VILLAGERS HOLD DEMONSTRATION OVER ILLEGAL LOGGING

KUCHING, Sept 21 -– Villagers of Kampung Semadang at the 38km Jalan Puncak Borneo near here held a peaceful demonstration to protest illegal logging activities on their communal land forest.
 
They also protested the use of the 2.5km Kampung Semadang-Kampung Danu Road by a logging
company to facilitate movement of its machineries and transportation of logs.

Village chief, Samson Mangang said during a meeting today, the village’s development and
security committee and the villagers unanimously agreed to protest any form of illegal logging in
the forest.

He said they would prevent any vehicle or machinery from the logging company from passing
through the road and encroaching their land.

He said that on Friday, two of the logging company's machineries was seen entering the  intended logging area, via the newly-built road.

"The road is built for the convenience of the villagers and not for logging purposes,” said Samson, adding that several land owners had given away their land for the construction of the road  without any compensation paid to them so far.

Samson said the transportation of logs passing through the road would damage the road and pose
danger to other road users and the villagers.

He said, the logging activities would also pollute the rivers around the area as well as causing air pollution.

A check with the Forestry Department confirmed that there was no licence issued for logging activities in the area.

Kampung Semadang headman Samson Mangang (centre) joining the villagers during the demonstration.

Meanwhile it is believed that enforcement officers has questioned those individuals involved in brokering the logging activities.

At today's meeting the villagers also unanimously agreed to write to the State Land and Survey Department to stop the approval of the land area for the proposed Kampung Danu Palm Oil
Plantation as there are land disputes within the proposed plantation's area.

"We had discovered that quite a large area of our communal land are being encroached for the proposed oil palm plantation and we want to settle the matter first before the Land and Survey
can grant the approval," said Samson.
 

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Australian students stayed with Danu Villagestay

A group of eleven Australian students who are on their 6-month study programme at Swinburne University Sarawak Campus spent three days two nights with Danu Villagestay in Kampung Danu, Padawan last weekend.

During their stay here varoius fun-filled activities and tours were arranged to keep them busy and occupied whole day long.

On the first day they visited Kampung Annah Rais Longhouse and the hotspring near the longhouse.

Upon returning from the longhouse trip they went swimming in the upper Sarawak River.

In the evening they were served with the traditional local signature dishes - the famous bamboo rice and bamboo chicken.

Some of the vegetables served are from our own farm and some are collected from the surrounding jungle.

At night they entertained themselves with karaoke.

On the second day they visited the Keyu Cave situated about 30-minute walk from Kampung Danu and bathed at a nearby waterfall.

Along their way they had the chance to spot the flora and fauna, enjoy the beauty of the tropical rainforest, learn the traditional way of survival skill in the jungle, identify the herbs and its usage in natural healing,

birds and wildlife watching and feel the calm in the jungle.

At night the group travelled to Kampung Semadang (nearby village) to attend the closing of Gawai Festival (harvest festival) where they had the opportunity to see for themselves the Gawai rituals.














They were served with food and drinks and also joined the traditional Bidayuh dance and poco-poco.  

They also had the opportunity to learn how to cook bamboo rice and bamboo chicken from their host, Robert Kenneth and his wife. They were also served with other local sumptuous dishes.

"It taste sweet, juicy and tasty - simply delicious," said Jessica McDonnell, who came from Lockhart, New South Wales.

She said the rice wrapped in leave and the 'buah cempedak masak lemak' was delicious.

"I also like the pumpkin, it is delicious," she commented.

They also had a barbicue where they for the first time tasted the pig face barbicue (head).

"It's crispy and delicious," they commented.









 "Overall we enjoyed the activities and the tours. We will definitely tell our experience to my family members and friends back home in Australia,"  they all said.

Jessica said she also intend to bring along his family members to visit Sarawak in the future.

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In conjuction with the upcoming Padawan Raft Safari on August 3, several homestay along the Jalan Puncak Borneo are offering special rates for their rooms.

Tourists as well as the locals can experience night-life at Kampung Danu, Kampung Annah Rais and Kampung Temurang on Aug 2 where there will be cultural show and traditional food and drinks served.

The operator of a village stay in Kampung Danu - Danu Villagestay - where the raft safari will start, Robert Kenneth said his homestay is offering a very special price at only RM60 per room or RM20 per person per night.

He said his guests will have free use of karaoke and BBQ set.

For book, contact Robert Kenneth at 013 2036553 or email to
lcmediapoint@gmail.com.  (note: the first letter is L).

