The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) today expressed disappointment with the 'lack of action' by the authorities pertaining to the alleged land intrusion in Simunjan by a logging company.

nicholas mujah ncr land issues 150607 pensive Sadia spokesperson Nicholas Mujah said 120 villagers had to set up a blockade to defend their communal land and forest from being destroyed by the logging company, Hock Tong Hin and its contractor Forest Wealt Sdn Bhd.

The villagers, he added, came from four remote villages in Sarawak including Kampung Ensika, Kampung Entaggor, Kampung Tungkah Iban and Kampung Arus Sebangan.

According to Mujah, this is the second time the community had set up a blockade to save their native land and forest. The first was on Sept 14, 2006, where they subsequently filed a suit against the same company and trial was set for Dec 8 this year.

Mujah said he had lodged a police report on the latest 'intrusion' with the Simunjan police station on Sept 9 and lodged a complaint with the Sarawak Forest Corporation (SFC).

"But I am very much saddened and concerned as the authorities have taken no action to stop government assets and money being stolen in bright daylight," he added.

'Even arrest will not stop us'

Mujah said he and his colleague went to the SFC's office in Serian on Sept 8 to check the validity of the said logging operation.

However, he was told by an officer to refer his complaint to their headquarters in Kuching.

Upon meeting the officer in charge at the Kuching headquarters, Mujah said his complaint was taken and the officer had promised to give him a call within a few days.

Mujah also claimed that the officer needed a longer time to respond as they had to arrange for transport for field investigation purposes on the communal land.

"But until now, I have not received his call and there was no answer whenever I tried to call him," he said.

The blockade is currently into its third day, and Mujah said the community is determined to defend their land and forest "even if the police start arresting."

"I am already immune to this and I will face the authorities and challenge them in court if my community is harassed or intimidated," he added.