SFC urges public to avoid speculation over eviction operations in Similajau National Park

2 months ago 17

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SIMILAJAU: The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has urged the public to refrain from making speculative comments regarding a recent joint enforcement operation carried out by several government agencies in Similajau National Park.

SFC said that certain parties have been spreading incendiary claims, accusing the government of inhumane actions in evicting villagers from the area.

The operation, led by SFC and coordinated by the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) with support from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), the Land and Survey Department (JTS), the Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers (SAGC), as well as the Resident’s Office and District Office of Bintulu, was undertaken due to long-standing encroachments in Similajau National Park Extension 1, which have persisted since 2004.

“This issue has been ongoing since 2004, involving illegal activities such as illegal logging, land clearing for agriculture, and the construction of unauthorised structures, including residences within the national park.

“Many of the individuals residing there are foreign nationals employed as workers on illegally developed palm oil plantations.

“Over the past 20 years, numerous efforts have been made by both the Sarawak Forest Department and SFC to combat these illegal encroachments,” SFC explained.

SFC added that the current operation followed a court-issued eviction warrant, granting legal authority to remove those occupying the national park unlawfully.

The eviction process was also carried out in accordance with existing powers under the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998.

“Entering a national park without the permission of the Controller of National Parks and Nature Reserves is a violation of the ordinance,” SFC noted.

Similajau National Park spans 7,064 hectares and was gazetted in 1976. Similajau National Park Extension 1 was subsequently gazetted on Feb 17, 2000, initially as part of the Similajau Forest Reserve, which had been designated as a protected area on Dec 1, 1959.

The park’s boundary demarcation was completed and verified by the Land and Survey Department in 2018.