Peninsular Malaysia has experience massive deforestation in the past four decades like found here on that sprawling oil palm plantations, only stopped by Taman Negara National Park in the distant mountains, the former territory of the indigenous Batek people. Yet, the new EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) will have no affect on these plantations, the deforestation having happened long before 2020, but it would affect any further expansion.
In Malaysia, because most of the deforestation is happening on indigenous peoples' lands, it is not the smallholder oil palm farms that are leading to this latest spasm of logging and oil palm expansion. It is well-funded outside investors who are behind the deforestation and land conversion.
Kelantan, Malaysia//WHITLOWDELANOJAMES_SIPA.59787/Credit:James Whitlow Delano/SIPA/2411131741