A Sarawak land rights lawyer has asked Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu to name the traitors whom he had accused of opposing the state government's policies on native customary rights (NCR) land and timber exploitation.

Baru Bian ( right ) said that Jabu should not hide under a veil of generalities and rhetoric by accusing certain people as 'traitors.'

"If what he says is true then he should make a police report because calling a person a traitor is a serious matter," he said.

To be fair to all concerned, Baru said that Jabu should identity or name those he labelled as traitors.

The deputy chief minister pointed his finger at non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians alleging that "they try to wreck our state's reputation, harm our economy, deter investors, including foreign banks from doing business with our local companies, or investing in Sarawak."

Jabu also charged in the state legislative assembly yesterday that "certain NGO leaders and opposition politicians were trying to get European countries not to buy Sarawak timber, palm oil and other commodities".

Refuting accusations by the group that the government had neglected the welfare of the Penans, he said 97% of the some 15,400 Penans in 103 settlements were provided with social, medical and educational services.

Lawyers the target

Jabu also claimed that certain lawyers in the state who stood and lost in the state elections had provoked NGOs in Europe with 'incorrect information', in that there were 1,000 or more cases brought to court against the government by NCR landowners where there were only 40.

He said the objective of the lawyers and NGO activists was to convey to the world "a false picture that the Sarawak government does not recognise or respect NCR or indigenous cultures and traditions, and was oppressing the natives".

Malaysiakini understands that after a concerted campaign by a group of Malaysian NGOs, certain authorities in Europe have withdrawn recognition of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) which means Sarawak or Malaysian timber will most likely be prevented from entering the European market.

Baru Bian is believed to be one of the personalities targetted by Jabu as he had contested for a state seat twice but failed on both occasions. He is also actively involved in NCR cases filed against the state government.