Nexus - 0108 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Penan Tribe Arrested in Defence of THAILAND BANS Malaysian Rainforest LOGGING Penan Tribe Arrested inDefenceof THAILAND BANS Malaysian Rainforest LOGGING Over one hundred indigenous tribes- will focus worldwide attention and a co- On the 10th January 1989, the Thailand people face sentences of up to two years jail ordinated campaign by conservation and Government revoked timber concessions and heavy fines under harsh new laws intro- civil rights groups on Malaysia, which ac- across the country, effectively banning duced in Malaysia in January. Section 90b of counts for almost two-thirds of all tropical commercial logging throughout Thailand. the Forestry Ordinance provides severe pen- logs exported by developing countries. Most The ban follows flash floods in November alties for anyone found guilty of obstructing of Malaysia’s remaining forests are in Sabah last year that killed at least 350 villagers in logging operations. This includes the block- and Sarawak in northem Bomeo. Jn Sarawak southern Thailand. Illegal overlogging in the ading of forest roads into tribal lands. alone 80 square metres of rainforest are area was blamed for the tragedy. Last December, twelve Penan tribesmen destroyed each second. Thailand, a net importer of timber, has were arrested at a blockade on the Baram Between November 1988 and January restricted tropical timber exports since 1978. River. Five more were scheduled for trial for 1989, 128 protesters were arrested. Condi- Today, forests cover about 17% of Thailand burning down logging bridges after their tions in the police cells in Marudi have been compared with about two-thirds in 1950. barricades were knocked down by police. In described as appalling. The tribespeople, ac- January this year 81 Penan were arrested in customed to roaming freely about their forest three separate incidents. Some are being held homelands, are so cramped in their cells that under fourtcen day detention orders to “assist each has barely enough room to squat. They police with their enquiries”. They have not have no blankets or mattresses and the food been allowed to see lawyers or relatives. is inadequate. i Harrison Ngau, Kayan leader of the To maintain their struggle the Penan Sarawak branch of Sahabat Alam Malaysia need funds to cover food and transportation (Friends of the Earth), remains under village costs. To date the Rainforest Information arrest after his detention without trial during Centre has sent over $10,000 to the Penan, a crackdown on dissidents last year. The but more donations are desperately needed. Sarawak branch of S.A.M. was one of the International pressure on the Malaysian winners of the Swedish Parliament's alterna- government must be maintained if the Penan tive Nobel Prize, the Right Livelihood and their traditional land and lifestyle are to Award, in recognition of it’s anti-logging be saved. Please write to the authorities campaign. expressing your concern at the destruction of WILDERNESS FOREST Five new blockades have been set up by primary forests in Sarawak and the denial of Penan communities in Sarawak. This has the Penan people of their traditional and civil been made possible with legal and financial rights. To BE LOGGED assistance from around the world. The Rain- ; . ; The N.S.W. Cabinet hasdecidednotto forest Information Centre alone sent over YAB Datuk Patinggai Haji Abdul Taib declare the Coolangubra forest a Wilderness $3,000. Another $3,000 was sent by Jeni Mahmud, Area despile a recommendation by the Na- . Chief Minister of Sarawak. A ei _ Kendall and Paul Tait from proceeds of the The Chief Minister's Office tional Parks and Wildlife Service that the film premiere of Blowpipes and Bulldozers. 93502, Kuching, Sarawak, forest be protected from loggers. The forest In some Penan communities only Malaysia. contains rare and endangered plants and women and children are left to maintain the : animals that should be protected under the barricades; all the men have been arrested. | His Excellency Tan Sri Zakaria bin | Wildcrness Act. Village gardens gountended so the Penan are Mahmud Ali, In January this year, N.S.W. Natural High Commissioner, very dependant on food that is transported Malaysian High Commission Resources Minister Ian Causley and Federal into thisremote area. Relocation schemes for 7 Perth Avenue, , counterpart Peter Cook had agreed to a indigenous people displaced by logging Yarralumla, A.C.T., 2600. moratorium on logging in the Tantawangalo operations in the region have proved unsuc- and Coolangubra areas in the south-east of cessful, as have attempts by the timberindus- Write also to the state. That move angered pro-logging try to create “renewable” tropical forests. Gareth Evans, Minister for Foreign Affairs, " nae Parliament House, Canberra, A.C.T., Maleyscin Pasir este e |. Osaol gar sansa Aletta act the groups in Eden and Bombala who saw itas a backdown by the government after the re- James Wong denies any conflict of interest import of tropical timber from Malaysia newal of Harris-Daishowa’s export wood- between his portfolio and his ownership of a until logging of the tribal land ceases. chip licence and a threat to the future of three large logging company. Logging conces- For more information on the Penan and sawmills in the district. sions and licences have been handed out to forthcoming actions contact the Now the last remaining true wilderness family friends and associates. Rainforest Information Centre, areas in the state are under threat - not only Amid astorm of international protest, the P.O. Box 368, Lismore, N.S.W., 2480. from selective logging, but from totally trial of 43 Penan - scheduled for October 31 uneconomic clear-fell woodchipping which last year - has been postponed until April destroys the land and the livelihood of selec- 24th (sce Trees of Life, NEXUS #7). Thetrial tive loggers. Peter Krygsman STU DLE ree Y LYE, INDAUON). ANCA | | tve loggers. Peter Krygsman EE Trees of Life TO BE LOGGED