JOAS condemns arrest of member and demands release

(Sila lihat terjemahan Bahasa Malaysia di bawah)

PRESS STATEMENT

22 October 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


JOAS condemns the unjust arrest of 7 villagers by the police for the crime of allegedly causing mischief by fire and blocking the company by erecting a blockade. They will be detained until Tuesday until further notice.

4 villagers were arrested last night, which include 2 headmen. They are Tuai Rumah Philip Anak Bakat of Kampung Tungkah Atap, Tuai Rumah Neli Anak Nipa of Kampung Bajong Ili, Bawi Anak Atman of Kampung Lubok Manta and Tinsi Anak Gunda of Kampung Lumut.

3 more villagers were arrested at 2.30 this afternoon. They are Tuai Rumah Sadun Anak Aton and Nicholas Mujah of Kampung Ensika and Numpang Anak Suntai of Kampung Bajong. Nicholas Mujah is also the Secretary General of the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) and a member of the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS).


Nicholas Mujah (pic) is currently assisting the Ibans in Sebuyau, who are also his community in their current native customary land dispute involving a logging company named Quality Concrete Holdings.

JOAS condemns the heavy use of force and intimidation against the community leaders and villagers and calls for neutrality of the state infrastructure in this legal dispute between the private company and indigenous peoples.


“Why do the police decide only to act now when before, numerous reports were lodged by the villagers against the encroachment of the logging company without any action being taken?” Mark Bujang, Executive Director of Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS) asked. “We believe that Nicholas Mujah and the 6 other villagers were wrongly accused and this is not the first time that indigenous communities in Sarawak who defend their land are accused of committing a crime just so that the police will find an excuse to arrest and detain them.”


Romuald Siew (pic), President of Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak (TAHABAS) also condemns the arrest of the 7 Iban villagers. "Our communities have been oppressed and our rights neglected and trampled upon for too long. This is just another example of where the rich and powerful are bullying the natives so that they can become even richer at the expense of the natives," said Siew.

"We stand in solidarity with the communities in Sebuyau, and demand that the authorities would release the 7 Iban villagers immediately," said Siew.


Hellan Empaing (pic), President of Sarawak Rural Women Association (WADESA) pointed out, “The Malaysian police should take measures ensuring the protection of the villagers whom are the victims. Instead, they are arresting the villagers defending their forests and ancestral lands. This is an offensive act of misused power.”



Adrian Lasimbang (pic), President of Malaysia Indigenous Peoples Network (JOAS) which is now attending the Conference of Parties (COP 10) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, stated that while the governments talk about conservation of biodiversity in Nagoya, the government continues destructions back home and disregards indigenous rights on land and resources.


“Indigenous peoples are first line of defense to biodiversity destruction and they are willing to go face to face with destructive practices for the sake of biodiversity conservation. This contribution can be seen practiced by the community in Sebuyau.”

The non-recognition of their rights to NCR land, will cause the loss of biodiversity and deforestation. And when they stand to fight this struggle of oppression, indigenous peoples are prosecuted by the government for protecting biodiversity and defending their customary rights to their land and resources.

Nicholas Mujah's case is just one of hundreds of land encroachment and conflict cases between indigenous peoples and logging companies in Sarawak.

With these statements, JOAS demands the immediate unconditional release of Nicholas Mujah and the six other villagers. JOAS also demands that police stop this practice of intimidating and harassing Sarawak’s indigenous leaders.

For more information please contact the JOAS Secretariat

+6088 726 413
joasmalaysia@gmail.com




KENYATAAN MEDIA

22 Oktober 2010


UNTUK KELUARAN SEGERA

“Bebaskan pemimpin kami! Siasat korupsi dan salah guna kuasa.”

JOAS menyeru salah guna kuasa polis terhadap penahanan 7 orang penduduk kampung yang disalah tuduh menimbulkan kekacauan dan kebakaran, dan menghalang syarikat dengan mendirikan 'blockade'. Mereka akan ditahan sehingga hari Selasa, sambil menunggu keputusan.

