SIBU: A group of villagers from Sungai Pranan in Poi, Kanowit are to sue a sub-contractor of a timber company for illegally felling 233 Red Meranti trees.
Village headman Tuai Rumah Meruda Ajang said they had consulted their legal advisor Abdul Raafidim on the matter.
“Since the sub-contractor has remained silent on our demand for RM300,000 for felling the trees without our consent and knowledge, we have no choice but to proceed with legal action,” he told a press conference yesterday morning.
Accompanying him were several villagers of the 37-door Rumah Meruda Sungai and PKR Lanang Division chief George Chen.
Meruda said the alleged encroachment was noticed by a villager hunting for wild boar on June 23.
He said a police report was lodged against the sub-contractor on June 26, followed by another report with the Forestry Department.
“Officials from the Forestry Department later visited the site and said the land was our `temuda’ and that we had the right to defend our property,” he added.
Meruda said the fact that the Forestry Department refused to allow the sub-contractor to remove the logs was proof the company had no licence to fell the logs.
He said they want the company to compensate them for the trees felled.
“However, they turned a deaf ear to our demand and we have no choice but to proceed with the legal suit.”
SIBU: A group of villagers from Sungai Pranan in Poi, Kanowit are to sue a sub-contractor of a timber company for illegally felling 233 Red Meranti trees.
Village headman Tuai Rumah Meruda Ajang said they had consulted their legal advisor Abdul Raafidim on the matter.
“Since the sub-contractor has remained silent on our demand for RM300,000 for felling the trees without our consent and knowledge, we have no choice but to proceed with legal action,” he told a press conference yesterday morning.
Accompanying him were several villagers of the 37-door Rumah Meruda Sungai and PKR Lanang Division chief George Chen.
Meruda said the alleged encroachment was noticed by a villager hunting for wild boar on June 23.
He said a police report was lodged against the sub-contractor on June 26, followed by another report with the Forestry Department.
“Officials from the Forestry Department later visited the site and said the land was our `temuda’ and that we had the right to defend our property,” he added.
Meruda said the fact that the Forestry Department refused to allow the sub-contractor to remove the logs was proof the company had no licence to fell the logs.
He said they want the company to compensate them for the trees felled.
“However, they turned a deaf ear to our demand and we have no choice but to proceed with the legal suit.”