11 October 2024
On Today Show
— John Bara, Uma Akeh Baram – A Call to Save Baram: John Bara Blames Logging for Floods and Landslides
— Agnes Padan, Activist from Lawas – Five-Year Struggle Ends with MyKad Restoration for Puan Sarlin
— Jeffrey Ngui, Chairman of MUDA Sarawak – MUDA Sarawak Pushes for Wider Installment Plan Amid Meter Reading Issue
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— John Bara, Uma Akeh Baram – Seruan untuk Menyelamatkan Baram: John Bara Menyalahkan Pembalakan atas Banjir dan Tanah Longsor
— Agnes Padan, Aktivis dari Lawas – Lima Tahun Perjuangan Berakhir dengan Pemulihan MyKad untuk Puan Sarlin
— Jeffrey Ngui, Pengerusi MUDA Sarawak – MUDA Sarawak Mendesak Pelan Ansuran yang Lebih Luas dalam Isu Bacaan Meter
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Special Randau
1. Najib made a confession in the Shah Alam high court today that he never ordered the killing of Altantuya. Didn't even know Altantuya and never met Altantuya. Najib's statement came after being questioned by his lawyer Mohammad Shafee Abdullah. Najib sued former attorney general Tommy Thomas over the writings in his book MY Story: Justice in the wilderness.2. The flood has receded a little in Long Panai and Long Loyang, but at the sight of YB Areas Involved in Gerawat Gala, it is still not visible and no food aid has been received by the residents. Residents believe that the recurring large floods are caused by excessive logging - said John Bara.
3. The Director of the Forest Department requested that the UBFA project be stopped on the grounds of various challenges and disruptions encountered. We believe that the Sarawak state government does not want this project to succeed because it will be expanded and will give more profit and control of the forest by the original people. The managing director of Save Rivers - Celine Lim informed RFS that the local and foreign NGOs involved will issue an official statement next Monday.
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John Bara, Uma Akeh Baram
A Call to Save Baram: John Bara Blames Logging for Floods and Landslides
John bara explained that there are some longhouses in Baram flooded and there are some others that are still safe, even though the floodwaters are close to the longhouses. According to John, the long houses in the Batang Baram Main River have not yet been flooded, but the 2 tributaries of Baram, Tinjar and Tutoh, are currently flooded, namely Long Panai (Tutoh River) and Long Loyang (Tinjar River). In general, floods are becoming more frequent recently. Floods, landslides and unusually heavy rains have become a new phenomenon in Baram. Although there is no comprehensive study related to the real cause of climate change. We the people of Baram believe that it is due to massive logging for over 5 decades, coupled with commercial oil palm plantations and sand mining along the Baram river. For example in Long Ekang (Peter Kalang's longhouse) landslides along the river bank toppled the Long Ekang church and now Long Ekang's longhouse is just waiting to be washed away by landslides. This all happened because of human greed. The solution - stop logging and also stop granting commercial palm oil licenses. Long Ekang is a clear example. There is extensive sand mining and palm oil plantations up to the longhouse area - it is worked by the Pelita Ekang Banyok plantation company - in collaboration with the villagers. Maybe the villagers will get money. But their longhouses were submerged/washed away by mud floods/collapses and soil erosion. I appeal to the government and YBYB GPS to help the flood victims, because the people are watching you. The people will judge you during the election- said John Bara.
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Agnes Padan, Activist from Lawas
*Five-Year Struggle Ends with MyKad Restoration for Puan Sarlin*Agnes Padan shared her joy over Puan Sarlin Rining, 76 years old, who finally had her MyKad reinstated after her citizenship was revoked by the National Registration Department (JPN) in 2019. As of October 10, 2024, her MyKad has been fully restored. Since 2019, Puan Sarlin had been without her MyKad, making it difficult for her to access healthcare and apply for senior citizen assistance from the government.
In 2019, her MyKad was revoked by JPN due to a lack of sufficient proof of citizenship, which caused significant hardship for Puan Sarlin as she was unable to move freely without it.
Agnes called upon others who are still without their MyKad not to give up, urging them to keep fighting, as nothing is impossible if one remains determined and resilient.
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Jeffrey Ngui, Chairman of MUDA Sarawak
MUDA Sarawak Pushes for Wider Installment Plan Amid Meter Reading Issue
The surge in electricity bills after actual meter readings is a long-standing issue in Sarawak, predating the implementation of Smart Meters by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). According to Jeffery Ngui, inaccurate estimated readings have often led to outstanding bills, significantly affecting consumers.
Jeffrery, representing MUDA Sarawak, expressed gratitude to SEB for offering an Installment Payment Plan to help manage the financial burden caused by these discrepancies. However, he urged SEB to extend this plan to all consumers, whether using old or smart meters, particularly to ease the strain on the M40 and B40 income groups.
He also emphasized that accurate meter readings are a shared responsibility between SEB and consumers, calling for better cooperation to prevent further financial strain on Sarawakians.