4 orang penduduk kampung ditahan semalam termasuk 2 Tuai Rumah. Nama-nama yang ditahan ialah Tuai Rumah Philip Anak Bakat dari Kampung Tungkah Atap, Tuai Rumah Neli Anak Nipa dari kampung Bajong Ili, Bawi Anak Atman dari Kampung Lubok Manta dan Tinsi Anak Gunda dari Kampung Lumut.

3 orang lagi penduduk kampung ditahan pada hari ini. Nama-nama yang ditahan ialah Tuai Rumah sadun Anak Aton, Nicholas Mujah dari Kampung Ensika dan Numpang Anak Suntai dari Kampung Bajong. Nicolas Mujah ialah setiausaha Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) dan juga ahli Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS).

Beliau sekarang membantu komuniti Iban di Sebuyau, yang juga merupakan kawasan kampung beliau sendiri, dalam perjuangan mempertahankan Tanah Adat mereka yang melibatkan syarikat balak yang bernama Quality Concrete Holdings.

JOAS menyeru untuk menghentikan penyalahgunaan kuasa dan layanan buruk menakut-nakutkan pemimpin komuniti dan penduduk kampung, dan mendesak kerajaan untuk bersifat adil dalam menangani isu konflik di antara syarikat swasta dan Orang Asal.

“Kenapa polis hanya bertindak sekarang apabila sebelum ini banyak laporan telah dibuat oleh penduduk kampung melaporkan kemasukkan syarikat balak, tapi tiada apa-apa tindakan diambil?” Mark Bujang, Pengarah Executive Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS) bertanya. “Kami percaya Nicholas Mujah dan 6 orang lagi penduduk kampung telah disalah tuduh, dan ini bukan pertama kalinya komuniti Orang Asal di Sarawak yang mempertahankan Tanah Adat, sebaliknya dituduh melakukan jenayah, ditahan dan ditangkap oleh polis, tanpa sebab.

Romuald Siew, Presiden jaringan Tanah Hak Adat bangsa Sarawak (TAHABAS) juga menyeru tindakan salah penahanan 7 orang penduduk kampung. “Komuniti kita telah ditindas dan hak kita dinafikan dan diketepikan, untuk jangka masa yang sudah terlalu lama. Ini merupakan satu contoh di mana yang kaya dan berkuasa, menindas Orang Asal untuk mendapatkan keuntungan dan kekayaan semata-mata, tanpa mengambil kira kesusahan yang ditimpa oleh Orang Asal.” kata Siew.

“Kami berdiri dan bersatu hati dengan komuniti di Sebuyau, dan menyeru pihak berkuasa melepaskan 7 orang penduduk kampung dengan serta-merta,” kata Siew.

Hellan Empaing, Presiden Persatuan Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA) mengatakan, “Pihak Polis seharusnya mengambil tindakan menjaga keselamatan orang kampung yang menjadi mangsa keadaan. Bukannya menangkap Orang Kampung yang mempertahankan tanah Adat mereka dari dirampas. Ini adalah tindakan salah guna kuasa.”

Adrian Lasimbang, Presiden Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), kini sedang menghadiri Conference of Parties (COP 10) untuk Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) di Nagoya, Jepun,mengatakan bahawa pihak-pihak kerajaan membincangkan isu-isu konservasi di peringkat antarabangsa di Nagoya, akan tetapi kerajaan tetap meneruskan kemusnahan di negara sendiri tanpa mengambil kira hak Orang Asal ke atas tanah dan sumber mereka.

“Orang Asal berdiri paling depan untuk mempertahankan kepelbagaian biologi daripada musnah, dan mereka sanggup berdepan dengan amalan-amalan bahaya demi mempertahankan kepelbagaian biodiversiti dan konservasi. Ini boleh dilihat dari tindakan komuniti di Sebuyau.”

Tanpa pengikhtirafan Hak Orang Asal terhadap Tanah Adat (NCR), kepelbagaian biologi akan beransur musnah dan hutan akan musnah dibalak. Apabila Orang Asal berdiri dan berjuang untuk mempertahankan hak mereka, Orang Asal ditangkap kerana menjaga kepelbagaian biologi dan mempertahankan hak ke atas tanah dan sumber mereka.

