The Sarawak state government has been accused of practising double-standards in relation to those without land or those with native customary rights (NCR) lands without titles.

Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) chief Nicholas Bawin told malaysiakini there is much anger and disappointment over the demolition of a longhouse last week which left more than 100 homeless.

The longhouse, known as Rumah Nyawin, was torn down when the villagers ignored a final eviction order despite having applied to the government for the land.

They had also applied for a court injunction to stop the eviction but the authorities took action even before the case came up for hearing.

Bawin said the government allocated a 2,000-acre piece of land - which affects the longhouse and its farming land - to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Authority (Mardi) long after the natives had applied for the land.

"The Ibans of Rumah Nyawin applied for the land even long before Mardi did," he added.

On the other hand, Bawin said, the government gave land to a group of former communist party members and a group of Bugis from Indonesia to resettle in the late 1970s and early1980s.

He said the Ibans as native citizens of this country deserved to be treated equally and not moved around like 'cattle'. "Even animals have rights," he added.

Deploring the manner in which the Ibans were forcibly evicted, Bawin said they deserved better treatment, better care and better consideration from the authorities.

Lack of space

The Iban families have complained that the temporary accommodation provided to them at a hall along the Bintulu-Miri road lacked adequate space.

On Sunday, the Borneo Post quoted Sami Hitam, a mother of two, as saying that many families have complained about how the rain has damaged their belongings.

"We've also not been sleeping properly since the demolition as we have to stay awake to guard some of our valuable belongings left outside the hall due to lack of space inside," she added.

Barisan Nasional state assemblyperson for Kemena Dr Stephen Rundi too was unhappy with the manner in which the villagers were moved and the conditions at the hall.

He promised to talk to the public works department to ask them to build temporary sheds to protect the belongings of the families.

Rundi said he will also talk to the local administration officials, including the district officer, to reach an amicable solution and find an alternative site for them to live and farm on.

The elected representative said he would propose to the government to re-locate the Iban families to a new site with a communal forest of about 20 to 30 acres.

Meanwhile, DAP state assemblyperson for Kidurong Chiew Chin Sing said the Ibans were treated in a 'shocking' manner.

"This is not the way to treat your own citizens," he said.

Two other longhouses in the vicinity - Rumah Minggu and Rumah Jaraw - have also been served with eviction notices and they have also filed an appeal.