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updated 2001-01-31
Limbang, July 3th 2000
Petition of nomadic Penan of the Ulu Limbang and Ulu Magoh-areas
Along Segak and friends
Ba' Ureu,
Ulu Limbang,
Limbang sent by
express-mail on July 3, 2000
Datuk Patinggi Haji Taib Mahmud
Chief Minister of Sarawak
Wisma Pelita, Petra Jaya
Kuching, Sarawak/Malaysia )
Sir,
Re: Appeal to stop logging in Sungai Ureu and Ulu Madiit of Ulu Limbang and Ulu Magoh of Tutoh, Baram. On behalf of the Penans who live in Sungai Ureu, Ulu Limbang and Ulu Magoh, Tutoh, we respectfully appeal to you to take action as quickly as possible to stop logging activities in the areas mentioned. We make this appeal based on the following reasons:
- All of us who inhabit the Sungai Ureu, Ulu Limbang and Ulu Magoh, Tutoh areas are still leading a nomadic way of life. Our survival depends entirely on the forest and its resources.
- The forest areas surrounding our present areas of occupation have already been logged and we have observed with our own eyes the destructive impact in the areas involved.
- Only Sungai Ureu and Sungai Batu remain as areas that are still suitable which contain the forest resources that we require.
- Governmental reasoning that we Penans should change our way of life so that we would no longer be dependent on the forests and its resources is not logical. We acknowledge that we cannot escape the tides of change. As a result, we greatly need assistance and protection from the government. The most urgent assistance that we need or our request that should be given top priority is the allocation of forest areas of sufficient size to sustain our daily subsistence whilst we try to adapt to and learn the way of life that is proclaimed as superior ( to ours).
- The forest areas that we request to be protected or to be specially set aside and reserved for us are areas that have sustained us for generations in accordance to our customs, culture and traditions. As such, we have (establihed and) acquired native customary rights to the above mentioned areas. The government should recognise and respect our customary rights and take appropriate action to protect our rights thereto.
- In accordance with the Sarawak Forest Ordinance, native peoples (pribumi) have the right to request that forest areas be set aside as communal reserve forests and the authorities concerned are bound to evaluate such a request. Until this point, we have not been informed as to why our earlier requests or applications made since the 1980s have not been approved or been processed. We sincerely appeal to you (and the government) to show empathy and consideration for our situation and to approve our request.
For your information, we have struggled to come down from Ulu Limbang and Ulu Magoh to convey this appeal ( to the government) as we are desperate (for action). If the logging is allowed to continue, we will have to realize that the rights and lives of us Penans have not been adequately protected by the relevant authorities although it is their governmental responsibility. Once again, we appeal to you for protection.
Yours sincerely,
Along Segak, Seng Megut, Melai Belulok, Selai Segak, Sayak Magut
c.c.- YB Dato' Abang Johari, Chairman of the Committee for Penan Affairs
- Director of Forestry, Forestry Department Sarawak
- Resident, Limbang Division
- District Officer, Limbang