22 May 2024
On Today Show
— Meenakshi Raman, President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) – Environmental Autonomy for Sarawak: A Step Backwards, Says SAM President
— Agnes Padan, a citizenship activist from Lawas – Elderly Women in Lawas Lose MyKad: Bureaucratic Hurdles and Language Issues
— Abun Sui, Senator of PKR Sarawak – Approval of Fire Station in Sg Asap Resettlement Area After Over 25 Years of Waiting
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Meenakshi Raman, Presiden Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) – Autonomi Alam Sekitar untuk Sarawak: Satu Langkah Mundur, Kata Presiden SAM
— Agnes Padan, aktivis kewarganegaraan dari Lawas – Wanita Warga Emas di Lawas Kehilangan MyKad: Halangan Birokrasi dan Masalah Bahasa
— Abun Sui, Senator PKR Sarawak – Kelulusan Balai Bomba di Kawasan Penempatan Semula Sg Asap Selepas Lebih 25 Tahun Menunggu
-
*Special Randau*
1. The celebration of Wesak Day by Buddhists across Malaysia was festive and harmonious today. There were no safety issues despite several incidents of violence and attacks on police officers and stations in recent days.
2. Yesterday, PMX delivered a national address, assuring the government's commitment to taking strong action against those involved in the recent attacks, extremism, and violence. The government reiterated its stance of not interfering with the judicial process while allowing full autonomy to the police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) to combat corruption and the misappropriation of national resources. Malaysia's economy unexpectedly grew by 4.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
3. The son of the Perlis Chief Minister (son-in-law of PAS President Hadi Awang) and his former political secretary will be charged tomorrow in connection with a false claim case worth RM600,000.
4. The federal government should not grant full autonomy to Sarawak due to the state's low compliance with environmental laws compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak's international environmental record is also poor, said SAM President Meenakshi Raman. Meenakshi urged the people of Sarawak to continue speaking out and to take legal action if there are any violations of rights and environmental crimes.
-----------------------
Meenakshi Raman, President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
*Environmental Autonomy for Sarawak: A Step Backwards, Says SAM President*
According to Meenakshi Raman, the idea of granting full autonomy to Sarawak concerning environmental matters is a regressive idea. She argues that, when compared to the states in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak often fails to comply with legal environmental requirements. For instance, in Peninsular Malaysia, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is mandatory for any major project. However, in Sarawak, it is left to the discretion of the project developers. This means that the people and the environment in Peninsular Malaysia are better protected than in Sarawak.
Meenakshi questions whether this is what the Sarawak Government desires. She points out that people's rights are not respected, the environment is not fully protected, and consultations with the people are not conducted transparently (FPIC). She believes the government should not allow Sarawak to adopt weak environmental laws and regulations. If Sarawak's motive for seeking full autonomy is to avoid interference from environmental agencies or the Department of Environment in their mega projects, it is very disappointing.
However, she acknowledges that if Sarawak wants to advance and lead in the projects they implement, they must not only comply with federal environmental laws but also adhere to international laws, regulations, and standards. According to Meenakshi, the duty of any government is to protect its people and the environment. She states that Sarawak's environmental record at the international level is unsatisfactory, and human rights violations in Sarawak are also frequent. Many customary land rights disputes have been taken to the federal court.
Therefore, Meenakshi advises the people of Sarawak to continue speaking out so that their rights are not violated and laws that diminish people's rights and pollute the environment should be challenged in court. She notes that SAM has observed since the 1980s that there have been many violations of people's rights in Sarawak and many industries developed by large companies in Sarawak do not comply with local and international standards.
For example, the aluminium smelting industry in Samalaju, logging, plantation, and hydro dam construction. Meenakshi warns that if Sarawak continues such actions, not only will Sarawak face international pressure and actions, but Malaysia as a whole and its entire population will also feel the negative impacts. She emphasizes that now is not like the 1980s. With the help of technology, environmental crimes can be reported from anywhere in the world.
-----------------------
Agnes Padan, a citizenship activist from Lawas
*Elderly Women in Lawas Lose MyKad: Bureaucratic Hurdles and Language Issues*
Elderly women in Lawas had their MyKad taken by the National Registration Department (JPN). One of them is Liteh Samad, aged over 70-80 years old. There was no clear reason given. Several women from Lawas, including some from the upper river and Trusan areas, were affected. The victims were asked to present their identity cards (ICs) at the JPN office, where the officers simply said, "We are taking back your IC," and that was it. These women, at their age, do not understand or speak Bahasa Malaysia.
One of the conditions for holding a Malaysian blue IC is the ability to speak Malay and sing the national anthem, "Negaraku." Those over 70 years old cannot sing "Negaraku," let alone remember the Rukun Negara, which validates their birth in the country. It is certain that they were born long before the formation of Malaysia. They have families in this country, with all their children grown up. Yet, this is what they have to face. Agnes has tried her best to persuade the JPN office to return their ICs, but has not been successful.
-----------------------
Abun Sui, Senator of PKR Sarawak
*Approval of Fire Station in Sg Asap Resettlement Area After Over 25 Years of Waiting*
Since the late 90s, Abun Sui has been active in politics and tirelessly advocating for the establishment of a fire station in Sg Asap. As a Senator, Abun Sui has the opportunity to voice this need directly in the Dewan Negara, further pushing for the construction of the Sg Asap fire station.
According to Abun, the fire station will not only function to extinguish fires when they occur, but it will also play a crucial role in providing fire safety training to the community in Sg Asap. This training will ensure that the community knows how to handle fires in the future.
Additionally, Abun addressed questions regarding his request for a health clinic in Data Kakus. Previously, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman stated in the Dewan that the clinic could not be built because the population there was only 900 people. However, Abun clarified that the population in Data Kakus and its surrounding areas actually exceeds 3,000 people, which is more than Tubau, a place that also has a rural clinic. Therefore, Data Kakus is indeed eligible for a clinic, and Abun Sui believes that securing a site for the clinic should not be a concern for the government.