I am going to take you to a country which is full of islands. Any guess? Yes, you are right. It's Malaysia. There are878 islands in Malaysia. This country is known for its stunning sights and attractions. We are going to explore its astounding natural beauty that magnetizes vacationers/ tourists or visitors attraction. It's a country of exclusive culture and tradition. It's one of the best places on the globe with delicious cuisine and hospitable people. Kuala Lumpur is its capital with charming iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia has many offshore geographical places. There would be around 510 which include ridges, sandbank and rocks. It's a multicultural state with many festivals and celebrations. Tour to Malaysia, is really a unique and pleasant experience.

There're lots of choices to stay in Malaysia, so it's tough to decide where to stay?

Mid-range hotels and 5 stars hotels with Chinese, Indian or Malaysian traditional cuisine and cozy rooms are easily available for vacationers/visitors anywhere in cities. You can enjoy luxury hotels or resorts located on islands. Accommodation is so cheap in Malaysia, you can easily get a room for $ 3 to $ 9 USD/night. Private rooms are available for $ 11 to $ 20 USD/night. You can camp in Taman Negara and can save lodgings cost.

Anyways, here're some suggestions.

Lone Pine Hotel, located Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, posses welcoming staff, stunning swimming pool, lip-smacking food, and calm atmosphere with beautiful sea views. You can get a huge variety of cocktails in bar corner.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, is a fantastic family resort, offers services such as water sports, tennis court, delicious food, pools, cozy rooms, hospitable staff and family entertainment center. Its cuisine includes Bar & Grill pizzas and seafood, tea/coffee, snacks, pastries.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, is a fantastic hotel with superb services. Welcoming staff, comfortable rooms, suspended pool and delicious Malaysian food make it more worthy staying.

Tanjong Jara Resort, located on Batu, Dungun, is one of the top 25 hotels in Malaysia, offers services such as Spa village, Pools, tennis court, delicious dining out, air-conditioned rooms, seafood and bar. You can spend a relaxing morning with coffee and newspaper on the beach.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, located in Pulau Tioman, is a traditional Malay style resort, offers services like pools, golf, tennis court, spa, coffee, snacks, global drinks, tasty food, air-conditioning cozy rooms and water sports including diving, fishing, snorkelling etc.

The Majestic Hotel, Majestic Malacca, Cameron Highlands Resort and Sama-Sama Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri, Seven Terraces, Yeng Keng Hotel, Museum Hotel and Hotel Panega are also wonderful places to stay in Malaysia.

As far as meal is concerned, you can have it in restaurants, western hotels , cooking own when living in camping or as a street meal and just have to pay $1 to $3 USD /head for street meal, $4 to $6 USD/head in restaurants while western food is a bit expensive. Malaysia is a Muslim country that's why drinks are expensive here. Anyways, here are some suggestions of restaurants for you.

Dining in the Dark, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, is an amazing restaurant deeply into darkness and offers delicious food including soups, desserts etc.

Black Forest, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, offers German cuisine.

Kebaya, located on Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang Island, offers good services and food.

Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery, located on Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, is a good place for families, lovebirds, special occasion or groups. You can enjoy Bar, Asian and Eclectic cuisine here until late night.

Top Spot Food Court, located Bukit Mata Kuching, Kuching is a family restaurant, offers best seafood and opens until late night.

Jambu Restaurant and Lounge, located on Crookshank Road, Kuching is a restaurant offers best pasta in town. It also deals with Bistro, Bar for cocktails and Tapas etc.

Black bean, The Heritage, Tribal Stove and Bella Italia are also superb restaurants in Kuching with the fantastic setting near river.

La Casa Kuantan, Crocodile Rock Pizza & Grill Restaurant, Satay Zul, and Dallah Restaurant in Kuantan offer great services with superb cuisine.

Malaysia is a country with many attractions or points of interests and more exciting thing is those are quite cheap. Here're some suggestions, and you must visit those places once you are in Malaysia.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, located in one of the biggest cities of Malaysia named 'Ipoh'. Here're plenty of attention-grabbing sights such as museums, temples and historical buildings.

Galeria Perdana, Rice Museum, and Padi Langkawi, in Langkawi, are amazing places with precious stuff and collection, to visit. Langkawi is a beautiful island with lovely beaches and plenty of interesting sights. Ave Stella Maris Catholic Chapel is a beautiful church. Langkawi Wildlife Park and Underwater World are educational and exciting places with lots of fun.

