Suhakam has given its word that it will go to Sarawak to look into the case of the indigenous people who have been denied their rights.

Seven representatives from the Penan community today met the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to lodge a report for the commission to probe into the encroachment on their land by logging companies.

Harun Hashim, speaking on behalf of Suhakam, said that this is the first time the commission has received a report with regard to the problem faced by the indigenous people of Sarawak.

"We will go down to Kuching to hear the Sarawak state government's side of the story. If need be, later on, we will go and visit their kampung , as they claim that no one has ever visited them for the past 15 years.

"Suhakam will not touch the cases that have gone to court and are pending trial. Many of the cases presented, however, have yet to be brought to court. We will look into that and see where the human rights have been abused and denied. Then we will prepare a report and suggest the best ways to deal with issues that violate human rights in these cases," said Harun.

He stated that Suhakam will also inquire into the alleged misuse of police force by the loggers.

'We are not foreigners'

According to Balang Nalang of Ulu Baram, the meeting with Suhakam was satisfactory as the commission has expressed its intention to go down to Sarawak to look into the problems of the indigenous people there.

"We have many times sent letters and tried to meet the Sarawak state government but we suspect the letters end up in dustbins as there has never been any response from the ministers.

"We will not be completely satisfied until we are given all our rights. What we are asking for is the halting of encroachment on our land by loggers and to be given fair treatment as citizens of this country. We are not foreigners," said Balang.

For years, the Penan have been fighting against logging encroachment on their land and have been appealing the government for help to resolve their long-standing land issues, the main problem of which is that many do not have official proof of land ownership.

A report comprising testimonies by the Penan communities in Sarawak, titled "Not Development but Theft", states how logging companies intimidate the Penans, using Police Field Force and gangsters, into giving up their land for logging purposes, at times ending in murder and violent confrontations.

Photo by Sam Hui

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