The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has announced at a press conference here recently that some 200 teams are expected at the Padawan Raft Safari 2014 to be flagged off at three starting points, namely Kampung Annah Rais, Kampung Temurang and Kampung Danu on Aug 3.


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Danu Village Stay is the ultimate in "meet-the-people" experience

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Foreign tourists in front of Danu Village Stay. Danu Village Stay Danu Village Stay is an accommodation in the Bidayuh village - Kampung Danu at the Borneo Highlands Road Road to cater for both local foreign visitors. Guests at the village stay will have the opportunity to experience the real Bidayuh way of life.
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The Bidayuh are one of 36 ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. The Bidayuh are extremely hospitable and friendly people and visiting them in their village is an excellent way to immerse yourself in their Bidayuh culture.Guests will have the opportunity to experience the local foods, local customs and the lifestyle of the local people. Among the activities for the guests to choose from are visit a local traditional longhouse, participate in farming activties, visit to caves, visit to the waterfall, jungle trekking, long boat cruise along the Sarawak River and kayaking.

The villagers are warm, welcoming and appreciative of visitors interest in seeing how they live."Whichever option our guests choose, we promise them a memorable time - one which only a handful of tourists will ever experience," said the operator of the village stay Robert Kenneth. At Danu Village Stay, he said guests will stay in their own bedroom and they will find complete peacefulness while learning the village’s life of the Bidayuh enthic group.

"We also have jungle house in the rainforest, a farm where we grow pepper, vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and cocoa. We also have eight fish ponds," said Robert.He said although his guests will be staying in a traditional village environment, modern facilities are provided for them as the village stay is equipped with clean flush toilets, clean bedrooms, ceiling fan, clean kitchen, pipe water and reliable electricity supply.

The host will also arrange to pick their guests from the airport (Kuching International Airport) or the city area. "Staying in our village home also helps the village community as part of the rate goes directly back to the village to help fund the village upkeep," said Robert .The Borneo Highlands is a popular destination with stunning views of the beautiful rainforest, mountains and Bidayuh villages along your way to Danu Village Stay.

Beautiful pebble field in the Sarawak River at Kampung Danu.

About Danu Village

Danu Village is one of the Bidayuh villages in the Bidayuh heartland of Borneo along the Borneo Highlands Road, about 55km from Kuching City the capital city of Sarawak in Malaysia.The village is home to 60 families with about 400 people. To go to the village one need to cross a suspension bridge spanning over Sarawak River.Sited along the Sarawak River, the village boasts a beautiful landscape, making it an interesting spot for tourism.

A lot of activities can be organised for visitors here. They can go rafting, boat cruise, kayaking, fishing, jungle trekking and visit to the nearby caves and waterfall.During the dry season, a huge pebble sand field occupying the entire width of the river comes into view and is a perfect place for picnics. One can walk around the village garden and enjoy the river view from benches at the edge of the garden and visit the cultural/ceremonial house.



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UNIMAS students joined Gawai celebration in Kampung Danu

ONE FOR THE ALBUM ...Robert Kenneth (front, fourth from right)
and his wife with UNIMAS students in front of the homestay 
in Kampung Danu.

A group of 17 Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) students were in Kampung Danua at Jalan Puncak Borneo on June 1, 2014 to celebrate Gawai Dayak with the village's folks.

The group stayed at Danu Village Stay, and they were also guests to the operator of the homestay Robert Kenneth.

During their two days one night stay at the village, they visited Gawai open house and attended the Gawai concert held at the village's playground.

They also joined the Bidayuh traditional dances and other activities. Robert said his homestay with five  rooms is now ready to receive guests. Charging a very reasonable rates, the homestay also have several packages to choose including visit to Annah Rais Longhouse, waterfall, caving, kayaking, longboat cruise, visit to pepper farm and jungle trekking. Visit the website: www.danuvillagestay.com for details.

Robert said in conjunction with the Padawan Raft Safari on August 3, the homestay is offering special room rates for guests/participants of the raft safari event. The JKKK of Kampung Danu has planned thier Gawai closing on June 2.    

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Elssey Lessianna wins first Dayung Sangon title

Elssey Lessianna Richard (C) was crowned as the winner
of the  Inaugural Dayung Sangon 2014 at the finale
held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association
multi-purpose hall  

KUCHING: 23-year-old student and part-time model Elssey Lessianna Richard eclipsed the competition when she was adjudged fairest of them all at the inaugural Dayung Sangon 2014 (Bidayuh beauty contest) on May 10, 2014.

Using poise and personality to her advantage, Elssey left 11 other contestants trailing behind at the event held in the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here last night.

