Note : How the authority is portraying the struggle of the Berawans as one of
misunderstanding and lack of communication.
Source : Borneo Post
Date : 14/8/93
Meeting to find ways to solve demonstration
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MIRI, (B.P. 14-8-93) Fri. - An emergency meeting was held at the Resident's
Office this morning to deliberate on ways to conciliate a group of Berawan who
are demonstrating peacefully at the Mulu National Park.
Among those present at the meeting were Senator Ding Seling, Political
Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr Kevin Wan, Divisional Police Chief ACP
Louis Chin, Land and Survey Department superintendent Charles Beatman and
heads of the Berawan tribe.
Senator Ding, who is the president of Orang Ulu Association, declined to say
what transpired at the meeting when he was met by the press later.
He said that the Berawan were definitely having some misunderstanding with the
State Government in view of their lack of information and knowledge on
government policies.
Senator Ding said that the peaceful demonstration staged by the Berawan was
not aimed at the government and the people.
"Due to their simple way of living, they neither know how to express their
discontented sentiment nor forward their view to the government through the
proper channel. Hence, they are doing what they think was right."
"The situation at Mulu is not as serious as what the mass media had reported,"
he said, adding that no Berawan had attacked anyone.
He said that the problem was caused by the lack of community communication
between the government and the Berawan.
Senator Ding hoped that he would be able to understand the true nature of the
Berawan's feeling when he meet them in dialogue session tomorrow.
"The government will try to help them through the proper channel.
Demonstration alone will not solve any problem," he said.
The Berawan are allegedly protesting against a few hotel and resort projects
which they claimed encroached on their native customary right lands in Mulu.
It is reliably learned that a few local travel agencies and Berawan tour
guides have stopped bringing tourists to the Mulu National Park.
--- * Origin: Asia Pacific Solidarity - Sarawak (90:600/108)--