KUCHING, May 20, 2020: Sarawak PKR suffers yet another huge loss with the resignation of the Lubok Antu branch chief Nicholas Bawin anak Anggat, who is also the native customary rights (NCR) land expert, from the party with immediate effect today.
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| Nicholas Bawin |
Bawin, a founding member of Sarawak PKR, had been the branch chief since 2009, a member of the state leadership council since 2009 and state party vice chairman since 2018.
In a statement, the branch’s permanent chairman Enggang anak Sandam said it is not an easy announcement for the committee to make as Bawin is the founding member of the Lubok Antu branch, and has been the backbone and guiding light of the branch since its inception.
“His contribution to the Iban community cannot be lightly stated, indeed, he had served as Deputy President of the Majlis Adat Istiadat , and served in that capacity for 13 years.
“Bawin has wide working knowledge of Native Customary Laws in Sarawak including Adat Iban, Adat Bidayuh, Adet Kayan-Kenyah, Adet Kelabit, Adet Lun Bawang, Adat Bisaya, Adet Kajang and Adat Melanau Liko.
“With the knowledge he had testified as an expert witness in the landmark cases of Nor Anak Nyawai & Ors v. Borneo Pulp Plantation Sdn Bhd & Ors [2001] 2 CLJ 769, Muli Anak Baya & Anor v Everight
Enterprise (21-6-2009, Sibu High Court), Nicholas Mujah Anak Ason & Ors v Hock Tong Hin Sawmill Co. Bhd (22-118-2007-I, High Court Kuching), Agi Anak Bungkong & 2 Ors v Ladang Sawit Bintulu Sdn Bhd
& 4 Ors (22-93-2001-III(I), High Court Kuching).
“In addition to these cases he also testified in many more other cases during the last 20 years.
“His evidence in all these cases were found to be credible and accepted by the Court, and indeed he had helped established the matrix that has led to recognition of NCR throughout Sarawak.
“Bawin’s experience in state administration and Sarawak Native affairs is well recognised, has also been invaluable to our branch and the party.
“His experience includes Deputy Chairman of Lubok Antu District Council. (1988 – 1992; Member Board of Director of Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (SESCO). 1987 – 1997 and President of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) ( August 7, 2004 – November 30, 2007,” Enggang said.
He added Bawin had actively participated and contributed in various national and international forums, seminars/conferences, such the conference of Legal Pluralism, the roles of Customary Law in preserving indigenous heritage organized by the Faculty of Law, University Malaya on 11th – 12th November 1997; and Kongress Kebudayaan Rumpun Melayu ( a member of panel in the discussion) organized by the Yayasan Warisan Johor on 12th September, 2004.
He had also presented a paper entitled Land and Natural Resources during the 6th session of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from 14th to 25th May 2007 at the United Nations, New York; a paper on the topic of Globalization and Impacts it had to the Indigenous Peoples at the Strategic Planning Workshop in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 10th to 13th July 2007.
Enggang said Bawin had also addressed the House of Commons, British Parliament in March 2010, on issues and problems affecting the Dayak Communities (suppressions, oppressions, and marginalization of Orang Asal – (Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak).
He said Bawin had informed the committee that his resignation is based on the unfulfilled and unitiated promises of autonomy within the party, along the lines of Malaysia Agreement 63 and his support for leaders and members, who have been recently terminated without just cause and excuse.
“ Bawin’s resignation is no small measure and it has far reaching implications amongst the grassroots in Lubok Antu , and also the Ibans of Sarawak.
“Thence PKR Lubok Antu branch will convene an emergency meeting to discuss our next course of action,” Enggang said.
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