Three Iban communities along the Manong river near Niah, Sarawak have cried foul over the establishment of an oil palm estate which they claim infringes on land designated to them under native customary rights.

They said that encroachments by the company, SOP Plantations Sdn Bhd, onto the 950 hectares of land would destroy their farmlands, source of livelihood, and bring detriment to the lives of future descendants.

Janting Pengiran, a representative from one of the longhouses, stated that residents have already taken legal challenge against the issuance of a provisional lease by the Land and Survey Department, to SOP.

The residents of Rumah Ulat, Rumah Willian Tinggang and Rumah Muyang have filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal, against a Miri High Court judgment on July 11, which granted SOP the right to take possession of the disputed land, Lot 931 of the Niah Land District.

"While the case is pending, residents demand that SOP halt its intention to enter NCR land," said Janting in a statement issued by the Borneo Resources Institute of Malaysia (Brimas).

Appeal to PM

Brimas coordinator Mark Bujang noted that on June 12, longhouse representatives were invited to meet with SOP, in which the company was said to have threatened the use of force, unless the community vacated the land within one week.

Mark said the communities also "protest the threat made by SOP to use the police and general operation force personnel."

The communities said they have since written an urgent appeal to the prime minister stating their concerns over the threats made by SOP, requesting the government to solve the problem urgently.

A letter protesting SOP actions was also sent to its managing director, with copies sent to Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the Miri police chief and the Batu Niah police station.