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Arrested for Protecting Land
Source: pacmal@hotmail.com
Twenty-five Iban Natives were been arrested on 10 May, 1997 for their efforts to negotiate with a timber company in Malaysia.
The Iban natives from Ensika village were verbally invited by one police officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohd Faizal to negotiate the villagers' demand to temporarily stop logging on their land.
Upon reaching the logging camp, one ASP Mohd Faizal changed his mind and refused to accept a letter from the villagers seeking negotiation with the company officials. Instead he ordered the Police Field Force (PFF) to arrest the 25 villagers which include 2 persons of 16 year-old and one 17 year-old.
Insufficient food, poor condition prevail in the police lock-up in Simunjan. Each of the natives were given one glass of coffee and 3 pieces of cream cracker for breakfast. Blankets and pillows were not provided. The detainees have to sleep on cold cement floors. This poor condition caused a few of them including Bohoi ak Meling, a 74 year-old, to fall sick. The old man suffered serious stomach-ache. Other villagers demanded that he must be given immediate treatment, but the police denied him any medical attention during the two-day remand.
On 12 May, 1997, the 25 persons were brought before Magistrate Court of Simunjan and charged for unlawful assembly, under Section 27 (5) and Section 27 (8) of the Police Act 1967. Another 3 of the 25 were charged separately under Section 506 of Penal Code. Hearing has been fixed on 4 August, 1997 at the Magistrate Court of Simunjan. They have been released at 4.00pm.
What you can do
Campaigners are attempting to raise money to cover travel expenses to get both the natives and their lawyer to and from court. The lawyer must travel 360km both ways by car, and the community people will need to travel by express boat for 2 hours to reach the rural town where the court case will be held.
To cover these expenses, approx. AUD$3000 is being raised by way of donations. You can contribute to the fund by emailing the following for more details:
pacmal@hotmail.com
Satellite Dispatch has received further background materials to this issue. If you would like a copy, email editor@toysatellite.org with "IBAN" in the Subject field of your message. |
