FIVE INTERNATIONAL PROTESTERS INCLUDING THREE US CITIZENS HAVE BEEN
SENTENCED TO 60 DAYS JAIL FOR THEIR PART IN A PROTEST AGAINST THE LOGGING
OF SARAWAK'S FORESTS. MORE MEDIA COVERAGE IS NEEDED. PLEASE CONTACT
PAPERS, TV RADIO.
FOR THE MOSST RECENT NEWS SEE THE MEDIA RELEASE AT THE END OF THIS TOPIC.
June 28, 1991 1.10am
Dear Friends,
A brief sleep, after a deep prayer and now outside with a
glorious moon and thunderbeings dancing away in the south. This
may be the last email I get to send before the Action, you may
only get it in 4 days, I hope in time. Ah, some sandflies here
keeping me company. I am now at a beach house (the only one
close to Miri) which is another possibilty for the bulk of us
to hang out away from town- it's called Hawaii beach!. The
rest of the group (so far 5 people) are at the caves. The night
before last we were able to send fairly in depth plans via a
friend who was going to Switzerland, I hope Aila sends on the
information quickly - this also included maps of where the
action would take place and other information.
So, those of us who were there reached consensus on the gate
and the basic kind of action (being ship action) and the basic
place of the action (the Baram) but are waiting till the rest
of the team arrive before final decisions on jail solidarity,
etc. We also decided that two of the group remain outside as
our information link, one a casual observer at the action, the
other to remain contactable in the Hotel room.
The place where 50
people are now in prison and others about to be called into
court is a half hour boat trip away. This is the same
community that at Christmas time were told about the big
aboriginal flag we had hanging (that had been given on the
world tour) that said "Your struggle is our Struggle". This is
the same man that was reported to the secret police to be the
new flag of the "anti-logging movement" by a government spy!
This would be a fantastic place to go! Especially by the 1st of
July which is the date of the court case as well as plans for
actions by the people outside companies etc (which is likely to
be picked up by CNN [still unknown and confidential]). After
this he would have the choce of going over by by bus (all very
convenient) to participate or observe the ship actions, and
/or accompany a delegatiopn to the chief Minister.
*From the 2nd, at the hotel, we plan to have two outlets of
the info; Aila, in Switzerland and to you, John, at RIC. Can
you make sure that after this the rest of the world is
covered? Maybe Aila. Europe and America (David Suzuki's office
and Cultural Survival), John, Oz and Japan (Paul-via Beths and
Yuka) and any email contacts (wrm?)
Here is a statment put together for international use, for
simultaneous actions etc; and is also the basis of our
position in letters to the Chief Minister and other Cadres.
***************************************************************
SOS Sarawak Statement
The following is a statement from the environmental activists
as to why they felt compelled to carry out the action.
The biological and ecological value of tropical forests for
the entire planet and the global consequences of
deforestation transcend political boundaries and short term
economic uses. We therefore feel that we have a responsibilty
as individuals that transcends our countries of origin and
extends beyond the narrow perspectives of the current global
balance of power. This is not ecocolonialism, but a
recognition that all of us share an equal responsibilty for the
worlds environmental problems, not only for our generation
but for all generations to come. We are by no means "against"
Malaysia or Sarawak; we are for all life.
The so called "developed" countries, whose own timber industry
has laid waste to virtually all of it's own original forest
cover, have since turned to the tropical regions for their
timber supplies. In Thailand, the Philippines and even
Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, the legacy of destructive
logging is obvious and a cause for alarm. Dry, eroded areas
resembling deserts, degraded secondary forets and exotic
monocultures replace pristine, irreplaceable tropical forests.
No longer can the forest sustain the diversity of species and be
the source of life for native people.
In pointing out the needless destruction in Sarawak, we are by
no means condoning the logging of native forests in the rest
of the world; we are rather acknowledging the role of Sarawak
as a window to the situation globally. It cannot be denied
that just as the functions of native forests are global, the
timber trade extends far beyond the confines of the exporting
nation.