Kes seperti kes Nicholas Mujah ini, merupakan salah satu daripada ratusan kes-kes konflik dan rampasan tanah di antara Orang Asal dan syarikat-syarikat balak di Sarawak.

Dengan kenyataan-kenyataan ini, JOAS menyeru untuk Nicholas Mujah dan 6 orang penduduk kampung yang lain, dibebaskan tanpa syarat dengan serta-merta. JAOS juga menyeru untuk menghentikan amalan pihak polis yang menakut-nakutkan dan menganggu Orang Asal.

Tangkapan 7 penduduk kampung di Sebuyau, tidak sepatutnya dilakukan.

Keyataan Persatuan Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA)

22 Oktober 2010

WADESA amat kesal dengan penangkapan 7 orang penduduk Sebuyau di Balai Polis Simunjan hari ini kerana atas tuduhan membakar lori, jentolak dan juga rumah pekerja kem.


Hellan Empaing, WADESA

WADESA megatakan bahawa pihak penguatkusa dan Polis langsung tidak membantu mengatasi masalah Orang Asal selaku mangsa, malah bertindak menangkap penduduk setempat, seolah-olah menyebelahi pihak Syarikat dan juga pengeluar lesen balak ke atas tanah Adat Orang Asal (NCR) penduduk Kampung Sebuyau.

Penduduk Sibuyau memang telah lama membuat bantahan kepada jabatan Perhutanan tentang pencerobohan hak ke atas tanah Adat mereka. Tindak balas Jabatan Perhutanan memberikan lessen kepada syarikat pembalakan Quality Concrete Holdings menyebabkan kehidupan para penduduk semakin terancam dan konflik semakin menjadi. Kenapa laporan demi laporan yang dibuat oleh penduduk kampung tidak diperdulikan?

Seharusnya tugas pihak polis menangkap mereka yang merompak(syarikat Quality Concrete Holding), kerana Syarikat Quality Concrete yang menceroboh kawasan tanah milik Orang Kampung. Kenapa Suruhanjaya Pencegah Rasuah Malaysia tidak menyiasat bagaimana Raziah Mahmud , adik kepada ketua Menteri Sarawak menjadi pengarah syarikat tersebut?

Pihak Polis seharusnya mengambil tindakan menjaga keselamatan orang kampung yang menjadi mangsa keadaan. Bukannya menangkap Orang Kampung yang mempertahankan tanah Adat mereka dari dirampas. Ini adalah tindakan salah guna kuasa.

Penduduk Kampung sebuyau sepatutnya diberikan hak untuk memiliki tanah adat mereka sendiri seperti yang terkandung dalam Deklarasi Hak Orang Asal Antarabangsa UNDRIP, Artikel 26: Orang Asal berhak k atas tanag, wilayah dan sumber-sumber yang telah dimiliki oleh kita secara tradisional dan kerajaan mesti mengiktirafkan dan megesahkan hak ini secara rasmi. Artikel 29 juga menyentuh tentang Orang Asal berhak kepada pemuliharaan dan perlindungan alam sekitar tanah dan sumber-sumber mereka.

WADESA meminta agar pihak Polis membebaskan tangkapan mereka terhadap penduduk kampung dengan serta merta. Dan minta agar Syarkat Quality Concrete Holding berhenti mengambil balak di kawasan tanah Adat penduduk kampung Sebuyau.


Kenyataan ini dikeluarkan oleh

Pn Hellan Empaing
Pengerusi WADESA
0198943191

Statement by IIFB to the COP 10

(Sila lihat terjemahan Bahasa Malaysia di bawah)


19 October 2010


Delivered by Adrian Banie Lasimbang

Statement by the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB)
Working Group 1
Agenda Item 5.4: Protected Areas
COP10, Nagoya, Japan

Madam Chairperson,

Indigenous peoples have been maintaining and protecting biodiversity as part of their daily lives long before protected areas came into being. We have also established a well-tested system of managing biodiversity and conservation practices including those of mobile indigenous peoples that are not necessarily compatible to mainstream conservation systems. We re-iterate that indigenous peoples have the fundamental rights to the environment and resources in our territories. We are Rights Holders in this process and not mere Stakeholders.

