Penans get their land in ‘peace deal’

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MIRI: A “peace deal” to end protests and blockades by the Penans against timber operators has resulted in the state government agreeing to acknowledge that the natives have a right to their own land.

It is the first time Sarawak has conceded this to the landless Penans, the original settlers of Borneo living in miserable conditions in the logging-ravaged regions of the state.

The state government made the announcement through Telang Usan assemblyman Lihan Jok yesterday.

Lihan said the Penans agreed to the terms in exchange for ending the anti-logging blockades that had been going on for more than a month.

“With the deal, the Penans agree to allow the logging to resume,” he told a press conference here.

The points of agreement include the state government’s acknowledgement that the Penans must be given land for farming, and conceding that they had been living with a dilemma amid socio-economic problems that needed addressing.

The state also agreed that a clinic, kindergarten and primary school be built in areas with clusters of four or five Penans settlements.

Homes would be built for nomadic Penans who want to settle down, while those who had already done so would have their longhouses repaired.

A special unit at the Resident’s Office in Kapit and Miri Divisions would also specifically look into the welfare of the Penans.

The state would also request the National Registration Department speed up the issuance of birth certificates and MyKad for Penans.

In addition, Penans settlements would get electricity and water supply, and receive financial and technical aid for rubber-planting and orchard-farming.

The blockades involved nine settlements in Long Bangan, Long Wen, Long Nen, Long Lilim, Long Luteng, Long Belok, Long Daloh, Long Karangan and Long Marong.

Subsequently, four timber companies, Shin Yang, Samling, KTS and Interhill were prevented from logging for more than a month.

The amount and location of land to be allocated to the Penans would be considered by state leaders.

Lihan said “there must be positive results within the next three months,” when asked how the promises made would be kept.

However, he appealed to the Penans not to resort to non-governmental organisations to voice their grievances as there were some which were anti-government.

Except for one Penan chief, all had agreed to the terms of the deal provided that the pledges were fulfilled very soon.