In Sarawak and around the world, the timber industry continues
to make allegations which have consistently been shown to be
false. In Sarawak, it is not the activities of native
peoples; who clear small plots of land for farming, leaving the
majority of the forest intact ; who are responsible for
destroying the forests, it is the timber industry itself that
is responsible by carrying out the fastest rate of logging in
the world.
The myth of "sustainable" logging in Sarawak has been amply
exposed by high level international missions, such as the ITTO
study mission headed by Lord Cranbrook in 1989. The
recommendations put forward in this report were agreed to in
principle by the Malaysian Government. One of these
reccommendations was a reduction of log exports to 9 million
cubic metres per year. Recently it was exposd that the amount
of exports from Sarawak actually rose to 18 million cubic
metres in the very year of the mission. The Minister for
Primary Industries, Lim Keng Yaik, has since stated that this
amount can be sustained for the next three years before any
reduction of what he states is a well managed timber industry.
There has been an increase in log exports in the last year.
The myth that the benefits of logging reach anything like the
whole population of Sarawak is a blatant attack on the
traditional owners of that land. Most of these people have
never agreed to indiscrimate logging on their land and have
consistently indicated this, as they are now, by erecting
blockades and lodging other forms of strong opposition to the
logging operations.
Holders of logging concessions (often politicians and their
relatives), and the timber companies themselves (usually
Chinese enterprises) recieve the lion's share of the profits
of this exploitation. The bulk of the 50 000 employees of the
logging industry recieve paltry wages and work in extremely
dangerous conditions in an industry that may only be viable in
it's current state for another 5 years. It is clear to every
visitor in Sarawak that basic services, such as adequate
roads, social services and hospitals are in a terrible state,
despite the huge profits being made in the timber industry and
oil industry alike.
The hundred million year old tropical forests that still exist
in Sarawak are worth far more than short term profits. We urge
the timber industry not to be controlled by the voracious
appetites of importing countries for tropical timber,
especially when it can be seen that this timber is often being
used in extremely wasteful ways. In Japan often it is used
simply used once or twice, then thrown away in the case of
concrete formwork panels.
We support any initiatives to have value added timber and forest
products, even to the extent of compensation for that which
has already been wastefully destroyed. Although we acknowledge
the fact that there has not been a single example of
true sustainable forestry commercially practised
we believe there are methods of extraction which have a much
less destructive impact and provide far greater benefits to
the people, such as the use of small portable sawmills.
Sarawak can have a viable timber industry for local needs and
for high value processed timber.
We also support (under the direction of the local
people) the marketing of alternative forest products and
income sources, such as medicines and alternative tourism,
provided the profits are shared equally amongst all the
people who are livimg in Sarawak.
Whilst we freely admit to and condemn the terrible conditions of
indigenous peoples in our own countries of origin, and pledge
our support for their struggle for self determination and land
rights; we also recognise the extreme conditions of the native
people in Malaysia. If the Malaysian Government has condemned
the violation of human rights of indigenous peoples of other
countries, it would seem paramount to expect the Malaysian
government to respect the rights of their own indigenous
peoples.
Many indigenous people around the world recognize the extreme
and urgent plight of the tribal people of Sarawak and give
their support, especially those who are facing the most
hardship, the nomadic and semi-settled Penan.
It has been interesting to note that the special case of the
Penan has been highlighted by the Sarawak government, and
attempts made to bring these people into the "mainstream" of
development. They themselves have reported that they haven't
seen the $4.4 million ringitt said to be set aside for the
Penan. They have not been consulted when projects, such as
longhouses, were set up for them, in fact they wonder what use
these houses are when they can't find enough food to eat. They
were never told of reserve areas supposedly set aside for
them, which have now been found to be logged.
However the issue is much more complex than the very urgent
issue of the Penan. Blockades continuously set up throughout
Sarawak by many other tribes, point to the very real problems
of the 220 000 tribal people who are dependent on the forests.
