Extracted from
Malaysiakini
Iban natives accused of 'trespassing' on own land
Sep 19,
A group of Iban in
They were accused of attempting of harvesting oil palm fruits which have been
grown on their native customary right (
After detaining them for about 12 hours, the 15 Iban were released at
“From reports on the ground, the group consisted of 20 Iban but the five women
in the group were allowed to go free. Though there are no plans to charge the
group, the police claim to be unable to release the 15 men until their
statements are taken,” said a statement by JOAS.
"This is a clear case of harassment," said Sarawak Dayak Iban
Association secretary-general
Protest against ‘joint venture’
Pelita-Tetangga Akrab claimed to have signed a joint venture in 2003 with the
Iban villagers to convert their farm land into an oil palm plantation.
But according to JOAS, the vast majority of the villagers did not agree to the
project. No action was taken despite numerous police reports were made against
the company.
As a desperate measure, the villagers have taken to harvesting the oil palm
fruit that was grown on their land.
"The government wants the natives to not leave their
Yesterday’s arrests followed that of 15 indigenous activists in Kuching last Tuesday -
Malaysia Day - for protesting against the encroachment of their land by oil
palm and logging companies.
Among those arrested were indigenous people living in the remote areas of Murum
and Baram, where hydroelectric dams are to be constructed and thus displacing
tens of thousands of people.
They were later freed.