The beauty from Kampung Pichin, Serian received RM3,000, a trophy and hampers from Nestle Products.

The first runner-up was Jacqualine Ayong, 20, a university student from Kampung Simpok, Padawan while administration clerk Iesha Bezzant, 23, of Kampung Taiee, Serian took the third prize.

Jacqualine and Iesha received RM2,000 and RM1,000, respectively, besides trophies and hampers.

The respective wives of state infrastructure and communications minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin and assistant public health minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil crowned the winners.

Nine consolation winners each received RM300 cash and hampers from Nestle Products. A total of 41 contestants participated in the preliminary round but only 12 were chosen for the final.

Manyin, who is DBNA chief advisor graced the event which was held in conjunction with this year's Gawai festival.

Besides the beauty contest, guests were also entertained to cultural performances by the Kampung Semban cultural troupe from Penrissen, and the cultural troupes of Biatah, Serian and Bau.

Themed 'Cultures in Diversity', the beauty pageant hopes to bring the various Bidayuh groups from Kuching, Bau, Serian, Lundu, Penrissen and the Padawan areas to demonstrate the uniqueness of each group via its costumes, language and even food.

"This competition is an important platform for the participants to groom their personality and build up their confidence and become ambassadors for the Bidayuh," said DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.

He said plans were underway to make the cultural activity an annual affair for inclusion in the state's tourism calendar. 

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Mawan to head TERAS originally formed to fight him

KUCHING: Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (pic) who is facing votes of no confidence from his Supreme Council members has quit the party to join the newly-formed Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) which was originally formed by a group of ex-SPDP leaders who he expelled to finish off his political career.

Joing him is Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) former assistant secretary-general Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh who also quit the party.

Others are Baram Member of Parliament, Anyie Ngau and eight SPDP assemblymen - Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Rosey Yunus and Paulus Palu Gumbang.

Three assemblymen from SUPP also followed Soon Koh's move. They are Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnicol Rayong (Engkilili).

An opposition assemblyman, George Lagong of the Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) also joined in TERAS.

Expecting to join them are Mas Gading MP Anthony Nogeh of SPDP, State Assemblyman Datuk Lee Khim Shin and Francis Hardin who are both from SUPP. Another SUPP MP Datuk Sri Richard Riot Jaem will hold a press conference today to announce his direction.

In a hastily-called press conference here yesterday, Mawan, who is also a senior minister in the State Cabinet and Member of Parliament for Saratok, said he quit because he had been "elbowed out" from SPDP.

Mawan, who had been the SPDP president since its formation in November 2002, said several leaders in the party were against the recent reinstatement of the membership of Entri, Nansian, Rosey and Paulus.

"The reason I brought them back was to strengthen the party with the common desire to serve and consolidate Barisan Nasional," he said.

He said his decision to quit should not be likened to a captain abandoning his ship but more to being a victim of mutiny.

"(As a captain) I have been thrown overboard," he said.

Mawan said they would apply to become a Barisan Nasional (BN) component party and believed Sarawak Chief Minister and State BN chairman, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, would have a formula to accept them even if there was resistance from SPDP or SUPP.

Meanwhile, Soon Koh, who had been at loggerheads with SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin, said he decided to quit SUPP after finding out that there was nothing forthcoming from the peace plan for the party
proposed by the BN top leadership.

"Because of the breakdown in the peace plan, we don't want to keep quarrelling and are tired of the squabblings, we have to go," he said.

Adenan, meanwhile, told reporters that he would comment on the matter after listening to the views of all those involved.

"I will let them have their say first and I will give my comments at an appropriate time," he said.

SPDP was founded in the wake of the de-registration of the Sarawak National Party in November 2002.

Meanwhile Teras was set up to accomodate the five dissenting and once partyless leaders – better known as G5 – who were expelled from SPDP by Mawan in 2011 for insubordination.
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12 beauties vying for the Dayung Sangon title

KUCHING: The judges are expected to have hard time in making their decision on who should be this year's Dayung Sangon (Bidayuh Beauty Pageant) as all the 12 finalists has the beautiful look.

"All of them are beautiful and I believe the highly integellent one will be picked to win the title," said Alvine Ling, a member of the organising committee.

The finalists are Elssey Lessiana Richard, Sandy Dominic, Iesha Dominic, Jesseni Lewi, Alvey John, Andrea Natalia Jaed, Dolly Charles Saches, Madelina Lija, Donna Sikanok, Elviana Temit, Jacqueline Ayong and
Bellynie Johnek @ Ayong.

They were picked from 41 contenders in the preliminary round held at Eastern Mall Supermarket, Siburan on May 26.

