SIMUNJAN SARAWAK: About 120 Iban natives including women from Kampung Ensika, Kampung Entanggor, Kampung Tungkah Iban, Kampung Arus Sebangan are in full force once again setting up blockades to defend their communal land and forest from being destroyed by a logging company Hock Tong Hin (forest licence Holder of T/5090) and its contractor Forest Wealt Sdn Bhd.
This is the second time they have set up blockades to save their communal forest. The previous 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 trial has been set on the 8th December 2009.
Their spokesman, Nicholas Mujah said he had made a police report on the incident at the Simunjan Police Station on 9th September 2009 and also lodged a complaint with the Sarawak Forest Corporation whom he believed is the authority entrusted by the government of the day to deal with logging thief in the state.
“I am very much saddened and of grave concern with no action by authorities to stop government’s assets and monies being stolen in a bright daylight,” he said, alleging suspicious collusion between the SFC especially SAPU section and the logging company.
Mujah further said that when he and colleagues went to SFC office at Serian on the 8th September 2009 to check the validity of the said logging operation, they met one man who later acknowledged himself from the logging concession T/5090. He was seen to really control the office (like just sitting all over the tables belonging to the corporation freely as if on our first glance he was the boss there).
Mujah said: “And when told that the man is the officer from the logging company I approached him about our complaint. He told me that he can only say that I have to refer my complaint to their head office in Kuching.”
Mujah, however met the officer in charge by the name of David Mohamad who took down his little statement. The said officer had promised to call him in a few days later while making arrangement for a transport for field investigation.
Until today the officer has not called to him, claimed Mujah.
Meanwhile at the blockade site the natives had successfully met the “mandor” and stopped the locomotive laden logs from removing them from the communal area.
The blockade is still going on for the third day running. The people are yet to meet the police as normally expected.
Nicholas also said that the people are determined to defend their land and forest even if there are arrests to be made 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 people are harassed or intimidated,” he said. – The Broken Shield
This is the second time they have set up blockades to save their communal forest. The previous 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 trial has been set on the 8th December 2009.
Their spokesman, Nicholas Mujah said he had made a police report on the incident at the Simunjan Police Station on 9th September 2009 and also lodged a complaint with the Sarawak Forest Corporation whom he believed is the authority entrusted by the government of the day to deal with logging thief in the state.
“I am very much saddened and of grave concern with no action by authorities to stop government’s assets and monies being stolen in a bright daylight,” he said, alleging suspicious collusion between the SFC especially SAPU section and the logging company.
Mujah further said that when he and colleagues went to SFC office at Serian on the 8th September 2009 to check the validity of the said logging operation, they met one man who later acknowledged himself from the logging concession T/5090. He was seen to really control the office (like just sitting all over the tables belonging to the corporation freely as if on our first glance he was the boss there).
Mujah said: “And when told that the man is the officer from the logging company I approached him about our complaint. He told me that he can only say that I have to refer my complaint to their head office in Kuching.”
Mujah, however met the officer in charge by the name of David Mohamad who took down his little statement. The said officer had promised to call him in a few days later while making arrangement for a transport for field investigation.
Until today the officer has not called to him, claimed Mujah.
Meanwhile at the blockade site the natives had successfully met the “mandor” and stopped the locomotive laden logs from removing them from the communal area.
The blockade is still going on for the third day running. The people are yet to meet the police as normally expected.
Nicholas also said that the people are determined to defend their land and forest even if there are arrests to be made 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 people are harassed or intimidated,” he said. – The Broken Shield
12 comments:
sorry sir, but it is not likely you would see the light after you go to court...it is very highly unlikely
it is very likely you will get humiliation
Enough is enough! Stand your ground. About time someone put their foot down and stop this day light robbery and rape of our NCR lands. Nicholas, we are with you all the way. Its a fact, loggers have raped both our penan brethrens and natural resources. Once again as usual, our pathetic BN dayak leaders will be in denial. Take the area's Yb. to task. What is he doing about it? Maybe he's part of the problem? Enough said, who's making money out of our NCR lands in Sarawak at our expense?
