UB Penan hand memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister and Suhakam

By Keruan

2001-09-25 | UB Penan communities handed a memorandum to the Deputy Prime Minster Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kuala Lumpur in early September 2001 when the latter was opening the Malaysian Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) Forum. The same memorandum was also submitted to the Suhakam.

UB Penan communities handed a memorandum to the Deputy Prime Minster Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kuala Lumpur in early September 2001 when the latter was opening the Malaysian Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) Forum. The same memorandum was also submitted to the Suhakam.

The memorandum highlighted the problems since the 1980s and continues being faced by the Penan communities resulting from the non-recognition of the people's land rights. It described how that has led to continuing logging destruction of the people's life and survival. In addition, when the people's attempt to negotiate for solutions failed and symbolic blockades were erected, the police, together with other government officials from the Forestry Department would support the companies resulting in increasing arrests. The memorandum further provides details of how police abuse power and violates human rights of the people when handling the land dispute in this remote interior of the state.

Suhakam has promised to resume its visit to the affected area after the Sarawak State Election ends on 27th September. Suhakam cancelled its scheduled visit a few months ago at the last minute, citing logistical reasons. Suhakam was schedule to visit the Upper Baram Penan areas after a report detailing gross human rights violation was submitted by the people in September 2000. The report, titled "Not Development but Thief" contains testimonies of the people and gave a very abused communities.

After its scheduled visit to the Upper Baram, Suhakam commissioners are scheduled to meet with the Sarawak Chief Minister before the Human Rights Commission will complete its report and submit to Parliament.