Peter Anak Jaban, or better known as Peter John Jaban is a high-profile Malaysian activist, journalist, broadcaster, and human rights campaigner from Sarawak.
Of DayakIban descent, he is best known as the voice behind Radio Free Sarawak, an independent shortwave radio station that provided a platform for rural Sarawakians to voice concerns over land rights, deforestation, and political marginalisation. He has also been involved with Radio Free Malaysia and is known for his work on civil liberties, religious freedom, and Sarawak autonomy.
He is currently serving as the Deputy President of the Global Human Rights Federation (Malaysia), where he continues to advocate for the indigenous rights, inclusive governance, and freedom of expression. His work has brought attention to Sarawak-based issues both domestically and internationally, through collaborations with non-governmental organisations and diplomatic channels. He is regarded as one of the most visible figures in Sarawak's civil society landscape.
Early life and Background
Born and raised in Sarawak, Peter John Jaban is an Iban Dayak, part of the Indigenous peoples of Borneo.
He began his career as a radio presenter & DJ and later transitioned into civil society work, using media to raise awareness of injustices affecting the rural and indigenous communities.
Prior to his activism, Peter John previously worked in various sections of the Land and Survey Department in Kuching, Sarawak before resigning in 2006. He later became a radio DJ at Cats FM, a local private radio station. He formerly served as Deputy Chairman of the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA Kuching),[1] an organisation focused on the rights and welfare of the Iban community. In the 2006 Sarawak state election, he contested as an independent candidate against then Deputy Chief Minister, Alfred Jabu Numpang in the Layar constituency, but was lost decisively to the latter.[2]
Activism
Peter John Jaban is considered as one of the leading prominent activist in Sarawak.
Vocal on Multiple Fronts
Peter is not confined to a single issue. He is known for outspoken positions on a wide range of social and political matters and as someone who does not mince his words, he speaks candidly on everything from Indigenous rights to national governance.
Dayak native customary rights (NCR) and land defense.
Freedom of religion and secularism in Malaysia.
The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sarawak's constitutional rights.
Human trafficking and migrant labour exploitation.
Minority rights and inclusive governance.
His activism spans both state-level and national-level concerns. His work continues to amplify the voices of the Indigenous people and other marginalised communities in Borneo.
Public Recognition & Media Access
He frequently appears in national media like The Borneo Post, Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini Dayakdaily, Sabah Daily express, Focus Malaysia, The Vibes and other international media. He is often quoted or interviewed when civil society needs a voice in Sarawak.
Peter John Jaban is the co-founder of both Radio Free Sarawak and Radio Free Malaysia, and served as a key presenter for Radio Free Sarawak. These two London based independent radio platforms were launched to expose corruption, abuse of power, environmental destruction, and Indigenous marginalisation -- while providing a voice to rural communities.
- Radio Free Sarawak
Peter first met Clare Rewcastle Brown in 2008.[3] In November 2010, Peter was invited by Clare to join Radio Free Sarawak, a radio that campaign against deforestation and loss of native land rights, and the alleged corruption of Sarawak's chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.[4] Peter also started to use his on-air pseudonym "Papa Orang Utan".[2]
Peter was detained immediately upon his arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 31 May 2012 after a few weeks of vacation. He said that he had been "arrested and then photographed, his documents copied, before being escorted on to the airplane" and flown to Miri, Sarawak.[5] Peter was later taken away by three unidentified men shortly after arriving in Sarawak although he was escorted by Miri PKR chairman, Dr Micheal Teo.[6] However, Sarawak police has denied any involvement in the arrest of Peter. This incident has sparked a public outrage because Peter just disappeared without anyone knowing his location.[7][8][9]
After 2 days, Peter was spotted and reportedly moving about freely in Miri.[10] On the 3rd day, he contacted his colleague of Radio Free Sarawak. He apologised and clarify that the three men were good Samaritans and he decided to follow them because he feared for his safety. He did not have time to inform Micheal Teo of his intention because Teo was busy talking on the phone at that time. Peter's phone was not working because of heavy rain and thus he was unable to report his safety to his colleague in the first few days.[11] After the incident, Peter decided to remain in Sarawak.[12]
Radio Free Sarawak has to operate clandestinely in Sarawak, where the authorities regard it as “seditious,” jamming its broadcasts and hacking its website in attempts to prevent it from spreading its “lies” and “poisoning the spirit of the people.” Since returning to Sarawak in 2012, Peter has lived in constant fear of being arrested but that does not stop him from commenting ironically: “I much appreciate the honour of this recognition, not least because it may be useful if I am arrested.”