The Islamic city 'Kota Bharu' is a great city with royal places, museums, and plenty of other eye-catching sights.

Taman Negara National Park is a beautiful park in oldest rainforest Taman Negara. It's a place with lots of activities like trekking, safaris, and canopy walks.

Islamic Art Museum, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya Bridge, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Thean Hou Temple, and Lake Garden Parks are some suggested amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Mount Kinabalu National Park, is the best choice for hiking, this Park is full of fun and will never disappoint you on your visit.

Malaysia is a land of festivals and celebrations as multicultural people exist here. Tourists or vacationers can enjoy these festivals almost every month of the year. Here are some suggestions for our visitors.

Tamil Community celebrates festival named 'Thaipusam'. It's a unique festival that is worth seeing. It can be best observed at Batu Caves in Selangor or Penang, in Januanry.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and last for 15 days. You can enjoy lion dances, fireworks, and delicious Chinese meal.

In April, Good Friday and Malaysia Water Festival are celebrated.

Wesak Day, and Harvest Festival are celebrated in May.

June is a month with amazing festivals like Hari Gawai and Dragon BoatFestivals.

July and August are the months with festivals such as theRainforest World Music Festival, Independence day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hungry Ghost Festival.

September becomes more colorful with Malaysia Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali Festivals of Lights, and Christmas are celebrated in October, November and December.

Malaysia is not less than a heaven for shopaholics. Super international brands have covered Malaysian market and have luxury stores here. Sales at shopping mall attract many tourists every year. Mega Sales held on Christmas and Independence Day and last up to two months.

Utama, BB Plaza, Fahrenheit88, Lot10, Plaza Low Yat, Suria KLCC and Sogo are some remarkable shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

ICT@Komtar, Island Plaza, Midlands One Stop, Plaza Gurney, Prangin Mall, Queensbay Mall and Straits Quay are some suggested shopping centers in Penang.

Langkawi Fair is a beautiful place for a shop in Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country with beaches. Therefore, beach holidays can be enjoyed all around the year. Summer season is mild, and usually climate is pleasant in Malaysia so you can visit it in all seasons. Anyhow, December and January are two peak tourists' seasons. From June until August is also a good time to enjoy beaches activities.

I assure you, your vacations to this country holding natural beauty, would be a treasured and unforgettable experience.

I am going to take you to a country which is full of islands. Any guess? Yes, you are right. It's Malaysia. There are878 islands in Malaysia. This country is known for its stunning sights and attractions. We are going to explore its astounding natural beauty that magnetizes vacationers/ tourists or visitors attraction. It's a country of exclusive culture and tradition. It's one of the best places on the globe with delicious cuisine and hospitable people. Kuala Lumpur is its capital with charming iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia has many offshore geographical places. There would be around 510 which include ridges, sandbank and rocks. It's a multicultural state with many festivals and celebrations. Tour to Malaysia, is really a unique and pleasant experience.

There're lots of choices to stay in Malaysia, so it's tough to decide where to stay?

Mid-range hotels and 5 stars hotels with Chinese, Indian or Malaysian traditional cuisine and cozy rooms are easily available for vacationers/visitors anywhere in cities. You can enjoy luxury hotels or resorts located on islands. Accommodation is so cheap in Malaysia, you can easily get a room for $ 3 to $ 9 USD/night. Private rooms are available for $ 11 to $ 20 USD/night. You can camp in Taman Negara and can save lodgings cost.

Anyways, here're some suggestions.

Lone Pine Hotel, located Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, posses welcoming staff, stunning swimming pool, lip-smacking food, and calm atmosphere with beautiful sea views. You can get a huge variety of cocktails in bar corner.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, is a fantastic family resort, offers services such as water sports, tennis court, delicious food, pools, cozy rooms, hospitable staff and family entertainment center. Its cuisine includes Bar & Grill pizzas and seafood, tea/coffee, snacks, pastries.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, is a fantastic hotel with superb services. Welcoming staff, comfortable rooms, suspended pool and delicious Malaysian food make it more worthy staying.

Tanjong Jara Resort, located on Batu, Dungun, is one of the top 25 hotels in Malaysia, offers services such as Spa village, Pools, tennis court, delicious dining out, air-conditioned rooms, seafood and bar. You can spend a relaxing morning with coffee and newspaper on the beach.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, located in Pulau Tioman, is a traditional Malay style resort, offers services like pools, golf, tennis court, spa, coffee, snacks, global drinks, tasty food, air-conditioning cozy rooms and water sports including diving, fishing, snorkelling etc.

