On Today Show
— Gereng Jadum, Residents of Penan Metalun, Murum Resettlement area – Job Cuts and Blockades: The Penan's Struggle in Murum
— Dennis Along, President of the Tering Community Association Miri – Tering Community Leader Challenges Deputy Premier on Dayak Development
— Jeffrery Ngui, chairman of MUDA Sarawak – Opposition Unity and Democratic Values: Jeffrey Criticizes GPS's Remarks
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Gereng Jadum, Penduduk Penan Metalun, Kawasan Penempatan Semula Murum – Pemotongan Pekerjaan dan Sekatan: Perjuangan Penan di Murum
— Dennis Along, Presiden Persatuan Komuniti Tering Miri – Pemimpin Komuniti Tering Mencabar Timbalan Perdana Menteri Mengenai Pembangunan Dayak
— Jeffrery Ngui, Pengerusi MUDA Sarawak – Kesatuan Pembangkang dan Nilai-Nilai Demokrasi: Jeffrey Mengkritik Kenyataan GPS
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Gereng Jadum, Residents of Penan Metalun, Murum Resettlement area
*Job Cuts and Blockades: The Penan's Struggle in Murum*
On July 27, 2024, three Penan villages in Murum, namely Long Lua, Long Menapa, and Long Tangau, initiated a blockade in front of the Danum Sinar Estate Arau farm. This action was a protest against the abrupt dismissal of 126 Penan workers by Danum Sinar without the mandated three months' notice. For the past six years, these Penan individuals had been employed as oil palm fruit pickers in the Kelayan Estate and Lakin Estate areas. Danum Sinar, a plantation company owned by billionaires from peninsular Malaysia, manages six estates in the Murum area, including Estate Arau, Estate Marung 1, Estate Marung 2, Estate Jabon, Estate Lakin, and Estate Kelayan.
On May 28, 2024, Danum Sinar terminated the services of the 126 Penan workers, citing financial difficulties as the reason for their inability to pay salaries and manage administrative expenses. However, Gereng Jadum, a Penan leader, believes this to be a mere pretext, pointing out that the company subsequently hired foreign workers from Indonesia to replace the dismissed Penan laborers.
In response to their dismissal, the Penan people sought the assistance of YB Senator Abun Sui, requesting him to write a letter to Danum Sinar. Additionally, they enlisted the help of a Chinese lawyer to represent them legally. On July 31, 2024, the blockade was temporarily halted to facilitate negotiations between the Danum Sinar management, the police, the Sarawak Labor Department, Penan lawyers, and Penan residents. The Penan community, led by Gereng, demanded compensation and job opportunities, along with the management of the Kelayan Estate being handed over to them. Gereng warned that failure to meet their demands would result in the reinstatement of the blockade.
The Penan people, resettled in the Murum area to make way for the Murum dam construction, have faced ongoing challenges since their relocation. The Sarawak government has yet to provide basic facilities, job opportunities, or agricultural plots for Penan farmers. Communication issues in the remote regions of Sarawak have further complicated the situation, making it difficult for external parties, including RFS, to establish contact with Gereng and his community until recently.
