MALCOLM Mussen (BN-Batang Ai) hopes that the Forests Bill, 2015 will not affect those who are dependent on forest products to earn an income.
He said rural folks depend on farming, fishing, and hunting in their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land should not be included under Section 37(4) or Section 90 of the proposed Forests Bill, 2015.
“The livelihood of the rural community is already tough on them when it comes to earning an income especially when price of agriculture produce are low.
“Though the Forests Bill, 2015 can improve and strengthen forest management, it is hoped that this does not affect the livelihood of the natives in rural areas,” he told a press conference held at the Media Room of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dennis Ngau (BN-Telang Usan) proposed that logs seized from illegal loggers be distributed to nearby longhouse residents for them to repair their homes.
Citing his longhouse in Long Bedian as an example, he said the elderly villagers there no longer have the strength to explore the forest to find materials that could be used to fix their homes and could not buy sawn timber as it was too costly.
“Therefore, if it is possible, the seized logs should be given to the villagers.
“If not, I suggest that the nearby longhouses be given the opportunity to choose and obtain suitable logs which can be made into community boats specially used for villages which do not have road access,” he told reporters at the same press conference.
He added villagers had previously requested him to ask logging companies to donate their discarded timber but their requests was denied.
“I see this as one of the opportunities to help the interior community by giving them a chance to repair their longhouse.”
Earlier, Dennis also debated in the Forests Bill, 2015 where he also proposed that knowledge on customs at longhouses should be included as one of the factors required by all workers of logging companies.
He also suggested that community leaders or village development and security committee (JKKK) be given access on the list of workers at nearby logging camps if needed.
Dennis also hoped that the rural folks particularly owners of NCR lands are given the freedom to fell trees in their land under the Forests Bill, 2015.
“The felling of trees in their own NCR land should not be a offense for the owners especially when it can be used as construction materials as long as the logs are not sold.
If a license is still required to harvest timber from NCR land, priority should be given to landowners and not individuals who had no connection to the area.