A police report has been lodged by nine heads from three Iban villages in Pantu, Sri Aman alleging that 'thugs' had been stopping them from clearing their land for an oil palm estate.

According to the report, the thugs had stopped clearing works and intimidated the workers. This is the second such report since Nov 8.

Spokesperson for the group Jacob Emang told malaysiakini that said the alleged thugs are working for a company which has a logging permit which covers the three villages.

The permit allegedly has an area of about 3,000 acres and is located 10km east of Pantu, off KM146 of the Kuching-Sibu highway.

Protection

"Some machines used for clearing works were removed from the area as contractors are trying to avoid losing their machines to the thugs," said Jacob.

He said that the land owners are requesting the contractors to continue their work, this time promising that they will stand guard with weapons if necessary.

He alleged that the permit holder is a district councillor and a leader in one of the Barisan Nasional component parties, but declines to name the person.

At present, the villagers are contemplating legal action against the councillor. - By Tony Thien