A leading Sarawak NGO has refuted a senior government officer's allegation that some NGOs are using Penans to block logging roads to carry out illegal logging in Penan areas.

"We are shocked at such an allegation," said Miri-based Borneo Resources Institute Malaysia (Brimas) programme director Raymond Abin in responding to Miri Resident Ose Murang's claim on Tuesday of NGOs being involved in illegal logging within Penan areas.

"We're doubtful if there is any truth at all in the allegation," he added in a statement to malaysiakini.

Abin challenged the officer, an Orang Ulu, to name and reveal the identities of the NGOs.

According to him, Brimas is unaware of any NGOs involved in illegal logging activity in any of the Penan areas in Sarawak.

He said that over the past months, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation's (SFC) enforcement unit (Sapu) had made numerous arrests and confiscated timber logs from those involved in illegal logging all over Sarawak.

Baseless accusations

"It is, therefore, much to Brimas' surprise that Sapu has not made any arrest of the so-called NGOs involved in illegal logging," he said, adding that if the alleged illegal logging is within the Penan areas in upper Baram, will it be that simple for the logging trucks to haul and transport the timber logs over a distance of more than 200km of logging roads? '

If any, they were allowed to use the logging roads for transporting illegal timbers then that could be plot and conspiracy of those timber companies in upper Baram, he said.

Abin said State Attorney-General JC Fong as also made unfounded allegation that some NGOs and related groups are stealing or gaining control of natural resources for personal use or monetary gains and deprived government of timber royalty.

"Rather than making baseless allegations against NGOs, the AG should work closely with the SFC and relevant government law enforcement agencies to go all out after the logging culprits and wipe out organised illegal logging operators that are rampant and widespread in the state.'

Well-known Orang Ulu native land rights lawyer Baru Bian (right), meanwhile, said the Miri Resident's rather sweeping statement should have been accompanied by a revelation of the identities of the so-called NGOs said to be involved in illegal logging.

"If it is really true that some NGOs are really involved then it must be exposed because they are stealing timber and escaping paying timber royalties," he added.

Baru said it would not be fair not to name them as many good NGOs would be implicated.