Press
Releases
Protest
on survey works performed on Penans' native lands
20th April 2000
Penan Chiefs of Tutoh/Apoh, Akah and Patah,
Baram District
Sarawak.
28 April 2000
The Forestry Officer
Miri Forestry Office
Tingkat 10, Wisma Pelita Tunku
Jalan Puchong,
Peti Surat 1961
98000 Miri, Sarawak
Dear Sir,
PROTEST ON SURVEY WORKS PERFORMED ON PENANS' NATIVE CUSTOMARY LAND
OF SUNGAI TUTOH, APOH, AKAH AND PATAH IN THE DISTRICT OF BARAM
We the Village Chiefs and Representatives from ten (10) Penan Villages
and Longhouses which represent the respective Penan villagers of Apoh/Tutoh
and Akah/Patah of the Baram District, Miri Division, would like to
draw your attention to the aforementioned matter.
We wish to express our deep regret and dissatisfaction in your department
for sending a few teams of surveyors, with officers and other workers,
to perform survey works on our customary land and communal forest
(hutan pemakai menoa) without informing us beforehand.
We would like to categorically state that we do not consent to both
the current survey activities taking place on our land and the decision
of your department to further pursue these activities. Our objection
is based on the following reasons.
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We
are protesting against the conduct of your department because
your actions have clearly demonstrated your lack of respect
for our customs and rights on the customary land. Our customary
land has been preserved as a traditional place for us to sustain
our livelihood since the days of our ancestors. |
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We
also cannot give our consent to the survey activities because
until today we have not been informed on the position of our
claims and protests pertaining to the gazetting of the forest
reserve and protected forests as proposed by the Government.
The gazetting of the forest reserve would certainly affect our
rights on the customary land. |
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We
are also protesting because the Forestry Department, Forestry
Officers and Chief Surveyors themselves had failed to provide
any form of notice, information or explanation regarding the
purpose of their survey works prior to their entrance into our
customary land to carry out their activities. |
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The
Village Chiefs are also alarmed by the lack of respect that
the Forestry Department is showing to the Letter of Appointment
as Wild Life Ranger that was granted to us by the Ministry of
Resource Planning, under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance
1990, Section 3(2). |
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As
villagers, we are always serious in guarding our safety. We
are also devoted to the protection of our source of livelihood,
which is obtained from the customary land (hutan pemakai penoa).
Thus we do not wish for our communal forest to be exploited
by outsiders or illegal immigrants without our prior permission. |
Due to these reasons, we wish to state our strong protest regarding
all of the matters above. We also appeal to the Forestry Department
of the Miri Division to seriously consider our demand that it should
halt all survey activities on our customary land immediately.
Your actions and co-operation are highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Chief Ajang Kiew, Long Sayan, Apoh.
Chief Unga Paren, Long Bangan, Tutoh.
Chief Seman Ngang, Long Kevok, Layun.
Chief Sakai Din, Long Lunyim, Pelutan
Chief Wan Supie, Long Latei, Apoh.
Chief Ngau Luin, Long Nen, Layun.
Chief Wan Jutang, Long Itam, Patah.
Chief Radu Kurau, Long Meraan, Tutoh.
Chief Tangan Anyi, Long Luteng, Patah.
Chief Satuk Lawai, Long Kawi, Patah.
cc. Sarawak Forestry Officer
Forestry Department Kuching.
Resident
Miri Division
Office of the Resident Miri.
District Officer
District Office Marudi.
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