By Patrick Lee, Free Malaysia Today
PETALING JAYA: Sarawak timber giant Samling Global has denied stopping indigenous villagers from boarding its logging vehicles. "We did not threaten to suspend transport service or force the villagers to sign any statements," a Samling spokesperson said.
The company also questioned the credibility of Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) for quoting Long Ajeng village headman, Jawa Nyipa.
"We do not know Jawa Nyipa and have had no interactions with that village," the spokesperson told FMT.
According to BMF, indigenous communities were not allowed to board Samling's timber vehicles until they signed a statement confirming that they had retracted allegations of sex abuse against its workers.
Timber vehicles are the only means of transport for villagers in the deep interior.
However, the company has come up with a more stringent transport policy.
"This new policy requires villagers to make a formal request for transport services," the spokesperson said.
She said that passengers travelling on Samling's vehicles needed to be accompanied by their respective family members.
"In light of the recent sexual allegations, Samling has issued a stern memo to its staff," she said. She claimed that two such memos were issued in 2008 and 2010.
"We will hand over any employee found to be violating the law to the authorities."
"Samling has never stopped assisting the local communities where we operate," she added.
"But it appears that our efforts are always seen in the negative light," she said. She accused “vested parties of making baseless allegations”.
written by cheekhiaw, September 04, 2010 14:35:48
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written by Awang Hitam, September 04, 2010 12:32:52
How can abusers investigate the heinous crimes committed?
Samling, what have you done to the people of interior other than raping the forest and penan women? Denials Denials and you will be punished prior to your last breadth with a slow and painful feelings like that of the magnificent trees and women of Penans and Dayaks
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written by a guest, September 04, 2010 12:21:43
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written by lakian, September 04, 2010 11:54:41
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written by batsman, September 04, 2010 11:01:34
Can you doubt anymore that these dastardly rapes occured?
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if samling were to operate in png or africa, the locals would be termed "black people" by its staff -- pure racism. does samling have such drivers in sarawak?
samling, pemadang sinar etc etc .... they are all the same, they dont care that a tree is shelter, sustenance, protection to a host of things and creatures --- its just money to them.