- Radio Free Malaysia
A nationwide counterpart to Radio Free Sarawak, Radio Free Malaysia was created to share alternative news across Malaysia, especially during the 2013 general elections.
- Sister Organisation: Sarawak Report
Radio Free Sarawak and Sarawak Report, functioned as sister organisations, with the former focusing on grassroots radio while the latter specialised in investigative reporting.
Civic Bridge between Rural and Urban voices
He is known for connecting urban advocacy with rural grassroots concerns, a rare and important bridge in Sarawak's fragmented political landscape.
Activist Focus Area Status
Peter John Jaban is a prominent Malaysian activist known for his advocacy on civil liberties, secularism, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and human rights. His work spans across sectors and issues, making him a prominent figure in Malaysian civil society.
Sarawak self-determination
In 2013, Peter John Jaban demanded that the Sarawak government officially declare July 22 a public holiday to commemorate Sarawak Independence Day, marking the date the state gained self-government from British colonial rule in 1963.[13] He had also been actively researching Sarawak’s historical status and, in 2014, served as a speaker at a public forum organised by the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (SAPA) to discuss the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and related constitutional matters.[14]
Peter was the SAPA publicity and information chief in 2020.[15]
Peter founded the "Sarawakians for Sarawak" and "Saya Anak Sarawak" movement in 2021.[16]
Timeline of Key Activities & Advocacy
Year Activity / Timeline of Key Contribution
1990 - 2000, worked at the Sarawak Land and Survey Department, while also serving as a radio presenter and DJ. Began raising public awareness about Indigenous rights and Dayak identity.
2010, Co-Founded Radio Free Sarawak with Clare Rewcastle-Brown (sister-in-law of Gordon Brown, former UK PM). The station aired testimonies from rural communities affected by logging and native land disputes.
2012, Temporarily detained in Kota Kinabalu by Malaysian immigration after returning from London; sparked international outcry.
2013, launched Radio Free Malaysia, short-lived alternative media platform aimed at countering state-controlled narratives during the Malaysian general election.
2014 -2016, became a key figure in the Sarawak for Sarawakians and Sarawakians for Sarawak (S4S) movement, advocating for greater state autonomy, constitutional recognition under the Malaysian Agreemenr 1963 and Sarawak's rights over its own natural resources.
2015 - 2018, actively campaigned for native customary rights (NCR), transparency in land ownership, and resistance against land grabs impacting Dayak communities.
2017 - 2019, advocated for Sarawak's control over its own oil and gas reserves, opposing federal control and calling for localised economic benefit-sharing.
2020 - 2023, he actively involved in international indigenous and grassroots networks. He became affiliated with global movements such as the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP) and the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), where he contributed to advocacy efforts on Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and community empowerment. Through these alliances, he established linkages with the broader global Indigenous struggle via networks such as the international league of Peoples struggle iLPS. Expanded his activism to include issues of religious freedom, freedom of expression, and the trafficking and forced labour of Sarawakians, Indonesian and North Koreans migrants.
2023, appointed as Deputy President of the "Global Human Rights Federation (Malaysia)', from which he launched public campaigns on freedom of religion, hate speech, non-muslim marginalisation, and secular governance.
2024 - 2025, led calls for state-level task forces on human trafficking, publicly criticised racial and religious imbalances in GLC and board appointments, and pushed for improved representation of Sarawakians in federal decision-making processes.