We entreat the Sarawak and Malaysian governments to listen to
them, too often they have not had the chance to speak or were
not even consulted on matters that affect their very survival.
We consider this to be far more important than Malaysian
Government delegations travelling the world speaking to
outsiders about the supposedly "well managed" timber industry
in Sarawak and spreading false reports indicating that it is
the tribal people themselves who are to blame for the
destruction of the forests. We fully support their
demands for the recognition and
protection of their rights to their land and call with them
for an immediate halt of logging on their these areas. We
support their wish to save their forest. We pray that the
Sarawak and Malaysian governments do truly observe the pattern
of genocide globally and ensure that it does not continue to
repeat itself here.
Our purpose in this visit to Sarawak, is a small part of the
many years of the outcry,both local and international, over
the needless destruction in Sarawak. It is meant to highlight
a situation which may already be too late, but which we can no
longer accept. This smokescreen of mistruths, while children go
hungry and a priceless world heritage is destroyed must be
exposed.
For the future generations,
For the forests.
SOS Sarawak.
(June 20 1991) SOS team 3J3
Song : for the action:
WE SHALL STAND STRONG
anja, nancy and jake
D Am Em (etc)
Well we heard about this destruction,
The life flowing down this river of mud,
We don't see logs we see a million year forest,
The womb of life and a home for us all.
F Em F Em
ch: We shall stand strong, until this struggle is won,
Am Em
And the forest and the people are free.
We shall stand strong, come join our song,
It's for all of us you and me.
We shall sand strong, until justice is done
And we save every last tree.
Where do the animals go when the bulldozers roar,
Without them the people cry, the food is no more.
Fruit trees and sago palms crushed and destroyed,
The rights of the people are completely ignored.
It's not an illusion, it's happening now
Without taking action you can kiss the forest goodbye
It's too late to fear what might happen and how
Trust hearts united in truth beyond all bounds ch.
***************************************************************
JUlY 3 , 1991
Statement by Burnham Burnham , Australian Aboriginal elder
in sympathy with the indigenous peoples of Sarawak ,
especially the Penan and Kelabit peoples.
STATEMENT
" In the spirit of solidarity with the indigenous people of
Sarawak, the indigenous people of Australia , the Australian
Aboriginal people support the struggle to maintain your culture.
The Penan especially, are the last few hundred nomadic forest
dwelling people of Asia , they are living treasures , yet they face
extinction.
It is my view that the Penan and Kelabit peoples are inseperable
from their environment . We fight to protect the endangered members
of other species , yet we ignore those endangered in our own family.
As the indigenous people of Sarawak are an endangered people the
Malaysian government should list them under the World Heritage
Commission. "
SARAWAK UPDATE
Number 2 - 30.6.91
Malaysia contact: SIPA p/f 60-87-416-357
Europe : STP CH f: 41-56-22-1809
I have just returned from the mainland after a few days in Limbang
with the Penan as well as a brief trip up river to the Penan and
Kelabit longhouse at Long Napir.
The following information has come through:
The authorities were aware of the actions before they took place,
including all details on dates etc. There was a delegation sent
to the longhouse to threaten the people not to blockade.
Forestry officials told them that :
1. The company Limbang Trading Limited , one of James Wong's
would offer them an amnesty and compensation of $40,000 Malaysian
to be divided between the Penan and the Kelabit if they called
off the blockade.
2. Two of three Penan leaders (not official headmen but out-
spoken types) were offered $M 200 per month for an unknown
period of time if they could dissuade the people from blockading
The third, Benghulu Wan Malong (Upper Tutoh District headman,
a Penan leader with some 20 villages under his charge ) remained
very strong, saying,
"Let us look straight , not looking back , without fear.
If the life of our people is bad now what will it be at the
time of our grandchildren, if we do not do something now?"
Benghulu was able to argue successfully for the blockade to
continue as planned if.
