By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 10: The indigenous community of Merdang is preparing to hold a peaceful street protest against what it claimed as the ‘gradual erosion’ of the area’s historical name and identity through the naming of new developments, roads, and facilities.
In a statement issued in conjunction with International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, indigenous rights activist Peter John Jaban—representing the community—said concerns were brought up on the use of the name ‘Bandar Riyal’ and the alleged naming of the area, roads, lanes, bazaar, and market in Taman Samarindah, while demanding answers from the relevant authorities on who proposed and approved the names and whether the Merdang community had been consulted.
“Let us be very clear—we are not against development. We welcome development. However, we object to any process that results in the original name and history of Merdang gradually being erased from official maps, records, and the memory of future generations,” he said.
He called upon the authorities to take the community’s concerns seriously before the planned protest, while also reminding the indigenous community, residents, and all who value history and cultural heritage to support this effort peacefully and responsibly.
Among the key points he raised was the existence of Sungai Merdang, which he said remains part of the area’s geographical landscape and history.
“There is no Sungai Samarindah. There is no Sungai Bandar Riyal. Sungai Merdang is part of the geographical landscape and history of this area. A river is not a newly developed housing estate. A river is not a commercial project. A river is not a name created merely to serve modern development. Sungai Merdang carries the name of this land and its history.
“The question is that if Sungai Merdang still exists and continues to carry the name Merdang, why is the name Merdang increasingly being pushed aside in the naming of the surrounding area?” he questioned.
He also called for an explanation on who proposed and approved the name ‘Bandar Riyal’, when the decision was made, and what criteria were used in selecting the name.
The statement further questioned whether ‘Bandar Merdang’ had ever been considered and whether the indigenous community had been consulted before the names were approved.
“A new development name may be introduced, but it should not replace the original name of a territory to the point that its history and identity are forgotten.”
He also asked whether the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) had been taken into consideration in decisions affecting the community’s cultural identity and heritage.
Therefore, he said the community called upon the relevant authorities to do the following:
- Provide a full explanation of the approval process for the names Bandar Riyal and Taman Samarindah.
- Make the relevant documents, meeting minutes, and resolutions concerning these names public.
- Recognise the existence and historical significance of Sungai Merdang.
- Recognise Merdang as an established historical and geographical name.
- Review the use of the name ‘Bandar Riyal’ and consider recognising the name ‘Bandar Merdang’.
- Review the names of the bazaar, market, roads and lanes concerned.
- Document all original names of villages, rivers, streams, hills, and historical places within the Merdang area.
- Conduct meaningful consultations with the indigenous community of Merdang.
- Ensure that no future changes to established place names are made without the meaningful participation of the affected community.
- Take steps to ensure that the historical identity of Merdang is preserved in maps, government records, signboards, and future development planning.
He went on to say that the community does not reject development, Taman Samarindah, or Bandar Riyal as a development, but instead that Merdang be preserved and recognised.
“Sungai Merdang is still here. Merdang is still here, and Merdang must remain Merdang. You can change the landscape, but you must not erase the history of the people who were here before the development.”
The statement also followed Peter’s call for Merdang to become a new parliamentary constituency. — DayakDaily
