Malaysia continue to pressure the natives

From

Life is so unfair for those who are in the dumps. The fact that Malaysia is a signatory to the UN Convention on Native rights are just a showcase without substance. Oral Asal ( aborigines ) continue to be persecuted and sidelined by the Malay-led government of UMNO they are seeking your help. (Here and memorandum)

Sarawak

Penans were the roamers of the forest in the interior of Sarawak, where the Punans are the variant of Penans who have moved to the cities. My experience in knowing them has been a mixed bag of emotions, with them asking us to visit their long ( long house). We have since give some monies to aid the long house that was burned down. Seemingly, they continued to be harrassed by logging companies tied to local politicians and subjected to the ridiculous plan to build 12 dams in Sarawak. After allegations of rape of women, a half hearted police who initially did not act on the report, dismised the NGO's report and even dare to suggest Bruno Manser( or other caucasions) is involved with inpregnating local Penans.

"Interestingly, we came across a woman in Long Kerong, believed to be not more than 30 years old, who appears to be Eurasian."

"Jalin said the police who interviewed teachers from the two schools in the area found no evidence to support the allegation." ( Just go to 2 schools and that is the truth? )

The denial was then debunked by a little known media lady who affirms that it is the "tip of the iceberg." What is the police going to do now?

Sabah

Islamisation of this state continues with repeated, perhaps purposeful neglect by the Federal Government.

Who are the “Other Bumiputera” and Other Ethnic Groups” in Sabah? According to an answer to Teresa Kok (DAP Seputeh), the PM Department said that there are 436,300 “Other Bumiputera” and 143,500 “Other Ethnic Groups” in Sabah. These constituted 25.9 percent of the Sabah population.

Read Charles Hector's analysis.

And that is not all. The covert operation will be overted thru the 'bastardized" JHEOA ( Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli) who continues to go against the spirit of its establishment. This is the department that is headed by non local natives and surely have its own partisan agenda.

Farouq Omaro

The statement by the Federal Rural Development Minister that the government may extend the Aboriginal Affairs Department (JHEOA) to Sabah is worrying.He said that the success of JHEOA in West Malaysia is a reason to have the JHEOA extended to Sabah. What success is he talking about?

I am not sure if the Orang Asli in general are as successful as the other races.The extension of JHEOA may also mean West Malaysian officers administering the rural folks of Sabah. This is also very worrying.The demolition of a number of Orang Asli churches in West Malaysia shows that the JHEOA cannot protect the religion of the Orang Asli.Sabahans should say a loud ‘No' to this attempt to place the natives of Sabah within the jurisdiction of a federal department run by non-natives of Sabah.

West Malaysia

JHEOA continues to be a lame duck with little care for the people that they are supposed to protect and champion.

The plight of a Semai Orang Asli community in Ulu Slim, Perak, over the loss of their ancestral land is likely to remain unresolved unless the current owner is willing to surrender the rights to the site in question. (Malaysiakini)

Would you want to be part of an action group to press the government and help our brethen?

Please visit and give them our support

http://pasim.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/joas-jaringan-orang-asal-semalaysia

http://orangasal.blogspot.com/

Invitation to Walk with the Indigenous People

On 13 September 2008, the world will celebrate the first year anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP). Over 370 million indigenous people in 70 countries are affected by this declaration which recognises our right to our distinct social, cultural, economic and political identities.

On Nov. 7, 2007, less than two months after the UN adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, Bolivia became the first country in the world to adopt the declaration as law when Morales announced the passage of National Law 3760, or the Rights of Indigenous peoples, legislation that is an exact copy of the UN declaration. The Peru congress has repealed two legislative declarations that were in conflict with the rights contained in the DRIP.
In Malaysia, our struggles for recognition of land rights continue. Nonrecognition and uncertainty over our land contributes to our continuing poverty and inability to develop our lands. The government’s development policies are making decisions for our future without our free, prior and informed consent. Though our situations may differ in each state, we are united in our common struggle for recognition of our land, our rights and our identity.
So, for the first time, we as indigenous peoples are gathering together to present to the Supreme Authority of Malaysia, DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agung, a memorandum to urge the government to locally implement the DRIP and recognise our rights to land and to control, develop, and protect it for the benefit of our community and this nation.

On behalf of JOAS, we would like to invite our fellow indigenous peoples — Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, Anak Negeri of Sabah and Dayaks and Orang Ulu of Sarawak to come with us on our walk to the Royal Palace. We also invite friends and supporters from civil society, environmental and human rights advocates and those who believe that our place as indigenous peoples within Malaysia needs to be recognised and reaffirmed by the Government and authorities to come with us on a Saturday morning walk and observe this historic event.
We will be gathering at Central Market on 13 September, Saturday and start walking toward the Royal Palace by 10am. For more information, please contact http://us.mc527.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=joasmalaysia@gmail.com, http://us.mc527.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=seanrubis@hotmail.com or call Sean at 0128837937

From Haris Ibrahim's Blog . I will be there!

Visit to Manukan Island

Welcome to Sabah's Manukan Island , a short 30 minute boat trip fro Jesselton point

The birds were in the tree. It was a fabulous place. most of the places in Sabah are better maintained than Peninsular.

Love the mix of colours here. The few islands the form the Tengku Abdul Rahman Park.

Does not help staring at the sun with a chinese sepet eye.

Godzilla at work!!

Can see the pebbles under the water. The fishes are there and also the corals. Nice spot to snorkel.

A Pinoy girl called Cathy posing for me.

Back to mainland. The cloud is approaching.

Men near the market. They will set up their "singer" sewing machine under any shade. Alter your jeans for RM5 only. And, all of them are men!!

Lady helping out her mom with this delicious round delicacy. tried 3. not bad, but oily.

A whole bag of dried sea horses!! How can they kill these things?

Bought some frozen seafood from KK Airport. Steam teochew style. The fish was yummy and the flesh was flaky. Good fish.