‘The letter to Salcra chairman was given without our consent’

Posted on September 18, 2012, Tuesday

MIRI: The letter of consent to Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu was given without prior discussion with the people in Apoh.

But the letter seemed to indicate that these people had fully agreed for Salcra to develop native customary rights (NCR) land in the Apoh area into oil palm plantations.

Chief advisor William Anyie Jok of Kampong Long Atip, Apoh, Baram Advisory Council told The Borneo Post this after a meeting with council members yesterday.

The consent letter was given to Jabu by Baya Lenjau from Kampung Long Watt, William further revealed.

“We came to know this from feedback we got from some people from Long Atip who joined a study tour to Kuching recently.

“The act of giving this letter of consent by Baya Lenjau is regarded as a ‘crime committed’ or offence against the majority of people in Apoh Baram.

“No prior consent was obtained from the people of Apoh before it was given to Tan Sri Jabu,” he reiterated.

He said it showed total disregard for the feelings and wishes of the majority of people in the area, and the council representing the community of Kampung Long Atip would be making a police report on this matter in Miri today (Sept 18).

Responding to news report in the print and electronic media, William said the community was not happy with Salcra’s claim that they had agreed to participate in developing Apoh NCR land into oil palm plantations.

Salcra claimed that about 20,000 ha of land in the area had been approved for development into oil palm plantations.

William said the misleading statement was made during a dinner to honour about 100 participants from Apoh Baram on a recent study tour to Kuching organised by Salcra.

“We residents of Kampong Long Atip wish to make it clear that we are not in agreement with this misleading statement.

“However, if other longhouses along the Apoh River – namely Long Bedian, Long Watt, Long Bemang and Long Buang — agreed to this statement made by Salcra, then that is their own choice,” he added.

William stressed that Kampong Long Atip was not a party to this statement. Furthermore they did not support Salcra’s wish to develop their NCR lands in Long Atip into oil palm plantations.

<< Previous Entry - Next Entry >>