If they went through with it the company would completely
abandon them( see note 1) furthermore.
The police would be very harsh with them not like last time -
that 'their heads would be put into bags and they would be
left to be beaten by a whole truckload of police and gangsters,
(see note 2).
The first blockade ( see note three ) was up for 3 days from
Friday June 21 to noon June 24 , by which time they had been told
to dismantle it. The forestry Minister went with the police at
that time to do so , throwing it into the river while the
blockaders
were temporarily away from the site . Three shots were fired into
the air as they arrived ( the Penan have one of the bullet cases).
Twenty three people were arrested and told to appear on July 1,
along with the so-called 'Limbang 14' ( now up to possibly 18
as some of them have either been found or are coming along anyway).
Some 50 men,women and children all came down together to Limbang
and have been staying for the past week at a kind of covered
shelter
on the water not far from the police station. There are no guards
and they are free to move about ( although the women and children
have been advised for their own safety not to leave the place,
especially alone ).
There are no facilities for cooking ( they have built a fire under
the trees ) or toilets, water or anything else . We have been getting
food to them. Needless to say their spirits are extremely low. A French
human rights advocacy lawyer and I were able to do some extensive
interviews with them , both there and in a more secluded park
with no hassles.
Libai Nyagung, a young Penan woman, spat out her utter contempt
for the company, saying:
"Sometimes when we blockade , we women take off our clothes , these
dirty rags, to show what we think the company is doing . We will die
naked and now this life, because of the company, is like a living
death". They treat us like dogs. The rest of the group nodded in
support of her statement.
( I will follow this with transcipts of the interview as soon as possible ).
- - - - - - - - -
We were able to got to Long Tapir. The roads in the area are
just awful - worst that I have ever seen. The logging road is
better than the public road , the road down to the settlement
was built in 1985 and has had no upkeep since 1986 .It takes
three hours to walk and it took us over an hour and a half to
drive it.
( Imperative that we get some money for a new outboard motor
so the people can travel by river ).
The conditions at the Penan longhouse about a 20 minute walk
from the larger , newer Kelabit longhouse complex at Long Napir
are horrendous. It was built in 1979 and has had no upkeep since
then.
There were only a few people there when we came as most are in
Limbang , but the air of desolation always pervades. Although
there is piped water , it comes direct from the river , it is
like a mud flow. A water filter has been bought by our young
Canadian sisters and brothers but that's not yet hooked up.
There is no evidence of toilets.
We left late Saturday afternoon with a jeep loaded down with
4 of the remaining Penan charged . We were intercepted by the
cops (special branch) but luckily through personal relationships
with the Kelabit man driving us no problems beyond a bit of
hassel.
However to anyone coming in the future , DO get a permit !
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Long Ajeng ( Upper Baram ) - blockade manned by over 400 people
was erected on the 25th. As fas as we know it's still holding.
The area is extremely remote and it is due to that,we think,
that it is still holding. However it was announced in the papers
some days ago and so of course the authoriies were aware of it.
Info as soon as we have anything.
** International actions;according to Lonewolf , there will
be upcoming action in three sites in France ; in England at
the Malaysian Embassy; in the United states ,in Norway and
Denmark ( no details ) ; Germany , ship blockade ; Oz , meeting
with Malaysian Consul and MAS Action ( Perth) ; Canada - No
details?
Internationals' Actions : We have no details and are not in
a position to report on that action for security reasons.
I'll be there until about July 4 when I hope to go to Kuching.
Anthony is there now and it may be that they have managed a
meeting with Taib. Details to follow a.s.a.p. There has been some
media about it, as well as a number of articles posing as
tourists out to stir natives ( available from the RIC ).
We have just had news that the Australian Aboriginal author and
native rights advocatees, Burnham Burnham , will most likely
be arriving soon. We are really thrilled and honoured by this,
and many thanks to the Ozzie mates for lining this up.The people
will be overjoyed to get this type of support , as they were
really hoping to see more internationals coming to Limbang ( so
far there has been only the French lawyer , a Canadian brother
and myself ).
