By Christopher Leong
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar condemns the arbitrary arrest, in Gua Musang on 28 January 2012, of 13 Orang Asli of the Temiar tribe who had gathered peacefully to protest and blockade the alleged incessant illegal encroachment onto, and logging of, their ancestral lands. Although the Temiar had been assured that the state authorities would resolve their grievances by mid-January, the alleged intrusion and logging activities had continued unabated. The police reportedly burned down the blockade, detained/arrested the Temiar, and prevented family members of those arrested from accompanying them to the detention centre. The detained Temiar were said to have been denied food and legal representation, and questioned for several hours before being released.