A global coalition of NGOs want image-conscious Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to act immediately and protect victimised Penans.
KUCHING: An international coalition of 29 NGOs are aiming to shame Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak into acting on calls for him to intervene and stop the continued mistreatment of displaced Penans in the Murum hydro-power project site.
US-based The Borneo Project, said it will deliver to Malaysian embassies worldwide signed complaints against the “intimidation, threat, arrest, detention and criminalisation of Penans seeking justice against their forced displacement.”
The coalition of NGOs said the signed protests will be delivered simultaneously to Malaysian embassies around the globe.
Borneo Project communications and outreach manager Tara Holmes said “they are coordinating this global effort to get the attention of the Malaysian consulates”.
“We will step in and stop the blatant mistreatment, abuse and disrespect of indigenous communities protesting against mega dam construction.
“Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has already been asked to intervene at the site to protect the rights of the affected communities.
“We hope by sending all of our complaint to Malaysian embassies across the globe, the government will take the action.”
About 1,500 Penans who are protesting the state government and its contractor Sarawak Energy Berhad’s (SEB) refusal to meet their compensation demands, have been mounting blockade-upon-blockades at the 944MW Murum dam project site since September.
Matters came to boil when the Penans were chased away SEB workers at the site following what they alleged was the ‘sudden’ impoundment of the dam which forced out natives living in three of the seven affected villages.
‘Withdraw police in Murum’
Following this stand-off between Penans and SEB, police arrested 10 protestors including two teenagers and cut off access to food, water, medicines, lawyers and activists, which led to the global outcry over Sarawak and Malaysia’s poor human rights policy.
In a statement today, Holmes reiterated their call for the police to withdraw from Murum.
“The groups are asking for the withdrawal of police (from Murum) and to allow human rights observers and lawyers to access the area.
“As of Nov 5, a barricade of armed police has cordoned off the protestors, denying them basic supplies, such as food and water,” said Holmes.
She added that obtaining accurate information regarding the health and well being of families inside the security perimeter was nearly impossible.
“We are concerned over conditions of those who are vulnerable, including younger children and the elderly.
“Any intimidation, threat, arrest, detention and criminalisation of members of the Penan families seeking justice against forced displacement are in clear violation of legally guaranteed rights with respect to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” she said.
Meanwhile, a coalition member Save Rivers Network, which led a 13-member Penan delegation to Kuala Lumpur last week, said that their main agenda was to bring national focus and seek immediate intervention on the situation in Murum.
The delegation which included two Penan village headmen handed over two memorandums while in Kuala Lumpur.
Penans at risk
Their first memorandum to Bukit Aman, urged the Inspector General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, and police to “act impartially and protect the minority group’s rights”.
The second memorandum was handed in parliament and addressed to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Home Minister Ahamd Zahid Hamidi and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking to reporters in Kuching on their return, Penan spokesman Ngang Buling said: “We want to have our voice heard as many people do not know what is actually happening in Murum.
“We want the whole of Malaysia to know what is happening and the dangers we are currently facing.”
Buling said their group had also sent a memorandum to Suhakam commisisoner James Nayagam and had met with women’s groups in KL, church leaders and made a visit to Orang Asli resettlement village in Banting to share their predicament.
Saves Rivers chairman Peter Kallang meanwhile, added that there was an urgent need for immediate action from the authorities.
“Since the Murum dam is now being impounded, the safety of those still living in the area is also endangered.
“The Penans who are staging blockades against the Murum dam are at risk of losing their livelihoods and their lives and relevant authorities should address the situation urgently,” he said. fmt
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