KUCHING: The Sarawak Forest Department (FDS) has strongly dismissed allegations published on Nov 12 in articles titled ‘Sarawak Government Ducks Indigenous Activist in Japan’ on The Borneo Project and Bruno Manser Fonds websites.
FDS clarified in a statement today that its delegates accepted Osaka Metropolitan University’s (OMU) invitation to present papers on their research collaboration with the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Japan to lecturers, researchers, scientists, and students of OMU.
“This seminar was held in conjunction with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak government and OMU, Japan.
“The academic seminar on scientific research proceeded as scheduled on Nov 12 and was limited strictly to participation by lecturers, researchers, scientists, and students,” it said.
According to FDS, attempts by activists, including Lerroy Lemen from KERUAN, to register the seminar under the guise of the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN) were rejected by the Japanese organisers, as they were not students, lecturers, researchers, or scientists affiliated with OMU.
“Such attempts were clearly driven by an agenda to instigate the indigenous community by promoting allegations of deforestation — claims that were irrelevant to the academic and scientific nature of the seminar.
“As expected, the activists subsequently held a press conference merely to attract attention,” it said.
On the request to meet the FDS delegates on the issuance of a forest timber licence to Borneoland Timber Resources, FDS said that the matter is currently under judicial review in the High Court in Miri.
“Any further comment would amount to sub judice and could interfere with the court process,” it said.
FDS added that the native communities in Ulu Baram, through their community chiefs and headmen, have requested and strongly supported development efforts to meet their needs, including road connectivity, basic infrastructure, and sustainable development projects.
In addition, FDS denies the claim made by Lerroy Lemen of KERUAN that the event was called off at the last minute.
FDS also expressed dismay at the disparaging remarks by SAVE Rivers director Celine Lim, who said that “there is no merit for the Premier to receive this prestigious award”.
FDS calls on the relevant authorities to investigate this hate speech.
She made the remarks in the context of the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from Emperor of Japan to the Premier of Sarawak on Nov 11.
For the record, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his gratitude to the Japan-Malaysia Association for three decades of close cooperation.
Since 1995, this partnership has supported major forest restoration initiatives, community development programmes, and environmental education efforts across Sarawak, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability and a greener future.
“This seminar was held in conjunction with the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak government and OMU, Japan.
“The academic seminar on scientific research proceeded as scheduled on Nov 12 and was limited strictly to participation by lecturers, researchers, scientists, and students,” it said.
According to FDS, attempts by activists, including Lerroy Lemen from KERUAN, to register the seminar under the guise of the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN) were rejected by the Japanese organisers, as they were not students, lecturers, researchers, or scientists affiliated with OMU.
“Such attempts were clearly driven by an agenda to instigate the indigenous community by promoting allegations of deforestation — claims that were irrelevant to the academic and scientific nature of the seminar.
“As expected, the activists subsequently held a press conference merely to attract attention,” it said.
On the request to meet the FDS delegates on the issuance of a forest timber licence to Borneoland Timber Resources, FDS said that the matter is currently under judicial review in the High Court in Miri.
“Any further comment would amount to sub judice and could interfere with the court process,” it said.
FDS added that the native communities in Ulu Baram, through their community chiefs and headmen, have requested and strongly supported development efforts to meet their needs, including road connectivity, basic infrastructure, and sustainable development projects.
In addition, FDS denies the claim made by Lerroy Lemen of KERUAN that the event was called off at the last minute.
FDS also expressed dismay at the disparaging remarks by SAVE Rivers director Celine Lim, who said that “there is no merit for the Premier to receive this prestigious award”.
FDS calls on the relevant authorities to investigate this hate speech.
She made the remarks in the context of the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from Emperor of Japan to the Premier of Sarawak on Nov 11.
For the record, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his gratitude to the Japan-Malaysia Association for three decades of close cooperation.
Since 1995, this partnership has supported major forest restoration initiatives, community development programmes, and environmental education efforts across Sarawak, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability and a greener future.