AUSTRALIAN MP SATISFIED WITH TA ANN'S FORESTRY PRACTICES

SIBU (Sarawak, Malaysia), Oct 21 (Bernama) -- A Member of the Tasmanian
Legislative Council has expressed satisfaction with the forestry and downstream
processing practices adopted by Ta Ann Holdings Bhd, saying that the company
conducted its operations to the highest ethical standards.

Andrew Paul Harriss, who is on a fact-finding mission to the group's timber and
plantation operations in East Malaysia state of Sarawak, said baseless
allegations and scruplous comments made by a small group of timber industry
detractors in Tasmania against Ta Ann were scathing and unreasonable.

The Tasmanian MP, who is on a fact-finding mission as part of an effort to
refute allegations by environmentalists, said:"I am here to have a first-hand
look and get a clearer understanding of the actual situation."

Speaking at a press conference here Thursday, he said wildlife conservation and
respect for the rights and access to land for native people were very important
but Harriss said the allegations were damaging to Ta Ann and the state's timber
industry as a whole.

He was also impressed with the Memorandum of Understanding Ta Ann had entered
into with the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) last year, to assume a role in
wildlife conservation.

"Tasmania has a highly regulated timber industry and attracting the right
company to add value to sawlog residues was a fundamentally important issue to
our industry," he said, adding that Ta Ann had proven to be an operator of the
highest quality with impeccable standards and integrity.

Harriss, who is on his second visit to Sarawak in recent years, would report his
observation when he returns to Tasmania, Australia, next week.
-- BERNAMA



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