Environmentalist group RimbaWatch wants police to urgently release an Orang Asli from Kampung Ganoh, Pahang, said to have been arrested after a confrontation with a representative from a logging company.
Supported by 10 other civil society organisations, RimbaWatch said surveyors allegedly representing the company had on July 3 attempted to enter Kampung Ganoh to objections from the local Orang Asli community.
The village is where the proposed 297-ha logging site falls within a water catchment area.
One of the Orang Asli was said to have kicked the tyre of the surveyor's car.
The groups said various villagers from Kampung Ganoh had on the next day lodged a police report over the altercation.
However, at the same time, police went to the village to bring the man and his wife to the Kuala Rompin police station.
Indigenous lands
The man was subsequently detained and remanded for three days until July 7.
"RimbaWatch questions how the Pahang Forestry Department could approve a water catchment forest to be logged.
"Also, (how could the department) allow a company to make preparations for logging in a water catchment forest; and how could the Pahang authorities arrest a member of an indigenous community for defending their land against deforestation," the groups said in a statement.
"We remind Pahang that Malaysia has endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which enshrines the need for a free, and informed consent process for any projects in indigenous lands," they said.
As such, the groups demand that the man be released immediately and for the police and logging company to tender a full apology to him.
Furthermore, given that logging is not allowed in a water catchment forest, the groups called on MACC to investigate the logging company involved.
They also urged the Pahang Forestry Department to revoke any concessions or approval that has been granted on the land; to bar the company from entering Bukit Ibam Forest Reserve; and prohibit any other company from entering Kampung Ganoh. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.