The Marudi Longhouse Residents Action Committee (formed in January 2009), is extremely concerned with the logging activities of Big Power Sdn. Bhd. which, since January 2009, has been affecting the Iban communities and their NCR land in Sungai Babi, Sungai Dabai and Sungai Setapang, Marudi.

Big Power Sdn Bhd's logging activities on the higher ground at the upper river of Sungai Pasir has caused sedimentation and pollution in the Sungai Pasir river. During the rainy season, the river waters are especially polluted. Kampung Sungai Babi's water catchment area is located at the upper river of Sungai Pasir.

Kampung Sungai Babi occupants reside at the downstream of the river. At Kampung Sungai Babi, approximately 36 families numbering more than 300 residents, use Sungai Pasir's water for consumption, washing and other daily household activities.

The increasing water pollution in Sungai Pasir is gravely harming the health and hygiene of these residents, many of whom are women and children.

Big Power Sdn Bhd's logging activities have also damaged the main road from the Sungai Pasir bridge to Lubok Nibong.

This road, which was previously tarred by the government, has since become a logging road, resulting in potholes and bumps that pose a danger to the daily public road users, including longhouse residents, families, teachers and children at the surroundings schools, including Sekolah Puyut, Sekolah Setapang, Sekolah Berit, Sekolah Lubok Nibong.

Big Power Sdn Bhd has also been loading and storing logs at the side of the main road, again jeopardising the safety of public road users from the surrounding villages including Kampung Sungai Babi, Kampung Puyut A and Kampung Puyut B, Kampung Sebatang, Kampung Berit, Kampung Muan, Kampung Logan Antasan, Kampung Logan Tunggak, Kampung Logan Kompeni, Kampung Padang Kerbau, Kampung Logan Seluai, Kampung Setapang (A, B, C and D), Kampung Melikat, Kampung Sengkabang (A and B), Kampung Linai and Kampung Belasui.

Big Power Sdn Bhd has also been trespassing onto the land of Kampung Sungai Babi residents by parking their lorries in the vicinity of the longhouse, specifically in the longhouse's basketball court which was built by the government. As a result, the children at the longhouse are unable to utilise the court.

As a result of Big Power Sdn Bhd's actions, the main road from Marudi to Lubuk Nibong as well as the road leading into Kampung Sungai Babi is now damaged.

Big Power Sdn Bhd's activities have gravely affected the lives of Kampung Sungai Babi longhouse residents.

Their encroachment of NCR land and logging activities display their disregard for the socio- economic wellbeing of citizens, families, women and children as well as teachers and students at the surrounding schools.

The committee calls upon the state government for immediate action on this issue as well as for Big Power Sdn Bhd to provide compensation to Kampung Sungai Babi residents.

The writer is chairperson, Marudi Longhouse Residents Action Committee. This letter, issued through Sahabat Alam Malaysia, is also signed by the secretary, Jampi Ak Onggang and committee member Chukong Ak Bunyou.