On today’s show, education is the theme of the day as Dr Maszlee Malik resigns as the head of this fraught portfolio. In Sarawak, where many indigenous languages are spoken, we consider the case for compulsory education in Jawi, which is a linguistic cultural icon indeed but surely not to the exclusion of all others….
Read MoreOn today’s show, our last before a brief Christmas break, we have a couple of moments of Christmas cheer. Pastor Gremmand gives us a Christmas message and we hear from a community in Batu Niah who are carrying on caroling, even in the floodwaters….
Read MoreOn today's show, we tackle the thorny issues of corruption and discrimination in Malaysia. Two topics that have grabbed the nation's headlines in recent months. MACC's recent announcement that it will reopen and resume investigations into cold cases, including those involving high profile individuals, has got Malaysians talking. But what does it mean for the future of Sarawak? ….
Read MoreEducation Minister, Dr Maszlee Malik, has handed in his own report card recently and given himself an A+ overall. According to him, 90% of the works on dilapidated schools in Sarawak are now complete and Pakatan Harapan are proud of the additional investment in the education infrastructure in the Borneo States after decades of total neglect under Barisan Nasional. But, despite this, education in Sarawak still remains a massive issue and a great deal of homework lies ahead….
Read MoreOn today’s show, we get a response from the Ministry of Health on the recent polio case in Sabah, proving itself to be on the case. Dr Jamaitul Aida tells us everything we need to know about polio but, more importantly, confirms that a plan is underway, both to discover the real source of the disease and also to prevent future cases. The Ministry are promising to go to the rural areas to inoculate children, regardless of whether they have documentation or not, as a move to protect all potential victims. Bravo, we say, though watch this space…..
Read MoreOn today’s show, we look at disease outbreaks and dams. As Sabah records its first polio case in 27 years, we go back to Sabah activist Nelson Dino on the issues of healthcare amongst Borneo’s most marginalized communities. The source of the disease is still under a question mark but this investigation and the prevention of its spread should be a top priority, whatever sector of society it is found to have come from….
Read MoreOn today’s show, we return to Tanjung Penasu near Sibu where the communities have taken steps to remove the concrete blocks that are blocking the road to their two longhouses. As the Sibu Resident Charles Siaw tells the Borneo Post that this is a dispute ‘between landowner and kampung folk’, activist Bill Jugah says that this remains irrelevant in the light of their human rights. All that the community can hope is that someone will take responsibility for the mess and open their access route immediately….
Read MorePeter John Jaban returns from an anti-corruption conference in Sabah, entitled East Malaysians against Corruption, held during a week of statements from various sides on the new initiatives to combat corruption in the country. He talks to delegates from his conference on what they learned about combatting corruption. This range of NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak – Nelson Dino of GANNOS, Beverly Joeman of Sabah Bersih, Alvin of ROSE and Siti Najirah of Purple Lily - tackling issues as diverse as electoral reform and rural empowerment, all share a hope for the new anti-corruption climate starting to be seen in the nation….
Read MoreOn today’s show, we head to Baram where multiple issues of infrastructure are raised. Anthony Lawai shares his frustration at how the Long San clinic was closed at short notice, leaving the community with limited healthcare. Then Elias Lipi Mat wonders where the road to Long Banga to Pa’lungan has gone, after the Chief Minister Abang Johari promised RM3 million to fund it. No funds have been forthcoming and now heavy rains have made the route impassable….
Read MoreOn today’s show, we talk to George Young Si Ricord Jr about a community at Kampung Maang on the Kuching/Serian Road who have been living without electricity for 20 years, despite their proximity to the state capital. They have petitioned almost everyone for help, including 5-term state legislative assemblyman Roland Sagah, to no avail, so at last it is up to NGO Hidup to help them….
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