Many,many thanks to you all and good luck in the coming days.
I wish to God that you could all be here to see for yourselves
the desolation and injustice that is going on here - it is
heartrending. Please keep us informed of all your actions with
the clippings and reports and we will be sure to let the people know just
how deeply they have touched so many hearts around the world.
With Much Love - For the forests and for the children .
Sarawak Indigenous Peoples Alliance .
Note 1.
The timber Company, LTL, suppied them with enough rice for one and
a half days. Beyond that there has been nothing. It may be that
this ties with their earlier threats.The police have not given
them food either, although they did ferry two people to hospital
for minor ailments.
Note 2.
Although this threat was not carried out , it came very soon
after an incident in the Baram (Long Late). The incident involved
two French tourists who were driving in the area on May 21, when
their car was stopped by the supervisor of the local timber
company( Woodman Timber) . The man was pulled out of his car and
beaten,apparently quite severely , according to the eyewitnesses.
Naturally this had a very severe effect on the people of this
area , who had also planned to blockade. It is quite remote and
they are said to be in a state of extreme depression and physical
weakness. This and other factors led to the blockade being called
off at the last moment.
People in the Long Napir were very upset at the threats they
recieved. The earlier violence in the Baram region also seemed
to indicate that the threats of violence might be carried out in
the Limbang district- some people that we spoke to firmly
believed that they would be. They were still very angry when we
were there a week later.
Note 3.
The blockade was erected across the mouth of the large bridge
over the Limbang River some distance into the native lands of
the Long Napir Kelabit and Penan. Logging operations have been
going on on this part of their lands since the bridge was
finished about a year ago, but the damage is not yet as extensive
as in the outer region.
Apparently Forestry officials advised the people to not attach
the blockade to the bridge which is the property of the LTL
(although it is on native lands! ) , as they could be charged
with trespassing on or damaging private property. They therefore
set it up a few meters in front of the bridge.
Fin.
Sarawak Update 4
6.7.91
For immediate release
Contact : STP CH 41-58-22-180
SARAWAK NATIVE TRIBESPEOPLE ABANDONED BY MALAYSIAN
MAKE INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR HELP
" To Our Friends Wherever You Are :
This is a letter of appeal to all of you who show so much
concern for our struggle . You are to us like a ray of light that
shines in the dark. Like a father that gives hope to the future
of his little child.
We are here in the city coming down to face court cases brought
against us by the timber companies because we made blockades to
protect our forests and land. For many years now the government
have not been able to settle our demand for a peaceful life.
When we protest the destruction of our land the government would
say we are like pirates , as anti-government and anti-
development. They would refuse to give any help to us, leaving us
like children crying for its mothers milk.
During this last blockade of May 1991 , the Resident gave us
stern warning against erecting new blockade . Should we blockade
the authority will stop looking into the welfare of our people.
The Resident would personally inform the Chief Minister and
Chairman of the Sarawak Penan Committee , Abang Johari , to stop
all forms of assistance to us . Although we are afraid of the
future we do not give up the struggle . The more we struggle the
more the authorities and companies harass us. Our daily lives are
full of fear and anxieties as we see this destruction everywhere
around us . We feel utterly helpless to do anything.
We appeal to you to help us stop these timber companies that
cause so much trouble to our lives. If they disappear from our
lands , only then will we be happy.
When we were arrested the other day , the Forest Officer proudly
told us that despite our opposition , logging would anyhow
continue on our land. This is what our present government love to
do , is to destroy our lives and it is so happy to send poor and
helpless people like us to jail . Please help change our
government.
For the last few weeks while preparing for this resistence we
have left our daily chores entirely. For some of us who are semi-
settled , we have yet to prepare land for our farms . The season
for preparing land for farming is almost over now . Perhaps,once
the court case is over it might be too late . We will surely go
hungry like the previous years.
