Bruno Manser Fonds
Heuberg 25
4051 Basel
Switzerland
phone +41 61 261 94 74
fax +41 61 261 94 73
updated 2001-01-31
April 6th, 1998
Hari Raya Haji
Parachute-jump in Geneva with Message of Peace and Lamb
Since the Chief Minister of Sarawak did not reply at all to Bruno Manser's requests and a legal entry into Malaysia was prevented through diplomatic channels, the act is taking place at the Malaysian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
The lamb as a islamic symbol of reconciliation and a message of peace will be handed over to the Malaysian Ambassador Mr Hamidon Ali in order to forward it to the Chief Minster Datuk Taib Mahmud in Kuching/Sarawak/Malaysia.
Original Plan
The Rainforest activist from Basel, Switzerland, intended to do a parachute jump over Kuching (Sarawak/Malaysia) together with a lamb and the Sarawak Flag as gifts to the Chief Minister Taib Mahmud on the occasion of the Hari Raya Haji festivities next Tuesday, April 7th.
Manser, who lived for six years with the Penan in the jungle, through this act of desperation hopes to find a common wa to protect the Penan's last remaining refuge of Virgin Rainforest, which is directly threatened by logging activities.
Bruno Manser: "This as a peaceful gesture of reconciliation. I want to appologize for my violation of the Malaysian Immigration Laws during my stay with the Penan in the 80's. I will accept a punishment. I hope though the Malaysians forgive me and together we can find a quick solution for the saving of the Penan and their living space in the Rainforest."
What Ruedi Suter has written about it ( german text ).