Gramong Frustrated

NGO officials instigate landowners, leaders to pull out from Kanowit oil palm project: Gramong

KANOWIT: Some individuals who are officials of a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) are said to be involved in a conspiracy to close down Sarawak’s first commercial oil palm plantation on native customary land (NCL) here. Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Gramong Juna said they had met and instigated landowners, longhouse chiefs and other grassroots leaders to pull out from the Kanowit Oil Palm Project (KOPP), which started in October 1996.

“They have demonised me over the failure to pay them their expected bonus and dividends from the project. They have also told the people not to support me if I am re-nominated to defend the Machan state seat in the next state election,” he told Bernama here yesterday. Gramong, who is credited with the implementation of KOPP, said he was very disappointed with the accusations and threats.

Embrose Blikau Enturan, Gramong Juna (Man In Black) & Joseph Entulu

“I am not easily intimidated politically. I am prepared to go, but please do not close down the plantation. The NCL development concept was not my decision alone. The Dayak top leaders, intellectuals and grassroots leaders had deliberated repeatedly on it in forums, meetings and workshops. They all agreed it was good for the community,” he said. He said as far as he was concerned it was the best way to eradicate poverty within the Dayak community and to bring better infrastructure and amenities into the rural areas.

Under the NCR development concept sanctioned by the state government, the developer holds 60 per cent equity, the landowners 30 per cent and the state Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), as the monitoring body representing the landowners, the remaining 10 per cent in such joint venture projects. After a period of 60 years, which is to allow the developer to recoup their capital and make some profit, the lands used will be returned to their respective owners.

Gramong blamed poor work ethics, negative attitude, and misunderstanding on the part of the landowners for the failure of KOPP to produce bonus and dividends as expected. “You have caused the problems yet you expect the profits. No business or management gurus in the world can tell you that you can make profit without any dedicated or committed hard work,” he said. He said he had brought up the matter with the state government and Boustead Holdings, which is developing such lands through Kuala Sidim Bhd.

He advised the landowners comprising some 1,685 families in 111 longhouses that although they had rights over their lands, they should not abuse them. It was not too late to turn the project around based on the current market price of crude palm oil provided all parties involved were prepared and sincere to come together to seek solutions to the problems, he said, adding that Kuala Sidim Bhd had spent more than RM200 million to develop the project plus another RM35 million on a mill.