The Royal Malaysian Police force needs to be educated on human rights and perspective of the people's struggle, claims Suaram.
KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights NGO, Suaram, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ismail Omar to warn his men not to interfere in the Penan tribe’s rights struggle in the Murum dam issue in Sarawak.
“In order to bring the credibility to the force, they should be seen as a neutral party and not to take the side of the oppressor.
“People resort to the blockade as an option to stop destruction of their livelihood as the construction of the dam progresses. Is this a criminal offence?” asked Suaram in a statement issued today.
Suaram was commenting on a statement by Sibu police chief DSP Bakar Sebau who warned protesting Penan natives that criminal action will be taken against them if they continued to mount blockades on the accesses road leading to the controversial Murum dam project site.
The Penan community from eight affected villagers have been setting up blockades since Sept 25 stopping lorries and heavy vehicles from entering into the RM3 billion Murum Dam project site. They are demanding that the state government and contractors Sarawak Energy Berhad respect their rights and demands and keep promises given to them four years ago.
Bakar had also warned the natives that they will be charged under Section 143 and 147 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly and causing riot.
He had reportedly said that police reinforcement from Sibu and Kapit would be despatched to the blockade site.
Condemning the “intimidation” and “provocative tactic” by the police, Suaram said: “This is clearly a bully tactic from the state against the Penan natives.
“The state is now employing the police to forcibly remove the blockade to further its project.
“Suaram reiterates that this is an intimidation and provocation tactic used by the police in order to create tension at the blockade area for the police to take action.”
‘Abuse of law’
Earlier this week Sarawak PKR leader-cum lawyer Baru Bian warned Bakar not to provoke the Penans.
Said Bian: “I am disturbed to read about the recent development in the Murum Dam issue… I sense that this is a buildup to the arrest of the Penans who are manning the blockades.
“I am extremely disappointed by the statement by district police chief DSP Bakar Sebau that action could be taken against them under Section 143 or 147 of the Penal Code for illegal assembly or taking part in a riot. This is an abuse of the process of the law.
“The Penans are a peaceful people and if there is any riot, it would be as a result of provocation by agents of the dam-builders or the authorities.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights NGO, Suaram, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ismail Omar to warn his men not to interfere in the Penan tribe’s rights struggle in the Murum dam issue in Sarawak.“In order to bring the credibility to the force, they should be seen as a neutral party and not to take the side of the oppressor.
“People resort to the blockade as an option to stop destruction of their livelihood as the construction of the dam progresses. Is this a criminal offence?” asked Suaram in a statement issued today.
Suaram was commenting on a statement by Sibu police chief DSP Bakar Sebau who warned protesting Penan natives that criminal action will be taken against them if they continued to mount blockades on the accesses road leading to the controversial Murum dam project site.
The Penan community from eight affected villagers have been setting up blockades since Sept 25 stopping lorries and heavy vehicles from entering into the RM3 billion Murum Dam project site. They are demanding that the state government and contractors Sarawak Energy Berhad respect their rights and demands and keep promises given to them four years ago.
Bakar had also warned the natives that they will be charged under Section 143 and 147 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly and causing riot.
He had reportedly said that police reinforcement from Sibu and Kapit would be despatched to the blockade site.
Condemning the “intimidation” and “provocative tactic” by the police, Suaram said: “This is clearly a bully tactic from the state against the Penan natives.
“The state is now employing the police to forcibly remove the blockade to further its project.
“Suaram reiterates that this is an intimidation and provocation tactic used by the police in order to create tension at the blockade area for the police to take action.”
‘Abuse of law’
Earlier this week Sarawak PKR leader-cum lawyer Baru Bian warned Bakar not to provoke the Penans.
Said Bian: “I am disturbed to read about the recent development in the Murum Dam issue… I sense that this is a buildup to the arrest of the Penans who are manning the blockades.
“I am extremely disappointed by the statement by district police chief DSP Bakar Sebau that action could be taken against them under Section 143 or 147 of the Penal Code for illegal assembly or taking part in a riot. This is an abuse of the process of the law.
“The Penans are a peaceful people and if there is any riot, it would be as a result of provocation by agents of the dam-builders or the authorities.”
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