A Sarawak lawyer who represents indigenous communities in Native Customary Rights (NCR) land cases today expressed "shock and disgust" with Telang Usan state rep Lihan Jok.

penans meet suhakam 130208 see chee how See Chee How ( right ) accused Lihan Jok of not telling the truth when he reportedly said the Penans had agreed to dismantle blockades and to allow logging to resume in the timber concession areas.

In a statement, See said he was present at the meeting between Lihan Jok and the Penan headmen, village representatives and villagers in Long Bangan last Tuesday and had first hand knowledge of what transpired during and after the meeting.

He said Lihan Jok called for the meeting with the Penans, and he arrived at the Penan settlement in a helicopter with representatives from the Miri resident’s office and district office.

"Hopeful that the state assemblyperson will convey the state government’s pledge to recognise their NCR land rights as they were notified, 16 village headmen and their representatives together with more than 200 Penan gathered in Long Bangan with anticipation.

penan blockade in sarawak logging "The village headmen and their reps presented community surveyed maps showing the 16 Penan communities' NCR land boundary with a letter to be signed by Lihan Jok acknowledging their native customary rights. They wanted the state assemblyperson to sign his acknowledgment on the letter and the maps," he added.

After hours of speeches and a break for discussion, See said the headmen and village representatives relaxed on their demands.

"They only wanted Lihan Jok to give a written commitment to bring in the government’s surveyors to verify the NCR boundary maps presented by the 16 Penan communities.

"And Lihan Jok was allowed to state the time he needed to take such a single small step to show the state government’s commitment to recognise their NCR land rights," said See.

Villagers refused to dismantle blockade

To the disappointment of the Penan village headmen, representatives and all those present in Long Bangan, See said Lihan Jok refused on the grounds that he had no authority to commit.

penan lands in sarawak 060208 "The village headmen and representatives therefore unanimously objected to the dismantling of the blockade, and this clearly angered Lihan Jok who then ended the meeting abruptly and stomped out with his entourage," the lawyer added.

See said the blockade in Long Bangan was dismantled the next day by the police, army personnel, government officials and logging company workers, without the people's consent.

This is in direct contrast to what had been reported in the media, he said, adding that video footage of the incident will be posted on the Internet soon.

penan blockade in sarawak logging "State leaders like (Deputy Chief Minister) Alfred Jabu and Lihan Jok should be held responsible for Sarawak's plummeting international reputation.

"The revelation of the task force report on the alleged sexual abuses of Penan girls and women has exposed the state's neglect for the well-being of the rural minority groups," he said.

"The suppression of truths concerning their aspiration and dissent will only fuel the anger and agitation of right thinking people, in the country and abroad.'

"Now, we have elected government representative spinning truth about the forced dismantling of the symbolic blockades," he added.