11 July 2024
On Today Show
— Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers Networks – Sarawak Government Denies Illegal Logging Allegations Despite Mounting Evidence
— James from the Baram Keruan Association – Logging Trucks Still Rolling: Evidence of Active Logging in Ulu Baram Amid Government Denials
— Yusri Ahon of Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Expanding Plantations in Krau Forest Reserve Endanger Traditional Livelihoods
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Celine Lim, Pengarah Urusan Save Rivers Networks – Kerajaan Sarawak Menafikan Tuduhan Pembalakan Haram Walaupun Bukti Semakin Bertambah
— James dari Persatuan Keruan Baram – Lori Balak Masih Bergerak: Bukti Pembalakan Aktif di Ulu Baram di Sebalik Penafian Kerajaan
— Yusri Ahon dari Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Peluasan Ladang di Hutan Simpan Krau Mengancam Kehidupan Tradisional
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Special Randau
1. Announcement by SEB that the controlled release of water from the Bakun hydroelectric plant reservoir will begin on 13 July 2024 until 3 August 2024, which is for 3 weeks. Residents downstream and along the Rajang river basin are asked to be careful because the river water level will rise and the river current is quite strong. Experience in the past, many residents demanded compensation for their crops, livestock and property destroyed, such as boats, and bridges damaged by strong currents. However, until now SEB has not considered any compensation payment.2. Logging at Ba Data Bila is done by a company appointed by the Sarawak state government. It is an effort by the state government to improve the standard of living of the Penan people who live there. This company has and will build bridges, roads, houses and even provide transportation to school for Penan children.
3. The decision not to vacate the 6 parliamentary seats of PPBM MPs who were fired by their own party is in line with the constitution, PMX Anwar Ibrahim said, and even according to Anwar during the discussion of the draft anti-party jumping act, the PPBM party led by Muhyiddin Yassin opposes the idea that if fired by the party will automatically lose his position as a member of parliament.
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Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers Networks
Sarawak Government Denies Illegal Logging Allegations Despite Mounting Evidence
The Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) has reported, with photo evidence, massive logging in the Ba Data Bila Penan village area in Hulu Baram. This area is part of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA), which is being developed as a forest conservation area for long-term community benefits. The UBFA is a collaborative program involving international parties, the Malaysian and Sarawak governments, and the local NGO Save Rivers Network.
The logging activity, as referred to by BMF, is being conducted by billionaire Hii King Chiong through the company Borneoland Timber. Hii is linked as a crony of former Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. A day after the BMF media statement, the Sarawak government, through Sarawak Forest Department Director Datuk Hamden Mohammad, declared the BMF's claims false. According to the Sarawak government, the activity is a joint venture to build houses, roads, bridges, and provide truck delivery services for Penan children to attend school. The previously concessioned timber company has been replaced by a new company created by the Sarawak government with the consent of the Penan people.
Celine Lim expressed surprise at the Sarawak government's statement through the director of the Forest Department. She questioned why stakeholders and the Penan community, who are part of the UBFA steering committee, were not informed. A few months ago, Save Rivers Network wrote an official letter to the forest department and the Sarawak king seeking an explanation. Lim criticized the government's preference for communicating through media statements rather than directly with the concerned parties. She emphasized that the Sarawak government's unilateral actions, portraying their approach as the most correct, are opposed by the Penan. The current actions did not go through the UBFA committee.
On June 8, 2024, Sarawak Premier Johari Openg stated that there is no more "log politics" in Sarawak and that the state is moving towards a green economy, committing not to cut down forests. He claimed that Sarawak would maintain 62% of its forests by operating 26 Forest Management Units (FMUs) covering 2.38 million hectares through sustainable certification, along with 7 forest management units spanning 97,966 hectares. However, only a month after this statement, Sarawak employed new tactics to justify logging in the UBFA protected forest area. According to Nick Kelesau on the RFS broadcast, only one family of Penan village head Ba Data Bila-Sedin Laeng agreed to the logging, yet the Sarawak government claimed unanimous community agreement.
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James from the Baram Keruan Association
Logging Trucks Still Rolling: Evidence of Active Logging in Ulu Baram Amid Government Denials
James confirmed that logging activities are still active in Ulu Baram, as reported by BMF. Although the Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) denies that large-scale logging is occurring, as claimed by the NGO BMF.
It is indeed unfair if the Sarawak government only acknowledges major logging activities when they claim there is logging. If they do not believe it, they should come down and travel further into Ulu Baram to see for themselves that logging is still active, even if not as massive as it was 20 years ago. To this day, from Lapok to Kilometer 10, logging trucks can still be seen transporting logs.
Yusri Ahon of Kpg Sg Mai Pahang
*Expanding Plantations in Krau Forest Reserve Endanger Traditional Livelihoods*On Krau forest reserved now transformed to forest plantation, and caused great impact on the livelihood of 8 sorounding commumities that depand on forest for daily needs. Destructions of biodiversity is serious, such as traditional medicines, destroyed water catchments , traditional culture of forest management etc. Forest plantation also influence illegal hunting, water pollution. Yusri took photos of rivers pollution to prove to forest ministry. The ministry had created several watershed which is short term solution to get approval for forest plantation projects in their areas. The new grade plants now is over one years old and mature in 8 years to harvest. So cause more pollution to environment after every 8 years. This Krau forest plantation not only cover forest reserved but also extended to the 9 Orang Asli forest. Where there are 6 water catchments for the communities. The communities lost all their traditional timbers.
At first the ministry cleared 1000 acres but they cleared to 4000 acres. And yusri was informed that the forest plantation will as large as 6000 acres. The communities are urging government to set for consultation. Must respect Orang Asli