Historic NCR land suit filed in Miri

HU Editor

History is made this morning, March 3 in Miri when Ulu Limbang Kelabits, Penans and Lun Bawang NCR landowners file a civil suit jointly against four private companies and the Sarawak Director of Forestry and Sarawak Government to defend their rights. The four companies are logging and tree-plantation companies.

For the first time, 3 different ethnic groups have come together and unite in their struggle to defend their rights. Together, they represent some 14 villages in the Upper Limbang region, where people trace their ancestors back over 200 years ago in their NCR lands.

About 50 community people from Ulu Limbang and Baram and other parts of Sarawak turned up at the Miri High Court to accompany their lawyer, Baru Bian in filing their case. All in high spirit and excitement, the people have now advanced in their struggle by taking their struggle from the blockade sites to court room.

Against Mighty Companies

The people’s struggles to defend their rights have been going on since late 1980s. Countless letters, appeals, petitions, meetings and direct actions have not been able to stop the destruction on the people’s lands and their lives.

The people are up against mighty companies, economically and politically. Being given licenses are Samling (logging), Kingwood Hotel owners (logging and tree-plantation), Tiang families of Quality Concrete Holdings (tree-plantation) and one company (logging) which secretary of is Idris Buang, currently a Senator from Sarawak, and former chief political secretary to Taib Mahmud.