The Majestic Hotel, Majestic Malacca, Cameron Highlands Resort and Sama-Sama Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri, Seven Terraces, Yeng Keng Hotel, Museum Hotel and Hotel Panega are also wonderful places to stay in Malaysia.

As far as meal is concerned, you can have it in restaurants, western hotels , cooking own when living in camping or as a street meal and just have to pay $1 to $3 USD /head for street meal, $4 to $6 USD/head in restaurants while western food is a bit expensive. Malaysia is a Muslim country that's why drinks are expensive here. Anyways, here are some suggestions of restaurants for you.

Dining in the Dark, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, is an amazing restaurant deeply into darkness and offers delicious food including soups, desserts etc.

Black Forest, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, offers German cuisine.

Kebaya, located on Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang Island, offers good services and food.

Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery, located on Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, is a good place for families, lovebirds, special occasion or groups. You can enjoy Bar, Asian and Eclectic cuisine here until late night.

Top Spot Food Court, located Bukit Mata Kuching, Kuching is a family restaurant, offers best seafood and opens until late night.

Jambu Restaurant and Lounge, located on Crookshank Road, Kuching is a restaurant offers best pasta in town. It also deals with Bistro, Bar for cocktails and Tapas etc.

Black bean, The Heritage, Tribal Stove and Bella Italia are also superb restaurants in Kuching with the fantastic setting near river.

La Casa Kuantan, Crocodile Rock Pizza & Grill Restaurant, Satay Zul, and Dallah Restaurant in Kuantan offer great services with superb cuisine.

Malaysia is a country with many attractions or points of interests and more exciting thing is those are quite cheap. Here're some suggestions, and you must visit those places once you are in Malaysia.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, located in one of the biggest cities of Malaysia named 'Ipoh'. Here're plenty of attention-grabbing sights such as museums, temples and historical buildings.

Galeria Perdana, Rice Museum, and Padi Langkawi, in Langkawi, are amazing places with precious stuff and collection, to visit. Langkawi is a beautiful island with lovely beaches and plenty of interesting sights. Ave Stella Maris Catholic Chapel is a beautiful church. Langkawi Wildlife Park and Underwater World are educational and exciting places with lots of fun.

The Islamic city 'Kota Bharu' is a great city with royal places, museums, and plenty of other eye-catching sights.

Taman Negara National Park is a beautiful park in oldest rainforest Taman Negara. It's a place with lots of activities like trekking, safaris, and canopy walks.

Islamic Art Museum, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya Bridge, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Thean Hou Temple, and Lake Garden Parks are some suggested amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Mount Kinabalu National Park, is the best choice for hiking, this Park is full of fun and will never disappoint you on your visit.

Malaysia is a land of festivals and celebrations as multicultural people exist here. Tourists or vacationers can enjoy these festivals almost every month of the year. Here are some suggestions for our visitors.

Tamil Community celebrates festival named 'Thaipusam'. It's a unique festival that is worth seeing. It can be best observed at Batu Caves in Selangor or Penang, in Januanry.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and last for 15 days. You can enjoy lion dances, fireworks, and delicious Chinese meal.

In April, Good Friday and Malaysia Water Festival are celebrated.

Wesak Day, and Harvest Festival are celebrated in May.

June is a month with amazing festivals like Hari Gawai and Dragon BoatFestivals.

July and August are the months with festivals such as theRainforest World Music Festival, Independence day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hungry Ghost Festival.

September becomes more colorful with Malaysia Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali Festivals of Lights, and Christmas are celebrated in October, November and December.

Malaysia is not less than a heaven for shopaholics. Super international brands have covered Malaysian market and have luxury stores here. Sales at shopping mall attract many tourists every year. Mega Sales held on Christmas and Independence Day and last up to two months.

Utama, BB Plaza, Fahrenheit88, Lot10, Plaza Low Yat, Suria KLCC and Sogo are some remarkable shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

ICT@Komtar, Island Plaza, Midlands One Stop, Plaza Gurney, Prangin Mall, Queensbay Mall and Straits Quay are some suggested shopping centers in Penang.

Langkawi Fair is a beautiful place for a shop in Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country with beaches. Therefore, beach holidays can be enjoyed all around the year. Summer season is mild, and usually climate is pleasant in Malaysia so you can visit it in all seasons. Anyhow, December and January are two peak tourists' seasons. From June until August is also a good time to enjoy beaches activities.

