To,

YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud,

The Chief Minister of Sarawak

(Represented by YB Datuk Dr. James Jemut Ak Masing,

Tourism Minister of Sarawak),

Delegates and Participants of The World Heritage Conference,

Royal Mulu Resort,

Sarawak, Malaysia

As indigenous people of Sarawak, allow us to extend a very warm welcome to you all to this part of this great land of ours and we hope that you will find time outside of your schedule to also spent time outdoors and experience life in the forest.

We as representatives for our Penan community that participated in the community workshop, would like to share with some of the issues that we look forward to being addressed not only at this specific conference, but also in general.

Whether we are living nomadic and or settled lifestyles, or are Penan, Berawan, Iban, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit or the other Dayak groups, we have lived through generations of survivals on our Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and the forest and all beings that exists within.

However, for decades now, our survival, lives, traditions, cultures, spiritual beliefs and our whole existence have been gravely by first unsustainable logging, and then mono-crop plantations. At present, our land and forest are threatened by the Government for the establishment of protected forest and forest reserves areas where our rights are extinguished totally.

Our continuous attempts to raise our legitimate concerns and fears with the authorities have either been continuously ignored or been met with more and more brutal repression by the State and in collusion with the operating companies.

In the name of "development" - our people were displaced; our property were indiscriminately destroyed; our forest logged; our native customary land rights were extinguished and our lands were acquired for the implementation of mega-infrastructure projects, plantations and other development activities. These development activities that occurred within the Dayak community areas do not bring progress or benefit us but instead brings various problems and sufferings to the communities as well as destroying our way of life and environment.

As such, while you are in Mulu to consider the Mulu National Park as a World Heritage, we ask that you consider us, the indigenous people, as we appeal either for your action and/or your support:

1. Land legislation should legally recognise our Native Customary Rights (NCR) and be enforced practically where the Government should demarcate and survey our land boundaries thus ensuring that our rights to our customary lands are protected;
2. All logging in Sarawak, which are unsustainable, be halted immediately, especially those surrounding Mulu National Park;
3. Conservation and protection of forest not only in the State's protected forest but also in our Native Customary Land;
4. Immediately halt all proposals and plans for mono-crop plantation in our Native Customary Land that do not benefit us at all;
5. Give us equal opportunities and as partners to participate in the development of the State's rich and diverse resources as we continue to seek partnership with the State for development to truly benefit us all;
6. The Sarawak Government-promised Biosphere or community reserves for the Penan people to be actively pursuit by the authorities and the indigenous people, concerned;
7. Freedom for us who reside within the surroundings of Mulu National Park to collect, hunt, take and access the forest resources including herbal medicines, game, timber and food in Mulu National Park without restrictions;
8. Recognise us as the indigenous people as knowledgeable forest and eco-system practitioners who have all the survival interest to protect the forest and land for our future generations;
9. Open negotiations should be held at all levels of our community. There must be prior informed consent from us especially in the decision making process that involves legislation or development policies be it land and forest management projects or the conservation of biodiversity on our Native Customary Land where it involves our future; and
10. Train Penan participants on the aspect of business and giving us the chance to participate in all socio-economic activities and employment relevant with the tourism industry, management and conservation of Mulu National Park.

1. To recommend global strategies and approaches, and especially for the Sarawak Government to involve the affected people, NGOs and the public in the plan for Mulu World Heritage Listing;
2. To support our community demands and needs either nomadic, settled, semi-nomadic local people to continue living our traditional and cultural lives in Mulu and the surrounding areas;
3. To support putting in place mechanisms and resources for the Penans and other local indigenous people's participation in the management, protection, promotion, etc. of Mulu National Park; and
4. To support the Penan's appeal for recognition and rights to self-determination of development that will truly benefit our community and ensure our future.

We thank you for your attention and support and we look forward to your urgent action.