MUKAH, (13 September): More than 20 Iban natives from four longhouses in the Sungai Bawan area, of the Balingian sub-district, Mukah, Sibu Division set up a blockade last Friday (6 September) in protest against logging activities been carried out by a logging company in their native customary rights (NCR) land and as a consequent of their action three of the longhouse members were arrested and detained by the police for a night last Tuesday (11 September).

The Iban natives of Sungai Bawan are protesting against Lien Ho Sawmill Sdn. Bhd. together with its sub-contractor, Esteemac Sdn. Bhd. for encroaching and extracting timber from the native's NCR land without obtaining the native's prior informed consent.

The natives claimed that they have NCR over the area whereas the company claimed to have rights over the land by virtue of their timber licences granted by the government to log and extract timber in the area.

Prior to the setting-up of the blockade and the arrest, the natives made two police reports at the Balingian Police Station to complain of the company's encroachment and to seek help from the authorities to investigate and take action on the matter.

This is the second blockade involving natives which occurred in the Mukah District in less than two months. Last July, four natives from Sungai Pelugau, Balingian were arrested and detained by the police for eight days for protesting against an oil palm plantation company which is trespassing into the native's customary land.

The 4 longhouses that are involved in the protest are Rumah Juti, Rumah Tawan, Rumah Mulok and Rumah Demong. The 3 natives that were arrested were Pasang anak Sapong, Ata anak Ngadi and Umput anak Belaja, all from Rumah Juti, Sungai Pelai, Bawan, Balingian. - BRIMAS