Extracted from Malaysiakini

Extracted from Malaysiakini.com

Penans warned not to block logging activities
Tony Thien

1:40:06 PM Oct 2, 2003

A group of Penan living in Pa Tik, northern Sarawak, have alleged that they were given a "stern warning" not to block logging activities on customary land surrounding their village in Baram district.

They recently lodged a complaint with non-governmental organisation Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia (Brimas), based in Miri, saying that employees of the logging company had threatened to have them arrested.

A statement issued by Brimas said the company, Miri-based Shin Yang Group, has been carrying out logging activities since last year over a large section of the customary land "without the informed consent of the Penan".

The village, with a population of 130, is located in a remote area near the Bario Highlands, close to the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan.

Attempts by malaysiakini to speak to the company directors failed, with a staff member saying that they "normally do not entertain queries from the press on such matters".

‘Consent not obtained’

In the statement, Brimas said it was told that the "encroachment" had begun in April.

"According to the Penan, such activities are illegal (because) they had never given permission to any timber company to log and destroy their land and forest," it said.

"In August, Shin Yang extended its activities into the forest at Ngela River, which the Penan have preserved as their community forest reserve. This is an important watershed, having significance (in the) cultural and natural eco-system that supports the livelihood of the...community."

The Penan contacted the camp manager, but were allegedly threatened that they would be arrested by police if they complained about the impact of the logging activities.

In an effort to save the forest reserve, the Penan have been carrying out boundary-marking to prevent further encroachment into their land..

"The manager was outraged...and told the Penan that the government has granted the company the logging licence and right to log all the forests in the area. (He) even said the Penan should move (out) to Pulong Tau national park if they want to continue living in a forest," Brimas said.

Village chief Melai Na complained that the livelihood of the people has deteriorated since the logging operations began. There have been food shortages and depletion of wildlife and forest produce.

Brimas said the camp manager "intimidated" the chief, saying he could be arrested and that his allowance as village head could be stopped if he continued resisting the logging activities.

Not uncommon

Commenting on this, Marudi-based Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) field officer Jok Jau said such threats are not uncommon and that SAM is aware of the problems faced by the Penan in Pa Tik.

"We've been approached by their representatives. We have assisted them by preparing letters to both the company and the authorities. As far as I can tell, they've not received any reply," he said.

Instances of competing use of customary land are on the increase, with economic development projects being carried out. In some cases, the native people have negotiated compensation with the companies concerned.

However, one such case took an unexpected turn in December 1997, in a matter involving Iban villagers and a company that wanted to use their land for oil palm development.

While the negotiations were underway in a longhouse, a police party arrived. The village chief was arrested and, as other villagers were being arrested, shots were fired killing a man.

His widow has since sued three police personnel and the federal government. The hearing, which is in progress, has attracted much local attention.