For many centuries, hundreds and thousands of Dayak peoples consisting of Ibans, Kenyahs, Kelabits, Penans and other tribes, have lived in the forests of Sarawak. They all observed the tribal customary law or 'adat' which emphasized cooperation, harmony and placed the community above self.
Timber is a billion-dollar business in Sarawak.
Logging is carried out through concessions and licenses on forest land. Virtually every state assemblyman in the state legislature and many of their relatives have become millionaires through timber concessions. Logging brings no benefits to the indigenous people. Otherwise, the communities gain little. In fact, logging activities brought about adverse environmental degradation, polluted rivers, which tribal people depend on for fish and clean drinking water.