Home Civil Society Voices Timber company CEO lodged police report against NGO Save Rivers

Timber company CEO lodged police report against NGO Save Rivers

Indigenous communities from Gerenai in a protest - SAVE RIVERS

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

By Save Rivers

The board members of the civil society organisation Save Rivers were investigated by police based on a report made by the CEO of the Samling group of companies.

The investigation was open under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

In his police report, Samling’s CEO, Lawrence Chua Kee Long, accused Save Rivers of spamming him on his official email address with 5,700 emails. The emails were petitioning him to withdraw Samling’s legal suit against Save Rivers and its board of directors, which was filed by the company against the grassroots organisation in 2021.

The second item included in the police report was the presence of a crowd at the premise of the Miri High Court building on 15 May 2023, the day the legal suit was supposed to have been heard but was postponed for the fourth time.

For giving their statement to the police on 11 August, the four members of Save Rivers board of directors – Peter Kallang, Thomas Jalong, Mark Bujang and Caroline Nyurang – were accompanied by their lawyer, Simon Siah. Each one had the statement given separately and the session for Peter Kallang, took almost two hours. Arriving at 10am, the group left at 1.30pm, after the proceeding was completed.

There were a number of supporters who also arrived at the police station to give their moral support for the civil society group. However, they were stopped at the gate by the police and not allowed to enter the station’s premises.

READ MORE:  Sarawak deputy premier welcomes health reform proposal from local NGOs

When asked by the affected community members, Caroline Nyurang said: “It’s disheartening to be wrongfully implicated for something where we had no involvement. It is a waste of our time and the police resources.”

However, all four of the directors were pleased with the way the investigation was being carried out. In commenting, Mark Bujang said: “The police were courteous towards us and we were equally cooperative in giving our statements.”

The police report by Samling’s CEO against Save Rivers is the latest development after the company sued the NGO in 2021 for defamation. The lawsuit, initiated by Samling is regarding a number of subjects featured on Save Rivers’ website, which the company claimed as offensive and false.

On the other hand, the NGO claimed the articles referred to are based on the company’s actual operation practices at the Gerenai forest management unit, as verified by members of the Ulu Baram communities affected. The Gerenai forest management unit is certified as sustainable by the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS).

The court case initiated by Samling against Save Rivers is now scheduled for 18-20 September. – Save Rivers

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x