We are gravely concerned about the invasion of “market based mitigation schemes” from UNFCCC to the CBD. There is a danger that Protected Areas will be established in the name of climate change mitigation and completely ignore the fundamental rights of IPLCs (Indigenous Peoples and local communities). Many parties are already rushing to establish new Protected Areas, committing to REDD schemes and other conservation projects to get money available from climate change mitigation without the active participation and acquiring the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) of IPLCs. All of this is for the sake of money and not really to stop the global climate crisis.

We are therefore very concerned about the rapid expansion of protected areas while the contribution of our customary sustainable use and governance systems to the conservation of biological and cultural diversity is not recognized. We demand parties to implement the UNDRIP as the minimum standard to ensure our rights to manage our territories and resources.

We remind Parties to give priority to the implementation of Programme Element 2 of the Programme of Work related to Governance, Participation, Equity and Benefit Sharing, which remains the least implemented aspect of the programme of work. We urge Parties to address the issue of restitution of lands and territories that were taken for protected areas without our Free Prior Informed Consent so that indigenous peoples can re-establish control over our lands and territories.

With regard to the review of implementation, the draft COP decision includes a reporting framework on the national implementation of the POWPA. We feel that the questionnaire does not sufficiently encourage governments to report on key issues related to indigenous peoples and protected areas (in the sections on Equity and participation). We suggest this questionnaire be improved.

Recognition of fundamental rights of IPLCs over their lands and territories is crucial in protected areas.  We welcome the diversification of governance types such as ICCAs as a tool to recognize our management practices but there must be a mechanism that ensures the IPLCs have full and effective participation in and control of these areas. We urge Parties to recognize customary laws and institutions as an important element in governance and management of ICCAs. We further urge Parties to take effective measures to facilitate training, capacity building and financial assistance to enable us manage our own traditional or customary protected area govenance systems.

Despite the establishment of protected areas in our territories, it is clear that biodiversity continues to be lost – in our opinion this is largely due to the lack of recognition of indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge and conservation systems. We believe that there are many benefits to gain related to the conservation of biodiversity if indigenous peoples are recognized at the custodians of biological resources and territories. Placing IPLCs at the centre of the management of PAs will save resources to monitor and conserve biodiversity because IPLCs perform this role as a natural part of our way of life.

We appreciate the efforts made by a number of Parties and civil society organizations to engage indigenous peoples in dialogues regarding the implementation of the Programme of Work but call for further engagement of IPLCs in protected area related processes at all levels.

We will submit the IIFB's preferred text for the draft decisions found in document UNEP/CBD/COP/10/add.2 to the Secretariat.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson.



Kenyataan oleh IIFB di COP 10

Disampaikan oleh Adrian Banie Lasimbang

Puan Pengerusi Majlis,

Orang Asal telah sekian lama menjaga dan melindungi kepelbagaian biologi sebagai sebahagian daripada kehidupan seharian kami sebelum mana-mana kawasan lindung mula diisytiharkan. Kami juga telah menubuhkan sistem-sistem yang telah diuji melalui amalan turun temurun untuk menguruskan kepelbagaian biologi dan amalan-amalan konservasi, termasuk golongan Orang Asal yang berpindah – randah, yang tidak semestinya selari dengan sistem konservasi arus perdana yang diamalkan oleh agensi kerajaan. Kami menekankan semula bahawa Orang Asal mempunyai hak mutlak ke atas persekitaran dan juga sumber-sumber yang terdapat di kawasan wilayah kami. Kami merupakan pemegang hak dalam proses ini, dan bukan hanya pemegang kepentingan semata-mata.

