Ten residents of Maday Island, who were charged on April 19 for protesting against the island’s pipeline project without official permission, were released on bail on Monday following a hearing at Kyaukphyu Township Court, according to the Malay Island Development Committee.
Speaking to Mizzima on Tuesday, committee chairperson Tun Kyi said, “All of them were released on bail. The next hearing will be on May 16.”
He said that hundreds of Maday islanders had sailed across to the mainland to support the 10 protesters in court. Many had taken part in the original rally when some 800 Maday residents marched and voiced their concerns about the benefits of the pipeline.
“The residents organized the protest because their rights had been ignored,” said Tun Kyi. “Maday islanders respect the law, so they applied for official permission to protest. In fact, their application was rejected without any good reason. That’s why the march was held.”
The Maday Islanders’ group has submitted a list of demands to the government authorities and to pipeline-backers China National Petroleum Corporation demanding that the Chinese company promotes development of the island, as well as jobs and compensation for its residents.
Speaking in an interview with Voice of America, Shwe Gas Movement activist Wong Aung said “Too much is at stake to remain silent”, and he criticized CNPC for “exploiting the workers”.
