Friends of The Penan

we have to report the sad news that missing Penan leader Kelesau Naan, headman of the Penan settlement of Long Kerong in the Upper Baram region of Sarawak, was found dead near his village on 17 December 2007. According to a report by Malaysiakini, which the BMF was able to confirm from third parties, the skulls and bones of Kelesau were found near Sungai Segita, about two hours’ walk from Long Kerong.

According to Malaysiakini, the Penan found evidence that Kelesau was assaulted while on the way to check an animal trap he had set in the forest near his family’s hut. “His hand was broken and looked as if it had been hit by a sharp object”, Malaysiakini quotes Kelesau’s relative Matin Bujang. The Penan are convinced that Kelesau’s death was not caused by an accident and suspect he was murdered because of his role as a political leader. They announced to file a police report at the Miri police station. Kelesau is a principal plaintiff of a landrights claim by four Penan communities against the Sarawak State Government and the Malaysian timber giant Samling. The court case was filed in 1998 and has been awaiting trial ever since.

Friends and supporters of the Penan all over the world feel very sorry about the loss of a highly respected and courageous Penan leader whose community has struggled over fifteen years to defend its rainforest from logging by the Samling corporation. The Bruno Manser Fonds is asking the Sarawak State Government and the Malaysian Federal Government to set an immediate end to the ongoing violations of the Penan’s human rights and to fully clarify the circumstances of Kelesau’s death by means of an independent investigation.

Many questions have been put to me regarding clothing and sleeping arrangements during my stay with the Penan. Most of these seem to be a fascination as to whether or not I will be running around in a loincloth and forgoing the pleasures of a bed. I will be taking the Ray Mears advice on jungle clothing ie two sets of long sleeve shirt and trousers (one for keeping dry and one wet set) and jungle boots. I envisage this changing as I become more accustomed to the Penan way of life. I also hope to harden my feet gradually so I can walk barefoot. As to weather I eventually get down to a loincloth you’ll just have to watch the diaries.

I’ll be taking a Mosquito Hammock, Jungle Hammock & Fly. This hammock has a built in mosquito net and a diamond shaped flysheet to keep off the rain. (See picture) .I intend to use this any time I am not settled in with a Penan group and in the Jungle. The rest of the time I will try to do as the Penan do.

Ninog & pig (above right) by David Hiser 

This is the first of a series of video diaries displaying the skills which Mick learns so he can thrive in the jungle.

This is a survival skill rather than a skill the Penan use regularly in their daliy life. It shows how to start a fire using a section of bamboo, a parang and friction. 

The Borneo Project are considering endorsing the project and said I can use two flexible solar panels they have in Miri just sitting there. This will be a great help as good quality solar panels are expensive but a very good source of energy for recharging batteries. Jessica Lawrence from the Borneo Project was very supportive and gave me lots of useful advice. She is sending me some maps, a list of contacts and a DVD she has made with one of the lawyers who works on the NCR cases explaining what the Penan communities need to include in any map making intended for legal actions.  Thanks Jessica.

This is a test post for a new feature that we’re going to add to the site shortly. It will be a Google maps application which will display the various locations that posts into the diary are made from so you can keep track of Micks progress via the map. Read the rest of this entry »