Kami amat runsing dan prihatin terhadap kemasukkan 'skim mitigasi berasakan pasaran karbon' dari UNFCCC ke CBD. Ini menjadikan Kawasan Lindung akan diisytiharkan atas nama mitigasi perubahan iklim dan langsung tidak mempedulikan hak-hak Orang Asal dan masyarakat tempatan. Kebanyakkan kerajaan sudah mula kelam-kabut mewartakan Kawasan Lindung, melibatkan diri dalam skim REDD dan projek-projek konservasi, semata-mata untuk mendapatkan keuntungan wang yang boleh didapati daripada skim mitigasi perubahan iklim, tanpa penglibatan penuh dan Izin Makluman Awal, Bebas dan Telus (FPIC) daripada Orang Asal dan masyarakat tempatan. Kesemua ini dilakukan untuk mengaut keuntungan kewangan semata-mata dan tidak akan membawa penyelesaian terhadap krisis iklim yang dihadapi oleh dunia kita masa kini.

Oleh yang demikian, kami sangat prihatin terhadap perluasan kawasan lindung yang secara mendadak, tanpa mengikhtirafkan sumbangan kami terhadap konservasi kepelbagaian biologi dan juga kepelbagaian budaya melalui amalan-amalan Adat dan sistem-sistem pemerintahan kami yang lestari. Kami mendesak Kerajaan untuk melaksanakan UNDRIP sebagai piawaian yang minimum untuk memastikan hak-hak kami untuk menjaga dan menguruskan kawasan wilayah dan sumber-sumber kami.

Kami mengingatkan Kerajaan untuk memberi keutamaan kepada pelaksanaan Program Elemen 2 dalam Program Kerja pengurusan Kawasan Lindung (PoWPA) berkenaan Pengurusan, Penglibatan, Kesama-rataan dan Perkongsian manfaat, yang masih kurang pelaksanaannya sehingga kini. Kami mendesak Kerajaan untuk membincangkan isu-isu pengembalian semula tanah dan kawasan wilayah Orang Asal yang telah diambil untuk dijadikan Kawasan Lindung tanpa Izin Makluman Awal, Bebas dan Telus (FPIC), agar membolehkan kami berhak semula ke atas tanah dan sumber-sumber kami.

Dengan mengambil kira penelitian semula pelaksanaan, draf keputusan COP juga memasukkan satu rangka kerja terhadap implementasi PoWPA di peringkat negara masing-masing. Kami mendapati bahawa borang soal selidik yang sedia ada tidak mencukupi untuk menggalakkan pihak kerajaan untuk melaporkan isu-isu berkaitan Orang Asal dan Kawasan Lindung (dalam seksyen berkenaan Kesama-rataan dan Penglibatan). Kami mencadangkan untuk memperbaiki lagi borang soal selidik ini.

Pengikhtirafan terhadap hak-hak mutlak komuniti Orang Asal dan tempatan ke atas tanah dan kawasan wilayah mereka adalah penting dalam kawasan lindung. Kami mengalu-alukan cadangan untuk mempelbagaikan jenis pemerintahan seperti Kawasan Konservasi Komuniti Orang Asal (ICCA) sebagai satu alat untuk mengikhtirafkan amalan-amalan pengurusan, tetapi mesti terdapat satu mekanisme di mana komuniti Orang Asal dan tempatan mendapat penglibatan yang efektif dan sepenuhnya dan mengurus kawasan-kawasan ini. Kami mendesak Kerajaan untuk mengikhtirafkan perundangan dan institusi Adat sebagai satu elemen penting dalam pemerintahan dan pengurusan ICCA. Kami juga mendesak kerajaan untuk mengambil jalan yang efektif untuk menjalankan latihan, pembinaan kapasiti dan bantuan kewangan untuk membolehkan kami menguruskan sistem-sistem pemerintahan kawasan lindung secara tradisional ataupun mengikut Adat kami.

Walaupun dengan adanya pewartaan kawasan lindung di kawasan wilayah kami, dengan jelas kepelbagaian biologi masih juga beransur hilang – pada pendapat kami, ini disebabkan oleh tidak ada pengikhtirafan terhadap pengetahuan tradisi dan sistem konservasi Orang Asal. Kami percaya bahawa terdapat banyak kebaikan dan hasil berkaitan dengan konservasi kepelbagaian biologi yang boleh didapati, sekiranya Orang Asal mendapat pengikhtirafan sebagai penjaga kawasan dan sumber-sumber biologi.

