Pelugau Ibans Wrongly Arrested

By Ideal

2001-09-19 | Four Ibans of Sungai Pelugau presented themselves at the magistrate court in Sibu on 17 September found themselves uncharged. Usang Anak Labit, Luis Anak Libau, Siew Anak Libau and Semuil Anak Genta were arrested three days after their community put up a blockade on 23 July. They were remanded for 11 days at the police station of Mukah, the administration center of Belingian District at the central coastal area of Sarawak.

The longhouse community (over 120 families) of Sungai Pelugau is disputing Native Customary Rights (NCR) land covering over 1,300 hectares with a Sibu based oil palm plantation, Rosebay Enterprise Sen. Bhd.

The community is still seeking justice and is looking for a solution through negotiating with the plantation owner for more than two years but with no result. Earlier, the community had made two police reports on the intrusion of the company onto the community's lands. However, there was no action taken.

The community then set up a blockade in their attempts to bring to the attention of the said company in the community's demand for fees for the use of the road that was built on their land. The community is also seeking rents for oil palm plantation establishment. (see also Pelugau Iban setup blockade to demand NCR land recognition, and Four natives arrested for protest)

After the people were released from their detention, they were to report to the magistrate court on 17 September. However, upon turning up at the court, the people learned that he police had not present any charge. Furthermore, the people learned that the police had not carried out the arresting of the four legally as no warrant was issued prior to the arrest.

The community is now considering suing the police for wrongful arrest.

Rosebay chief officer indicated earlier that they would deal with the blockade after consulting the company's lawyer. The blockade was halted after the arrest of their leadership.

Belingian is where the Sarawk CHief Minister, Taib Mahmud is seeking for his new mandate in the coming state election scheduled on 27 September. Taib, the head of state coalition, now caretaker government, promises to bring prosperity to the central region of the state while critics say his switch to this new constituiency shows that he isn't certain in retaining his power in his former constituency of Asajaya where he had been the elected representative for the past 20 years.