Several groups have urged the European Union to classify Sarawak as “high risk” under its new anti-deforestation regulation.

In a joint statement today, the groups said millions of hectares of ancient rainforests in Sarawak are at risk of being razed for timber and oil palm plantations to cater for international markets.

The statement was endorsed by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), investigative outfit RimbaWatch, Sarawak-based Save Rivers, Penan rights group Keruan, Switzerland-based Bruno Manser Fonds, and The Borneo Project based in California, USA.

The groups added that there have also been violations of...