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Extracted from
Malaysiakini
Ibans want compensation for damages to graves
Oct 22,
The Ibans in Aping, Pantu in Sri Aman are seeking financial
compensation from a plantation company linked to a state-owned agency for
damage caused to their ancestral graveyard.
A large and sacred burial ground of great historical significance at the foot
of Bukit Tungal, the so-called landing point of Iban settlers from the north
across Indonesian West
The existence of the 8ha Pendam Angkong,
as the locals call it, has been traced back more than two centuries ago to the
first settlement of migrant Ibans in this part of Pantu from Lubok Antu after
crossing the border.
Last year, bulldozers said to belong to Tetangga Akrab Pelita (Pantu) Sdn Bhd
came and cleared the forests where the burial ground is sited, damaging many tajau (vases) and other monuments
placed on top of graves, according to Tuai Rumah (village chief) Christopher
Ambu, 67, of the nearby Kampung Aping Dadak.
A retired
sergeant formerly with 1st Malaysian Rangers, Christopher held back tears as he
and five other headmen from nearby villages told Malaysian Human Rights
Commission (Suhakam) chief in
He related at
the meeting held at Suhakam office in Kuching how large-scale commercial
plantation activities had badly damaged their burial grounds when they
called at Suhakam office in Kuching on Thursday.
Company
admits mistakes
He said if not for the timely action of the Ibans, a lot more damage would have
been caused to the grave site described as the indai ke semua pendam (mother of all graveyards) because
of its historical importance to the history of the Iban community in Aping.
The plantation company admitted they were wrong and agreed to put it right. It
paid for expenses to hold a miring
(an Iban ceremony) to seek forgiveness, according to Iban customs, for the
disturbance.
Present were
top senior government officials from Sri Aman, including the Resident, District
Officer, the company’s representatives and the villagers.
Christopher
(second from left) told malaysiakini
that it took a while even to convince some government officials of the
existence of the historical graveyard as it is within a jungle area and the
graves are between trees with many unmarked, except for those of the rich where
the tajaus and other
monuments are placed on top.
Suhakam
promises help
The Bukit Tunggal graveyard now caters to the needs of two villages in Aping
and Christian Ibans are now buried in new sites nearby.
According to the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak, the desecration of a graveyard
is a very serious offence in the adat or customs of the Iban.
The Ibans also asked the company to pay compensation of RM300,000
for the extensive damages caused to the graveyard, including the destruction of
vases, monuments and trees.
"But up to now the company has not responded," according to Jacob
Imang, a resident of Aping. "Hence, we’ve approached Suhakam to ask for
their help to highlight our grievances."
Their grievances do not end there as other smaller graveyards such Pendam
Aping, Pendang Mansau, Pendam Aban and Pendan Pulau Tekalau are all already
surrounded by planted oil palms, with no room left for expansion.
"Where do they expect us to bury the dead now?" a tuai rumah asked.
"Even access to these graveyards is going to be blocked."
Dr Ritom said since the company concerned had apparently admitted its fault,
what was left was the question of compensation that the natives had sought.
He said Suhakam would take up the matter with the relevant authorities.