This is why we are saying that to us , you are like the morning
sun that seperates the night from the day . We appeal for your
help to assist us in any way possible. You have already heard
that the authorities will help us no more. They are angry with us
because we have caused them a lot of embarassment . We are at
their mercy.
We will be very happy to recieve any form of help that you give
to us. Actually, the authorities have told us to seek assistance
from outside , when we asked them to feed us throughout this court
case. We pray that our good Lord will bless each of you.Though we
may not meet face to face, we are already inspired by you.
Thank-you.
( the witnessed signatures/thumbprints of 51 Penan and Kelabit
follow ) available by fax from the RIC by request.
There is as yet no result on this court case where 24 people were
charged under Section 90b of the( amended ) Forestry Ordinance
with blockading a logging road in the Long Napir area on
September 26, 1989.
The same charge has been laid against a further 23 men for
blockading in the same area from June 21-24 , 1990. Their trial
has been set for October 7th. ,1991.
A blockade manned by over 300 natives in the Upper Baram area is
believed to be still holding since it was erected on June 25th.
The company in question has closed down all operations as of June
27.
Cover Letter 6.7.91 from Mujan in Sarawak
Confidential for internal use only
Dear Friends,
Please use this release (above) in any way that you can.
The Penan are asking for as many international witnesses to come
as possible. Actually meeting people means a tremendous amount to
them , and they were very disappointed that so few international
witnesses came to Limbang (there were only 5).
In the coming weeks we hope to be able to have a full report of
all the activities , as well as press clippings , financial
report and statements.
I see there was a lot of media attention raised here by an
International Penan Day mounted by the groups in Europe in 1989.
Suggest for your consideration another action of this sort.
As the next hearing (for those 23 just charged) has been set for
October 7 , I suggest that date. It gives enough time (just) and
gives potential witnesses , time enough to gather funds and
background information , to make the trip here . It's also close
enough to WRW to get that rolling . Please give us some feedback
on this asap in order that we may prepare.
Once again thank-you for all your support and care .
For the children -for the forests
Mujan.
Fax message recieved from Mujan per SIPA
Sent on July 5 ,1991
Networked from the RIC
- the court
case for the latest group charged with the blockading (Long Napir)
comes up on October 7th. Suggest that this gives time enough to
put funding and plan together and that he come a week or two before
this , in order to travel up river, see the situation for himself
and then go to the trial.Any others who might be able to take a
holiday about this time should start saving for the trip now.
Nancy went to the trial on Tueday and was taken from the courthouse
by Special Branch officers. I have been unable to speak to her,
but I gather that she is fine and back with the others. This would
indicate that BB or anyone else might also be taken out so whoever
comes will have to be committed to the point of being hassled.
It could be good if whoever comes over were accompanied by an
undercover journalist/ and or lawyer.
Just learned from the kids that 2 of them have been taken by
SB this morning. Don't think that Anja was one of them . They are
quite concerned . There have been newspaper reports from the past
fortnight (as you will have seen), warning people about environ-
mentalists posing as tourists - and it has been giving them a hell
of a problembecause they're trying to `promote tourism. Suggest
that given the fact that they're harassing people this sis an excellent
beginning fro another tactic - we have nothing to hide is obviously
complete bullshit. However we will need testimony from those who
have been detained and questioned. For myself, it was on the road
back from the LN and no surprise as I was ...
Due to circumstance you are all aware of , there is no formal
connection between this office and the action about to take
place . They have their own press centre - please contact Aila if
you need more information.
(assume that there were arrests today as we had two calls from
reporters although we don't know how they got this number ).
Anthony is completely under the wing of the government and as
he says, having to do things in a different way from the rest
of us. He's been trying to get to the court case in Limbang but
it keeps being delayed and he'll not be able to do it now.
