Samling denies stand-off with Penan villagers, says 56 chiefs consent to logging

Logging company Samling Group denied it is in a standoff with several Penan communities in the Sarawak Middle Baram region who erected blockades protesting alleged encroachment into their native customary rights (NCR) land.

Contrary to media reports quoting NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF), Samling said it held meetings with local village chiefs to obtain consent, and that incidents which led to the blockade involved matters among local villagers.

"We have thus far obtained the consent...