Sexual Abuse of Penan Girls and Women – Media Release by Bruno Manser Fund

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu asked to step down “for his incompetence” in dealing with sexual violence committed against indigenous girls and women

Following the release of a Malaysian government report that confirmed systematic sexual abuse of indigenous girls and women by loggers in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, the state’s political leadership is increasingly being criticized over its failure to handle the sensitive issue in an appropriate way.

On Saturday, Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister, Alfred Jabu, has been asked to resign by the oppositional Democratic Action Party (DAP) “for his incompetence” to deal with the issue. Jabu, who is in charge of Penan affairs by virtue of his position as Minister of Rural Development, has repeatedly refused to acknowledge that Penan girls were sexually abused and raped by timber workers.

In a Borneo Post interview published on 12 September 2009, Alfred Jabu insinuated that the Federal government’s report was being manipulated by “negative NGOs” although he admitted to not having seen the report published three days earlier by a National Task Force under the leadership of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

While the Malaysian Mirror commented that Jabu appeared to be “in self-denial” over the report and tagged him as “the odd man out on this serious issue”, Sarawak DAP State Assemblywoman, Violet Yong, asked Jabu to resign. “The State government must be answerable on the issue of Penans who were confirmed raped”, Yong said, according to Sarawak Update, a local news channel. “Jabu is not close to the ground and fails to see what is happening there.”

When the Bruno Manser Fund first reported the sexual abuse cases in September 2008, Jabu said it would be “a waste of time to investigate” the Penan’s allegations. Meanwhile, the Bangkok-based Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development has called on the Malaysian Government to immediately identify, arrest and bring to court rapists and sexual rights violators of Penan girls and women of Baram, Sarawak.

Bruno Manser Fund

Association for the Peoples of the Rainforest

Socinstrasse 37

4051 Basel, Switzerland

+41 61 261 94 74

http://www.bmf.ch, info@bmf.ch

See here and here and here

After early Lead, PKR Losing Momentum in Batang Air

 

Just got word from Richard a friend from Sabah, who is campaigning for PKR somewhere out there in Batang Ai.

According to Richard, Batang Ai is going to be a close fight between BN and PKR. After early lead, PKR is losing momentum. If the PKR wins the seat, it will be by a slim majority.

We must not forget that PAKATAN RAYAAT in Batang Ai will be fighting with the mighty force of BN both from State and Federal. It is not going to be easy.

Barisan has been giving “GOODIES” openly the last few days and people seem happy all over the longhouses whenever Barisan Santa Claus comes along with party workers. Plenty of money is flowing all over Batang Air. Many are saying this factor alone is going to tip the balance in Barisan’s favour.

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich men’s world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich men’s world
Aha-ahaaa
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
Its a rich men’s world

With all these $$$ thingy, only ABBA comes to mind.

Hello Batang Ai, Here We Come!!

Hello Sarawak, Hello Batang Ai!

Yes, I too believe that  anak Bangsa Malaysia ‘One People, One Nation’ aspiration is very, very achievable.

Despite a lessening of restrictions by the Sarawak Immigration Authorities and the smooth entry into Kuching for the first time without much trouble, our Barisan Rakyat Bloggers still do have some fears that the Sarawak authorities might play dirty by kicking out all the bloggers out of Sarawak if it becomes too hot for the BN. We shall see in days to come if Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud losses his cool and tries to hit below the belt and become hostile towards the bloggers.

Read here and here and here, how Zorro, Del and Harris are faring in Sarawak. We shall all need to pray for their safety.

 Long Live Barisan Rakyat bloggers!  We pray for your safety.