UB Penan freed without charge

By Keruan

2001-10-27 | Hendry David, 20, from Long Sabai, Ulu Tutoh River in Miri Division was released from police custody without any charge on 14th October. Hendry was arrested on 8th october and had been detained for one week for allegedly setting fire to tractors belonging to the Shin Yang logging company.

Hendry David, 20, from Long Sabai, Ulu Tutoh River in Miri Division was released from police custody without any charge on 14th October. Hendry was arrested on 8th october and had been detained for one week for allegedly setting fire to tractors belonging to the Shin Yang logging company.

The police, acting on complains from the logging company, arrested and remanded Hendry even after he and the Long Sabai Penan community pleaded their innocent. The police had acted on the mere hearsay of the company without demanding more proof from the company.

Meanwhile, the logging activities continue to threaten the Penan communities whose rights over the land and the forest have been violated while the police continue to ignore the people's plead to safeguard their land and forests for the future generations.