Penans in Murum decide not to erect blockades to air their grievances, opt for negotiation
A recent photo of an aerial view of Batu Tungun, located just next to the Murum HEP Dam.
A file photo of two Penan men dismantling their blockade at Murum HEP Dam site under the watchful eyes of the Belaga police last month.
Liwan Lagang
KUCHING: The Penans of Tegulang and Metalun resettlement schemes have promised not to resort to demonstration and erecting blockades at the Murum hydroelectric power (HEP) Dam site to air their frustration.
Instead, they have decided to negotiate with the government on how best to address the outstanding issues affecting the community, said Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang.
The demands made by the Penans were centred on three main issues; namely access roads to their resettlement schemes, a health clinic and a primary school.
“They have promised not to demonstrate and erect blockades anymore, instead they wanted to continue to negotiate through the proper channels especially through the district and resident offices.
“And on my part, I am also willing to assist,” Liwan told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Last month, Liwan and Assistant Minister in the chief minister’s office (Native Adat and Penan Affairs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai went to Murum HEP Dam site and managed to persuade the Penans to stop their blockade there after both parties reached an agreement.
Liwan disclosed that Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) had been assisting in the upgrading of certain parts of the access road, culverts and bridges leading to the primary school at Tegulang which has been deemed unsafe for use, especially during rainy days.
The Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong had informed Liwan that he planned to visit the two access roads soon.
“As for the health clinics and primary schools for both Tegulang and Metalun, we have proposed to the government to build them under the coming Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11th MP),” said Liwan.
He also stressed that the Murum Penan Development Committee (MPDC) would take the initiative to lead the negotiation with the government and other relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Liwan said he would allocate sufficient funding for the Pesta Batu Tungun to be held next year when the Penans would gather to offer prayers at the sacred rock – Batu Tungun, which is located at the Murum HEP Dam.
Batu Tungun is considered by the local Penans as the ‘stairway to heaven’ and is considered as a sacred place where they come to pray each year.
During the recent festival which was held at Tegulang, the event attracted thousands of Penans in the mass prayer.
Liwan said he had discussed with SEB, the main contractor of Murum HEP Dam to level certain sections of the ground below the dam where the festival would be held and for parking spaces.
The ‘stairway to heaven’ rock was almost blown away to make way for the dam if not for a very timely intervention.
Liwan added that he was able to convey the significance of the rocks to the foreign contractor, who had to change the design of the dam to keep Batu Tungun intact.