Sarawak PKR has called for the establishment of an indigenous peoples commission chaired by the head of state to review the political, economic and cultural positions of the indigenous groups in Sarawak.

State PKR sole assemblyperson Dominique Ng (Padungan) said that the commission was timely as Sarawak would celebrate its 50th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia in 2013.

dominique ng interview 010606 gesturing Debating the 2009 state budget in the state assembly yesterday, Ng said that the commission was also needed in view of the many reports of abuse and marginalization of indigenous groups, most recently in the alleged rape of Penan schoolgirls by timber workers in Baram.

He said that members of the commission should comprise of members from the indigenous communities themselves, environmental activist, ex-judges familiar with native customary land rights, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and politicians.

Later, Ng trained his sights on the alleged rape of Penan schoolgirls, as reported by the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) and the Star, by drunken logging camp workers.

"It is reported that police reports by headmen are largely ignored. I call on the police to take heed, and open serious investigations, so that the full force of law may be brought to bear on the perpetrators," he said.

'Hell on earth'

Turning his focus on the native customary land rights, Ng said the government must respect such rights and regulate logging activities, particularly in the Baram area where the nomadic Penans live.

"Not content with destruction of the jungles and its biodiversity, must we now even condone the violations of the Penan womenfolk?

"As legislators on both sides of the house should we not be outraged that our paradise is no more! It has become hell on earth for many of our indigenous peoples!" he exclaimed.

He said that continued neglect for the indigenous people would eventually result in the destruction of the state's natural heritage and culture.