Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia (BRIMAS) refutes the allegation that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are using Penans to block logging roads in order to carry out illegal logging in the Penan area in Sarawak.On 8th May, in Kuching at a seminar called ‘Combating Organised Crime: Strategies, Legal Instruments and Effective Policing’, the Miri Resident Ose Murang alleged that NGOs are involved in illegal logging within the Penan area. BRIMAS is shocked by such allegations, and doubt if there is any truth to it at all. It is in the public interest to know the NGOs involved in Illegal logging, if any, and the Miri Resident should not be shy to reveal the identity of these NGOs.
As far as BRIMAS is concerned, we are unaware of any NGOs that has been involved in carrying out illegal logging in any of the Penan areas in Sarawak. The Penans have been relying on the government for development projects such as schools, medical clinics, agricultural supplies, housing and building materials etc. Most Penans do not even have birth certificates, the myKad and other official documents. The Penans are really in great need for government assistance as they are in deep hardship, due to the fact that most of their forest has been badly devastated by logging operations. The building of a road by the government to any of the Penan villages, if there is any plan at all, is supported by the Penan. The Penan has made it clearly known, over and over again in their letters, petitions and memorandums to the Government and even SUHAKAM, that they support government development projects but not logging within their customary rights land area.
Over the past months, BRIMAS has noticed that the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), through its enforcement unit, SAPU, has made numerous arrests and confiscated timber logs of those involved in illegal logging all over Sarawak. It is to BRIMAS’ surprise that SAPU has not made any arrests in connection with the so-called NGOs’ illegal logging. If the alleged illegal logging is within the Penan areas in upper Baram, will it be that simple for the logging trucks to haul and transport the timber logs over a distance of more than 200KM of logging roads. If they were actually allowed to use the logging roads for transporting illegal timbers, then that could be a plot and conspiracy involving the timber companies in upper Baram.
The State Attorney-General (SAG) has also made unfounded allegations that some NGOs and related groups are stealing or gaining control of natural resources for personal use or monetary gains and depriving the government of timber royalties. Rather than making baseless allegations against the NGOs, the SAG should work closely with the SFC and relevant government law enforcement agencies to go all out after the logging culprits and wipe out organised illegal logging operators that are rampant and widespread all over the State.
BRIMAS calls upon the relevant enforcement authorities to carry out an investigation with regard to the allegations. BRIMAS urges the authorities to take the allegations seriously as they have been made by high-ranking State Government Officers. We hope that they will give their full cooperation to the authority that is tasked to carry out the investigation. BRIMAS also supports efforts by the authorities to come up with relevant laws, mechanisms and measures that will totally curb and wipe out all illegal logging activities, in order to safeguard the state’s resources as well as ensure the protection and conservation of Sarawak’s forests.
Note: BRIMAS is an NGO based in Miri, Sarawak, working closely with indigenous communities in the areas of sustainable development, community-based resource management, forest and biodiversity conservation as well as monitoring environmental and development issues in Malaysia, particularly in the State of Sarawak.
Thank you.
Raymond Abin
Programme Director.
Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia (BRIMAS)
Lot 1046, 2nd Flr. Shang Garden Shoplots,
Bulan Sabit Road,
98000 Miri, Sarawak
Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: +6 085 438580
Email: bri@tm.net.my / snanet@tm.net.my
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