Civil rights activist Siti Kasim brought to light the plight of the villagers from Kampung Bering, Pos Gob and Kampung Gawin recently on Facebook, after some of the villagers contacted her for help.
“This is Dolah from Kg Bering. Listen to his story on how the loggers tried to bribe them. Not just bribes, they even threatened violence on the villagers,” she wrote in her post, which contains photos of the logging camps.
“You cannot imagine their fear. They called me when they first received these bribes and wanted me to go in like ‘esok’ (tomorrow)…but obviously I can’t.
“Nevertheless, I have advised them (on) the necessary. I am glad I went there on my last trip because they were so fearful about what to do.”
Siti Kasim said the loggers had started to open new logging roads and shared living spaces for their workers, following their attempts to reach the unlogged forests of Gua Musang.
Having visited the area a number of times to look into the situation, Siti Kasim has attracted the attention of the loggers.
“Obviously I stuck out like a sore thumb,” she said.
“This morning Musa from Bering called and asked if they can give my phone number to them (the loggers). I said please do if they don’t know how to talk to the loggers.”
Siti Kasim said the loggers could not seem to understand the villagers’ refusal to let them build their logging roads.
“One of them asked me, why don’t they want the roads? After all they get to use these nice new roads also,” she said when contacted by FMT.
“No, I said, you’re the only ones using them. They (the Orang Asli) never asked for the roads. Obviously they weren’t too happy when I said that.”
Siti Kasim also disagreed with relocation for the villagers, saying that they had trouble sustaining themselves elsewhere.
Siti Kasim called on the public to donate food and money to help the villagers, as the blockades against the loggers currently occupying their time have left them less able to feed their families.
“You can donate in whatever form. Food that can last long such as ikan bilis (anchovies), rice, canned food and the like. You can also donate money wherein I will buy the things they need,” she said, adding that the public can message her on Facebook for details.