Latest news with #Keruan
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Penan natives protesting forest logging arrested in Sarawak
MIRI: Anti-logging protests in the remote forests of Sarawak's Baram region escalated into physical confrontation when forestry enforcement teams swooped into human blockades set up by ethnic Penan natives defending their ancestral lands. Two individuals in the Long Tepen settlement were arrested and remanded for allegedly confronting the enforcement officers. The protesters, however, claimed that the forestry officials started the physical confrontations. Komeok Joe, head of Penan community association Keruan, described the arrests as an abuse of the people's human rights. 'The Penans in Long Tepen and elsewhere in the forests have been subjected to victimisation by timber giants whose logging has destroyed ancient native customary forests. 'We have lodged many police reports against the logging operators who trespassed into our forests and chopped down large areas of trees,' he told theSun today. 'Despite these police reports, logging has continued in Penan forests. That is why the Penan have resorted to human blockades.' Sarawak native land rights lawyer Roland Engan said the protests are taking place out of desperation. 'They are defending their forests using physical blockades as their appeals for help to the state authorities have been repeatedly ignored. 'The forestry enforcement people must not intimidate the natives who are merely defending their forests,' he said. Engan, who is also Sarawak PKR chairman, stressed that he is helping the Penan for their welfare and human rights, and not for political purposes. The anti-logging protests in Sarawak's interior have escalated over the past few months, especially in Baram and Marudi districts. Numerous human blockades have been set up in Telang Usan and Tutoh Apoh regions. The Penan are original inhabitants of Sarawak, with most still living in the forests. However, huge tracts in the northern interiors have been taken over by timber firms for logging.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Penan natives arrested protesting forest logging in Sarawak
MIRI: Anti-logging protests in the remote forests of Sarawak's Baram region escalated into physical confrontation when forestry enforcement teams swooped into human blockades set up by ethnic Penan natives defending their ancestral lands. Two individuals in the Long Tepen settlement were arrested and remanded for allegedly confronting the enforcement officers. The protesters, however, claimed that the forestry officials started the physical confrontations. Komeok Joe, head of Penan community association Keruan, described the arrests as an abuse of the people's human rights. 'The Penans in Long Tepen and elsewhere in the forests have been subjected to victimisation by timber giants whose logging has destroyed ancient native customary forests. 'We have lodged many police reports against the logging operators who trespassed into our forests and chopped down large areas of trees,' he told theSun today. 'Despite these police reports, logging has continued in Penan forests. That is why the Penan have resorted to human blockades.' Sarawak native land rights lawyer Roland Engan said the protests are taking place out of desperation. 'They are defending their forests using physical blockades as their appeals for help to the state authorities have been repeatedly ignored. 'The forestry enforcement people must not intimidate the natives who are merely defending their forests,' he said. Engan, who is also Sarawak PKR chairman, stressed that he is helping the Penan for their welfare and human rights, and not for political purposes. The anti-logging protests in Sarawak's interior have escalated over the past few months, especially in Baram and Marudi districts. Numerous human blockades have been set up in Telang Usan and Tutoh Apoh regions. The Penan are original inhabitants of Sarawak, with most still living in the forests. However, huge tracts in the northern interiors have been taken over by timber firms for logging. Two Penan protestors in handcuffs after being arrested during an anti-logging protest at Long Tepen forest in Baram.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
NGOs demand immediate release of Long Tepen protestors
Handout photo shows the two men currently under remand. MIRI (July 1): Sarawak non-governmental organisation (NGO) Keruan and Swiss NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) are calling for the immediate release of two Penan protestors from Long Tepen. The men were remanded for four days on Sunday to assist with an investigation under Section 103 of the Forest Ordinance. In a joint statement, Keruan and BMF called on the government to support the immediate release of the two men and to take action to stop logging in the area. 'The rights of indigenous peoples to their land must be respected and protected,' said the statement. The NGOs called for assistance on the matter from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). According to the statement, one other man escaped with minor injuries and reported the incident to the police. Komeok Joe from Keruan said while the Penan community from Long Tepen has repeatedly filed police reports against the destruction of their forests by a company, their rights have been ignored and their defenders criminalised. 