14 May 2024
On Today Show
— Heng Kiah Chun, Regional Campaign Strategist, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Zero Deforestation is a Better Policy
— Anyi Lah from Long Tebangan,Ulu Baram – Sarawak's Power Priorities: Export Plans Draw Criticism Amid Local Energy Shortages
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Heng Kiah Chun, Pakar Strategi Kempen Serantau, Greenpeace Asia Tenggara – Polisi Tanpa Penebangan Hutan adalah Dasar yang Lebih Baik
— Anyi Lah dari Long Tebangan, Ulu Baram – Keutamaan Kuasa Sarawak: Rancangan Eksport Menarik Kritikan di Tengah-tengah Kekurangan Tenaga Tempatan
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*Special Randau*
1. Heng Kah Chun, Regional Campaign Strategist, Greenpeace Southeast Asia - The idea of orangutan diplomacy is not a convincing way to demonstrate Malaysia's commitment to biodiversity conservation. Instead, a zero deforestation and zero forest exploitation policy is a sustainable approach for the palm oil industry and can ensure the survival of orangutans.
2. Anti-corruption group, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) - C4 condemns the reappointment of Azam Baki for another year. C4 stated that this move does not reflect the institutional reforms mentioned by the Prime Minister.
3. Sarawak State Assembly Conference - Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Abdul Rahman Junaidi stated that 11 rivers have the potential to be developed with cascading dams. Today, the number increased to 12 with a new proposal for Sungai Bangkit in Katibas, suggested by the area’s YB. This raises questions for us. Have the elected representatives from these areas been promised million-ringgit contracts if dams are built in their areas?
4. Sarawak State Assembly was informed that the electricity transmission project to Singapore will start operating in 2031. It involves a 720km undersea cable from Tondong (Sarawak) to Changi (Singapore). We wonder why Punan Bah, which is only 40 km from the Bakun Dam, cannot be connected to the main Sarawak electricity grid. We understand that most longhouses downstream of Bakun rely on SARES electricity and Rosmah Mansor's hybrid solar project, which frequently breaks down.
Heng Kiah Chun, Regional Campaign Strategist, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
*Zero Deforestation is a Better Policy*
Last Wednesday, Malaysia's Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Johari Abdul Ghani, stated that Malaysia intends to introduce Orangutan Diplomacy (DOU), especially to major importing countries of Malaysian palm oil such as the European Union (EU), China, and India. Malaysia plans to gift a pair of adult orangutans to prove to the world that Malaysia is not a country that threatens the orangutan habitat and to highlight Malaysia's commitment at the international level to biodiversity restoration.
Heng believes this is not the right way to convince the global community to accept Malaysian palm oil or to prove Malaysia's commitment to biodiversity conservation. Instead, a zero deforestation and zero forest exploitation policy would be more effective in convincing palm oil buyers and better preserving the survival of orangutans in Malaysia.
According to Heng, a community palm oil plantation project in Sumatra and another palm oil plantation project by the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Union in West Kalimantan have successfully demonstrated that palm oil cultivation can thrive without deforestation by practicing good agricultural practices using organic fertilizers. Additionally, the commitment of major companies that buy palm oil, not only palm oil but also soy and other vegetable oils, to purchase only zero-deforestation or non-forest-exploiting products in compliance with EPIC. At the same time, it is time for responsible palm oil companies to take a firm stance against plantation operators that destroy forests and do not comply with EPIC and good agricultural practices. It is acknowledged that there are problematic palm oil plantation companies. The answer to this is stricter monitoring and enforcement. If they want a better reputation, palm oil plantation operators must make greater commitments. The problem now is not palm oil. The problem is the destruction of forests and biodiversity due to poor plantation practices. Orangutans are just one of thousands of species living in the forest. A better policy is zero deforestation.
Anyi Lah from Long Tebangan,Ulu Baram
*Sarawak's Power Priorities: Export Plans Draw Criticism Amid Local Energy Shortages*
The electricity supply interconnection project linking Sarawak to Singapore is expected to be commercially operational by 2031, says state utilities and telecommunications minister Julaihi Narawi. He said the project is currently undergoing technical research, which involves survey work for the undersea cable route. This project aims to create a 720km undersea cable from Tondong (Sarawak) to Changi (Singapore), establishing a significant energy link between the two regions. However, the project has not been without controversy.
Mr. Anyi, a resident of Baram from Long Tebangan, frequently travels to Ulu Baram and is very aware of the issues in Baram. Therefore, He is very disappointed with the Sarawak government's plan to channel electricity to neighboring countries in 2031. This is because many people in Sarawak still rely on solar power and generators to light their homes at night. Even after 60 years of independence, the Sarawak government, which has never changed, continues to regress the people, focusing only on mega projects that benefit politicians alone.
Mr. Anyi expressed his frustration, saying it is disheartening to see that the Sarawak government prioritizes exporting electricity to other countries while many of its own citizens are left in the dark. The focus should be on improving the basic infrastructure and living conditions for the people of Sarawak first.
He highlighted that in many rural areas, such as Ulu Baram, communities still lack access to reliable electricity. Residents depend on solar power systems, which can be inconsistent, and on generators, which are costly to operate and maintain.
Critics argue that the Sarawak government should invest in local infrastructure to ensure all Sarawakians have access to basic utilities before embarking on international projects. They point out that while mega projects like the undersea cable might bring financial benefits and international recognition, they do little to address the immediate needs of the local population. They call for greater transparency and a more balanced approach to development that considers the needs of all Sarawakians, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.