1996 | Oil palm concessions were granted to Rinwood Pelita Plantation Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company in Tinjar, Sarawak, on an area which the Berawan, Kayan, Kenyah and Iban peoples claim to overlap with their native customary lands. |
1996-1997 | The palm oil estates commenced operations and apparently cleared and developed land without adequate consultations with the communities and proper compensation for land and crops. |
1997 | Four members of the Long Teran Kanan (LTK) community (representing those with a claim) filed a case in the High Court in Miri against Pelita, Rinwood and the State of Sarawak Government seeking recognition of their customary rights over their lands. |
Sep 2006 | IOI acquired Rinwood’s shares in Rinwood Pelita Plantation Sdn Bhd and inherited the legal dispute. Upon acquisition, IOI Pelita managed to negotiate a settlement with some of the LTK Community members. |
Nov 2009 | A formal meeting between IOI Pelita and the affected communities occurred with the intent of breaking the deadlock, and to seek an out-of-Court solution. |