The Bintulu sessions court today gave its fourth and final adjournment to hear the illegal logging charge against a group of Iban longhouse dwellers from Sungai Serupai, Tatau, near Bintulu.

Judge Timothy Finalyson Joel made the decision after being told by state Attorney-General's Chambers legal officer Joseph Chiok, who is prosecuting, that one of the accused has yet to be traced.

This was the fourth time the hearing had been postponed on the ground that the summons could not be served on one of the accused. All those charged are from four longhouses in Serupai,including Rumah Tengalang and Rumah Briak.

Their counsel, Voon Lee Shan, argued against any further adjournment. He said his clients have spent much money on travelling from their lomghouses to attend court on several occasions.

The lawyer urged the court to drop the charges against the group.

"The charges could always be re-instituted if need be," he added.

The group was arrested on Jan 8, 2003 and charged under the provisions of the Sarawak Forestry Ordinance for illegal logging of 120 logs and 614 pieces of sawn timber allegedly from the Tamar Plantations Sdn Bhd area at Sungai Serupai, about 38km from Bintulu Town.

The charge carries a heavy penalty which includes a RM50,000 fine upon conviction, 10 times the value of the timber seized and maximum five-year imprisonment under the Forest Ordinance.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.