Radio Free Sarawak’s DJ Peter Jaban’s Family Being Harassed
“Attack me if you want, but leave my family alone!” – DJ Peter John (Papa Orang Utan of Radio Free Sarawak) has hit back against the harassment of his family in Kuching.
Press Statement by Radio Free Sarawak
Peter John, who recently revealed himself as the DJ behind the pro-democracy radio station Radio Free Sarawak based in London, has called on the authorities in Kuching to stop a growing campaign of harassment against his family and their businesses.
He says the problems faced by his family members started in early January, by which time his identity as the voice behind the daily show was becoming widely known in Sarawak. The manager of a restaurant run by his family called him to say that their landlord, who is a known BN supporter, had given them one month’s notice to leave. No reason was given and they had occupied the premises for four years.
Later Peter’s son called to say that another landlord at a lodging house run by the family was also cancelling the tenancy. This landlord is one of Sarawak’s big timber companies, closely linked to the Chief Minister. Again no reason was given for the sudden eviction.
But the real problems started, according to Peter John (whose family name is Jaban), after last month’s article in London’s Evening Standard confirming the names of the people behind Radio Free Sarawak. Police have started visiting the premises of family members, he says, asking for his whereabouts. Last night he was rung by his brother, who said the police had also come to his business and made enquiries from the staff. They said “we are looking for him” according to the manager.
There have also been problems from the Kuching Council which issues licences for his premises. One business associate of his family was approached directly by the council two days ago, according to Jaban, and told that if they continue to sub-let to him then the council will terminate their licence to operate.
Yesterday Peter’s son was also informally warned by Council staff that the family’s name has now been ‘black-listed’. He was advised to sell or change the name of all their business operations.
Peter says that the effect on his family has been far-reaching. Not only have their livelihoods been affected, but they have been left concerned and intimidated. He says this worries him more than death threats he has received on his mobile phone and he says he understands the sort of pressure that the US citizen Ross Boyert experienced, because he feels the same is happening to him.
But, Jaban remains defiant. Today he said “no matter what they do I will continue my work. The more they do the more I will say about them. They can go for me, but whatever happens I will never stop barking. If you kill me I will stop, but the other blogs will continue”.
Jaban says that he misses the comfortable life, the weather and the family and friends back home. “I miss a lot of what I left back in Sarawak, but this is what I had to do” he says. “Just leave my family out of it, they had nothing to do with this and attacking them only proves everything I have been saying about what is wrong with Sarawak at the moment”.
Contact – Radio Free Sarawak email – [email protected]
