1 August 2024
On Today Show
— Peter Ero, Resident of Uma Badeng Bakun Resettlement Scheme – Environmental Crisis: Log Jams in Sarawak Rivers Hinder Local Communities
— Mr. Linggang from Marudi – Youth Vote Could Shape Sarawak's Future
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Peter Ero, Penduduk Skim Penempatan Semula Uma Badeng Bakun – Krisis Alam Sekitar: Halangan Balak di Sungai Sarawak Menghambat Komuniti Tempatan
— Encik Linggang dari Marudi – Undi Belia Boleh Membentuk Masa Depan Sarawak
-
Special Randau
1. Bad Log jam occurs at Bakun and Murum Dams. According to Peter Ero, Log Jam occurred in Sungai Belepeh and Sungai Linau in Bakun. While it happened in the Danum river in Murum. This happens due to logging waste and wood waste that is not properly disposed of during the dam's impoundment process. It's strange that logging companies produce pollution, the government has to spend money for cleanup. Why did the forest department, SFC or Sarawak environment ministry not take action to prosecute these environmental criminals? Is it because they are GPS cronies?
2. Sarawak PKR leader - Roland Engan criticized GPS for money politics and vote buying in the last 2021 state election. Roland wants every state election candidate to abide by the rm100 thousand ringgit spending limit. Try to imagine GPS candidates using a helicopter for 11 days during the campaign and spending rm10 thousand per hour on helicopter rental. Roland's response to GPS's insistence that PKR not contest in the next state election.
----------------
Peter Ero, Resident of Uma Badeng Bakun Resettlement Scheme
Environmental Crisis: Log Jams in Sarawak Rivers Hinder Local Communities
A recent report by the Facebook social page "BakunParadise" highlights a severe log jam in the Danum River upstream of the Murum Dam. According to the information provided, the log jam is attributed to both logging activities and wood waste that was not properly cleaned before the dam containment process. Peter, an informant, explained that the accumulation of logging waste and inadequately cleared wood during the dam's impoundment has resulted in significant environmental issues.
Peter further elaborated that the situation in the Danum and Murum rivers mirrors similar occurrences in the Belepeh and Linau rivers in Bakun. The extensive dumping of hundreds of thousands of tons of wood has created substantial difficulties for the local communities, particularly fishermen who struggle to catch fish. Navigating through the log-covered areas can take at least two hours, severely hampering their movement and daily activities.
In Bakun, there was previously a company appointed to clean the log jams, receiving a monthly payment of RM2 million. However, the current handling of the situation remains unclear, according to Peter Ero. He expressed concerns over the inefficiency of the log jam cleaning contract, stating that the work is often incomplete despite payments being made.
For the log jam in the Danum River upstream of the Murum Dam, a Penan friend who wished to remain anonymous revealed that Shin Yang Timber Company operates upstream, along with two oil palm plantation companies, Adam Estate and Semalong Estate. Mr. X, the anonymous source, suggested that these companies are also contributing to the log jam.
Murum residents have raised complaints about the log jam to the local assemblyman for several years, yet no cleanup efforts have been undertaken. There is growing frustration and suspicion among the community regarding the lack of action by the Forest Department and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) against the logging and oil palm plantation companies responsible for the severe environmental pollution. There is speculation that Shin Yang's wealth and connections with the GPS minister may be a factor in the inaction. The community hopes that logging will be halted and the log jam cleared to facilitate their movements upriver for hunting and fishing.
---------------
Mr. Linggang from Marudi
Youth Vote Could Shape Sarawak's Future
Linggang described Abdul Karim Hamzah's statement urging PKR not to contest in the upcoming Sarawak state election as nonsensical. Even though PH leads the Federal government and is allied with GPS, Mr. Linggang believes that GPS fears the impact of Federal and PKR winning several seats in the State Legislative Assembly. GPS fears that PH's attention during the administration of Sarawak would highlight the lack of comprehensive progress by the State government. Without any PKR representatives, it is certain that there will be no watchdogs for the Federal government.
However, according to Mr. Linggang, it cannot be denied that it is difficult for Sarawak to change governments because many still fear the GPS's political intimidation. What Mr. Linggang hopes for is that votes from the young people who are now eligible to vote will have an impact on Sarawak's politics. But will the young people dare to change for Sarawak's future? Enough of 61 years of being ruled by a party that has long failed to advance the people and the state.
What is there to be proud of in GPS's achievements when even the roads in the interior are not built for the people's needs? The unity of the Dayak community is also weak because there are still too many associations that only operate independently for their own interests.