'Instead of addressing the community's legitimate concerns, authorities have chosen to target those who stand up for their land and culture,' he claimed. According to the NGOs, Long Tepen folk filed police reports in September 2024, March 2025, and June 2025 against the logging activities of a company on their ancestral lands and the dismantlement of their blockades. Yesterday, Roland Engan, the lawyer for the two men, called on all parties to remain calm to allow the investigation and any possible prosecution to proceed without interference. The Sarawak Forest Department said in a statement that the two men were also being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for making criminal threats. The department claimed the two men were among individuals who had set up a blockade in Telang Usan on June 28 and used violence against the department's enforcement personnel while they were carrying out their duties by abusing and injuring them. 'These individuals also issued threatening words against enforcement personnel during the incident,' said the department. The department added another suspect fled the scene and is still being pursued. Bruno Manser Fonds Keruan Komeok Joe lead Long Tepen
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
NGOs call for immediate release of Penan protestors detained over Long Tepen logging dispute
MIRI, July 1 — Sarawak non-governmental organisation (NGO) Keruan and Swiss NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) are calling for the immediate release of two Penan protestors from Long Tepen. On Sunday, the men were remanded for four days to assist with an investigation under Section 103 of the Forest Ordinance. In a joint statement yesterday, Keruan and BMF called on the government to support the immediate release of the two men and to take action to stop logging in the area. 'The rights of indigenous peoples to their land must be respected and protected,' said the statement. The NGOs called for assistance on the matter from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). According to the statement, one other man escaped with minor injuries and reported the incident to the police. Komeok Joe from Keruan said while the Penan community from Long Tepen has repeatedly filed police reports against the destruction of their forests by a company, their rights have been ignored and their defenders criminalised. 'Instead of addressing the community's legitimate concerns, authorities have chosen to target those who stand up for their land and culture,' he claimed. According to the NGOs, Long Tepen folk filed police reports in September 2024, March 2025, and June 2025 against the logging activities of a company on their ancestral lands and the dismantlement of their blockades. Yesterday, Roland Engan, the lawyer for the two men, called on all parties to remain calm to allow the investigation and any possible prosecution to proceed without interference. The Sarawak Forest Department said in a statement that the two men were also being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for making criminal threats. The department claimed the two men were among individuals who had set up a blockade in Telang Usan on June 28 and used violence against the department's enforcement personnel while they were carrying out their duties by abusing and injuring them. 'These individuals also issued threatening words against enforcement personnel during the incident,' said the department. The department added another suspect fled the scene and is still being pursued. — The Borneo Post
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
NGOs Call For The Immediate Release Of Two Indigenous Penan From Sarawak, Malaysia
The Sarawak NGO Keruan and the Swiss based NGO Bruno Manser Fonds are calling for the immediate release of two Indigenous Penan from Sarawak, Malaysia, following their arrest by police on June 28th, 2025. (Sarawak / Malaysia) On June 28th, two Penan from Long Tepen were arrested by forestry officals while resting with a friend on the side of the road near Batu 12. While one of three Penan escaped with minor injuries and reported the incident to the police, the other two Penan were detained for at least four days under Section 103 of the Forestry Ordinance. The Long Tepen Village Residents Action Committee emphasised in its media statement over the weekend: «It is believed that the claims of obstructing public servants and issuing threats were fabricated. This incident appears to be a case of abuse of power by the Forest Department team.» It is pertinent to note that the Penan community from Long Tepen has filed numerous police reports in September 2024, March 2025 and June 2025 against the logging activities of the Malaysian company Shing Yang on their ancestral lands and the dismantlement of their blockades. Komeok Joe from the Penan organization Keruan concludes: «The Penan from Long Tepen have repeatedly filed police reports against the destruction of their forests by the company Shin Yang, only to see their rights ignored and their defenders criminalized. Instead of addressing the community's legitimate concerns, authorities have chosen to target those who stand up for their land and culture.» Keruan and the Bruno Manser Fonds urge the Malaysian government to support the immediate release of the two Penan forest defenders and to take action to stop logging in indigenous territories. The rights of indigenous peoples to their land must be respected and protected. In today's letter to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) the NGOs request assistance in this matter.
