Suhakam land rights inquiry hits licence snag

The Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) national inquiry into the land rights of indigenous people is facing problems as timber companies are reluctant to submit their logging licences.

The licence, said Suhakam commissioner Jannie Lasimbang, is essential in finding out the parameters the timber companies are given to conduct their logging activities.

“I don’t want to name any names but there are some discrepancies. We want to check if the licence, in its limited sense, excludes the native customary rights land.

“It is difficult if we do not see the licence, we can only rely on the word of the land and survey department,” Jannie said when contacted.

By convention, she said, the timber licence must have conditions that protect the indigenous people, such as requiring surveys and public consultation before a project is started.

The first series of public hearings kicked off in Serian, Sarawak, on Feb 27 and will conclude with a hearing in Miri slated for March 12-14.

The national inquiry is a response to the 1,098 complaints the commission has received on native customary rights land belonging to indigenous people since 2002

Only one licence submitted

Jannie said to date, only one company has submitted its licence, which showed that it has conformed with the rules. However, other companies have been reluctant.

“We have not received (non-conforming) licences, but we’ve seen such examples,” she said.

Last Tuesday, the Sarawak Timber Association had voiced concern that it was being treated unfairly in the inquiry and was mulling to boycott the proceedings.

However, Jannie said its members did present themselves at the hearing and had cooperated with Suhakam, but had not disclosed their licences.

She said the Sarawak series of public hearings have been positive as the government, the timber industry and communities have participated in the inquiry, with the exception of some timber companies.

More hearings are scheduled for Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang and Sabah, which will run until June.