Thursday February 14, 2008
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.
News Poll
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Fresh polls in six to eight months if new mechanism used
- Eli’s ex still being sought by cops
- Settle RM57, 5As pupil told High scorer can’t collect result slip
- Najib works his charm at Apec leaders meeting and garners top marks
- Ong’s political secretary resigns
- AirAsia launches new flights to three Indian cities
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Take care of yourself first
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- MACC accepts court decision
- Researcher: Faint writing seen on Shroud of Turin
- Education for the real world
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Masitah: Haj pilgrims will get radio frequency tags
- Improve quality of care for post-partum period, docs urged
RSS
