the growing emphasis on ESG and sustainable finance in Malaysia and globally, and recognising that sustainable finance is a relatively new field for many local CSOs, SAM will continue to build our own capacity and take active steps in knowledge sharing to build a collective understanding on this topic among the local CSOs.

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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