Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) told FMT that the company, Samling Global, made the offer to Long Ajeng's headman, Jawa Nyipa.

According to BMF, Nyipa was asked to sign a statement prepared by Samling stating that the women in the region had retracted allegations of sexual abuse.

He was told that until he signed the statement, there would be no transport for the Penans in the area. Nyip refused.

According to BMF, logging companies in the Middle Baram region stopped providing transport for natives who complained about sexual abuse and rape by timber workers.

Vehicles owned by timber companies often serve as the only means of transport for indigenous people residing deep in the interior.

Roads reaching these remote jungle villages are also constructed by timber companies.

"The roads are not only in the (Upper Baram) area," said Raymond Abin, of Borneo Research Institute of Malaysia. "They are all over the places, especially where they have logging camps."

"(Samling's manager) has given a directive to all its drivers (not to pick up the Penan people)," he said, adding that he saw a copy of the order.

When asked if the Penans would retract their sexual abuse allegations, he said: "I don't think they will withdraw their statement."

Sarawak-based land rights lawyer, Paul Raja, agreed.

"They shouldn't retract (the allegations)," he said. "We are talking about the rights of the Penans."

"If these reports (of sexual abuse) are genuine, no one should be left off the hook," Raja said, adding that Samling should refrain from taking advantage of the Penans.

He also questioned the government's failure to provide transport for indigenous people.

"The government should be responsible," he said. "It cannot leave it (transport) solely to the company."

READ MORE HERE.

Comments (11)

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written by kashyn, September 04, 2010 23:08:13

Well, government should not be blamed on this. Why should they anyways?

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written by doitanyway, September 03, 2010 00:10:28

Can someone start a fund to finance the purchase of vehicles and fuel and some drivers for the Penans?? Pakatan Rakyat MPs , perhaps this is the best time to do something for these people so that they do not have to kow tow to these people. Perhaps if we can collect enough and put into a trust fund for these people.

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written by lynn, September 02, 2010 20:11:10

This is how I interpret the above : "you Penans allow us bastards to fcuk your women, you get transport". Hallo? This is year 2010, not the 1500s! The Pek Mor is so bloody rich, yet he cannot provide FREE TRANSPORT for these natives? And after we comment here to try to help you Sarawakians, don't disappoint us by continuing to be Fixed Deposit of BN. In a way, if you people remain poor & desperate, as poor people with no resources have no bargaining power, you better live with your predicament or you make sure there is a change in govt. The choice is in your hands.... so simple, all you have to do is, register to vote... and don't vote BN.

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written by SpeakOut, September 02, 2010 17:09:14

What say we go after the directors of samling? Headhunters anyone?

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written by a guest, September 02, 2010 16:19:43

The fact that such pressure and power is being used against the Penan to break their will shows clearly that loggers are able to use the same tactics to rape. No decent person in his right mind can now dispute that rape occurs against a powerless and defenceless community.

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written by Old Man, September 02, 2010 15:56:20

Transportation and Sex Charges are two different issues!
The Penans should tell Samling, "No transportation, we can still walk. Since you've raped our children and women, we are going to cut off your dicks! We are not interested in monetary compensation but justice!" Period.

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written by LimD, September 02, 2010 15:29:13

Meaning to say, the penan get the transportation and at the same they will still get raped by those bloody bastard workers???? That's not right!

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written by popuri, September 02, 2010 11:24:56

You can tell transportation is a major problem there, the people could take desperate measures just for transportation. Even if it means they will kept being bullied and degraded by the logging drivers.

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written by cheekhiaw, September 02, 2010 11:07:40

A country that wants to be first world by 2020 that relies on a bunch of animals to provide basic transport for the oldest residents of the land, and can not even accord them the slightest of human decency. Where have their basic rights as fellow beings, not to say as fellow citizens, gone? Stolen...

PTUI 1Malaysia PTUI PTUI PTUI

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written by fireduck, September 02, 2010 10:57:12

Go for the jugular. Pressure the directors to right the wrongs. Don't bother with the underlings. A quick search will bring out the Samling Global Ltd website info. Enough pressure applied will bring changes. Hound the heads who hold the key to any changes in doing business. I am sure that Yaw Chee Ming is not so dumb as to allow these allegations to continue. As one of the richest people in Malaysia, he can afford to compensate the Penans, as well as show leadership, as a global player now, in instituting firm politically correct and responsible policies for his workers. Those who do not abide or who commit crimes punishable by law, shall not be protected. Period. It's that easy.

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written by Democrats, September 02, 2010 09:57:25

In short, for the "rides" the Penans gets from the logging company, the company staff gets to "ride" the penan women for free and against their will!

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