The trial of two suspects for forging the signature of son of the late Kelesau Naan in a letter aimed to dispel suspicion of foul play in the death of the anti-logging Penan chief has been adjourned to May 11.

Nick Kelesau, 44, son of the Penan chief, has given evidence for the prosecution over the last two days in the case against Kho Thien Seng and Sedi Li - said to be linked to a logging company - for forging his signature in a letter bearing his name.

The letter was sent to online portal Malaysiakini with Nick purportedly denying any element of foul play in the death of his father.

The duo are charged in Miri Magistrate’s Court in Sarawak for forgery, and if found guilty shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years or fine, under section 465 of the Penal Code.

Nick, when contacted, said that the defence lawyer had repeatedly asked him during cross-examination whether he had signed the letter.

"The event took place early last year, so it was still fresh in my mind. I could not have mistakenly signed it either. Otherwise, I would not have lodged a police report," said Nick.

kelesau naan murdered penan head 040108 Anti-logging Penan leader Kelesau Naan, 80 went missing on Oct 23, 2007 after telling his wife, Uding Lidem, that he was going to check on an animal trap he had set near Sungai Segita about two hours walk from their longhouse. He did not returned.

After failing to locate Kelesau despite using tracker dogs, the villagers feared that their headman had died.

Three weeks later, the villagers discovered Kelesau's skull and the bones of his thighs, ribs and hands near Sungai Segita.

Fingers have been generally pointed at logging interests as being behind Kelesau's death, and the Penans are skeptical of any police investigation into the case.

Letter denies foul play

About a month after the discovery of Kelesau’s remains, a letter bearing his son’s name and what is supposed to be his signature surfaced, denying any element of foul play in the death of the Penan chief.

The Jan 5, 2008 letter, a copy of which was received by Malaysiakini , ‘confirmed’ that Nick did not suspect “any foul play” in the death of his late father and to disavow his statements made in an earlier Malaysiakini report, ‘Penan chief found dead, foul play suspected’ .

According to the forged letter, Nick had sought to end the controversy over his father’s death.

"It is our wish that the speculation be laid to rest and that my late father's spirit be allowed to rest," said the letter.

Following this, Nick made a police report.

In his police report, Nick disclaimed any involvement in writing or signing the letter and maintained his stand that the family believes Kelesau was indeed murdered.