Country Report

Landgrabbing, Deforestation and Environmental Threats:

Community Response in Sarawak

Plantation Development in Permanent Forest Estates

Threats Faced by Communities to their Lands, Forests, Water & Territory

1970s - present• Logging• Mega HEP dams • Large-scale commercial plantations (oil palm, tree plantation,etc. 3- 4 million ha.• Conservation (National Parks, wildlife reserves, - 1 million ha.• Permanent Forest Estates (protected forests, forest reserves)• Mining (Coal, sand, limestone quarrying, etc)

Additional & New Threats

SCORE- Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy• Sustainable Hydro Electric Power

(7000MW – 2020 & 20000MW - 2030 Cheap, Clean and Renewable Energy to

justify development of mega HEP dams;

Green Economy – Increase of permanent forest estates & conservation areas;

What are the Issues Involved

Landgrabbing and increasing land disputes

Violations of human rights or IP rights

Violations of customary rights to lands, territories and resources;

Rapid deforestation and loss of forest and riverine resources;

Environmental destructions and problems;

Issues Involved...continue

Abuse of power; Social conflicts and increased

violence including killings; Corruption Increased interference in the

indigenous traditional institutions and governance;

Harassment, intimidations and perverse incentives;

Customary lands and forests submerged by Bakun HEP Dam Reservoir

Loss of livelihood, cultural and historical heritage

Impacts of Bakun HEP Dam & Reservoir(size of S’pore)

Floating place of worship Floating House within a lost territory

Community Resonse and Actions Taken:-

1.Formed action commitees at community and area level

2.Formed peoples’ or communities networks at provincial and national level

3.Held dialogues and meetings at village level and among villages;

4.Organised and participated in awareness building programs (seminars, workshops, roadshows, community exchange visits, etc.)

Response and Actions Taken....5.Community empowerment programs (para-legal training, etc)6.Networking with other concerned groups/CSOs at state, national, international levels;7.Letters, petitions and memoranda to NHRIs, relevant authorities, political representatives, etc; 8.Lodge Police Reports;9.Reject or outright objection against any SEIA studies relating to such projects;10.Requested for dialogues with community and political

Traditional Offering ceremony by villagers during protest vs plantation

WWW

Indigneous Peoples Protest at proposed Baram Dam site

Putting up banners and protest at the proposed access road to the dam site

Anti Dams Protest during the IHA Convention in Kuching,Sarawak

Street Rally against the Mega Dams in Kuching, heading towards the IHA Venue

Response and Actions Taken......

11.Blockades and protests at proposed project sites;12.Demo and or protests during specific events;13.File legal suits in civil courts – almost 300 cases14.Press Conferences and media statements to highlight ;15.Lobby and advocacy in the UN system and processes;16.Track source of finance or lending institutions;

Response and Actions Taken....

1. Lobby against foreign consultants involvement in such controversial projects;

2. Name and shame;3. Election issue – support and campaign for

political party and candidates to demand for policy change;

Current and New Challenges

• State’s development plans and policies;• Repressive Laws (POTA; SOSMA, etc)• Legal action by company against protesters;• Regional (ASEAN) economic development;• Corruption;• Foreign direct Investment;• Huge influx of immigrant workers;• Unemployment and rising cost of living

Positive Developments for Local and Global Actions:-

• UNDRIPs;• Civil Courts’ decision favouring Native Customary

Rights to Lands (individual & communal);• CBD;• Promotion of social forestry, ICCAs;• Social & Environmental Safeguards in IFIs;• HR Guiding Principles for Business;• ICJ for environmental and HR abuses/violations;

2.

Maintaining Struggle and Moving Forward???

Regular meetings and contacts among members whether informal or formal;

Regular visits to communities esp in affected areas or about to be affected areas;

Sharing information and alerts/updates among members and others through social media (whatsapp, FB, etc)

The need to Create or set up information channels like community radio to reach out to remote villages.

Community Conserved Forest & River

Food & Protein from nature

Promote community-based conservation initiatives (ICCAs, etc)

Promote alternative development models and community-driven development initiatives that are environment friendly and culturally appropriate. (for e.g; micro-hydro, solar power system, income-generating projects).

Provide or facilitate relevant leadership, organisational and other skills training for IP communities;

Hold/organise seasonal, periodic or annual inter-villages or inter-communities socio-cultural events at district and or state-level