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FINAL UPDATE
Railtrack Dismantled and Burnt, Logging and Plantation Operations Ceased
By: Samy Ising
BALINGIAN (28 April 2000): On 25 April, the logging and plantation operation done by Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. and Novelpac Puncakdana Plantation Sdn. Bhd. has ceased due to intensified protest by the Ibans there.
The Iban residents of Upper Balingian continued their protest today against Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. and Novelpac Puncakdana Plantation Sdn. Bhd. by dismantling and burning the Alwayield's Sdn. Bhd. railtrack. The railtrack was used by Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. to transport and extract timber from the native customary land of the Ibans without the Iban's prior informed consent.
The incident occurred at around 8:45 a.m., after the Ibans discovered the 'piring' altar (spiritual offering) that they set up (on 17 April) to seek assurance from the spirits of their ancestors in order to cleanse the land from any misfortunes was destroyed and Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. continued the clearing work.
According to one of the longhouse chief, Tuai Rumah (Tr.) Ketip anak Impang, 68, their action was correct and they should not be blamed for it because their 'adat' or customs was offended and their native customary land and resources therein was destroyed by the logging and land-clearing of Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. and Novelpac Puncakdana Plantation Sdn. Bhd.
"Our people complained that they had lost a lot. The cost for the 'piring' alone was about RM2,000 which consists of 9 chickens and a pig weighing 61 Kilograms", said Tr. Ketip.
At around 5:45 p.m., 10 representatives of the community went to make a report of the incident at the Selangau Police Station. In their report the Ibans urged the Police to investigate and take action immediately on Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. and the plantation company. They also urged the Police to act neutrally and understand the situation.
Another longhouse chief, Tr. Lanyau, 53, said that the trespass activities by the two companies had angered about 160 families that resided in their native customary land of Sungai Basai in Upper Balingian, 78 Kilometers from Mukah Bazaar. They wrote several protest letters to the companies and the authorities but it did not lead to any positive impacts.
Up till now, 5 Police Reports have been lodged at the Selangau Police Station, but no positive action was taken.
The Ibans had also protested to the Forest Department in Sibu and with that 6 Forestry Officers came (on 21 April) to investigate the dispute and take statements from the villagers and their headmen that were involved in the protest. The Ibans that attended the meeting refused to be accused as blockaders because their protest was done due to their 'adat' or customs of their ancestors that lived there for 150 years was offended.
The Ibans also stated that the 'miring' ritual was done to ask for assurance to the spirits of their ancestors in order to cleanse their land from misfortunes. In the ritual the Ibans also swore by throwing yellow rice that they will defend their territories until to their last drop of blood.
In that meeting (on 21 April), one of the Forestry Officer, Sia Yiok Seh said that the 'miring' altar was probably destroyed by the Ibans themselves to make it look like the company did it. But another longhouse chief, Tr. Mulok, who is knowledgeable about their 'adat' rebuke him by saying that once the 'piring' has been set up, it has to be visited every 9 days for 3 consecutive months. He said Sia's accusation was baseless because according to the Iban's believe misfortune and a bad omen would befall the individual or the community if the 'piring' were disturbed.
At around 2 p.m. the same day, a Senior Police Officer from the Selangau Police Station, En. Yahya, together with a foreman and a worker of Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. came to Rh. Lanyau at Bukit Dinding to persuade the headmen and their villagers to dismantle the blockade and to take legal action immediately. Tr. Lanyau refused saying that before the Ibans were to take legal action they need to gather as much evidence of their native customary rights in this territory and also on the encroachment of Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. He also challenged Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. to take legal action if the company thinks they have rights to this land.
Earth Day was celebrated just a few days ago (23 April) and the Federal and State Government was participating in this worldwide event by promoting the conservation of our rainforest. In the media the Government pointed out how important it is to conserve our forests. But the Government contradicts itself by allowing private companies to log and clear forest for plantations that threatened the survival of the Dayak indigenous communities in Sarawak.
Currently Alwayield Sdn. Bhd. and Novelpac Puncakdana Plantation Sdn. Bhd. has ceased all its activities for now and there is also no word from the authorities on the protest.
The longhouses that protested against the logging and oil palm plantation are Rumah Lanyau, Rh. Ketip, Rh. Anchih, Rh. Madak, Rh. Lipo, Rh. Mulok, Rh. Jandang, Rh. Ladun and Rh. Chabu. - BRIMAS