I assure you, your vacations to this country holding natural beauty, would be a treasured and unforgettable experience.

Sedapnya dapat makan makanan laut, ikan pari bakar, sotong goreng tepung, ketam goreng cili, kerang bakar dan pelbagai lagi. Tapi dekat mana restoran makanan laut yang paling best dan sedap sekitar Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor?

1. Aroma Ikan Bakar, Pantai Jeram, Kuala Selangor

Rata-rata

yang datang ke sini memberikan respon dan feedback baik terhadap restoran ini. Menariknya restoran ini mengadap laut, jadi kalau nak tengok matahari terbenam sini memang cantik. Tempat besar dan mempunyai pelbagai pilihan makanan laut ada di sini, harga juga murah dan paling penting sedap dan berbaloi. Mesti cuba, ketam masak cili, udang tumis petai dan macam-macam lagi.

• Aroma Ikan Bakar, Jalan Pantai Jeram, Jeram, Selangor

2. Restoran Lala Seafood, Kg Baru

Restoran Lala Seafood yang terletak di Kg Baru ini merupakan restoran Thailand jadi di sinilah tempat anda ingin menikmati makanan Thai. Menariknya Lala Seafood ketengahkan konsep rumah kampung, mempunyai 2 bahagian sama ada ada mahu makan di tempat airconditioner atau kipas sahaja. Yang sedap di sini semestinya tomyam seafood yang mempunyai portion agak besar dan isi yang banyak, langsung tidak kedekut. Pencuci mulut seperti pulut mangga juga sedap dan manis.

• Restoran Lala Seafood, 154, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur

3. Restoran Makanan Laut D'Tasik, Bangi

Restoran ini merupakan sebuah restoran eksklusif terapung di atas tasik dengan susun atur meja serta peralatan persis hotel selain menawarkan satu suasana baru yang menarik tetapi dengan harga murah.Antara menu utama di Restoran Makanan Laut D'Tasik ialah himpunan makanan laut yang segar termasuk hidangan ala carte seperti tom yam seafood, udang mentega, sotong celup tepung selain daging dan ayam masak merah.

• Restoran Makanan Laut D'Tasik, Bangi
• Bersebelahan dengan Masjid Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten)
• Hubungi: 03-8922 2088 sambungan 8031 atau e-melkan untuk tempahan ke businessc@residenceatuniten.com.

4. Suraya Seafood, Kg Baru

Selain Lala Seafood, satu lagi tempat makan makanan laut yang best di Kg Baru ialah Suraya Seafood. Sentiasa penuh dengan orang ramai yang datang berkunjung makan di situ. Pelbagai pilihan makanan laut yang segar dan banyak boleh didapati di sini, harga mengikut saiz yang anda pilih. Tempat agak terhad jadi kena datang awal. Mesti cuba nasi bubur berlauk, pulut mangga, nasi dagang, kerang bakar dan pelbagai lagi.

• Suraya Seafood
• Kampung Baru (Jalan Raja Muda Musa), 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur

5. Nuri Seafood, Kg Baru

Siapa pernah ke Nuri Seafood yang juga terletak di Kg Baru, restoran yang simple tetapi makanan memang sedap. Makanan di sini original dari Thai, malah kesemua pekerja sampailah chef orang Thai. Mesti cuba ikan kembung masak kerabu, tomyam seafood juga sangat pekat, udang celup tepung, sayur kailan ikan masin yang segar dan pelbagai lagi.

• Restoran Nuri Seafood
• Jalan Raja Alang, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur

6. Restoran Puteri Ayu, Shah Alam

Menariknya restoran ini pernah keluar di rancangan Jalan Jalan Cari Makan jadi sudah semestinya makanannya sedap dan enak sekali. Mempunyai pelbagai pilihan. Tomyam seafood di sini sedap dan pekat, sotong bakar berempah, siakap bakar dan juga pencuci mulut bahtera ayu ice cream, lagi satu air minuman istimewa mango special dan honeydew special.

• Restoran Puteri Ayu
• Jalan Padang Jawa (Padang Jawa), Shah Alam, Selangor

7. Restoran Terapung HM Sri Bagan

estoran ini berkonsepkan terapung, tempat terbaik untuk lihat matahari terbenam. Makanan laut kesemuanya segar dan menyelerakan. Malah, harga setiap makanan laut juga murah dan berpatutan. Jika ke sini, anda mesti cuba ikan siakap bakar, pepahat masak cili, kerang masak serai, ikan kerapu masak stim asam boi dan juga ketam masak berempah.

