Rolland (centre) together with his clients (from left) Peter, Laing, Lihan and Luhat at the Marudi magistrate’s court.
MARUDI: Four villagers from Long Bedian were charged in a magistrate’s court here yesterday with wrongfully restraining a logging contractor.
Lihan Ngo, Peter Awing, Laing Elum and Luhat Anyi are accused of committing the offence under Section 341 of the Penal Code, with carries a jail term of up to one month, fine of up to RM1,000, or both if convicted.
Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa fixed Feb 25 for pre-trial case management and allowed the accused bail of RM1,000 each with one surety.
The four are accused of wrongfully restraining a contractor working for a company extracting timber from an area which they claim to be their native customary rights (NCR) land.
They are represented by counsel Rolland Engan.
Meanwhile, two other villagers – former Pemanca Lennon Laing Jok and Robin Jok Jau – charged earlier with committing the same offence had their case mentioned yesterday.
Rolland, who is also representing the duo, sought for a new date pending his letter of representation to be forwarded to the deputy public prosecutor.
Zuraini granted his request and fixed Feb 25 for pre-trial case management.
Inspector Mohd Khairi Mohd Noor prosecuted.