By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 17: The High Court in Miri recently dismissed a judicial review application filed by 11 individuals, ruling that they had failed to demonstrate they were genuinely and directly affected by the issuance of a logging licence in the Ulu Baram area.
In delivering his decision, High Court Judge Dean Wayne Daly held that the applicants had failed to establish locus standi to challenge the decision made by Sarawak Forest director, which was approved by the Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development.
The court further found that the applicants had failed to adduce evidence to support their claims that the logging licence issued to a timber company was illegal, procedurally improper or unreasonable.
As such, the court ruled that the decision to issue the licence was made in accordance with the Forests Ordinance 2015, was rational, and complied with all procedural requirements.
Commenting on the ruling, Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the decision affirmed that the department had acted lawfully and properly.
“The court ruling in favour of the Forest Department Sarawak affirms that our actions were lawful and proper.
“Local communities, especially the Penan, are increasingly aware that external influences or non governmental organisations have hindered development in the Baram area,” he said in a recent statement today.
In January 2025, 11 individuals and organisations, including Save Rivers and Keruan, filed the judicial review and submitted affidavits in support.
The groups were alleged to have used the case to advance their agendas and seek international attention, including from foreign ministries in Japan and Switzerland. — DayakDaily
