Thank you for your response through the media [copied below]to the demands of affected landholders and the Prime Minister for answers on the SABL land grab.
PM confirms cancellation of all licenses to thwart illegal land grabbing
By BARNEY ORERE, POST COURIER
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has confirmed that the National Executive Council has cancelled all licences and SABLs are illegal.
He said this in response to a community advocacy group Act Now which had been vocal about the land grab issue in relation to SABL – special agriculture and business leases.
Source: LUKE KAMA, The National (owned by Rimbunan Hijau)
LANDOWNERS who were deprived under the controversial Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs) want to know when the Government will implement a Parliament a decision to cancel all existing leases.
Lands Minister Benny Allan told The National that he would make an announcement soon on the subject.
Police officers working on behalf of Malaysian logging giant Rimbunan Hijau are continuing to intimidate, attack and detain landholders trying to protect their land against illegal logging in the Pomio District of East New Britain, according to reports from the area.
This is despite an order from Police Commissioner Gari Baki that police should not be permanently deployed to logging camps.
Senator Patrick Leahy is the most senior member of the United States Congress
Two United States Senators, Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Jeff Merkley, have written to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill calling for action to end the SABL land grab and illegal logging.
The Prime Minister has again announced the government is cancelling controversial SABL leases and returning the land to its customary owners.
“I am pleased to say that all the SABL leases to be cancelled, instruction has now gone to the Lands Dept and as of today (last Friday) I can assure you that leases are now being cancelled”– see story below.
Police stationed at logging camps in the Pomio district of East New Britain are continuing to intimidate and threaten landowners protesting against illegal SABL leases and wide spread logging.
Logging on New Hanover: "This is our customary land. Why would they do this to us?"
New Ireland Provincial Government has sent in armed police to defend illegal logging and road clearing operations on New Hanover island. Local people have been engaged in a long struggle to defend their land and reclaim what is rightfully theirs from the foreign logging companies.