• Restoran Terapung HM Sri Bagan
• Pantai Perkhemahan Bagan Lalang, 43950 Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor.
• No. Telefon : 03-31412895

8. Restoran Intai-Intai, Ampang

Restoran ini pernah memasuki rancangan Jalan Jalan Cari Makan 2009, menjanjikan kesedapan dan kenakan rasa setiap hidangan. Mungkin tempatnya agak tersorok menyebabkan anda susah mahu mencarinya. Konsep restoran ini sangat romantik jadi bolehlah datang untuk meraikan ulang tahun perkahwinan bersama yang tercinta. Antara yang menarik ialah kerabu mangga, tomyam seafood campur sangat pekat, ayam masak bercili ala Thai, pucuk paku goreng belacan, jus mangga, nasi goreng seafood, suhun goreng.

• Restoran Intai-Intai
• Backyard Lot 378, Jln Ampang Hulu Kelang, MRR2 Highway, 68000 Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur

9. Restoran Nur Cahaya Seafood, Pantai Remis, Kuala Selangor

Restoran ini terletak betul-betul di tepi laut. Mempunyai banyak menu dan pelbagai jenis makanan laut yang segar dan harga juga berpatutan. Jika anda sudah pilih makanan laut, cuba antara menu ini udang goreng kunyit, lala masak tiga rasa, ketam masak sweet sour, sotong goreng tepung, mentarang masak halia, ikan siakap bakar.

• Restoran Nur Cahaya Seafood
• Pantai Remis, Jeram

10. Seafood@River View, Kuala Selangor

Boleh dikatakan tempat yang paling enak menyajikan makanan laut dari ketam. Di sini anda boleh lihat kelip-kelip sambil menikmati hidangan, memang cantik. Apa yang menarik dan best di sini, lala masak cili, udang butter, sotong masak Thai, dan yang paling the best ialah crab with milk.

• Seafood@River View
• 1. Jalan Besar, Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor, 45000, Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia
• +60 3-3289 2238

sumber asal: http://www.wanista.com

'Jumlah transaksinya mencapai senilai 750 ribu dolar AS atau setara Rp8,625 miliar, yang berarti melebihi target yang diharapkan,' kata Atase Perdagangan KBRI Kuala Lumpur, Fajarini Puntodewi kepada Antara di Kuala Lumpur, Rabu.

Menurut dia, produk makanan dan minuman yang meraih transaksi di antaranya produk teh, produk kakao, produk diet dan franchise ayam goreng.

Selain transaksi tersebut, lanjut dia, produk-produk UKM Indonesia yang dijual secara retail juga sangat laris sehingga semua produk terjual habis.

Puntodewi menambahkan, permintaan akan produk Indonesia tidak saja berasal dari Malaysia, namun juga dari beberapa negara lainnya seperti Bangladesh, Tunisia dan Hong Kong.

Pameran yang berlangsung pada 19-21 Juni 2014 diikuti oleh 400 exhibitor, termasuk 26 exhibitor international antara lain dari Tiongkok, Ekuador, Yunani, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea Selatan, Taiwan, Thailand dan Singapura.

Pada pameran kali ini, Pavilion Indonesia yang dikoordinasikan oleh Bidang Perdagangan KBRI Kuala Lumpur, menyewa 6 stan dan membawa 18 perusahaan yang terdiri atas perusahaan besar, menengah dan kecil.

Produk yang ditawarkan adalah teh, kopi, coklat, minuman diet dan kesehatan, ikan kaleng, lauk (rendang) serta produk makanan kecil lainnya seperti bakpia, kue, makanan ringan, dan bumbu instan.

Meskipun pasar Malaysia tidak besar, namun produk Indonesia masih memiliki potensi besar untuk dikembangkan dan diekspor baik ke Malaysia maupun pasar internasional lainnya.

Produk seperti teh, kopi dan kakao dari Indonesia memiliki pasar sangat baik di Malaysia, karena kualitas yang tinggi serta biaya transportasi lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan pesaing dari Afrika.

The prominent London-based free market 'think tank', the Institute of Economic Affairs, has been put in an embarrassing position over an apparent conflict of interest, thanks to remarks by Sarawak's Deputy Chief Minister, Alfred Jabu.

