Social, Economic, and Ecological Effects Malaysia DRAFT PAPERS – PLEASE DO NOT CITE 2

Forest certification emerged in Malaysia through direct initiatives of the States Forestry Departments as trustee of PFEs, bilateral projects for sustainable forest management between the State Forestry Departments with international bodies, and direct interest from individual forest concessionaire. Currently, certification is very much market driven and is serving as a tool towards promoting sustainable forest management. Two certification programs obtained are from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC). Certification receives support from various stakeholders, including in the Government and the private sector. Support from the local community is growing in strength particularly for the FSC. The MTCC is working towards gaining the trust from the indigenous community, constrained by the issue of the native customary rights over forestland. This issue is within the domain of the State Constitution and beyond that of the MTCC. Various parties including national and international NGOs, governmental agencies, and international markets play their synergistic roles towards garnering domestic support for certification and in streamlinin