One of the three judges at the preliminary round Charlie Unggang said they had a difficult task in choosing the 12 finalists, but was quick to say that those were the best top 12 who deserved to enter the final round.

"I wish them all the best in the final and I believe the penal of judges will also have their difficult time in choosing the top three winners as they are all beautiful," said Charlie.

The finale will be held on May 10 at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here, starting at 6.30 pm.

The organising committte in the last meeting chaired by DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik has agreed to raise the amount of prizes for the nine consolation prize winners from RM200 each to RM300.
There will be nine consolation prize winners.

The "Dayung Sangon" will walk away with RM3,000 cash prize while the first and second runner-up will receive RM2,000 and RM1,000 besides  trophies and hampers respectively.

The inaugural state level Dayung Sangon 2014 showcasing the unique and diverse Bidayuh groups in Sarawak is organised by DBNA in conjunction with this year's Gawai festival.

With the theme "Cultures In Diversity", the beauty pageant hopes to bring the various Bidayuhs groups from Kuching, Bau, Serian, Lundu, Penrissen dan Padawan area to demonstrate the uniqueness of each group
through its costume, language and even food.

This competition is an important platform for the participants to groom their personality and build their confidence and become the ambassadors for the Bidayuh.

There was plan to make this cultural activity an annual affair to be included in the state's tourism calender.

(Left side, from top to bottom: Donna Sikanok, Bellynie Johnek @ Ajong, Elssey Lessiana Richard, Iesha Bezzani, Jessenie Lewi and Sandy Dominic.

(Right side, from top to bottom: Alvey John, Andrea Natalia Jaed, Dolly Charles Saches, Elviana Tenit, Jacqueline Ayong and Madelina Lija.

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Masing wants new CM to ensure genuine power sharing

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Masing (pic) has sent out a message to upcoming Sarawak’s new chief minister to ensure genuine power sharing in the state’s administration.

Current Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has announced Special Functions Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) publicity chief Tan Sri Adenan Satem as Sarawak’s new and fifth chief minister.

Masing stressed that there must be genuine power sharing involving all races in the state because if not, the state Barisan Nasional (BN) would have problems in facing the 11th state election, with is due in June 2016.

“The Dayak community must be recognised, not just in terms of development but also in terms of power sharing.

“Do not sideline the Dayaks in these two areas because we are going to face a lot of educated Dayaks (in the election) and they know where they stand,'

He said the main hurdle BN was going to face in the next state election would be in the Dayak-majority seats.

“That’s why I am monitoring this (list),” said Masing, showing the list of the 29 Dayak-majority seats for the next state election.

Masing said there was a need to focus on the 29 seats in order for the state BN to continue winning the state election with a big majority.

PBB has the fixed deposit (27 seats) that you cannot touch, which are Muslim-majority areas while the Dayak community has 29 seats and these are where the attack will be from the opposition.

“We have to work harder because it is not going to be easy. There will be a lot of work to do in the next two years,” said the Sarawak Land Development Minister.

Masing also stressed on the need for BN component parties to be united,adding that he had full trust in Adenan with his intelligence and would be able to solve the conflict within two BN component parties in Sarawak – Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

He said the problem needed to be solved to enable BN to face the opposition with full strength in the next state election.

“All he (Adenan) needs to do now is to get the cooperation of all the various component parties.

“Tan Sri Adenan has the intelligence to do that, but intelligence must be translated into political reality. We have to be united and work harder because it is not going to be easy,” he added.

Sarawak has 71 state seats, of which 55 were won by BN in the last state election in 2011.

PBB won all the 35 seats it contested while SUPP only managed to win six out of 19 seats it contested, PRS won eight out of nine seats and SPDP won six out of eight seats they contested.

DAP contested in 15 seats and won 12, PKR contested in 49 seats and won three, while only one out of 41 Independent candidates won a seat.

PAS, Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) failed in their attempts to win any seat. 

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Adenan to retain cabinet members but make changes in various portfolios

Adenan Satem (left) hugs Abdul Taib Mahmud after PBB meeting.   

Sarawak Special Functions Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who will assume duties as the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak effective March 1, said the current state cabinet members will be retained.

However, he said, there would be a reshuffle in the various ministerial portfolios.

Adenan told a press conference that there was a need to maintain the spirit of team work in the state cabinet.

Nevertheless, he said would discuss the matter with the  cabinet members first, including the possibility of the deputy minister post previously vacated by Tan Sri Dr George Chan being filled again.

