BMF - Press Release - 31 January 2001

Bruno told the BMF and his friends that he might climb up Batu Lawi before he would trek on to the nomads at the Nyakit River. He also mentioned this intention to his Penan guide Paleu (Appendix 1: Interview Paleu).

Bruno was already once in danger during an attempted ascent in the 1980ies. Thus an accident on this mountain was a likely possibility. The Penan themselves, who have been searching for Bruno since August, could not carry out this investigation; they have neither the equipment nor the experience to do so.

The BMF organised an expedition which consisted of 2 teams, a ground team and a helicopter team.

2. Goals of the search expedition on Batu Lawi

A) Investigation: An accident on the mountain?

Results of the helicopter flight

The Swiss mountain guide Dario-Andri Schwoerer, experienced in rescue operations, successfully directed the search per helicopter on the 24.12.2000.

Conclusion of helicopter search:

Dario Schwoerer comes to the +conclusion that Bruno Manser most probably did not have an accident on Batu Lawi. (Appendix 3: Report of helicopter search)

Results of ground team

During his trek to the nomads the team leader interviewed the semi-settled Penan Akit on the 16.12.00 who came from the upper reaches of the Baram River; he confirms that he had seen Bruno in Bareo on the night of 23./24.05.00 (Appendix2: Interview Akit)

The Batu Lawi team regrouped in the Magoh Biosphere Reserve on the Kubaan River, where over 20 Penan families had set up their camp after it became known that Bruno Manser had disappeared. Here the Penan wanted to find out more about the disappearance of the "Penan man"; two search operations had already been organised from here.

The leader of the ground team (a European, familiar with the country and the language, who still is there and so wants to stay anonymous) interviewed Paleu, who accompanied Bruno in late May (Appendix 1: Interview Paleu)

The team consisted of the leader as well as 4 nomads (incl. Paleu) and a settled Penan man, who had all participated in the previous search operations and already had found Bruno's tracks in August. The team started out on the 25.12.00 and followed the tracks which Bruno had cut with his bushknife which lead from the spot where Bruno had left Paleu at the edge of the Magoh Biosphere Reserve in the direction of Batu Lawi.

Based on their knowledge and experiences as well as on the statements of Paleu, the Penan are certain that the tracks are Bruno's as otherwise nobody else had moved through this area at the time.

The team arrived at the spot where the summit of Batu Lawi rises up vertically by way of the ridge which drops off steeply to both sides on the 27.12.00. Bruno would have had to deposit his rucksack up here at the latest (30 kg of equipment). Conclusion of the ground team: No traces of Bruno Manser could be found which would suggest that he had climbed up Batu Lawi or even had an accident there. Bruno very probably did not have an accident on this mountain.

B) The Penan's assessment of the issue

After the announcement of Bruno's disappearance the nomads set up camp at the Kubaan River in the Magoh Biosphere Reserve in order to find out what had happened and to look for Bruno. Their search may contain gaps, a systematic search for the remains or the equipment of Bruno Manser cannot, however, practically be carried out.

Various Penan reported independently that an unusually high rate of military, police and Police Field Force troup movements took place in May/June. Reasons for these movements are not known, having occurred at the time and place of Bruno's disappearance. In the past these troups were often used by the logging industry to counter the resistance of the indigenous people.

As Bruno had disappeared within the Magoh Biosphere Reserve which is currently being illegally logged by the Samling, WTK, Rimbunan Hijau and Raut +companies, the Penan consider an outside cause as probable. (Appendix 6: New Straits Times 19.10.1993)

Samling Co. (Ravenscourt) (red) Route ground team (15.12 00 - 02.01.01)
Limbang Trading LLT (blue) Main logging roads (incomplete)
WTK Co. (stripes) Area of Kelabit and Lun Bawan people
Raut Co. with no logging for the time being
Rimbunan Hijau Co. (green) Area of Penan, many rivers are already
Woodman Company polluted with no logging for the time being

3. Conclusions of the Expedition

Bruno's tracks disappear within the Magoh Biosphere Reserve. This protected area was especially set aside for the Penan nomads by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Taib Mahmud, in1987.

The Penan have already been complaining for a long time about illegal activities of the Samling (Ravenscourt), WTK, Rimbunan Hijau and the Raut (Rawood) Companies within the Magoh Biosphere Reserve. In an area where an industry is active which causes entire peoples and cultures to disappear (and a reward has been offered as head money for Bruno), an outside cause for his disappearance cannot be ruled out. The government even tolerates the fact that these companies employ criminal gangs to intimidate the indigenous population. Bruno Manser remains an official enemy of the state.

