Iban villagers erect blockade against oil palm company
By Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia, Miri
MIRI, MALAYSIA. – Yesterday, a group of about 50 Iban villagers from Rumah Jonathan Tinggi, Sungai Sekaloh, Niah, Miri Division erected a blockade at their native customary land territory to prevent an oil palm company, WTK Harvest Master Sdn. Bhd., from encroaching into the villager’s native customary land territory.
According to the headman of the longhouse, Tuai Rumah Jonathan Tinggi Anak Lasan, they have repeatedly warned the company not to encroach into their native customary land and also repeatedly lodged police reports against the encroachment by the company. However, the company ignored the villagers’ warnings and continued with its operations.
As a result, the villagers are forced to take direct action by erecting the blockade to stop further encroachment and damages to their native customary land and property.
As of press time, the blockade is still standing and a few police personnel have arrived at the blocked site, but at the moment they are only guarding the site. So far, nobody has been arrested and the villagers are still waiting for the company representatives to come and talk to them.
WTK Harvest Master Sdn. Bhd. has been issued a Provisional Lease by the Land and Survey Department for a period of 99 years starting from 1999 for the purpose of establishing an oil palm plantation.
Rumah Johnathan Tinggi is located 52 miles from Miri and there are 35 families or 173 people living in the longhouse.
(21 December 2009)
