The time for reckoning for the Chief Minister of Sarawak appears to have arrived with the Sibu by-election result. His 28-year reign has been variously described as 'oppressive, arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional' as well as 'despotic, corrupt and greatly self-enriching'.

Many people have no doubt gained from his opportunistic rule but perhaps far more have suffered, particularly the indigenous people of the state. During this time many indigenous communities have been dispossessed of their native customary right lands to logging and oil palm companies often with ties to the chief minister and his family as well as to colossal infrastructure development such as the Bakun Dam.

More colossal development such as the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) is in the works which promises to bring yet more hardships for the native people. These projects also have caused and will cause deterioration of streams and rivers, massive deforestation and loss of wildlife.

Perhaps no group has suffered more than the Penan whose misery intensified almost as soon as the chief minister took office. Their land has been constantly subject to logging by big timber interests which often results in such severe habitat degradation that the water from the streams and rivers becomes unusable to the locals.

The Penan are a peace-loving, forest people whose practice of caring, sharing and ‘molong’ – take only what you need –enables them to live in harmony with one another and with the forest, and this offers a lesson for all of us.

When independent reports documented the rape of young Penan girls by workers from the big logging companies, the chief Mmnister referred to the victims as 'storytellers'.

Given that the main issue of the by-election was the chief minister the result augurs well for the Penan and everyone who has suffered during his despotic rule. The people of Sibu sent a clear message that justice and equality matter as much as bread and butter issues.

If BN can learn the lesson that the era of powerful interests trampling over the lives of ordinary simple people is drawing to a close, then it could also augur well for the party.