An Australian journalist of 40 years’ standing, Paul Malone, has described the Penan as ‘peaceful people’ who refused to mount revenge attacks even when their women and children were massacred by outsiders.

"They have shown great restraint in their anti-logging and anti-dam protests, where excessive force has been used against them," Malone says in his book 'The Peaceful People: The Penan and their fight for the forest'.

The book was launched in Kuching this afternoon by Sarawak PKR vice-chairperson and Batu Lintang assemblyperson See Chee How.

Also launched by See was another book, titled 'Money Logging', by Lukas Straumann.

The two books will be delivered to Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem in the next few days.

Malone said: "I had heard of the Penan’s long-running campaign to preserve the forests, and after completing the head-hunters’ trek, I wanted to hear what Penan had to say.

"I sought contacts and in 2007 I travelled to Long Kerong, home of Kelesau Naan ( right) , a leading land rights activist and the village headman.

"Based on this research, I wrote a feature article 'Last Stand in Sarawak', which was published in the Canberra Times and republished elsewhere, including Malaysiakini ."

However, shortly after the publication, Malone heard that Kelesau Naan had gone missing.

A few months later, his remains were found.

"I decided to go back to see what had happened and as things would have it, I kept coming back, ultimately visiting many Penan settlements and interviewing many people for this book,” he said, pointing out that he had a few key observations.

A people of restraint

“Firstly, the thing that stuck me most was the persistence of the Penan in their battle for the forests.

“Contrary to a line pushed by government spokesmen, their views are not dictated or manipulated by outsiders. They had mounted protests against logging long before Bruno Manser ever arrived in this country,” he said.

“Secondly, they have demonstrated remarkable forbearance. Their historic peaceful nature is shown in the records I have documented in this book.

“Their refusal to mount revenge attacks, even when their women and children were massacred by outsiders; and their showing of great restraint in their anti-logging and anti-dam protects where excessive force has been used against them.” he said.

On his third observation, Malone said, the Penan had an unrivalled claim to land in Sarawak, and as far as the records go, Penan presence is recorded in the forests, from the Niah/Suai coast to the upper Rajang and Baram rivers region.

“Yet, today, there is no region with state government-recognised Penan land titles. This is an injustice which must be redressed. Land title for the indigenous tribal people is a basic right, now recognised across the world from Canada to Australia to India.

“If there is anything, I would like my book to do it - to make a contribution to the case for Penan land rights’ recognition. This is essential to justice in this state,” Malone said.