31 March 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Iswardy Morni, Penganalisis Politik – Najib Kekal Dalam Penjara
> Barnie Lasimbang, aktivis alam sekitar – Pelaporan EIA dan Penguatkuasaan Tegar Dapat Menghentikan Pembalakan Haram Secara Berkesan
> Charles Santiago, bekas ahli parlimen Klang dan pengerusi SPAN yang dilantik baharu – Gaji minimum mesti ditetapkan untuk mengelakkan eksploitasi pekerja domestik dari Combodia
> Encik Linggang dari Marudi – Marudi Orang mahu jalan raya, bukan Waterfront
On Today Show
> Iswardy Morni, Political Analysist – Najib Remains in Prison
> Barnie Lasimbang, environmental activist – EIA Reporting and Tough Enforcement Can Effectively Stop Illegal Logging
> Charles Santiago, ex-MP of Klang and new-appoint chairman of SPAN – Minimum wage must be set to avoid exploitation of domestic workers from Combodia
> Mr Linggang from Marudi – Marudi People want road, not Waterfront
-
Iswardy Morni, Political Analyst *Najib Remains in Prison*Najib Razak's application for a review of his guilty conviction (12 years in prison) and fine of RM210 million ended with a 4-1 decision. Najib remains in prison. But the head of the panel of judges Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli made the opposite decision - with the argument that Najib's legal team was not given permission to postpone the case for 3 to 4 months, so that they would be more prepared to present their arguments in court. Not allowing the delay - giving injustice to Najib. Iswardy thinks that this argument is inaccurate because so many delays have been given to Najib's legal team over the years. If given another delay. It is not fair to other Malaysians, who also need judges and courts to hear their cases. According to Iswardy, Najib's lawyer's real plan is to postpone the case until the 15th General Election is over. If UMNO/BN wins GE15. Then the chance for them to free Najib will be easier. According to Iswardy, with the decision of the Federal Court today. Thus ended the trial process of the SRC case involving Najib. Najib remains with the sentence that has been handed down. Only a royal pardon can free Najib. Even that can only be done after 4 years.
————————
Barnie Lasimbang, environmental activist
*EIA Reporting and Tough Enforcement Can Effectively Stop Illegal Logging*
Barnie Lasimbang, an environmental activists from Sabah were responding to a recent statement by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who said that logging posed no threat to the indigenous community in Baram, to which the organisations described the statement as “unfounded”.
Barnie Lasimbang saidd that Dennis Ngau's statement is regrettable and irresponsible, and it also shows that Dennis Ngau does not pay attention to environmental protection and does not care about the people.
EIA is a compulsory document, especially for those so called big development projects. To ensure that there are development projects involving land, such as building dams, logging, etc.
The Sarawak government did not follow through on its words. Although it said it wanted to protect the forest, it did not implement it, especially the basic EIA report was not carried out or provided. This does not give confidence to the affected communities.
There are many floral and fauna in the forest that we don’t know about, so if the logging is carried out without environmental investigation, it will bring great damage to the forest, the environment and the local community.
Yet EIA, important as it is, is useless without strong enforcement action. EIA and law enforcement must work together to protect forests and local communities.
————————
Charles Santiago, ex-MP of Klang and new-appoint chairman of National Water Services Commission (SPAN)
*Minimum wage must be set to avoid exploitation of domestic workers from Combodia*
Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar yesterday confirmed the latest five-year MOU did not make any reference to a minimum monthly wage - either set by Cambodia or based on Malaysia's current rate of RM1,500 as the minimum wage for all formal workers.
Charles Santiago said that if the minimum wage is not established, it will be exploited. And if there is no minimum wage, then why do domestic worker from Cambodia come to Malaysia to work? An uncertain future, who is coming?
He said that the minimum wage of RM 1,500 or more is to ensure the protection of foreign workers who come to work in Malaysia. However, the minimum wage RM 1,500 set by Malaysia does not include domestic workers. This means employers are likely to pay less, which can lead to exploitation of the rights and interests of domestic worker from Cambodia.
In any case, he said, a minimum wage should be drawn up instead of letting employers set prices at will.
Former Klang MP Charles Anthony Santiago has been appointed as the chairman of National Water Services Commission (SPAN) effective March 20. Santiago’s appointment completes the commission’s new leadership line-up for the 2023 to 2025 term. Santiago previously chaired SPAN from November 2018 to October 2020.
————————
Mr Linggang from Marudi
*Marudi People want road, not Waterfront*
Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil is set on creating a legacy for his constituents before his retirement. He said the soon-to-be-launched Marudi Waterfront will be one of his major contributions to Marudi as the people’s representative.
Mr Linggang is disappointed with the plan of the representatives of Marudi to build a waterfront worth RM23 million while the main road of Marudi people to Miri is becoming more and more dangerous for road users due to the badly damaged road.
Accidents often occur that cause vehicles to fall to steep ground due to potholed and damaged roads that are not maintained. Why do you want to make a wasteful project when the people dream of roads and other infrastructure facilities.