The police has to play an important role here to handle the case with extra precautions to prevent untoward incidents take place.
Right on. I am unable to join the blockade but my moral support is / are with you fellow brothers.
It is just right and very right indeed to protect our land. This government is failed government. And in sarawak, the department are being control by dollar and cent.
The police, the top man is a mafia himself (refer to malaysian today) and what do we expect? With due respect to my good friend with the force.
to be cont..........
Well, when is this going to end.Almost every now and then we hear this saga and there is no end insight. What about turn out inforce and proceed to petra jaya and picket infront of that white hair office so that he will see for himself what these people wants.
I think these poor natives have to find another solution that will work. These victims can't just be let to fight those crook goliaths.They must demand that jabu, masing and mawan come to the negotiating table and deal with this case once and for all. These dayak leaders just can't hide behind white hair and pretend that nothing happens.
Those dayak NGOs must speed up the process to unleash vital information to all these dayaks so that they will spread out the message that this gov't is mistreating the all the dayaks and not just this few groups. Get them to be prepare to vote in a new gov't who not only can be more reliable but can promise them a better future.
As the state election is getting closer, we must all help to make sure that this golden window of opportunity must not be allow to slip through our hands.Let this be our last election with the devil and hopefully after this election we can all get back what have been stolen from us for decades.We must live with the angels who can really look after our interest not the devil .
Why the urgency to dethrone this untrustworthy gov't! We all know the answer but time and time they can bluff their way to victory. They must be stopped right now. Too much of our resources have been depleted and if we don't stop them, all our children would be starved and neglected.Enough is enough! Spread the message around and do it with urgency!
This land is our land.
David can surely fell Goliath.
We support you Mr. Mujah..don't give up...
By right our leaders should be defending the people's land from being raped...
Our Iban leaders deserve to be given slipper slap....
So, what action has been taken by the police in respect of the report lodged by the Ibans? Closed NFA?
If a timber company makes a counter police report, may be the police will classify the case as
(i) wrongful restraint an offence under section 339 of the Penal Code, or
(ii) if violence is used by the Ibans to stop the company trying to dismantle the blockades, the police may classify the case as rioting an offence under section 147/148 of the Penal Code, or
(iii) in the event that the Ibans obstruct the police to dismantle the blockades, the police may classify the case as obstructing them in discharge of their duties an offence under section 186 of the Penal Code.
If these are types of action to be taken by the police, is it fair for the Ibans who are exercising their rights to defend their customary land, but are subjected to be arrested?
"Iban Natives mount blockades against logging company"
Mr.Nicholas,I'm so touch to hear many of our Dayak brothers behind you giving encouragement of words but please be careful and don't let the same act repeat itself, 'cause this happen too many times to most of our Dayak Political party leaders, being played out by his subordinates.Expect them for full support but they left you alone to fight the battle. That's our weaknesses talk only but come to the real thing "pengecut" our Dayak bravery is no more in our blood if you don't believe it check your DNA.ha.....
Why is it not a single iban political leader ever voice out defending their very own people especially on the land issues?
The iban leaders are failed leaders & they are the ones that are cawating the ibans...
Infact the ibans are already starved & neglected in terms of justice...
Why are so many of us ibans working outside of sarawak? Is it really our choice to be away from homes?
This is one of the many examples showing that the ibans are already depleted socially & economically....& we are just like the red indians of the states...
For the sake of the iban species in sarawak we don't need leaders that betrayed their own people.
Taib empu kayu nya jang jang, bisi menteri dayak nadai meh guna
Their YB has been silenced...!!!
to me the best thing to do by the village people is to file a suit against the police for not taking action. it is about time we HAVE to take the police department to task for their disrespect for the people and the law which they should upheld.
Get some legal experts to look into these matters inorder to sent a message to the police for their lack of responsibility. Nobody is above the law, remember that! Jangan makan gaji buta la nanti tuhan kasi mata kita betul-betul buta baru tahu. Remember dont get blinded by money gotten from ill means.
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