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Handout photo shows director of forests Sarawak Datu Hamden Mohammad participating in the engagement.
KUCHING (Nov 19): The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has dismissed allegations published by international activist groups claiming that its delegates “avoided” indigenous activists during an academic engagement in Japan.
FDS said it “categorically denied” the claims as they misrepresented the purpose and proceedings of the event at Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU).
In a statement, FDS said its officers were in Osaka upon invitation to present papers on ongoing research collaborations with Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES).
The seminar was held under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak government, represented by FDS, and OMU.
FDS stressed that the academic seminar on Nov 12 proceeded as scheduled and was strictly limited to OMU lecturers, researchers, scientists, and students.
The department said attempts by activists to register for the event under the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (Jatan) were rejected by the Japanese organisers, as they were not affiliated with the university.
“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,” the statement said, adding that the activists later held a press conference “merely to attract attention”.
On allegations relating to a forest timber licence issued to Borneoland Timber Resources, FDS said the matter is currently under judicial review at the High Court in Miri, and commenting further would amount to sub judice.
FDS also maintained that Native communities in Ulu Baram, through their chiefs and headmen, have expressed strong support for ongoing development initiatives, including road access, basic infrastructure, and sustainable development projects.
The department further rejected a claim that the Osaka event was “called off at the last minute”, calling it false.
FDS also took issue with remarks by a SAVE Rivers official, who had questioned the merit of the Premier receiving a Japanese state award.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of Japan on Nov 11.
Describing the official’s statement as “hate speech”, FDS urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter.
The department highlighted that the Premier had conveyed his appreciation to the Japan-Malaysia Association for nearly three decades of partnership since 1995, which has supported forest restoration efforts, community development programmes, and environmental education initiatives across Sarawak.
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