Jabu, in a speech earlier this week, boasted about his 'world-wide acknowledgement' by the Institute, thanks to being granted a platform in January, at the launch of a supposedly independent report on palm oil, commissioned by the IEA.

Sarawak Report has now investigated the matter and uncovered compromising links between the on-going PR campaigns sponsored by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and this IEA report.

The report, entitled reflects the arguments of the MPOC and praises the Malaysian palm oil industry, claiming it 'has a good record with regards to sustainability':

'Certainly, some loss of forest and wildlife habitat has occurred as a result of the expansion of agriculture, including oil palm, in Malaysia, but the extent of this loss appears to have been exaggerated. The majority of palm oil plantations are located on the Malaysian mainland peninsula – nowhere near the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo where the Borneo orang-utans are to be found. Over 50 per cent of Malaysia's land area remains under forest cover and many areas are given full protection against logging'[IEA Report, October 2013]

The author of the report, which clearly defies all the known evidence about this most rapidly deforested area on the planet, is a member of the Institute's own Editorial Board, Keith Boyfield, who told Sarawak Report that the entire report was commissioned by the IEA, which published it as a 'discussion paper'.

Yet Boyfield, who operates his own consultancy, has enjoyed two recent trips to Sarawak, funded by none other than the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Not only that, it turns out that Boyfield was accompanied on at least one of these occasions by senior staff of the IEA, including the chief operating officer, Glynn Brailsford, who also enjoyed the hospitality of the MOPC.

And their chief host on these trips? None other than Boyfield's fellow panellist at the IEA event, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, the Chairman of the controversial SALCRA (Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority)!

Only natural!

Boyfield has confirmed to Sarawak Report that his trip was funded by the Malaysian Government:

'We got an invitation from the Malaysian Government….They [the MPOC] certainly were responsible for organising some of it. That was the background. The study was commissioned by the IEA'

When informed that there have been a number of PR drives of this nature by the MPOC, Boyfield appeared to contradict the IEA's ethical guidelines, which bann government sponsorship and tied funding, saying:

'Well that's only natural!'

He also confirmed he was hosted and escorted by SALCRA to their own plantations. SALCRA has forced thousands of native customary land owners into statutory 'joint ventures' with the state government to grow palm oil with highly controversial outcomes.

The trip in April 2012 was variously described in Sarawak's government controlled media as a 'press trip' (Borneo Post), a trip of 'international experts' (Star) and as 'a visit by an 8 member delegation of the IEA' (Sarawak Monitor)

These visits and links to the Malaysian Palm Oil Council by the author of the report and 'fellow' of the IEA clearly breech the purpose of the Institute's own 'rock solid rules' against any 'tied funding' to research or government sponsorship, as explained by a spokeswoman for the Institute this week:

'in terms of our funding we don't take any tied money, so the paper would have been commissioned purely on the merit of the work that is in it. And again we don't accept any money from government or government agencies'

Responding to our queries, the spokeswoman admitted that given the clear involvement of the MPOC and Jabu in Boyfield's research and the IEA's own compromising links, 'it is a very complex and inter-twined matter'.

She added 'I understand obviously that it may be the case that the conclusions in Keith's paper aren't necessarily a true reflection of how things are, and that may well be to do with a number of other factors, but in terms of the relations we have, we did not take any tied money'.

It is a weak position to take and the Institute's will have been further embarrassed by the fact that Jabu and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council have not hesitated to extract maximum positive PR from both the IEA visits to Borneo and the resulting return trip to London to launch the IEA's positive report on Malaysia's record.

'Native smallholders' flown to the UK

To take advantage of the IEA event the MPOC flew over three 'Sarawak smallholders' to join Alfred Jabu on stage.

The MPOC named the trio on their promotional 'faces of palm oil' Facebook page, as Thomas Lamit, Rebecca Lambet and Briku Busang.

All three dressed up in tribal costume for the evening, in order to present themselves to the British onlookers as delighted native beneficiaries of the SALCRA 'joint venture' programmes.

Later, the same trio dressed in ordinary clothes, posed outside the Houses of Parliament to record a You Tube video, in which they took turns to condemn NGOs and to boast how they now have new homes and cars, thanks to oil palm and SALCRA.

This video, entitled 'Human Faces of Palm Oil', was sponsored by SALCRA and the MPOC. In it the lead speaker claims, untruthfully, that 'palm oil cultivation in Sarawak is done on land already cleared long ago, so there is no destruction of forest'.

