Sarawak natives launch new logging road blockade
By Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
Simunjan Sarawak. About 120 peoples Iban Native including women from Kampung Ensika , Kampung Entanggor , Kampung Tungkah Iban, Kampung Arus Sebangan were in full force once again to set up blockaded to defend their communal land and Forest from the destruction of a inhuman act from the logging Company Hock Tong Hin ( forest licence Holder of T/5090).and it contractor Forest Wealt SDN Bhd.
This is the second times they had set up blockade to save their communal forest. The former blockade was made on 14th day September 2006 and subsequently a suit was filed in 2007 ( Suit No 22-118-2007) against the same licencee (Hock Tong Hin) which then their contractor was Roundtree Timber sdn bhd . the case trail has been set on the 8th December 2009.
Nicholas Mujah, their spokemen, Said he had made a police report on the incident at Simunjan Police Station on 9th September 2009 and also logged a complain with the Sarawak Forest Corporation whom He belief are the authorities entrusted by the government of the day to deal with logging thief in the state. I am very much sadden and of grave concerned with no action by authorities to stop govern asset and monies being stolen in a bright daylight. Mujah have a suspicious cullosion between the FSC especially SAPU section and the logging Company.
Mujah further said when he and collegue went to SFC office at Serian on the 8th September 2009 to check the validity of the said logging operation one man who later acknowledge himself from the logging concession T/5090 was seen to really control the office (like just sitting all over the tables belong to the corporation freely as if on my first glance he was the boss there) . And when I was attended to by one of the SFC officer only to be told that he is the officer from the logging company , he can only say that I have to refer my complain to their head office in Kuching. Upon meeting the officer in charge by the name of David Mohamad he took my little statement and asking my Identity Card to which I oblique. The said officer had promise to call me in a few days latter while to arrange for a transport for field investigation after which until the present day have not received his call beside my call to him was never answered.
Mean while at the blockade site the communities had successfully meet the mandor and stop the locomotive laden logs from removing them from the communal area. The blockade is still on going for the 3rd days. The peoples are yet to meet the police as normally expected.
Nicholas also said that the communities are determined to defend their land and forest even if there is an arrest initiate by the police. I am already immune to this situation and I will face the authorities and challenged them in the court of justice if my communities are harassed or intermediate .
(15 September 2009)
