Natives Protest against logging and forest plantation development on NCR lands

By SAM Marudi

SAM Marudi

2002-07-25 | A big number of Kayan natives from two longhouses namely, Long Laput and Sungai Dua in the middle Baram, Miri Division have launched their protest on 19th July 2002 against two companies that have been and are still carrying out logging activities and opening up forestry plantation on lands which the natives claimed as their native customary rights lands.

20-07-2002 - A big number of Kayan natives from two longhouses namely, Long Laput and Sungai Dua in the middle Baram, Miri Division have launched their protest yesterday against two companies that have been and are still carrying out logging activities and opening up forestry plantation on lands which the natives claimed as their native customary rights lands.

The two companies that have been identified are (1) Rimbunan Hijau Sdn.Bhd. which operates logging activities in the area and (2) Shin Yang (Forestry) Plantation Sdn. Bhd. which extracts the smaller trees as well as opening up nursery and planting of trees within the communal customary lands of the two longhouses.

According to village Headman from Kampung Sungai Dua and also Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (of the two longhouses0 the residents decided to stage the peaceful protest after their several appeals (both verbal and written) to the two companies to stop further encroachment and extraction of timbers and opening up of lands for the plantation went unheeded. The headman mentioned that the activities of the two companies are already very near to the water catchment areas for their water supply which should be protected for health reasons. Apart from that the companies have also encroached into an area which has been made as the buffer zone surrounding the birdnest caves to protect the natural habitat of the birds. He also mentioned that within just a short span of time, the forest area that has been reserved by the two kampongs for their domestic needs for decades now has been fully logged by Rimbunan Hijau. The villagers were also amazed and annoyed with the arrogant attitude of the companies. In fact, after some of the villagers gone to inspect the logging site and told the companies to stop further logging, Rimbunan Hijau was alleged to have brought in some more tractors, more than 10 units, to its logging area few days later.

The protests are carried out on the only two access roads leading into the communal customary lands and the villagers which is made up of more than 200 families have planned to take turns to maintain the protest until the dispute is resolved.

Some Policemen from Long Lama were reported to have been called in by the camp management of Rimbunan Hijau to the protest site and urged the villagers to open their blockades but the protesters did not give in and they maintain their blockade.

Meanwhile, the village chief is appealing to the authorities concerned to investigate into the cause of the problems and take appropriate actions. He also appeals to the government, the authorities concerned and the companies involved to recognize and respect the rights of the local native inhabitants to their native customary lands and resources and not to simply bulldoze their way into villagers' lands. He noted that too often our people are told to negotiate with the offending company after all things are gone and our lands are seriously damaged How can we negotiate with a thief who stole our things and tried to pacify us with only crumbs of what he had taken from us?