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Article: Borneo project: Sabah tribes rally against corporate takeover of land.(Earth Island in the news)
- Article from:
- Earth Island Journal
- Article date:
- September 22, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Earth Island Institute. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In January 2004, village headman Wilster L. and approximately 100 other representatives from 30 tribes stood before Sabah's Deputy Chief Minister of Land, Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin. Wilster had traveled from the remote region of Tongod, traversing northern Borneo's rutted dirt roads through vast oil palm plantations. He and his group had passed countless trucks laden with rainforest logs and oil palm fruits, many mired hopelessly at the river crossings. Finally, Wilster's group had reached the capital city of Kota Kinabalu and the Minister's gleaming office skyscraper. The crowd was dressed in traditional attire. The tan costumes of the Murut, the black and gold of the ...