In the same video Rebecca Lambet describes her own family's rich new lifestyle, including multiple car ownership.

These are circumstances that bear little relation to the reality of life for most dirt poor Dayaks living on SALCRA plantations.

Furthermore, these PR friendly 'smallholders' are noticeably advanced English-speakers, considering they are supposed to be rural folk.

Despite the IEA's attempt to distance themselves from 'tied funding' these 'faces of palm oil' clearly had their trip funded by the Malaysian public.

PR dividends for the Malaysian Oil Palm Industry

It is therefore clear is that Keith Boyfeild and his IEA event have just provided the latest platform for yet another publicly funded publicity stunt by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council in their on-going 'greenwash campaign' promoting palm oil.

And the MPOC generated publicity around Boyfield's Sarawak visits wholly undermines any attempts by the IEA to claim distance or objectivity for their research.

For example, during his MPOC funded visit in 2012, Boyfield was quoted extensively by the KTS-owned Borneo Post (below), who portrayed him as a senior international journalist, relentlessly praising the Sarawak state government and its record on logging, oil palm and the environment:

'The state government should do more to promote the positive things it has been doing with regards to nature conservation to correct misperceptions, especially among western countries…Keith Boyfield, the spokesperson for a delegation of foreign media to the state, said…

Sarawak oil palm expert, thanks to his week long trip?

He opined that at the moment Sarawak had been too modest in its campaign to tell the world about its conservation efforts, and because of that it had been subjected to criticisms particularly in Britain and Europe about the way oil palm plantations were being developed here…

'Most of the things we hear about are always threats to the habitats and also constant theme of the elimination of mangrove swamps and rainforests when in actual fact that doesn't appear to be the case,' he said...

Boyfield, who is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and other leading newspapers and journals including Financial Centres International, said before this there had been a lot of criticisms in Great Britain and Europe about the way oil palm plantations were being developed in Malaysia and Indonesia…

'There also have been sort of view from people in Britain that Malaysians or the people of Sarawak are cutting down all the virgin rainforests and eliminating the habitats for mammals like orang utans so that they could grow oil palm,' he noted.

He explained that the purpose of the delegation was basically to see with their own eyes whether some of the claims and accusations made in the western media corresponded to reality, saying what they discovered proved that those reports were untrue.'[Borneo Post 28/4/12]

Boyfield's quoted opinions on these matters appear to have been furnished by his week long visit, hosted by SALCRA and being shown round SALCRA plantations by Alfred Jabu. They contradict widely known facts and betray a lack of genuine investigation on the ground.

Indeed his own reports on Twitter at the time focused less on the conditions in dirt poor Dayak longhouses and more on his sponsored accommodation in the Taib family's Hilton Hotel!

A bit of time in the interior of Sarawak would surely have informed Mr Boyfield a little better, because according more quotes in the Borneo Post, he then came out with the astonishing claim that the state's oil palm plantations were merely conversions from the traditional rubber plantations and that the virgin jungle remains intact!

'This is because from what we see so far is it appeared that your palm oil plantations have actually switched from other commodities such as rubber and now you have been cultivating palm oil instead of other commodities.

'It is not so much of you cutting down lots of primary rainforest as claimed by some western media,' he [Boyfield] commented [Borneo Post]

Fact check for Keith Boyfield

These remarks by Boyfield were repeated throughout the Sarawak media at the time and also later when the IEA report was produced.

One widely disseminated article was entitled 'British experts say criticisms from foreign NGOs on environment are exaggerated':

British experts say criticisms from foreign NGOs on environment are exaggerated

'The Institute of Economic Appeal (IEA) has produced a report entitled 'Commercial Agriculture: Is It A Cure Or A Curse, Malaysian and African Experience Constructed' by Keith Boyfield.

The report highlights the roles played by SALCRA in spearheading a move to develop native customary right land into commercial plantation….. This very favorable report was produced by The Institute of Economic Appeal an Independent Bodyfollowing a visit by its 8-member delegation to Sarawak sometime in April 2012,

During the visit, members of the delegation led by Mr. Keith Boyfield had dialogue sessions and discussions with members of local business community, representatives of statutory bodies and general public including participants in the land development schemes.

They visited Palm Oil Plantation at Sungai Stengang in Stungkur, conducted interviews with many SALCRA scheme participants and visited Palm Oil Mill. After visiting Sarawak they visited Peninsular Malaysia for the same purpose.