Still no word on a meeting with the CM and they have extended
a week to try and see him. He just sent a fax with some clippings
but it is all pretty white-washed. Just had word this morning
that they will go to Limbang on Monday. Excellent as most of
the Penan will still be there, as they are still trying to get a
lift home somehow - with LTL no doubt.
* 5 people were arrested in London at demos in front of
the Japanese Embassy - likewise actions in France (some
crazy Suisse and three others climbing 45 meters up the
rigging of a ship .. ) any word in anyone else ?
8 if you have support letters , photos of demos , banners
anything to send to the native people or SIPA -
please forward it to :
H.Markus,
PO Box 455
Limbang Sarawak 98708
Malaysia
Love and many thanks to you all Mujan
P.S.
Next court case on Oct.7 , suggest another International Penan Day.
Press Release from Anja Light ( one of the environmentalists
in Sarawak who leaded not guilty ) who awaits trial on July 31;
Anja Light is available for interview , please ring the Rainforest
Information Centre on 066 21 8505 for her telephone number
the number will be released on July 23 a.m.
She will be available for interview from 16:00 hrs.(EST)
on July 23
PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE *
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22 1991
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS IMPRISONED
***********************************************************************
5 IMPRISONED, 3 PLEAD NOT GUILTY
Following a direct action on four barges involved in the loading
of logs at Kuala Baram, Miri, Sarawak, 8 people were arrested at
5.00pm and taken to the Miri police station. They were then
questioned and held in lock-up cells overnight.
Indicating that they were concerned citizens responsible for what
they believe is a global issue, they gave names such as "John
Stops The Logging", "Chipko Mendes Penan Stop The Logging Save
The Forests" and "Let The Truth Prevail". They also stated that
they were Global Citizens.
The following morning they were transfered to the jail in Miri
and detained until the 18th of July. During this time they
reported that :
*They were not allowed a phone call, locally or internationally
(they were permitted to write one letter each that was censored).
They were never formally charged (although they were told they
were being detained under the immigration act), despite the fact
that their true identities were revealed on Monday 8th July.
They were not informed of any court appearances until the day of
the court case, just one hour before the case was to be heard on
18th July.
They were not permitted any access to legal representation until
the morning of the case, nor access to any legal information or
documents on Malaysian Law throughout the two week detainment.
All of the above points were repeatedly requested since the
arrests took place.
One of the group, Anja Light (Australia) carried out a two week
(water only) hunger strike, primarily to raise focus on the
desperate state of the people whose lives depend on intact pri
mary forests but also to protest the above conditions and to
appeal for a meeting with the Chief Minister of Sarawak. General
living conditions in the prison and treatment by the guards were
described as good.
On the 18th July, five members of the group pleaded guilty and
were charged for criminal trespass. This carries a maximum
sentence of three months imprisonment and/or R$250, however this
penalty for a first offence has never carried a custodial sen
tence unless there are aggravating circumstances. It was most
unexpected that this fact seemed to be overlooked when the sen
tences were passed. Both judges put forward political comments on
the issue indicating that the sentencing would be a deterrent to
other foreigners who wish to interfere with the internal affairs
of Sarawak.
John Kreilick, of the USA, was sentenced to two months imprison
ment (from the 5th July) ; Jake Bowers Burbridge, (UK), 50 days
from July 18th; Ralf Schmidt (Germany), Nancy Rolfe (Australia),
and Deborah Witkin (USA), all received 60 days from 18th July.
Carsten Huettche (Germany), Angela Zelter, (UK), and Anja Light
(Sweden) pleaded not guilty and hearing dates were fixed for the
30th and 31st of July. They were bailed for R$5000, R$1000, and
$1000 respectively. Two local sureties had to be found and their
passports were kept by the authorities. These are considered to
be extremely severe bail conditions for such a minor offence.
The case and the issues surrounding it have received front page
local news coverage for most of the two weeks since the event.
Although local support is hard to discern, the peaceful and
positive message of the group has won sympathy amongst many indi
viduals. Legal representation, since the court case on the 18th
July, has been excellent.