NON-NATIVE outsiders found entering forests belonging to rural natives in Belaga, Kapit and Baram districts are eyeing new timber resources and rich mineral deposits,
according to checks by the Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (Scrips).
Scrips Secretary General Michael Jok told The Vibes today, that these outsiders had been found equipped with survey equipment and detailed maps.
"We have gathered information that they have entered deep pockets in the remote districts of Kapit, Belaga (in central Sarawak) and Baram (in northern Sarawak).
"Their presence has now been detected in Bintulu districts too (northern Sarawak).
"From the information we have received, they seem to be prospecting for new timber resources and very likely they are also looking for rare mineral deposits," he said.
Jok said these outsiders have told longhouse folks that they have authorisation from certain agencies and departments to carry out surveys.
"However, they don't wear any government uniforms and look like ordinary workers for some private companies," he said.
On Sept 10, The Vibes reported that Scrips had found that non-native outsiders were going into rural regions to carry out surveys on native land.
Jok said he had received information from worried longhouse folks.
"I did some ground checks after hearing such news from the grassroots folks and found that those people going into the rural populated zones are there for surveying operations.
"They are not natives and they were not locals, but outsiders who claimed to have been sent there by some government agencies.
"I am worried. The real fear is that these surveys will result in more native land being taken over without the consent of the locals.
"These outsiders are going into the rural areas without informing them," he said.
Jok had said the Indigenous natives of Sarawak could stop unjust and oppressive land grabs if they united under one umbrella as they make up at least 60 per cent of the state population of three million.
Scrips is of the view that by sheer number alone, the natives of Sarawak can force the ruling state government to make changes to the existing State Land Code.
Scrips also slammed the Sarawak state government for trying to forcefully take custody of the native customary forests belonging to the minority Tering-Berawan communities by converting their forests into a national park without their consent.
Scrips, which is a land rights cum human rights organisation, said what the state government is attempting to do to the Tering-Berawans near the Mulu National Park in northern Sarawak is unethical and an act of injustice. - The Vibes, September 17, 2024
