

By 1985 these roots are torn, the blissful tranquillity of the clear cascades and swathes of untouched rainforest are disturbed by the unnatural noise of chain saws. For the Penan this noise was unheard of in the midst of the forest, and unbeknownst to them they are listening to the beginning of the end of their paradise. For Bruno reality hits, the civilisation he escaped is coming back to haunt him, tearing down century old trees and destroying his new home. A dark awakening descends upon him: “My heart weeps as in a dirge—does the paradise really have to die, giving way to chainsaws and bulldozers? An eco-system, like an organism, which, untouched for millennia, has evolved in all its variety.”

One year into living with the Penan and Bruno is already using his knowledge from the outside to write to the authorities. Later another Swiss traveller joins the fight, Roger Graf, he meets Bruno in Sarawak (Penanland in Malaysian Borneo) and commits to helping them once he returns to Europe. By 1986 Graf has obtained over 6,800 signatures on a petition to save the last indigenous people of Sarawak and has founded the Pro Penan Association supported by Greenpeace. Back in the jungle Bruno meets with leaders from other Penan tribes and villages discussing a blockade to peacefully protest against the loggers.

The protest and blockade begin in March of 1987. 4,700 people from 26 Penan and Kelabit villages block the access roads to loggers for 8 months—preventing over 1,600 loggers from entering with 210 bulldozers. Manser and the Penan formally request the Malaysian Government to establish a natural reserve and put an end to the massacre. Delegates of Penan people even travel to Kuala Lumpur in desperation to plead with the government. However, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed’s stance is clear, he WILL bend to corporate greed, better yet? He’s realised that the Penan’s best weapon is Bruno Manser, so he places a bounty on his head. Anyone who brings Bruno to the authorities receives around $25,000 in compensation. A large sum for forest dwellers, or an insignificant one for people who don’t use money.

By 1988 Bruno is classified as an enemy of the state. Meanwhile outside of Malaysia a completely different story is circulating, the image of Bruno as a spokesman for the Penan becomes a media sensation, with international human rights and environmental NGOs joining the fight. By the end of 1988 the fight seems to be gaining momentum. Switzerland declares a boycott of tropical timber, whilst the European Parliament places a limit on import of tropical timber. This is a big blow to the Malaysian government —Malaysia back then was the world’s largest producer of tropical timber (The bans were reversed in 1992). The same year film producers take wind of Bruno's story and three movies are produced about Bruno and the Penan fight: Tong Tana, Blowpipes and Bulldozers, A journey into the heart of Sarawak.



The 90s

In January 1990 Bruno’s dad falls sick, and his friend is sent to Sarawak to tell him the news. After 6 years in the jungle Bruno decides to keep fighting from Switzerland and return home. As a fugitive his escape from Malaysia is rocky, he needs a fake passport and a different look. However, he succeeds and takes his role of spokesperson for the Penan seriously. Upon his return he has interviews, and meetings every day and founds the Bruno Manser Foundation (BMF). By July protests and hunger strikes are organised in over 13 countries outside of the Malaysian embassies. However, despite all efforts back in Sarawak the situation deteriorates, every day 12sqkm of forest are being torn down, destroying the Penan morale and threatening their very existence. They describe their situation as “feeling like fish who have been thrown onto land.”

A year later the G7 summit takes place in London, Bruno sees an opportunity. He enters the high-security zone climbs up a lamppost and attaches himself to it with a heavy chain, then hangs a banner that reads “G7? SARAWAK? FOREST? DESTRUCTION? HUMAN RIGHTS! VIOLATIONS! MORATORIUM NOW!”

Throughout the 90s Bruno travels continuously undercover back home to Penanland. With his strong campaigning in Europe he has increasingly angered Malay officials, so every time he returns he needs to hike in through neighbouring Brunei or Kalimantan, Indonesia. Around January of 1992 Bruno is invited to Hollywood. Film writer David Franzoni is deeply intrigued by the Swiss Jungle Man and Bruno signs a contract giving Warner Bros the right to film his life. For this he will receive $20,000 a year, his only income until the film is dropped in 1998.