An action committee of Iban longhouse residents in Marudi, northern Sarawak, has complained of river pollution and other problems due allegedly to the activities of a logging company.

They further claimed that their native customary rights to land in Sungai Babi, Sungai Dabai and Sungai Setapang have been affected.

illegal deforestation logging penerokaan haram The company is logging the upper reaches of the Sungai Pasir, and its activities are said to have caused sedimentation of the river.

“The Kampung Sungai Babi water catchment is located there, while the residents live downstream,” said Jau Jok Evong, the director of the Marudi-based Sahabat Alam Malaysia said in a statement to Malaysiakini .

About 36 families - comprising more than 300 residents - rely on the water for drinking, washing and daily household activities.

Jau Jok claimed that logging activities have also damaged the main road from the Sungai Pasir bridge to Lubok Nibong.

Once tarred, the road now resembles a logging track with potholes and poses danger to users including teachers and students in surrounding schools.

Other complaints are that the company leaves logs stacked on the side of the main road, and that it has trespassed into Kampung Sungai Babi by parking lorries in the settlement.

The action committee, formed in January, has urged the Sarawak government to take immediate action, and called on the company to compensate residents for damage to their surroundings.