Latest news with #ForestOrdinance
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Borneo Post
NGOs demand immediate release of Long Tepen protestors
Handout photo shows the two men currently under remand. MIRI (July 1): Sarawak non-governmental organisation (NGO) Keruan and Swiss NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) are calling for the immediate release of two Penan protestors from Long Tepen. The men were remanded for four days on Sunday to assist with an investigation under Section 103 of the Forest Ordinance. In a joint statement, Keruan and BMF called on the government to support the immediate release of the two men and to take action to stop logging in the area. 'The rights of indigenous peoples to their land must be respected and protected,' said the statement. The NGOs called for assistance on the matter from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). According to the statement, one other man escaped with minor injuries and reported the incident to the police. Komeok Joe from Keruan said while the Penan community from Long Tepen has repeatedly filed police reports against the destruction of their forests by a company, their rights have been ignored and their defenders criminalised. 'Instead of addressing the community's legitimate concerns, authorities have chosen to target those who stand up for their land and culture,' he claimed. According to the NGOs, Long Tepen folk filed police reports in September 2024, March 2025, and June 2025 against the logging activities of a company on their ancestral lands and the dismantlement of their blockades. Yesterday, Roland Engan, the lawyer for the two men, called on all parties to remain calm to allow the investigation and any possible prosecution to proceed without interference. The Sarawak Forest Department said in a statement that the two men were also being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for making criminal threats. The department claimed the two men were among individuals who had set up a blockade in Telang Usan on June 28 and used violence against the department's enforcement personnel while they were carrying out their duties by abusing and injuring them. 'These individuals also issued threatening words against enforcement personnel during the incident,' said the department. The department added another suspect fled the scene and is still being pursued. Bruno Manser Fonds Keruan Komeok Joe lead Long Tepen
Borneo Post
30-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Lawyer calls for calm after villagers protesting logging in Baram remanded
MIRI (June 30): The lawyer for two individuals remanded here yesterday in connection with a logging protest in Sungai Pelutan, Baram has called on all parties to remain calm. Roland Engan said he was informed that the arrests were initially made to assist with the Forest Department's investigation. 'However, when a remand order was obtained for them to be held for an additional four days, it was reported that they were being investigated for allegedly obstructing public servants and making threats,' he said in a statement. Roland claimed this development differed from the earlier information given to him and called on all parties to remain calm while allowing the investigation and any possible prosecution to proceed without interference. He also called on the public to avoid worsening the situation through provocative, speculative, or emotional comments. 'The struggle for the Native land rights of the people of Sungai Pelutan is a long journey and it is a struggle without bloodshed,' he said. Roland also appealed to enforcement agencies to exercise their authority professionally and not to resort to baseless accusations to cover any shortcomings on the ground. According to him, during a dialogue at the Telang Usan District Office on June 26 attended by representatives from the Forest Department, police, logging company, and protest group, it was made clear that the dispute was between the villagers and the company. 'The issue revolves around alleged breaches of agreement and sustainable forest management conditions, not a conflict between the villagers and the Forest Department,' he said. Roland called on enforcement officers on the ground to avoid provocation as well as to act in a professional manner, particularly when dealing with affected villagers. The Magistrates' Court here yesterday ordered two men to be remanded for four days to assist with the investigation of a case under Section 103 of the Forest Ordinance for using criminal force and obstructing forest officers and civil servants in performing their duties. The Sarawak Forest Department said in a statement that the two men were being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for making criminal threats. 'The two men were among the individuals who had set up a blockade around Telang Usan on June 28 and used violence against the department's enforcement personnel while they were carrying out their duties by abusing and injuring them,' stated the department. 'These individuals also issued threatening words against enforcement personnel during the incident.' The department added another suspect fled the scene and is still being pursued.
Borneo Post
29-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Miri Magistrates' Court orders remand of two men to assist in investigations
Handout photo shows the two men being escorted to court. KUCHING (June 29): The Magistrates' Court in Miri ordered two men to be remanded for four days to assist in the investigation of a case under Section 103 of the Forest Ordinance for using criminal force and obstructing forest officers and civil servants in performing their duties. According to a Sarawak Forest Department statement, the two men are also are also being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for making criminal threats. 'The two men were among the individuals who had set up a blockade around Telang Usan on June 28 and used violence against the department's enforcement personnel while they were carrying out their duties by abusing and injuring them. 'These individuals also issued threatening words against enforcement personnel during the incident,' it said. It said another suspect, however, had fled the scene and is still being pursued. Both suspects will face a fine of not less than RM25,000 and not more than RM150,000 or imprisonment of note more than 7 years or both, if convicted. 'The public is reminded not to be excessive by violating the law by demonstrating, obstructing, injuring or threatening civil servants in carrying out their legal duties,' said the department. blockade Court crime obstructing Sarawak Forest Department
