Their communal forest reserve has been logged beyond recognition, their water polluted and sources of food depleted. In desperation, the Penans in Sarawak have taken matters into their own hands.

According to the Switzerland-based society for the protection of rainforest communities - Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) - the Penan community of Ba Abang, Baram, have set up a road block to prevent workers of Interhill Logging Sdn Bhd from entering their community land.

Since the blockade was set up on June 16 they have also confiscated at least two chainsaws from workers of the Miri-based company, said BMF in a press release.

However, there has been no official confirmation of the blockade.

The move follows failed attempts to get the intervention of the state and federal governments as well as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Situation critical

"They are polluting our water catchment and (destroying) our last forest reserve. Our situation is very critical. We can't sleep because of the problems with the bulldozers," BMF quoted Penan headman Panai Irang as saying.

Interhill, operating 80 bulldozers in the area, is said to be 'one of the most aggressively acting logging companies' in Sarawak.

The current re-logging by Interhill (most parts of the area were logged in the 1990s.) is also said to threaten the community's livelihood and lead to 'serious environmental long-term damage including landslides, heavy erosion and major floods'.

According to BMF, several meetings took place between the Penan and Interhill in February and March this year, with pleas for Interhill 'to respect the community's forest reserve and to stop logging in its water catchment area'.

Interhill has allegedly 'refused to take the Penan's worries into account'.

In another development, the Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea ordered Malaysian logging giant Rimbunan Hijau not to commence logging in the Kamula Dosa concession area in the Western Province pending further court hearings, reported the Post Courier newspaper.

The appellants - Eco-Forestry Forum Incorporated, local landowner groups and the Ombudsman Commission - are questioning the extension of an existing timber permit held by Rimbunan Hijau subsidiary Wawoi Guavi Timber Company.

Photos courtesy of BMF