Kami berterima kasih kepada kerajaan dan organisasi-organisasi masyarakat sivil, yang telah melibatkan Orang Asal dalam dialog-dialog berkaitan dengan implementasi Program Kerja, akan tetapi kami menyeru untuk melanjutkan lagi penyertaan komuniti Orang Asal dan tempatan dalam kesemua peringkat proses-proses kawasan lindung.

Kami akan menghantar cadangan perubahan teks dari IIFB untuk draf keputusan yang boleh didapati dalam dokumen UNEP/CBD/COP/10/add.2 kepada Sekretariat.

Terima kasih, Puan Pengerusi Majlis.

UN expert urges aligning development with aspirations of indigenous people

18 October 2010

Indigenous people are entitled to their own institutions and self-governing structures to enable them to manage their own affairs and ensure that the development process is aligned with their own cultural patterns, values and customs, a United Nations independent expert says in a report.

"In the light of the extreme disadvantages that indigenous peoples have typically faced across a range of social and economic indicators, there are particular concerns. that must be taken into account with regard to development initiatives that affect them," James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the situation on the freedom of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, says in a report to the General Assembly.

He explains that policies and initiatives aimed at the development of the economy or infrastructure, and are purported to benefit citizens as a whole, can have negative effects on indigenous peoples.

"These include, inter alia, development programmes involving the extraction of natural resources and mega-projects such as the construction of dams and transportation facilities on indigenous peoples' territories."Such development programmes and projects, despite their specific effects on indigenous peoples and their territories, are often undertaken without adequate consultation with them or without their free, prior and informed consent," Mr. Anaya says.

He also noted that development projects targeted specifically at reducing the disadvantages experienced by indigenous people and improving their social and economic well-being often fail to properly incorporate their specific needs to advance their self-determination and their rights to maintain their distinct cultural identities, languages and connections with their traditional lands.

"Within both of these areas of concern, there is a need for governments to decidedly fold into development programmes the goal of increasing indigenous self-determination," Mr. Anaya writes in his report.

He calls for enhancing indigenous peoples' education and skills to empower them to engage and participate in the various elements of development programmes and projects that affect them.

The independent expert says that the participation of indigenous peoples in the broader public life of the State is often inadequate and not proportional to their numbers, recommending special measures to ensure that they participate on equal footing in public and political life.

"It is evident that throughout the world, indigenous peoples are not adequately consulted, nor is their consent obtained, when decisions affecting their rights or interests are made," the Rapporteur writes.

On indigenous people's participation in decision-making at the international level, Mr. Anaya points out that continued efforts need to be made to ensure their active involvement in the development of all international standards and programmes that concern them.

"Potential reforms within international institutions and platforms of decision-making that affect indigenous peoples' lives should be closely examined, and measures should be taken or strengthened to provide financial and other support to enable indigenous peoples to participate effectively at the international level," Mr. Anaya writes.

He exhorts indigenous peoples to continue to strengthen their capacities to control and manage their own affairs and to participate effectively in all decisions affecting them, in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with government authorities at all levels.

Mr. Anaya welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as recent statements of support or movement towards support, by the few States that originally voted against the adoption.

"Today, the Declaration serves more as a reminder of how far there is to go in bringing justice and dignity to the lives of indigenous peoples than a reflection of what has actually been achieved on the ground," he says.

Mr. Anaya's is the first of many reports to be presented by independent UN experts to the 192-member Assembly over the coming weeks.

source: UN News Service

TAHABAS slams Dr Rundi for discouraging natives for taking their NCR land disputes to court

13 October 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

MIRI – The Sarawak Native Customary Land Rights Network (TAHABAS) have slammed Sarawak’s Assistant Minister of Public Health and Utilities, Dr Stephen Rundi for discouraging the natives from exercising the legal rights by taking their native customary rights (NCR) land disputes to court.

According to TAHABAS President, Romuald Siew, the statement from Dr. Rundi shows how the state government under the current Barisan Nasional regime is not sincere about respecting and recognising the native’s right to their customary land and resources and continue to make statements aimed to confuse the natives for their own selfish political agenda.

“The natives have tried time and time again to get the government to recognise and respect our NCR, but most of the time the government could not be bothered,” said Siew.

