CLANDESTINE ACTIVITY: Henry shows the name list of those allegedly involved in the illegal harvesting.
SIBU: The authorities are urged to take immediate action against those owners of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land who allegedly harvest mature oil palm fruits on their own in Dijih Plantation in Selangau.
Dijih Plantation area development committee chairman Henry Ibat Lidang alleged they were the participants of the joint-venture oil palm project between Palm Raya Sdn Bhd, Land Custody and Development Authority, and NCR landowners.
“They have violated the rules and regulations of the joint-venture,” he said when met here yesterday.
According to Henry, 797 NCR landowners from 40 longhouses in Selangau area are involved in the project that started in 1997.
He alleged the harvesting started in January involving some 54 landowners.
Henry claimed there were also blockades mounted by the landowners.
“Some 24 of them removed their blockade after a series of negotiations and payment of second dividend last month.
“Thirty others have refused to give in,” he said.
Since January, the plantation has suffered losses of about 500 metric tonnes in oil palm fruit collection due to the individual harvesting, he said.
He said they had lodged a few police reports and informed the authority about the matter.
Henry noted police had come four times to monitor the situation at the plantation.
“But so far, no action has been taken against any of those involved in the illegal activity,” he said.
The committee has conducted a series of meeting to find a solution to the problem besides forming a special committee comprising 20 members.
“We are worried the activity will be more rampant and serious if there is no immediate action,” he said.