Bruno Manser Fonds
Heuberg 25
4051 Basel
Switzerland
phone +41 61 261 94 74
fax +41 61 261 94 73
updated 2001-01-31
March 29th, 1999
Press Release
Bruno Manser arrested in Sarawak
An action for the Penan
"Months if not years pass before international agreements are negotiated and implemented. Environmental destruction, for example, that can lead to serious contamination or deforestation, is faster than the potential for protections. The current business as usual-attitude is no longer welcomed - there is much to be done now." President of the United Nations General Assembly Tan Sri Razali Ismail's speech to the 51st General Assembly of the United Nations in september 1996/quoted from malaysian New Stra its Times 19/09/96
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Kuching/Sarawak/Malaysia: The Swiss environmental and human rights activist Bruno Manser surrendered himself to the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Malaysia, Datuk Patinggi Taib Mahmud in Kuching today at 11:30 a.m. (Malaysian time).
The reason for this daring action, in which Manser risks his life and his freedom, is the desperate situation of the Penan, the last remaining rainforest nomads of Borneo, with whom Manser had lived for six years in the 1980's. Their native habitat is b eing mercilessly destroyed by the timber industry. In spite of decades-long peaceful protests by the Penan and promises from the government to gazette a protected area, these indigenous people are now facing the end. If no rapid and committed action tak es place now, the world will lose one of ist oldest traditional cultures. The Penan people will be eradicated!
Bruno Manser circled the new mosque of Kuching from above by hang-glider where a crowd was gathered for prayers on occasiojn of the Hari Raya Haji-festivities - the return of the pilgrims from Mecca.
"Selamat Hari Raya Haji Taib + Penan" (Best wishes Taib (the Chief Minister, comm. BMF) and Penan) was Manser's message to the spectators which was written on his hang-glider, also decorated with the flags of Malaysia and Sarawak on the occasion of this most important Islamic festivity.
Manser flew from the mosque to the private residence of the Chief Minister where representatives of the media and a group of 11 Penan were expecting him.
Manser remained several minutes in the air above the villa with his positive message of greetings before landing outside the private property. Great confusion occured. Manser's much longed-for wish for a talk with the Chief Minister Taib Mahmud did not have a chance. The existential problems of the Penan as well as the unfulfilled promises of the government to set aside a protected area would have been discussed at the meeting. Manser is offering the government his full support in realizing such a reserve.
Neither the Penan delegation nor Bruno Manser were allowed to enter the private property. Manser and his Penan-friends were immediately arrested by the police, locked into a car and taken away to the police-station. 10 of the 11 Penan were released agai n in the evening.