(MIRI, March 24, 2026) – Residents of Sawa Ali are calling for urgent action to stop logging activities by Borneoland Timber Resources (BTR) in Block 24, a community forest reserve that serves as their primary source of livelihood.
Sawa Ali Village Head, Ipa Ulai, said the logging operations not only violate the community’s rights but also threaten an area that has long been preserved as their traditional forest reserve.
“Block 24 is not just a forest—it is our source of life, passed down through generations. When this area is disturbed, our entire way of life is affected. If our rights are not respected, our community will face direct impacts on our water supply, food sources, and daily living,” he said.
He explained that Block 24 has long been safeguarded by the community as a vital area providing water, food, traditional medicines, and building materials. “However, since late 2025, the company has entered the area and turned it into an operational route, raising serious concerns among residents. “This led to a meeting on January 11, 2026, involving company representatives, the Sarawak Forest Department, local leaders, as well as representatives from the Sawa Ali and Muboi communities to address the encroachment in Block 24,” he added.
During the meeting, the company, through its manager, agreed to expand the Sawa Ali community area to include Blocks 25 and 26, and to allow the community to carry out a survey in preparation for the handover. The company also pledged to provide a boundary map upon completion of the survey to ensure the community’s rights are respected.
However, at the same time, the company claimed it had obtained approval from the Sarawak Forest Department to operate in Block 24, a claim that clearly conflicts with the community’s rights. To date, BTR has yet to fulfil its promise to provide the boundary map, while logging activities in Block 24 continue and the promised compensation has not been delivered.
“We were informed that we would receive compensation and a boundary map, but until today nothing has been given. This is deeply disappointing and suggests that our rights are being disregarded,” Ipa said. At the same time, an agreement concerning boundary demarcation was reportedly made between the company and several other leaders without transparent consultation with Sawa Ali residents.
The agreement not only contradicts the outcome of the earlier meeting but also labels the Sawa Ali community as temporary settlers. “We are not temporary residents. We have lived here for a long time and depend on this land. Such claims are unjust and deny our rights,” he stressed.
Residents are also concerned that operations may be extended into Blocks 25 and 26, given that earlier promises have not been honoured. Considering this, the Sawa Ali community is urging the authorities to take immediate action by halting all logging activities in Block 24, enforcing strict control over Blocks 25 and 26, conducting a thorough investigation into the company’s actions, and fully recognising and protecting the community’s rights over the area.
“We want our rights to be respected and our forest to be protected. Immediate action must be taken before the situation worsens,” he added.
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