“We have tried all the possible official channels including writing numerous letters, petitions and memorandums to get the state government to solve our land disputes and to get recognition and respect for our NCR. Some communities even did direct actions such as erecting blockades on their land or demonstrating peacefully, but until today, the government either ignored us or dismissed our claims,” said Siew.

“Now, where can the poor community seek redress for their NCR land problems? Of course, they have no choice but to engage a lawyer in order to seek redress through the legal channel. It is time consuming and costly for the natives, but what choice do they have when the government not only refused to entertain their claims but keeps on arbitrarily issuing provisional leases to the big companies over their NCR land,” lamented Siew.

“If the government is sincere, as a start Dr. Rundi should first look at the document titled, ‘Composite Plan Showing Distribution of Farming Land in Suai-Niah-Sibuti’ and use that as a reference to gazette the communal land boundaries of NCR areas in the Suai-Niah-Sibuti areas,” said Siew.

Mark Bujang, Executive Director of Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS), pointed out that in the Baram District, the Brooke and British Colonial Administrations had recorded the communal land boundary of the NCR lands of the longhouses there in the ‘Register of Land Boundaries’ kept in the District Office, Marudi until today.

Mark also echoed the sentiments of TAHABAS to urge the government to also gazette the communal land boundaries immediately based on the records in the Register.
“As for areas where the communal land boundaries are yet to be recorded, the government should make its own efforts to go to the ground and assist the natives to record and gazette their boundaries,” said Mark.

Mark added that, “Since the Courts have already decided that the communal land boundary of the NCR lands of the natives is based on or defined by the ‘antara’ or ‘garis menoa’ of their longhouses, the government should therefore comply with the said decisions by the Courts and immediately conduct joint ground surveys with the natives to identify and then gazette the communal land boundary of their longhouses.”

On the Borneo Post dated 12 October 2010, Dr. Rundi was quoted saying that claims for NCR done through the courts would only benefit lawyers and that the best solution (for the natives) which involves minimal cost is to apply to the government (to get their NCR claims recognised).

Press release issued by:
Flora Anak Tebiang
Media Liason, TAHABAS

STOP WATER IMPOUNDMENT PRIOR TO THE EMERGENCY RESCUE PLAN (ERP) FOR BAKUN DAM MAKE AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC

Immediate News Release


Miri (8 October 2010): Sarawak Conservation Alliance for Natural Environment (SCANE) calls upon the government, if any, the Emergency Rescue Plan (ERP) for Bakun dam be made public prior to action of impounding water for Bakun Dam.

SCANE warns the Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd not proceed with its flooding trial run for Bakun dam until an Emergency Rescue Plan (ERP) has been in place and the public at large have been adequately informed of the procedures laid down by the plan.

SCANE is deeply concerned with the safety and adverse impacts of the dam to the riverine communities living downstream and upstream of the dam. The downstream communities include the people of numerous longhouses along Rajang River who live directly below the dam and the residents of the Belaga township as well as other major towns such as Kapit, Song, Kanowit and Sibu. Within the impounding area, there are more than 100 native families living upstream, that is the Bakun dam’s reservoir and catchment area.

The Bakun dam, Malaysia's largest hydroelectric dam, is located on the Balui River in the upper Rejang River basin, some 37km upstream from Belaga township. Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated is the owner and developer of the dam.

To this day, the government and the authorities concerns have yet to announce any plan that would take into account the environmental catastrophe consequences of Bakun dam on downstream communities. So far, there has been no preparation on the part of the authorities to design relevant action plans that are able to address the problems that may arise downstream in the immediate future, as a result of the water impoundment of Balui River by the dam.

SCANE is aware of the existence of an Emergency Rescue Plan (ERP), which has been drawn up to prepare the concerned areas for the possible occurrence of dam failure, however this ERP is already too outdated as it has been designed more than ten (10) years ago. Therefore, it is premature action of the government and the dam developer(s) to impound water for the dam if new ERP is non-existent.

In any action of river impoundment that created large man-made lake by large dam like Bakun, it will cause environmental disorder that may lead to an unstable ecosystem which impacts would be disastrous and far reaching to human beings, wildlife and natural environment in the area.

