Sebangan Natives Lodged at SADIA Headquarters Just So They can Hear Their Court Case Against Quality Concrete Holdings

Laundry facility

It does not matter what we eat.  It does not matter where we sleep but come we must to hear our court case against destroyers of  our NCR lands and the people who raped our forest with bulldozers and stole our precious trees.  This is why we need donations to provide transportation and decent meals for these villagers.  Some are lucky to board with their Kuching relatives but some do not have relatives in the big city.  SADIA is providing simple lodging for these folks.

Some were able to have a simple mattress on which to lie down and rest for the night

Some slept on the bare floor at SADIA Headquarters in Kuching.

Just a simple place to rest for the night before the court hearing the next day

SADIA Headquarters in Kuching 

Just a very simple cooking faciltiy to cook meal for many villagers

This one is mighty comfortable

A very small kitchen for cooking meals for hundreds of people

Court Hearing on Aug. 16th 2011 in Pictures by Numpang Suntai

My father, Suntai anak Bichu who claims to be over 100 years old, at least according to his Identity Card, never miss a single court hearing.  If they purged folks who are over hundred years from the electoral roll he would not be able to vote.  He said, "I doubt very if I am still alive for the next election, five years from now.  I voted for opposition all my life and never see my candidates ever win, after Daniel Tajem. But I voted with my conscience," he told me.

Some of the plantiffs.

Inside the chartered bus on their way to the Court House, across Sarawak River

Ungal Sanyam anak Daun et al, one of the plantiffs.

Three of the Sebangan Seven, TR Neli anak Nipa (Bajong Atas), TR Phillip anak Bakak (Tungkah), TR Sadon anak Ason (Ensika), with one of the plantiffs, TR Apat anak Hamba (Tungkah Dayak)

Yang Berhomat Baru Bian, one of the counsels for plantiffs.

Infront of the Court House

A visit from YB Baru Bian

My father infront of the Court House

Chartered bus to ferry Sebangan folks from SADIA to the Court House, across river 

Waiting patiently for court to be in session

Scopping rice from "upis" from outer layer of palm flowers, the way Iban used to carry their rice to work in the farm.

Unggal Ibrahim and his siblings always there to support my brother.

Duka the driver ferrying folks from Sebangan to Kuching

Making themselves comfortable, sitting down Iban style.

My father helping himself for a plate of rice.  He is so proud of wearing the Navy cap, USS Princton, that his naval officer grand-daughter gave him as a sovenier. 

The Court House was packed to capacity every day of the hearing.

It was a chance also to meet with friends

Helen and SN Voon sharing a plate on Court House lawn

Sanyam, one of the plantiffs with plate of rice

Taking it easy while waiting for court session to begin

Kampong ladies, you can take them out of the kampong but you cannot take their kampong, their land, their forests out of them.  May justice prevails.

When there is not enough chair, you simply sit down on the floor and make yourself comfortable, Iban style

The lucky ones who can find seats.

Supporters

The brought their own lunch to the court house but come they must to hear the court proceedings.  This is also an historical moment for many Ibans, fighting in court against the richest and the most powerful people in Sarawak. 

My father, rain or shine, is ever present to support his son and Sebangan relatives.   

Sebangan Natives against Quality Concrete Holdings in Pictures by Haw Batista on August 19th, 2011

My sister-in-law and my youngest sister

Sebangan Natives against Quality Concrete Holdings in Pictures by Orville Drem, taken on August 15th 2011