Logging firm: We're doing our best to help Penans

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Malaysiakini

2007-08-14 | A logging company central to the plight of the Penans in Ulu Belaga, Sarawak, claimed that it is doing its best to remedy the difficulties faced by the indigenous communities there.

Ting Khai Sik, a senior official with Shin Yang Forestry Sdn Bhd, said the company had tried its best to compensate those affected by the company's activities.

In a report released by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) yesterday, Ting was quoted as saying that the company had made payments on land claims and gave commissions to the heads of longhouses and members of the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).

Ting is the general manager of Shin Yang's oil palm plantation Mettanik Camp.

He said in the case of temuda, an indigenous term for native customary land, RM300 was paid for each hectare and for the pemali, the indigenous term describing the payment for ritual propitiation, RM1,880 was given.

The amount was agreed upon by the company, the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA) and relevant village leaders as well as the Orang Ulu Association.

Ting said all the payments were done at the Sungai Asap District Office, witnessed by a Sarawak administrative officer.

Relevant heads of longhouses and JKKK were also given monthly allowances and this is in accordance with the agreement signed between both parties, he added.

Suhakam had carried out an investigation after the Penan community in Ulu Belaga filed a complaint with the commission claiming that their right to native customary right or NCR land had been denied.

They also accused the Sarawak state government of turning a blind eye to their plight and claimed that the company had not paid adequate compensation.

Excessive demands

The Suhakam report also quoted Shin Yang's legal manager Loretta Lau as saying that the company recognised the Penans' claim to their ancestral land.

"The company is aware of the existence of the Penans and the temuda within the licensed land but only two settlements, Long Jaik and Long Liam, were identified as stated in the relevant EIA report," she said, referring to how the company was granted the green light to commence with their operations as long as compensations were agreed upon and made to the affected communities.

Anthony Ades, a public relations officer with Shing Yang, said talks were held on Oct 21 last year regarding housing plans for the affected Penans there and this effort was taken solely by the company.

He further emphasised on how the government should be the one responsible in ensuring the well being of members of the Penan community as citizens of Malaysia.

Shin Yang also claimed that it faced many problems pertaining to claims of compensations, one of them being excessive demands.

Ting cited one example where Long Jaik village chief Matu Tugang had allegedly demanded for 1,000 hectares of land as reserve for his village and the matter was then brought to and resolved at the district office in the presence of Shin Yang's representatives and the chief himself.

Despite having agreed to the solution at the district office, Ting said, the chief changed his mind upon returning to his village

Representatives of the company stated that almost RM1 million was spent on compensation, allowances and commissions for the affected communities.

Employment opportunities

Besides compensation, Shin Yang claimed that it also undertook other efforts to aid the Penans by offering them employment opportunities.

According to Ting, "jungle felling, poly bag filling and pest extermination" were several of the opportunities provided to them by the company.

"Ninety percent of the employees of the company's oil palm plantation are members of the Penan community," Lau added.

On wages, Ting clarified: "It is either paid on a daily basis or a contract basis. However, employment is usually on a contract basis which could amount up to RM 800 a month compared to a RM15 per day."

"Allowances scheme called the Travel and Traveling (TNT) was also provided for those working in Long Jaik and Long Urun, locations that are far from their settlements," he added.

Private clinic

To further help the Penans, Shin Yang claimed that it is on track to construct a private clinic which will be accessible to anyone living in that area, including the Penans.

"In addition, the company assisted the Penans, by setting up catchments and water pipelines as well as leveling soil for longhouse construction. These were all provided for free by the company," said Ting.

"Transportation was also extended to members of the Penan community when they need to travel to Sg Asap, Belaga. The company helped members of the Penan community by providing transportation to send sick family members to the clinic in Sungai Asap for treatment," he added.

Lau provided more details of the company's efforts in aiding the Penans.

"Apart from protecting these villages, the company also provided other assistance for the Penans including the construction of roads, providing water supply, materials for construction of houses as well as assistance for funeral arrangements including transportation, financial assistance for coffins and other cost associated with funerals," she said.

She added that the company had given the Penans honorarium (wang saguhati) during festive seasons and allowed them to take whatever basic necessities they needed from the company's canteen for free.

Reference Links

• Malaysiakini