Sadia calls for participation in rally

KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak Iban Association ( Sadia) is calling on people to join the peaceful rally on Nov 13 which is aimed at creating greater awareness of the natives’ frustration over the alleged trampling of their native customary rights over land by the court, the authorities and the developers.

Its spokesman Peter John Jaban said there is nothing to fear by participating in the rally because the police have given them permission as long as the rally is held at specified places and is peaceful.

The rally will also be under the watchful eyes of the international communities, he said when driving his point home.

Themed ‘ Himpunan Hak Adat Bumiputera ( NCR gathering)’, the rally is to be held at two places simultaneously from 9am to 2pm on Nov 13 – at the Kuching Waterfront and in front of the Kuching Courthouse

“The organiser is Sadia. It is supported by various indigenous people- based NGOs and will be monitored by international communities,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The natives now fear that all pending NCR land dispute cases in court will end up like the last few cases at the Federal Court which have been ruling in favour of the state government and land developers by allowing them to keep the land by validating the land development scheme but compensating the natives for the NCR land accordingly.

Teachers, pupils and their parents posing with MMEA officers in front of one of the vessels.

Peter (left) and another key organiser Bill Jugah and Sadia secretary Nicholas Mujah Ason (right) prepare materials for the peaceful Nov 13 rally.

Peter (centre) shows the police permit. Also seen are key organiser Bill Jugah and Sadia secretary Nicholas Mujah Ason (right).