By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 12: The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has urged the relevant authorities to investigate what it describes as “hate speech” directed at the Premier of Sarawak, as the department moved to firmly deny allegations made by Sarawak-based activists who travelled to Japan to confront its delegation.
In a statement today, FDS expressed particular concern over remarks made by SAVE Rivers director Celine Lim, who had reportedly said there was “no merit for the Premier to receive this prestigious award”, referring to the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star conferred on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg by the Emperor of Japan on Nov 11.
“FDS calls on the relevant authorities to investigate this hate speech,” the statement read.
FDS added that Abang Johari has conveyed his appreciation to the Japan-Malaysia Association for three decades of close cooperation.
“Since 1995, the partnership has supported major forest restoration efforts, community development programmes, and environmental education initiatives, reflecting Sarawak’s long-term commitment to sustainability and a greener future,” it said.
The department’s statement follows its categorical rejection the articles titled “Sarawak Government Ducks Indigenous Activist in Japan”, published on Nov 12 by The Borneo Project and the Bruno Manser Fonds, which it described misleading and driven by activist agendas.
According to FDS, its delegates were in Japan upon official invitation to present research papers to lecturers, researchers, scientists, and students of Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU).
The seminar, held in collaboration with the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Japan, was part of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak government and OMU.
FDS stressed that the academic session proceeded as scheduled on Nov 12 and was strictly limited to OMU-affiliated academics and students.
It said attempts by Sarawak activists, including Lerroy Lemen of KERUAN, to register under the name of the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN) were rejected by Japanese organisers because they were not part of the university’s academic community.
“These attempts were clearly driven by an agenda to instigate the indigenous community by promoting allegations of deforestation — claims irrelevant to the academic and scientific nature of the seminar,” FDS said, adding that the activists later held a separate press conference “merely to attract attention”.
FDS further rejected claims by Lerroy that the OMU seminar had been called off at the last minute, insisting that the event proceeded without disruption as planned.
Responding to activists’ demands to discuss the forest timber licence issued to a timber company, FDS stated the matter is currently before the High Court in Miri under judicial review.
“Any further comment would amount to sub judice and could interfere with the court process,” it said.
The department also highlighted that native communities in Ulu Baram, through their community chiefs and headmen, have expressed strong support for government-led development initiatives such as road connectivity, basic infrastructure, and sustainable economic projects. — DayakDaily
