Logging continues to endanger UB Penan lives

By Keruan

2001-09-25 | Latest report from Ba Pengaran, upper Akah River in Upper Baram by the Penan community of Ba Pengaran and Long Benali indicated that Samling and Inter Hill logging companies have encroached into the NCR lands and damage the fallow lands of over 1 year old. The report noted the worsening situation whereby Forest Department officials are on the ground assisting the companies in the forest destruction.

Latest report from Ba Pengaran, upper Akah River in Upper Baram by the Penan community of Ba Pengaran and Long Benali indicated that Samling and Inter Hill logging companies have encroached into the NCR lands and damage the fallow lands of over 1 year old. The report noted the worsening situation whereby Forest Department officials are on the ground assisting the companies in the forest destruction.

Meanwhile, from Long Lai and Long Kerong, the Penan communities also reported Samling's resumption of the logging road between the two communities. The logging road construction stopped since 1998 after the affected communities managed to negotiate successfully with the company. This is the area covered by the German-aided Fomiss pilot project to which the whole project had failed.

The two Penan communities had in earlier September 2001 failed in their attempt to negotiate with the company personnel. The logging camp manager refused to negotiate with the people and instead directed the people to negotiate with the District Officer in Marudi and the Resident in Miri.

Meanwhile, the logging road construction continues and the people are planning what action to take next. If the situation warranted it, the communities would have no alternative but to put up blockades soon.

All the above affected communities are asking the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, SUHAKAM, to make an urgent investigation on the situation, whereby the communities' rights are not respected while the companies continue to carry out their destructive activities. In addition, the Forestry Department is aiding the logging companies.