A one row of 14-door Penan wooden longhouse at Long Luar in Pelieran river at the headwaters of Murum river was reduced to ashes, when gutted to the ground in wee hour of 18th June night. 
The fire occurred at about 2.00 am mid-night. The Penans believed that the fire was caused by a spilled kerosene lamp that was accidentally kicked by a boy while in deep slept. The fire spread swiftly and took less than half an hour to raze the whole wooden longhouse.
At the time, most of them were already aslept, however were shaken and awakened by those families and relatives next door to the fire, who has noticed it earlier as it razed.
The fire had mercilessly taken away everything they owned and left them with the clothes on their backs. They could not help to salvage their personal belongings and heirlooms at all as the fire was too flammable. Fortunately no life was lost in the mishap. The fire made more than 60 families (250 people) homeless. The longhouse was built sometime in 1996.
Most of the victims are now taking temporary shelter with relatives at another Penan longhouse in Long Tangau which is situated about 500 metres away from Long Luar. Long Tanga
u is made up of 18 doors/units. Hence, it could not accommodate a large number of Penans from Long Luar. Some Penan families have to build makeshift huts around the village as well as in the nearby forest.
The costs of the damage were yet to be ascertained. Due to the remoteness of the village, information about the mishap was rather slow. At present, there hasn’t any assistance given to them. They are appealing for immediate help especially on basic items such as foods, cooking utensils and clothes.
Village headman, Madai Salo was with tears as he narrated their sorrow and despair at the fire that had completely destroyed their longhouse.
Long Luar is one of the six (6) Penan villages in Pelieran river area affected by the mega Murum hydroelectric dam project in Belaga District in the central region in the interior of Sarawak. The Long Luar Penans are strongly opposing the dam project. The other Penan villages are Long Tangau, Long Wat, Long Singu, Long Menapa and Long Malim. Also affected is a Kenyah-Badeng village at Long Umba in Danum River. There are about 1,000 Penans in the area are affected by the Murum dam project.
Penans Appeal:
Long Luar Penans are appealing for help. Any assistance and donations to the Penans of Long Luar, be it financially or in-kinds are most welcome. If you need to visit them, kindly contact us for information and logistic arrangement at: scanenetwork@gmail.com or call us Tel: 085 423044
The fire occurred at about 2.00 am mid-night. The Penans believed that the fire was caused by a spilled kerosene lamp that was accidentally kicked by a boy while in deep slept. The fire spread swiftly and took less than half an hour to raze the whole wooden longhouse.
At the time, most of them were already aslept, however were shaken and awakened by those families and relatives next door to the fire, who has noticed it earlier as it razed.
The fire had mercilessly taken away everything they owned and left them with the clothes on their backs. They could not help to salvage their personal belongings and heirlooms at all as the fire was too flammable. Fortunately no life was lost in the mishap. The fire made more than 60 families (250 people) homeless. The longhouse was built sometime in 1996.
Most of the victims are now taking temporary shelter with relatives at another Penan longhouse in Long Tangau which is situated about 500 metres away from Long Luar. Long Tanga
u is made up of 18 doors/units. Hence, it could not accommodate a large number of Penans from Long Luar. Some Penan families have to build makeshift huts around the village as well as in the nearby forest.The costs of the damage were yet to be ascertained. Due to the remoteness of the village, information about the mishap was rather slow. At present, there hasn’t any assistance given to them. They are appealing for immediate help especially on basic items such as foods, cooking utensils and clothes.
Village headman, Madai Salo was with tears as he narrated their sorrow and despair at the fire that had completely destroyed their longhouse.
Long Luar is one of the six (6) Penan villages in Pelieran river area affected by the mega Murum hydroelectric dam project in Belaga District in the central region in the interior of Sarawak. The Long Luar Penans are strongly opposing the dam project. The other Penan villages are Long Tangau, Long Wat, Long Singu, Long Menapa and Long Malim. Also affected is a Kenyah-Badeng village at Long Umba in Danum River. There are about 1,000 Penans in the area are affected by the Murum dam project.
Penans Appeal:
Long Luar Penans are appealing for help. Any assistance and donations to the Penans of Long Luar, be it financially or in-kinds are most welcome. If you need to visit them, kindly contact us for information and logistic arrangement at: scanenetwork@gmail.com or call us Tel: 085 423044
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