Probe claim baffles Penans

KUALA LUMPUR: The Penans are baffled by claims that police have begun initial investigations into the death of their chief Kelesau Naan, whose skeletal remains were found on Dec 17.

His remains were found on the bank of Sungai Selungo in a vast logging concession area in upper Baram, some 300km from Miri. He went missing two months earlier while hunting in the jungle.

The Penans suspect foul play in the death, claiming that Kelesau had died under suspicious circumstances, citing tension between their chief and loggers.

In 1998, several land rights activists persuaded Kelesau and three other Penan elders from Baram to file suit against the Sarawak Government and several logging companies. The case is still pending in the Miri High Court.

At a press conference at the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) meeting yesterday, the chief’s son, Nick Kelesau, disputed the claim that police officers had visited the semi-nomadic community in Miri to probe the case.

Nick was earlier informed by Suhakam commissioner Dr Mohamad Hirman Ritom Abdullah that he had received a “sketchy” reply from the police a week ago informing the commission that they had concluded initial probe.

Family members Martin Bujang and Henry Nyaring joined Nick in handing over a memorandum appealing to Suhakam to look into the matter.

“I assure you that my community has not been visited by the police, nor has any investigation been carried out,” Nick said. “At various times I told the police to contact me when they intended to visit, but there has been no word so far.”

Commissioner Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said that that he would raise the matter at the commission meeting on Feb 18 and check with Miri police.

“I am surprised at their claims and we will sort the matter out with the police,” Dr Denison said.

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