On one side a fully protected Class VI Pin-Supu Virgin Jungle Reserve, on the other side the irresponsible planting of oil palm
on the riverbanks and poisoning of the old oil palms.-Photo by Baharudin Budin/DGFC

12/11/2013 (Borneo Post) - The relevant department must carry out its statutory duties and enforce the provision of the relevant law in order to address the encroachment on the oil palm industry in the Kinabatangan, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun stressed yesterday.

“Enforcement is the only solution. Just do it … use the law to enforce,” Masidi told the Borneo Post when asked to comment on Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director Dr Benoit Goossen’s recent statement on encroachment on the oil palm industry at the riparian reserves.

Masidi added that the law stated clearly that the provision of the riparian reserves cannot be alienated or cultivated.

“The Land Ordinance is crystal clear on this matter,” he further said.

However, the lack of action by the relevant department is due to enforcement issues.

“The root of the whole issue is enforcement. The relevant departments must carry out their statutory duties to enforce the provision of the relevant law,” he said.

Dr Benoit lamented the lack of action against an errant oil palm plantation which has brazenly planted new oil palms right to the riverbanks of the Kinabatangan river directly next to two protected areas.

DGFC has highlighted that there was recent replanting of new oil palms located about 10 minutes by boat from the village of Batu Puteh, without having any form of buffer which could result in leakages of herbicides and pesticides right into the river.

The Kinabatangan River is home to the Orang Sungai Community and iconic wildlife species such as the orangutans, proboscis monkeys and the Bornean elephants which are found only in Sabah and across the border in Indonesia Kalimantan.

DGFC also briefed Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming on the lack of action by the authorities a month after exposing the continued practice of riparian encroachment by the oil palm industry in the Kinabatangan.