To the contrary, we suggest it is time that Boyfield shook off the MOPC, took a more independent visit and checked his facts.

Because, this expert of one week was soon engaging in public debates and making his ignorance plain – claiming for example that 'property rights are pretty well respected in Malaysia' and that the concept of Land Grabs is too 'emotive' and 'nuanced' with respect to the oil palm debate.

Mr Boyfield should contact Sarawak's expert native land rights lawyers, who have seen numerous court victories ignored by the state government and outfits like SALCRA, and think again.

No immigrant workers?

Boyfield has also claimed that during his 'academic visit' to Sarawak he observed that everyone he met working on oil palm plantations was a local person and not a migrant worker!

'In Sarawak it strikes me because traditionally its been a much poorer part of Malaysia than the peninsula they're able to recruit locally'.

Mr Boyfield should contact any of the grassroots indigenous groups, who could tell him of the major problem with respect to the vast immigrant labour force in Sarawak and the uneconomic wages for local people, even on their own SALCRA 'smallholdings', and then speak again.

Great dividends from SALCRA?

In yet another article, promoting his concept that the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry should be encouraged to expand into Africa for the benefit of the world poor, Boyfield even plays the SALCRA 'dividend game', ie spouting big figures without finishing the maths:

'In Sarawak, standards of living have been transformed by commercial agri-business… Farmers associated with SALCRA, a group set up to develop native land rights in Sarawak, have earned $163m individend payments since 1985″ [Keith Boyfield,The Enquirer, Liberia]

Given Boyfield himself acknowledges that there are around 22,000 SALCRA members, this sum in fact calculates over the 30 year period to about $200 a year per family, in return for the sacrifice of their rightful native lands and forests to the government controlled 'joint ventures', managed by Alfred Jabu.

As everyone in Sarawak knows, the smallholders from SALCRA have received virtually nothing in return for the surrender of their lands and that Jabu's dividends have been paltry compared to the rich profits made by privately run oil palm ventures.

Neither did these native customary rights land owners receive one ringgit from the huge sums raised out of logging the timber from their lands to make way for the SALCRA palm oil plantations (less than 5% of virgin forest remains in Sarawak – just another fact check for Mr Boyfield).

Only government ministers, like Alfred Jabu and their cronies, have raked in hundreds of millions from the land grab policies of the State of Sarawak. The Dayak remain as poor as ever.

Attacking NGOs

But rather than check his facts and balance his arguments, this British consultant has chosen instead to adopt the Malaysian Palm Oil's obsession with attacking NGOs.

In Malaysia free speech and independent opinion are treated like crimes by BN politicians, who find all criticism highly damaging, since they usually can't answer it.

But, why should a British onlooker condemn legitimate concerns raised by NGOs in the same way?

This week, when Jabu again went on the attack over native protests against Sarawak's latest dam building and 'industrialisation programme', the DCM as ever blamed 'selfish foreign NGOs who are being paid' for 'inciting' them.

He revealed his own paid for PR in the process:

'From overseas they get support from negative NGOs, but these people from overseas what do they know about our internal potential? I went over to London last January at the invitation of the Institute of Economic Affairs to be one of the panel speakers whereby my presentation to overseas has been acknowledged worldwide by the Institute of Economic Affairs in London. And I have been invited again to go to Belgium to tell the NGOs in Europe about our need to survive. Our own people, not because of the selfishness of the NGOs who are being paid, I know i've got records, by countries they collect money to finance the NGOs to disturb us here and I'm going to fight that, for the sake of Sarawak.' [recorded speech]

Sarawak Report will investigate Jabu's Belgium event. But, meanwhile why has Mr Boyfield has adopted the same anti-NGO line in his supportive articles for the MPOC?

'GLOBAL food security and the need to save Africa's poor from starvation have dominated international discussions for decades, and were key themes at the latest G8 summit. Yet the goal has triggered a raft of accusations from campaigning NGOs that business is guilty of 'land grabs' across tropical Africa. The Guardian's George Monbiot, for example, claims that we are about to witness 'a new set of agreements that allow foreign companies to grab [Africa's] land, patent their seeds and monopolise their food markets. This is scaremongering of the worst order and symptomatic of an ill-thought out attack on capitalism's role as a generator of prosperity.'[Keith Boyfield, The Enquirer]

FBC Media would have been proud of all this from Mr Boyfield – they were the last British champions for the MOPC and they adopted exactly the same theme in their which was later disowned by the BBC.

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