Bruno Manser Fonds
Heuberg 25
4051 Basel
Switzerland
phone +41 61 261 94 74
fax +41 61 261 94 73
updated 2001-01-31
Basel/Switzerland, March 16th 2000
Press Release
Mobile Dental Clinic for the Penan in Sarawak
Penan children with fruit
Foto: © BMF
Bruno Manser and his team wish SELAMAT HARI RAYA HAJI to the whole population of Malaysia and offer a Mobile Dental Clinic for the Penan in Sarawak
Our good wishes are also for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud whom we politely ask to seize the opportunity of entering in a constructive dialogue with us in order to help to improve the Penan's living conditions and to protect their forests.
Although the Penan have lived for centuries in harmony with their environment, the virgin rain-forest, most of them have rotten teeth due to a high consumption of wild fruits: the fruit acids attack the enamel of teeth and cause them to rot. The proposed clinic would give the Penan the possibilities to care for their teeth prophylactically or to remedy urgent cases. Appropriate sites for two year's running are Long Seridan and Long Lelleng, where it is possible to serve all Kelabit, semi-settled and nomadic Penan within the area.
Now it is up to the Chief Minister to approve the start of this philanthropic project and to appoint a dentist of his choice.
Terima Kasih