On Today Show
— Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers Networks – Sarawak Government Denies Illegal Logging Allegations Despite Mounting Evidence
— James from the Baram Keruan Association – Logging Trucks Still Rolling: Evidence of Active Logging in Ulu Baram Amid Government Denials
— Yusri Ahon of Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Expanding Plantations in Krau Forest Reserve Endanger Traditional Livelihoods

Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Celine Lim, Pengarah Urusan Save Rivers Networks – Kerajaan Sarawak Menafikan Tuduhan Pembalakan Haram Walaupun Bukti Semakin Bertambah
— James dari Persatuan Keruan Baram – Lori Balak Masih Bergerak: Bukti Pembalakan Aktif di Ulu Baram di Sebalik Penafian Kerajaan
— Yusri Ahon dari Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Peluasan Ladang di Hutan Simpan Krau Mengancam Kehidupan Tradisional

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Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers Networks
*Sarawak Government Denies Illegal Logging Allegations Despite Mounting Evidence*
The Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) has reported, with photo evidence, massive logging in the Ba Data Bila Penan village area in Hulu Baram. This area is part of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA), which is being developed as a forest conservation area for long-term community benefits. The UBFA is a collaborative program involving international parties, the Malaysian and Sarawak governments, and the local NGO Save Rivers Network.
The logging activity, as referred to by BMF, is being conducted by billionaire Hii King Chiong through the company Borneoland Timber. Hii is linked as a crony of former Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. A day after the BMF media statement, the Sarawak government, through Sarawak Forest Department Director Datuk Hamden Mohammad, declared the BMF's claims false. According to the Sarawak government, the activity is a joint venture to build houses, roads, bridges, and provide truck delivery services for Penan children to attend school. The previously concessioned timber company has been replaced by a new company created by the Sarawak government with the consent of the Penan people.
Celine Lim expressed surprise at the Sarawak government's statement through the director of the Forest Department. She questioned why stakeholders and the Penan community, who are part of the UBFA steering committee, were not informed. A few months ago, Save Rivers Network wrote an official letter to the forest department and the Sarawak king seeking an explanation. Lim criticized the government's preference for communicating through media statements rather than directly with the concerned parties. She emphasized that the Sarawak government's unilateral actions, portraying their approach as the most correct, are opposed by the Penan. The current actions did not go through the UBFA committee.
On June 8, 2024, Sarawak Premier Johari Openg stated that there is no more "log politics" in Sarawak and that the state is moving towards a green economy, committing not to cut down forests. He claimed that Sarawak would maintain 62% of its forests by operating 26 Forest Management Units (FMUs) covering 2.38 million hectares through sustainable certification, along with 7 forest management units spanning 97,966 hectares. However, only a month after this statement, Sarawak employed new tactics to justify logging in the UBFA protected forest area. According to Nick Kelesau on the RFS broadcast, only one family of Penan village head Ba Data Bila-Sedin Laeng agreed to the logging, yet the Sarawak government claimed unanimous community agreement.
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