Halt logging in Magoh and Limbang as certification expires - Penan NGO

Twenty-two Penan communities in Sarawak, Malaysia, are urging the state government to halt logging in the Magoh and Limbang regions, following the expiration of a major forest certification.

The certification for a forest management unit, one of the largest logging concessions in Magoh, expired on 3 June, opening a rare opportunity to protect the area’s forests.

In a letter to the Sarawak premier, the communities call for the certification not to be renewed and for official support for community-led conservation.

This logging concession in the Limbang/north Magoh affects villages including Long Gita, Ba Nyakit, Ba Peresek and Long Tevenga, as well as the surrounding Batu Lawi National Park.

The affected area forms a critical wildlife corridor between Mulu and Pulong Tau National Parks, making it a key zone for biodiversity conservation.

“The communities have consistently defended their forests through peaceful blockades,” said Komeok Joe, director of the Penan organisation Keruan.

“With the concession now expired, there is a real opportunity to stop logging and secure long-term protection for one of Sarawak’s most important forest landscapes.”

In August 2024, Penan communities in the Magoh region signed a declaration proposing a community-managed conservation area. Their plan includes protected core zones, sustainable livelihood options, and improved access to essential services.

The communities emphasise that protecting the Magoh forests is crucial not only for their way of life but also for Sarawak’s environmental future and global rainforest conservation efforts. – Keruan