A few updates on the situation in Sarawak which may be of interest. Some
would benefit from your immediate response, such as writing protest letters
to the Malaysian authorities (probably best to direct them to those in your
own country with perhaps c.c. copies to Mahathir, Taib and gang). Or more
vibrant demonstrations, pickets, whatever. You all know the score! If in
doubt, don't hesitate to contact us for general exchange of views.
1. Gara Jalong prevented from leaving Malaysia
On May 17th 1993, Gara Jalong was seated on an aeroplane at Subang
International airport, Kuala Lumpur, en route to Bangkok, where he was to
attend the Asian Conference on the Rights of Indigenous/Tribal People in
Chiengmai, May 17th - 23rd. Malaysian immigration officials then hauled him
off the plane minutes before departure, and confiscated his passport and
boarding pass. No reasons were given. When he tried again to travel thhe
next day with a newly purchased ticket, again he was denied permission but
again no reason was given. In Gara's words: "This year has been declared the
Year of Indigenous Peoples. That I am being prevented from leaving the
country to attend this conference is unwarranted. The action of the
immigration office has caused me much difficulties and I feel truly sad. It
is a loss not just for me but also for the peoples of Malaysia". Many of
you will know Gara as a deeply sincere spokesperson for indigenous
communites in Sarawak, particularly his own Kenyah people of Long Geng, who
has been jailed in the past for his activities aimed to protect indigenous
land rights and still faces further court cases in Sarawak. This is the
second such incident recently. Thomas Jalong was prevented by the Malaysian
authorities from attending the ITTO Conference in Japan last November.
The fact that the Malaysian government is denying their own people access to
international and indigenous fora to voice their concerns and participate in
vital and constructive discussions about their own future demonstrates the
utter contempt with which that government views such spokespeople as Gara
and Thomas and also the lengths it will go to prevent any versions of events
which contradict the 'official' position from being stated at such fora. Do
not forget that the action to stop the people from travelling is a FEDERAL
decision. The federal government cannot wash its hands and say 'it is a
state matter', as it has been doing on eg the land rights issue.
It is up to us to ensure that the attempt to suppress the voices of people
like Gara and Thomas and all indigenous people in Malaysia fails miserably,
and that such actions as those taken by the Malaysia authorities, to stop
people from travelling (a basic right), backfires on the Malaysian
authorities because of the publicity and backlash we can and must generate
from such an action. Do what you think necessary: at the very least, ring
your local Malaysian ambassador/whatever and tell him/her what you think of
all this.
2. Upper Selaan Blockade continues.
As far as we know, the blockade at Long Muboi, Upper Selaan, Baram is still
going on. You will recall this is the mainly Penan blockade that aims to
protect the forest threatened by Samling and other companies and follows the
ealier blockade last year at Long Ajeng. The blockade has been going on
since March, despite the heavy police, army and government presence and
intimidation, and despite the extreme difficulties faced and sacrifices made
by the hundreds of people reported to be on the blockade.
Please continue to pass on messages of support and monies to show our
solidarity with this blockade. If in doubt, give us a call. This is a vital
and amazing struggle and we must do what we can to help. The Penan and other
groups in the area have made it clear that for them, this blockade is THE
last-ditch struggle to protect their homes and cultures. Support them.
3. Police Permit denied for Malaysian Indigenous Peoples Cultural event
A public exhibition and cultural celebration bringing together indigenous
people from all over Malaysia, planned to be held in Sibu, Sarawak from
April 30th - May 1st, was refused a police permit at the last minute (on the
26th April). So much for Malaysian authorities' respect for their own
indigenous people or for the aims and objectives of the U.N. Year of
Indigenous People. A further example to be used in case anyone (Malaysian
officials, eg) try to argue that 'there is no problem for indigenous people
in Malaysia' and 'people are free to say what they like in Malaysia'.
4. Court Cases
Court cases still go on in Sarawak. At the risk of repeating earlier
updates, the following court cases are going ahead:
- June 11th: Case of 10 Iban farmers from Rumah Umping, Baram.
Case refers to a blockade allegedly put up in March 1991.
- July 22nd: 3 Minors from Long Geng (case referring to their part
in a blockade on 12 - 14 January 1992).
- August 9th: Case of Nyagang Kup, also from Long Geng, accused
of theft from a logging company.
- August 23rd: Appeal hearing of the Long Geng 10 (Including Gara:
same issue as the minors, earlier sentence of a day's jail and
fine of M$3,000, against which they are appealing).
A number of other cases have yet to have their dates fixed.
5. European Parliament: New resolution on Sarawak
On May 27th, the European Parliament adopted a new resolution on Sarawak.
This replaces the older resolution(s). It reaffirms the call for the
imposition of a moratorium on the import of tropical timber from Sarawak
until the issues of land rights and forest sustainability are settled
'notwithstanding the economic interests of firms from the Community
established in Malaysia', asks for speedy implementation of an eco-
labelling for all wood, and asks the EC to urge the Japanese government
to dissuade further import of tropical timber into Japan by Japanese
companies.
6. Bruno Manser: Hunger Strike over
Bruno Manser brought to an end his sixty day hunger strike which lasted
throughout March and April. His amazing efforts, together with friends,
received alot of press and public attention in Switzerland, and received
(limited) coverage elsewhere. The Swiss government were forced to call
meetings to discuss their position re Sarawak and the tropical timber trade,
although they have so far failed to commit themselves to policies which
would safeguard the rights of the indigenous people or the continuity of the
forests. Bruno is now urging campaigners to undertake a 'staggered' hunger
strike (two weeks' each, moving from place to place). If you are interested,
please get in touch.