Protesters confront Malaysian PM

Wednesday, April 3, 1996 - 10:00

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — Chanting "Save the rainforest, end logging now!", some 100 demonstrators picketed the Heritage Hotel, where Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir was meeting Australian PM John Howard on March 29.

Several protesters managed to confront Mahathir over his government's appalling environmental policies in Sarawak, and the genocidal treatment of the indigenous Penan people.

Speakers at the protest, including rainforest campaigner Anja Light, Greens' spokesperson Drew Hutton and Democrat Senator John Woodley, condemned the Malaysian government's destruction of the Sarawak rainforests and urged Australians to join the campaign to stop the logging.

Another important issue raised was the Malaysian government's plan to build the Bakun dam. This $7.6 billion hydro-electric project would flood an area of rainforest the size of Singapore and displace 8500 Penan people.

From GLW issue 226