Brunos tracks lead in the direction of Batu Lawi. As no indications of a mountaineering accident could be found, it is possible that Bruno could make his way into the Adang Reserve. This reserve, set aside for the Penan nomads in 1993, is currently being attacked by Samling (Ravenscourt) and Limbang Trading Ltd Companies, the latter belonging to the Minister for the Environment, Datuk James Wong! (Appendix 5, map with directions of thrust by the logging companies /Appendix 6: New Straits Times 19.10.1993)

Encircled by loggers, police and the military, the nomad tribe does not dare to leave the Adang Reserve. Too great is their fear that the companies would immediately cut down their last remaining intact native territory. This tribe did not come to the big meeting at the Kubaan River and no contact could be established with these nomads to date.

It is possible that Bruno Manser may be encircled there. This hypothesis is supported by James Ritchie, author of Appendix 6 (New Straits Times,19.10.1993) and author of a book on Bruno Manser and the Penan. According to his information, Bruno had been seen within the Adang Reserve in January, 2001.

4. Situation of the Penan

The situation of the 300 Penan nomads is desperate. Not even the reserves set aside by the government (Magoh, Adang, Melana, Seridan, Tutoh) are protected from illegal logging. The Penan's health conditions and their psychological state are worse than ever. Their remaining intact native territory is too small, the game has been wiped out, rivers and streams polluted. Too little to live, too much to die. They are being encroached on and attacked from all sides: desperate, they are crying for help and advice. Who will still help them, now that Bruno is not here anymore? What shall they do? (Appendix 4: Along Segah speaks/ Appendix 5: situation plan/map / Appendix 6 New Straits Times, 19.10.1993)

Unfortunately, the situation of the 10,000 semi-settled Penan is not any better. Even they complain about illegal logging in their reserves, especially in the protected forest of Melana. The Penan on the Baram River are currently defending themselves with blockades against the logging on their territory. In March of this year the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, Suhakam, will visit the Penan on the upper reaches of the Baram River in order to be able to picture their situation.

If nothing happens soon the Penan will not survive as an independent ethnic group with their own unique culture and traditions but will disappear from the face of the Earth within a very short time.

5. How to continue?

The searches carried out by the Penan and the expedition team may have some gaps. A chance accident without outside causes (falling dead wood, sudden high water, poisonous snake) is still a possibility.

Malaysian, multinationally operating logging companies (Samling, Rimbunan Hijau and WTK, logging a.o. in Korea, Russia, Cameroon, Brazil, Bulgaria), worldwide among the largest in this area of business, are not even stopping at reserves protected by the state; they accept the disappearance of entire peoples and cultures. The last remaining areas to which the Penan nomads can retreat, the Adang and Magoh Reserves, are currently being illegally plundered - without intervention from the government.

Considering this state of affairs as well as the reward of head money amounting to $50,000 for Bruno, an outside cause for his disappearance cannot be ruled out.

A systematic search in case of a chance accident is practically inmpossible to carry out. The Penan will keep their eyes and ears open.

Bruno Manser's relatives are considering a reward for concrete information on his disappearance. The BMF will carry out further interviews in the area, especially with nomads of the Adang Reserve.

The BMF will continue to report on the latest developments in solving the case of Bruno Manser.

6. Demands

To the governments of Sarawak and Malaysia

Immediate stop of all logging activities in the Penan reserves (Melana, Seridan, Magoh, Adang and Tutoh);
Immediate stop of all logging activities in areas claimed and used by the Penan;
Respect and protection of the native customary rights of the indigenous peoples of Sarawak.

To the Swiss government and all other govenments worldwide

An immediate import moratorium for wood from Malaysia;
Diplomatic intervention in Sarawak and Malaysia with the demand that human rights and the Malaysian Constitution and laws be adhered to;
Diplomatic intervention in Sarawak and Malaysia with the demand to stop logging immediately in the reserves set aside especially for the Penan since1987;
To announce its resignation from the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), which covers its destruction of the rainforests with a figleaf of "sustainability". (Switzerland is the second largest donor of money for this alibi institution after Japan!)

Basel, 31 January 2001

Press Release

Results of the search expedition on the Penan mountain Batu Lawi

Where is Bruno Manser?

1. Reason for the search expedition to the Penan Mountain Batu Lawi