On Today Show
— Nick Kelesau- Spokesperson for the Penan Keruan Organization – Penan Community Threatened Amid UBFA Logging Controversy
— Abun Sui, Senator of PKR Sarawak – Call for Protection of Penan NCR Land in Lusong Laku to Prevent Loss to Outsiders
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Nick Kelesau - Jurucakap untuk Organisasi Penan Keruan - Komuniti Penan Diancam di Tengah-Tengah Kontroversi Pembalakan UBFA
— Abun Sui, Senator PKR Sarawak - Seruan untuk Melindungi Tanah NCR Penan di Lusong Laku bagi Mengelakkan Kehilangan kepada Orang Luar
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Nick Kelesau- Spokesperson for the Penan Keruan Organization
*Penan Community Threatened Amid UBFA Logging Controversy*
Nick Kelesau stated that the application by Sarawak Forest Department Director Datuk Hamden Mohammad to cancel or terminate the UBFA project is a one-sided statement. He emphasized that even if the project is cancelled, some NGOs and the local Penan community, including his side, will still continue their efforts. Nick highlighted the importance of separating political affairs from environmental matters.
Referring to the incident of logging in Ba Data Bila, Nick mentioned that several penghulu (village heads) and Pemanca (community leaders) met with Sarawak Premier Johari Openg to report that Borneoland Timber Sdn. Bhd., the company logging in the Ba Data Bila area, possessed a valid logging license. The company promised to build roads, bridges, and houses for the Penan people. However, it was later proven that the company employed foreign workers without valid work permits and conducted logging activities in the Ba Data Bila area, which is prohibited because it falls within the UBFA area.
Nick pointed out that Borneoland gained the support of some penghulu, Pemanca, and Penan residents by offering monetary incentives. He expressed hope that the incident at Ba Data Bila would not be used as a reason to cancel the UBFA project. Instead, he called for all stakeholders to make a unanimous decision that benefits forest conservation in the UBFA in the long term. Nick stressed that logging in the UBFA area should be entirely prohibited and should receive full support from the Sarawak government and the Forest Department. He condemned the actions of Borneoland and urged the authorities to take severe action against the company.
Additionally, Nick revealed that the Penan people were threatened with losing the opportunity to be appointed as tribal leaders, penghulu, Pemanca, or village heads if they cooperated with NGOs involved in the UBFA project. He condemned such political threats, labeling them as unhealthy and detrimental to the collective effort to protect the environment.
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