Along, who died in Kuching on June 27 at the age of 57, was a “rare symbol of bravery, strong principles and sincerity”, said Miri MP Chiew Choon Man.
The PKR Youth vice-chief said Along was known throughout Baram as a “strong voice against injustice that did not waver in speaking up for the people or defending native customary rights”.
“He never budged an inch from his principles. He fought all the time for the rakyat,” he said in an Instagram post.
Despite suffering from kidney disease for years, Along was a leading voice in holding the Sarawak government and timber companies to account over the alienation of lands and issuing of timber and plantation licences.
Besides defending the people of Long Terawan in Baram against logging in their jungle land in 2011, Along was a key activist in the Baram dam protests in 2016, which resulted in the indefinite halt of the controversial project.
He also campaigned against logging activities around his native community area in Borsamulu, near the Gunung Mulu National Park.
Sarawak Report said not a march or protest in his area took place “without his galvanising presence and energy – rounding up folk, preparing banners and statements, and making sure the media are informed to cover the issues”.
In a Facebook post, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar mourned the loss of “another true warrior”.
“May his spirit be blessed and his struggle be a light for the coming generations,” she said.
Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad hailed Along as a “warrior who never wavered in defending native customary rights in Sarawak”.
In a letter to FMT yesterday, Baram PKR member Jau Jok @ Jenggo said Along was a “guardian of his people’s soul, a fierce protector of heritage, and a torchbearer for justice in the face of powerful silence”.
“For decades, Dennis stood tall with an unshakeable belief: that indigenous land is not a commodity to be traded, it is life itself. It is sacred.
“In honour of Dennis, we must choose a different path. We must ensure the rights of indigenous communities are not only recognised in words, but enforced in law, upheld in practice and defended with urgency,” he said.