Two Penans visiting detained relatives arrested

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KUCHING: Two more Penans have been arrested yesterday afternoon in relation to the Murum dam blockade.

They were arrested when they went to the Belaga police station to visit their relatives who were among the eight Penans arrested the day before, according to Sarawak Conservation Alliance of Natural Environment (SCANE) chairman Raymond Abin who has been keeping in touch with the protestors.

The two individuals have been identified as 16-year-old Philip Bujang and 21-year-old Merit Gadong.

Raymond disputed allegations that the Penan protestors at the Murum dam had been extorting money from motorists passing through their blockade.

Calling the allegations “serious” and “baseless”, he told The Borneo Post that the Penans were only collecting donations from passing motorists sympathetic to their cause and had never forced anyone to pay money in order to get through.

He said that the only groups which had been prevented from passing through were those in Sarawak Energy Berhad vehicles and contractors and their workers.

“I was told the Penans were just holding a donation tin, written on it Tabung Bantuan Mangsa Murum Dam – Pemupa (Aid for Victims of Murum Dam – Pemupa). Whoever pass through the blockade site, Penans just hold the tin asking if they could donate/help by going around to any cars stopping there. They did not force people to donate, it was done voluntarily.

It is not toll as claimed by police and SEB,” Raymond said.

He also confirmed online reports that two teenagers were among the 8 Penans arrested yesterday, including a 13-year old boy. The boy often used his phone to document confrontations between the protestors and police at the blockade and it is believed he was taking photos of the police at the time of his arrest.

The other teenager is 19 years old.

When contacted, Belaga police chief DSP Bakar Sebau confirmed the arrest of the two Penans under Section 448 of the Penan Code for “criminal trespassing”.

He added that the eight Penans men arrested on Thursday would be remanded for three days from Friday until Sunday; for further investigation which falls under Section 341 of the Penal Code for “Wrongful constraint”.