Pledging that he would become the chief minister for the people of all races, including those from the opposition parties, he said: "Even though we differ in political views, regard me as the chief minister for all because we are all Malaysians and Sarawakians."

When asked if his appointment, which was announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud last Wednesday, was due to his loyalty to his Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and the latter, he replied in jest: "Thank you for the compliments directed at me and I hope it will not make me big-headed."

On the challenges he expected to face upon assuming the leadership of the state government, Adenan said he would try to resolve the internal conflicts currently faced by two Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, namely the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

He said the internal conflicts being faced by SUPP and SPDP must be resolved before the 11th state election is held in 2016, adding that he have the formula for that but did want do reveal it at this point of time.

“I want to thank the people of Sarawak of all races and from all walk of life for their words of praise, messages of congratulations and prayers, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the chief minister (Taib) for their confidence in him,” said Adenan.

He also expressed his gratitude to state Tourism and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also PBB deputy president and Second Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also PBB senior vice-president, for supporting his appointment as the next chief minister.

He said following the support given by the two PBB leaders, he would ensure that there would not be any disunity or factions within PBB even though some outsiders would like to see the backbone of the state BN fragmented.

At the media conference in Kuching on Friday, Adenan, who was flanked by his two sons, Abdul Aziz, 47, and Azizul Annuar, 23, said his selection as the new chief minister was made after the PBB supreme council members at a meeting last Saturday gave Taib the mandate to choose his successor.

"He (Taib) did not want to do so but we (supreme council members) made him obliged to make his choice and thank you lah for choosing me," he said.

Prior to that, he said Taib had never openly informed him he would appoint him as his successor while his meeting with the former in Mecca while performing the umrah was a coincidence.

"I did not go there with him (Taib), I happened to meet him there. Actually I had intended to perform the umrah for a long time after I recovered from my illness," he said.

On his health, Adenan admitted he had fallen ill last year and was awarded at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur and Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore but had a clean bill of health now.

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Villagers stage demonstration to protest against illegal logging

A group of villages from 12 Bidayuh villages in Krokong and Tringgus in Bau District on Tuesday staged a peaceful demonstration to protest illegal logging activities in the forest of their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.

Villagers staging the demonstration near to the logging site.

The demonstrations led by Penghuhu Dihoi Nyawen and monitored by a police team.
"The demonstration joined by representatives from 12 villages was to show our protest against the illegal logging on our NCR land," said Dihoi.
This is the fourth intrusions in the forest area. The first was in 1998, followed by in 2000 and the third in 2011.
"The three previous intrusions was amicably resolved and the Forest Department even revoked the logging license given to the company in August 2012 but somehow there is another company that came to continue with the illegal activities," said Dihoi.
He said the latest intrusion was discovered on January 21, about 1.30 pm.
The police report was made by a member of the Kampung Tringgus Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Kenser Piyu at the Bau District Police Station on January 25.
Dihoi believed several local individuals are the mastermind of the illegal activities .
According to Dihoi, they have also checked with the State Forest Department Licensing Division and was informed that no timber licenses issued to any logging company and individual.
Dihoi said the 12 villages has also submitted memorandum the Forest Department last year to request the department not to allow their NCR to be turned into logging activities area.
"However up to now we have not receive any reply from the department.
"We strongly object to any form of logging activities in the forest which is our NCR land because it will pollute the environment and the rivers.
"This particular area is where the villagers hunt for animals for consumption and fishing. It is also tourism potential area," said Dihoi.
Meanwhile a police officer who led the police team at the scene of the demonstration confirmed that no untoward incidents occurred.
He also confirmed that the affected residents held a demonstration to protest logging activities on their NCR land.

Bengoh State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil urged the Sarawak Forest Department and the police to take immediate and firm action against the company and individual responsible for the illegal logging activities.

Dr Jerip who is Assistant Minister for Public Health also confirmed that the logging activities in the forest area was illegal.

"I have checked with the Forest Department and I was told that there was no license issued for any company to carry out logging in the forest area.
"Therefore, it is necessary for the enforcement agency (Forest department and police) to act quickly to stop the logging activities in the area," said Jerip.
According to Dr Jerip, residents from 12 villages protested logging activities in the forest of their NCR land because they did not want it to affect the forest area as it was where their source of food and income came from.
"They do not want the forest to be affected because there are rivers where they get their supply of fish and even a place for them to hunt animals.
"The river in the forest area will also be developed for Tagang System (fish breeding)," said Dr Jerip .
A group of villagers from 12 villages in the Krokong and Tringgus area on Tuesday staged a peaceful
demonstration to protest the logging activities.



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