Positions Held
Co-Founder & Key Presenter, Radio Free Malaysia
Co-founder & Key Presenter, Radio Free Sarawak (as "Papa Orang Utan')
Deputy President, Global Human Rights Federation (Malaysia)
Publicity Chief, Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA)
Founder, Pertubuhan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak (PEDAS)
Founder, Barisan Iban Sarawak / Borneo Indigenous Survivors Alliance (BISA)
Founder, Dayak Rights Action Force (DRAF)
Founder, Gabungan Orang Asal Sabah & Sarawak (GOASS)
Founder, Saya Anak Sarawak / Solidarity Anak Sarawak (SAS)
Founding Member, Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (MAJU)
Leading Activist, Sarawakians for Sarawak / Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S)
Senior Advisor/Supporter, various other Sarawak-based rights movements
Life Member, Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW)
A Member of,
International Indigenous People Movements for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL)
Borneo Indigenous Peoples Pact (BIPP)
Dayak International Organisation (DIO)
Malaysian for Free and Fair Election (MAFREL)
International Awards and Recognition
Honorary Title "Panglima" (2013) - Majlis Dewan Adat Dayak and the Governor of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In recognition of his courage and leadership, Peter was bestowed the honorary title "Panglima" (a warrior/chieftain honorific).
100 Information Heroes (2014) - Reporters Without Borders (one of the world's prestigious award) in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day 2013 for courage in defending press freedom through independent grassroots media. The recognition acknowledged his bold role in promoting transparency and spreading information through Radio Free Sarawak broadcasting vital voices from rural Sarawak despite government restrictions.
Free Media Pioneer Award (2014) - International Press Institute (IPI), given to Radio Free Sarawak with Peter as a leading presenter. This honour recognised the station's groundbreaking role in delivering independent reporting under challenging conditions.
Communication for Social Change Award (2014) - University of Queensland, Australia. The award recognised the station’s outstanding efforts in using media to empower rural indigenous communities in Sarawak. While the award was given to the organisation as a whole, Peter John Jaban was acknowledged as the leading voice and presenter behind the initiative. Through shortwave radio and ICTs, RFS connected remote communities, providing a platform for dialogue, awareness, and advocacy on human and media rights.. He has played a transformative role in reshaping Malaysia’s political landscape by fearlessly speaking out against corruption, abuse of power, and systemic inequality. His unwavering commitment to justice and transparency has made him a powerful voice for accountability at the national level.
In 2022, Peter John was conferred the title of "Panglima Penyatuan" (Commander of Unity) by the indigenous community of Sabah. The recognition was endorsed by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Dr. Yakobus Kumis of Majelis Adat Dayak Nasional (MADN Indonesia), Datuk Seri Edmund Langgu and other paramount Dayak chiefs across Borneo, symbolising regional unity and respect for his contributions to indigenous advocacy.
Honorary Title "Dato Sri Panglima" (2023) - Raja Mempawah XIII Baginda Pangeran Ratu Mulawangsa. A royal honour or decoration conferred by the Amantubillah Palace of the Mempawah Kingdom, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in recognition of his contributions to Indigenous advocacy and cross-border cultural ties.
In essence, Peter John Jaban's accolades underscore his deep commitment to media freedom, community empowerment, and cross-border indigenous solidarity. These honours highlight his importance not just in Sarawak, but also in the border fight for transparency, rights, and cultural respect.
International Engagement
Peter John has worked with international non-governmental organisations, collaborated with foreign journalists -- including those from the UK-based Sarawak Report -- and engaged with diplomatic missions and Indigenous coalitions across Southeast Asia. His advocacy connects local issues in Sarawak and Sabah with broader global conversations on human rights, self-determination, and environmental justice.
Legacy and Impact
As a proud Iban Dayak and lifelong activist, Peter John Jaban has carved a unique path in Malaysian civil society -- as a broadcaster, organiser, and unrelenting defender of Indigenous dignity. Through the platforms he created and the movements he helped spark, he continues to unite diverse Sarawakian voices, challenge federal overreach, and promote freedom, unity, and justice for all Bornean peoples.
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