=================================================================
MORE NATIVES ARRESTED IN SARAWAK
We have just received word of new arrests in Sarawak. Nine
people, including three women (all from Rumah Jaing, Bakong) have
been arrested. This appears to be the beginning of arrests
connected with natives and oil palm plantation schemes which are
linked to logging companies.
SAM is investigating and trying to get more information on
the arrest. Meanwhile we will be providing the natives legal
assistance. We will keep you informed of further developments.
Below is a report which appeared in the local newspaper Borneo
Post 29/7/93:
-----------------------
Blockade: Nine arrested
-----------------------
Miri: Police today arrested six men and three women from a Tinjar
longhouse on suspicion of preventing a plantation company from
clearing the land.
They are suspected to be among a group of people who claimed
that the company, which is cultivating 5000 hectares of land for
oil palms, has encroached on their native customary rights land.
A 20-member police party placed nine persons, aged between
24 and 48, under arrest when they allegedly persisted in
obstructing the workers of the company.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sahabat Alam Malaysia: 19 Kelawei Road, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-376930; Fax: 604-375705 Email: twn@igc.apc.org