11 June 2024
On Today Show
— Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Malaysia – Green Hydrogen Development in Sarawak: Environmental Considerations
— Paul Nungang from Ulu Baram – Protecting Our Land: The Fight Against Unnecessary Dam Projects
— Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Chairman of BERSIH 2.0 – The Need for Electoral Reform: Bersih's Perspective
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Chang Lih Kang, Menteri Sains, Teknologi, dan Inovasi Malaysia – Pembangunan Hidrogen Hijau di Sarawak: Pertimbangan Alam Sekitar
— Paul Nungang dari Ulu Baram – Melindungi Tanah Kami: Perjuangan Menentang Projek Empangan yang Tidak Perlu
— Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Pengerusi BERSIH 2.0 – Keperluan untuk Reformasi Pilihan Raya: Perspektif Bersih
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*Special Randau*
1. Accounts Frozen - Daim and Family Drag PMX and MACC to Court.
Former Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin, his family, and 23 others filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 6. Besides Daim, his wife, and children, the list includes 18 other companies. According to Daim, they have been negatively impacted on both micro and macro scales due to the decisions and actions of the respondents to seize and freeze their accounts. Daim and Naimah face charges at the Kuala Lumpur High Court for allegedly failing to comply with MACC's notice to declare their assets.
2. The Wealthy Must Contribute to Society - PMX.
The wealthy have a moral responsibility to contribute back to society. PMX assured under his administration, the wealthy would no longer receive special treatment but would be demanded to contribute their wealth to help the poor. He made this statement during the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya.
3. Production of Green Hydrogen Must Adhere to International Standards.
Sarawak must be cautious and seek balance in exploring the field of green hydrogen. The ultimate goal of green hydrogen production is for environmental sustainability and zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Malaysia
*Green Hydrogen Development in Sarawak: Environmental Considerations*
YB Chang is in Sarawak for two days on an official working visit. Yesterday, YB Chang attended the Asia-Pacific Green Technology Conference and Exhibition in Kuching. Current general observations indicate that Sarawak is a leading state in the field of green hydrogen, even ahead among ASEAN countries.
Producing green hydrogen requires a lot of electricity. In this context, Sarawak needs electricity from solar or hydro dams. Could this potentially trigger conflicts over land acquisition, human rights, or environmental pollution? Chang emphasized that an international standard has been developed for producing green hydrogen and must be adhered to. Any party that violates this standard will not have their hydrogen energy considered sustainable.
This means that building more dams that could harm the environment and involve land acquisition processes that violate human rights will also determine whether the produced hydrogen can be marketed. Green hydrogen is not only a renewable clean energy source but also contributes to Malaysia's goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. If the aim is to save the environment, then there should be no projects that pollute the environment in the process of producing green hydrogen, said Chang Lih Kang.
The Sarawak government must act carefully and balance their actions. Sarawak is expected to export 249,000 tons of hydrogen to Japan and Korea by 2028, with 9,000 tons for local use. Since green hydrogen technology is still new, the government will implement several initiatives to encourage its use.
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Paul Nungang from Ulu Baram
*Protecting Our Land: The Fight Against Unnecessary Dam Projects*
Paul Nungang shared about his meeting with a former civil servant, who is also his relative, where he informed the villagers that the government does not intend to build a dam but to lay pipes underground. However, since the government has not yet publicly disclosed the details of the dam, it raises suspicion as to how this retired civil servant would know. This inevitably leads to speculation about whether there is a deliberate effort to provide incorrect information to the indigenous people, misleading them about the dam.
Paul Nungang's sharing that no matter how big the dam is, it cannot be built in Baram because it is certain that one day the government will instruct the indigenous people to move elsewhere because once the dam is built, the indigenous people cannot live near the government's property, which is the dam. Therefore, there is no need to bring in the dam to Baram because what already exists, the Mega Dam, is sufficient for Sarawak. We must defend our land because we do not want one day when we no longer have land, our descendants will have to live under bridges and as squatters.
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Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Chairman of BERSIH 2.0
*The Need for Electoral Reform: Bersih's Perspective*
Bersih thanks the current government for its efforts in constitutional reform, particularly in the separation of tasks between the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, as well as the review of the Parliament Act. Overall, there has been progress, albeit slow, under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim. However, Bersih's focus today is on specific electoral reforms.
Bersih is frustrated by the apparent lack of commitment to implementing electoral reforms by Datuk Sri Azalina or the relevant ministry. One key issue is the appointment of the Chairman of the Election Commission, which remains vacant. Bersih refers to the earlier manifestos of both PH and Barisan National, which stated that the appointment of such an important position should involve discussion in Parliament. Bersih suggests that a Parliamentary Select Committee should table and discuss the candidate for Chairman of the Election Commission, and then submit the nomination to the King and the Council of Malay Rulers. Additionally, reforms regarding election offences are also needed.