PKR Baram supports protest by Penans against logging in Sela’an

MIRI (Aug 29): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Baram supports the group of Penan representatives protesting against logging in Sela’an, Ulu Baram.

In a statement yesterday, its information head Dennis Along said the protest was the right way to voice their objections to logging activities and the violation of their customary rights land besides bringing the case to the court.

The group has handed over a memorandum to the Sarawak government and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Dennis urged all parties to cooperate with Suhakam and the relevant government department when the investigation is carried out later.

“The well-being of the Baram community is the priority of all parties in resolving issues affecting the Penan community in Ulu Sela’an, Ulu Baram, Sarawak,” the statement added.

On August 27, a group of Penans delivered a petition with over 500 signatures to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to demand an immediate halt to logging in the upper Baram River basin.

They handed over the petition after the opening of the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration 2024 here.

According to a press statement issued by a group of non-governmental organisations, it was also given to the director of Sarawak Forests Datu Hamden Mohammad and Ramon Carrillo of the International Tropical Timber Organisation.