As experience had shown in other parts of the world where similar large dams were built, many communities living along the downstream terrains of large dams have had to face grave dangers and suffer economic losses as a result of the construction of the dams.

In Belaga District, as well as those downstream communities, considering their vulnerable location, which is positioned exactly downstream of the dam, it is only natural that they harbour anxiety about the possibility of the dam suffering from any form of structural or functional failure for such a misfortune would surely result in huge financial losses and pose a threat to their safety and lives.

Meantime, while the ERP is yet to be drawn up, the Government (both State and Federal) should immediately resolve some of the distressing issues pertaining to the to the effects of the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam on the communities living upstream and downstream with regards to outstanding compensation on lands and properties and the resettlement of villages to new sites as well as adverse water pollution and river navigation problems to downstream communities.

Therefore, SCANE strongly calls upon the Government and Sarawak Hidro to immediately stop the plan of impounding Balui River, and demand that:

1. The Government to comprehensively disseminate information on the content of the Emergency Rescue Plan (EPR) of the Bakun Hydroelectric Project to the people residing downstream of the dam.

2. Memorandum of undertaking to be signed and issued to the downstream riverine communities to guarantee that in the event of any incidence of dam failure or damage, the Government or the project developer will be held accountable for the destruction and loss of properties and the suffering inflicted onto the communities.

This means that in the event of such an incidence, the Government or developer will bear the responsibility to pay adequate monetary compensation to the affected residents.

SCANE also urges the Government to carry out comprehensive and meaningful consultation process with the downstream communities with regards to the ERP.

ENDs



Press Release and Statement Issued By:



Raymond Abin,

The National Coordinator

Sarawak Conservation Alliance for Natural Environment (SCANE)

H/P: MY +60 138449345 Call

IIPFCC Opening Statement at the UNFCCC meeting in Tianjin, China- October 4, 2010

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Tianjin, China, 4th of October-2010

Opening Statement of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Actions (AWG-LCA)

Madame Chairperson,

Thank you very much for allowing us to take the floor on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Climate Change (IIFCC)

We would like to thank the Parties which have made possible the inclusion of the rights, participation, resources and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples in the current negotiation texts, despite the fact that it is still in brackets. I am sure if the brackets are removed, we will be able to provide important agreements and contributions to safeguard our Mother Earth. In this sense, and based on the agreements achieved in the International Workshop Between Indigenous Peoples and Government Representatives on Climate Change, celebrated in Xcaret, Quintana Roo, Mexico from 27-29 of September-2010, we express that any final negotiation text on climate change shall take into account the following proposals:

1. The recognition of rights of indigenous peoples consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ( right to self determination, lands, territories and all resources, Free Prior and Informed Consent, Traditional knowledge and sustainable livelihoods, equitable benefit sharing, etc.) as well as other relevant international human rights norms and standards.

2. Ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in all mechanisms, bodies and procedures established under the UNFCCC (Mitigation, Adaptation, Finance, MRV, Technology Transfer, etc).

3. Ensure the inclusion, recognition and protection of indigenous peoples traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs, traditional cultural expressions, indigenous technologies and innovations.

4. Guarantee the direct and immediate access by indigenous peoples to finance, appropriate technology and capacity building.

5. Recognize the specific vulnerabilities of peoples, including Indigenous peoples, and not only countries regarding the impacts of climate change.

6. Specific references to indigenous peoples in the negotiation texts must include both developed and developing countries.

7. Ensure gender and inter-generational equity (children, women, and youth, elderly).

Madame Chairperson,

Indigenous Peoples together share the hope that this year the world will be able to give concrete steps to address the global crisis of climate change. We will continue to work hard in all parts of the world to express our concerns and proposals, so that together we can safeguard the life not only of Mother Earth, but also that of all human beings that inhabits it, especially this year in which we celebrate the international year of biodiversity.




Source : http://www.indigenousportal.com/Climate-Change/IIPFCC-Opening-Statement-at-the-UNFCCC-meeting-in-Tianjin-China-October-4-2010.html