A group of 13 angry and shocked Iban farmers from various longhouses in Bakong, Baram in northern Sarawak are demanding the Road Transport Department (JPJ) issue them their driving licences immediately.

They claimed that the department is holding on to their licences even after they had fulfilled all the necessary requirements. The farmers have been told that their licences are being held back following "instructions from certain quarters in Kuching".

The 13 now want the JPJ and the Transport Ministry to probe into the matter immediately and give reason(s) in writing on the department's refusal to deliver the driving licences.

They have also appealed to the Malaysian Human Rights Organisation (Suhakam) to launch an independent investigation into the matter "because we strongly believe the decision is in violation of our human rights".

According to the group, they were informed by JPJ Miri and District Office in Beluru, Bakong on Aug 27, 2006, that they were to be given their licences at a function the next day.

They were also told the Assistant Minister of Water Supply Sylvester Entrie would be present at the function at the community hall in Beluru, the sub-district administrative centre.

"Before that, we had applied for and obtained our 'L' driving licences, paid all the requisite fees and complied with all legal requirements to qualify for the licences," said the group in a statement.

In urgent need of licences

Further, they had also paid the requisite fees as well as complied with all legal requirements for the issuance of 'P' licences that were supposed to be handed over to them at the function in Beluru.

"However, we were shocked when we were suddenly told by JPJ officials at the function that our licences would not be delivered to us, although our other longhouse mates were given theirs."

"We do not understand why JPJ all of a sudden and selectively refused to issue the driving licences to us," they added.

When they demanded to know why, JPJ officials told the group the department had received a directive not to hand over the driving licences and advised them to contact the JPJ office in Miri.

"We are just ordinary farmers and we need the motorcycle licences for us to go to our gardens or farms and to transport our produce to the market," they said.

"Until today, we are yet to be given our licences and we hope the authorities concerned would not fine or charge us for continuing to drive our motorcycles without driving licences," they said.

They said they would give their co-operation to the authorities concerned if an investigation is launched into the matter.