Indigenous communities allege oil palm expansion without consent, deforestation, and environmental harm
BELAGA, SARAWAK – Indigenous Penan and Kenyah communities from the Upper Belaga River have lodged a formal complaint against Urun Plantations Sdn. Bhd., alleging violations of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards. The complaint, supported by detailed evidence, highlights serious concerns about land rights, lack of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and environmental destruction tied to the company’s oil palm operations.
The communities assert that Urun Plantations has rapidly cleared forest for new oil palm plantations, in violation of environmental standards and without proper FPIC from impacted residents. While some village leaders have expressed support, community members report that a majority of residents from 9 out of 15 villages in the area firmly oppose the recent rapid expansion. They claim that only the JKKK was consulted, not the broader community.
“We never gave our consent to JKKK to give our land to the company. Our forest is our life, and they are taking it without our permission. JKKK have no power to sell our land just like that” said Veronica Bungan Ta, a community representative from Uma Pawa.
Residents have requested that the company exclude their customary land from planting zones and erected blockades in protest. These blockades were dismantled with police assistance, and several villagers were arrested as a result. The company, in its public narrative and legal filings, has claimed that opposition comes from just one family — a claim widely rejected by Long Urun residents.
“There are nine villages represented at the blockade every day. To say this is only the sentiment of one community is a gross misrepresentation and manipulation,” said Benard Luat, another community representative from Uma Labang.
The communities also question the company’s compliance with MSPO environmental criteria. They report:
- Recent clearing of natural forest to plant oil palm, which may violate the MSPO’s deforestation cut-off date of 31 December 2019.
- Planting too close to rivers without the required buffer zones.
- Lack of proper infrastructure like bridges for heavy vehicles.
- Damage to river ecosystems.
- Frequent landslides caused by clearing steep terrain.
Satellite images support claims of new deforestation well beyond the existing plantation boundaries:
Community members report that verbal agreements reached during negotiations were not honored. For example, Urun Plantations failed to conduct a joint survey of watershed areas before clearing land in the watershed — despite promising to do so. The maps provided to communities are incomplete, and no publicly accessible shapefiles of plantation boundaries have been shared.
“We want development that respects our rights and protects the environment. This is not that,” added Veronica Bungan Ta.
The communities are urging MSPO and the relevant authorities to investigate these violations, suspend certification until issues are resolved, and ensure that the company respects Indigenous land rights and environmental standards.