A tale of 2 tragedies: Bukit Koman and Baram

The Reclaim Sarawak Environmental Rights Road Show with music, dances and video screenings were joined by the folks of the Ban Cyanide Gold Mining Committee for a night of dailogue, comradeship and exchange of information at the Kwan Yin Temple overlooking the idyllic town of Bukit Koman on October 27th, 2012.

2bkt koman sarawak--3 — The statue of the Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin stands majestically overlooking the town of Bukit Koman.

3bkt koman sarawak--5 — A beautiful sunset on a full moon night above Bukit Koman. View from Kwan Yin Temple.

Bukit Koman is located about 2km away from Raub Town and the location of the Raub Australian Gold Mining (RAGM) which uses cyanide in their extraction process since commencing operation in 2007.

Since the plant began operations, it is alleged that Bukit Koman residents have complained of experiencing health problems arising from the use of cyanide in mining which has caused skin irritation, skin diseases, breathing problems and eye irritation.

4bkt koman sarawak-7923 — These banners hung along the fencing of the Gold Mining Company voice out the objection of the people to the use of cyanide.

On 2nd September, 2012, a massive rally of more than 10,000 people from all over Malaysia took place here at Bukit Koman to protest against the use of cyanide.

However on September 6th, 2012 the Federal Court ruled against the peoples quest for a Judicial Review of the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) submitted by RAGM.

KST_5877 — The ban cyanide rally protestors are seen here gathering in Raub Town waiting to march towards Bukit Koman, about 2 km away.

KST_5963 — Snapshot of some of the particpants at the September 2nd Rally.

KST_6023 — Malaysians of all races marching in solidarity against the use of cyanide on Sept 2nd, 2012.

The organisers and main speakers of the Reclaim Sarawak Road Show are Leerang Bato from the Peoples Documentaries, Phillip Jau the Chairman of Baram Protection Action Committee and Chairman of the Save Rivers Network Peter Kallang.

This is the fifth stop for the Road Show in Peninsular Malaysia.

They have over the week held similar road shows in Kuala Lumpur, Tasik Chini, Pahang. Their next stop would be in Penang.

9bkt koman sarawak-00010 — Leerang Bato, a former TV producer, from the Peoples Documentary. He has travelled extensively in Sarawak documenting the plight of the indigenous people.

9bkt koman sarawak-00001 — Peter Kallang is the Chairman of Save Rivers Network and has his roots in Baram, Sarawak.

9bkt koman sarawak-00011 — Phillip Jau, the Chairman of Baram Pretection Action Committee.

5bkt koman sarawak-8146 — The State Assemblyman for Tras ( Bukit Koman) YB Choong took time off to attend the Road Show and be with the guests from Sarawak.

The Baram River is the second longest river in Sarawak.

The indigenous people comprising of the Kayan, Kenyah and Penan living in the middle and upper Baran region are concerned over the construction of the mega Baram Dam across the river.

They are fighting for their rights, livelihoods and future in this area.

Upon completion of the dam the homeland of the 20,000 indigenous people living here will be affected.

They would be unjustifiable be submerged and wiping out their source of livelihood.