Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Randau Khas - Ringkasan Empat Kes Mahkamah Penting Hari Ini
> Simon Siah, Peguam bagi SAVE Rivers - Percubaan Samling untuk Senyapkan Save Rivers melalui Tuduhan
> Nick Kelesau, jurucakap Keruan - Kampung Penan Menubuhkan Blokade di Ba Data Bila sebagai Protes terhadap Aktiviti Pembalakan oleh Samling
> Rosli dari Kampung Usaha Jaya Tukau Miri - Ancaman Pengusiran dan Pertikaian Mengenai Hak Milik Tanah di Kampung Usaha Jaya Tukau
> S. Arulchelvan, Timbalan Pengerusi PSM - Seruan untuk Bertindak Memandangkan 125 Kes Salah Laku Polis Belum Diselesaikan
On Today Show
> Special Randau – Briefing on Four Significant Court Cases Today
> Simon Siah, Counsel for SAVE Rivers – Samling's Attempt to Silence Save Rivers through Accusations
> Nick Kelesau, spokeperson of Keruan – Penan Village Set Blockade in Ba Data Bila to Protest Samling’s Logging Activities
> Rosli from Kampung Usaha Jaya Tukau Miri – Eviction Threat and Dispute Over Land Ownership in Kampung Usaha Jaya Tukau
> S.Arulchelvan, PSM deputy chairperson – Calls for Action as 125 Police Misconduct Cases Remain Unresolved
------------------------
Simon Siah, Counsel for SAVE Rivers
*Samling's Attempt to Silence Save Rivers through Accusations*
Today's trial involving Samling Company has been postponed for the fourth time, with plans to resume in September. Two of the delays were due to the judge's involvement in other criminal cases, while the other delay was a result of Samling claiming insufficient evidence and requesting additional documents. Simon Siah said that, Samling Company asserts that the accusations against Save Rivers are unfounded. They claim that they sell timber after logging to foreign markets and assert that they obtained consent from local communities during the logging process. However, the reality is that the logging operation took place in March 2020, during the outbreak of the pandemic, and Samling did not consult the affected communities or obtain their consent. During that period, the communities in the interior Baram were unaware of the events unfolding and did not approve of Samling's intrusion and logging activities. Save Rivers and The Gerenai Community Rights Action Committee (GCRAC) sent letters to Samling requesting an explanation, but Samling did not respond. Instead, they suggested that these NGOs inquire with the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC), which also failed to provide a formal response. As a result, Save Rivers sent a letter accusing Samling of encroaching upon customary lands in the interior Baram. However, Samling denies these allegations. He said that Samling Company has filed a lawsuit against Save Rivers and its board members, alleging that their intention is to silence individuals like Peter Kallang. This is known as a "SLAPP" (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). We want to make it clear that we will respond to this accusation through our defense.
Samling is suing SAVE Rivers for allegedly defamatory statements with regards to consultations of local communities in the context of the certification process under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme MTCS, endorsed by PEFC International. Samling is seeking an apology, an injunction stopping SAVE Rivers from reporting community claims, and damages in the sum of 5 million ringgit or 1.1 million US-Dollar — approximately 45 times SAVE Rivers’ annual budget.
-------------------------------
