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Since the 1970s, the Penan have had to watch their forests being progressively destroyed by logging and oil palm plantations. The Malaysian government has told them that they have no rights to their land at all until and unless they 'settle down', i.e. until they become farmers.

The Malaysian government claims that Sarawak is being logged sustainably. In reality, its forests are being destroyed at one of the fastest rates seen worldwide. As the forests are logged, the rivers are silted up, killing the fish and game is being scared deep er into the few remaining forests.

The Penan have been fighting back by erecting blockades across logging roads and many Penan have been arrested for these peaceful protests.