12 September 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Gabril Atong, Penduduk Rumah Panjang Punan Datah Ba (Hilir Empangan Bakun) – Eksport Elektrik vs. Keperluan Tempatan: Akses Elektrik yang Tidak Adil Kepada Penduduk Sarawak
> Abun Sui, Timbalan Pengerusi Sarawak PKR Senator Abun Sui – Bahaya Jalan Bakun: Panggilan Mendesak untuk Infrastruktur yang Lebih Selamat di Sarawak
> Thomas Fann, Pengerusi Bersih 2.0 – Peranan Syed Saddiq: Menyeimbangkan Kuasa di Parlimen Malaysia
On Today Show
> Gabril Atong, Long House Resident Punan Datah Ba (Downstream of Bakun Dam) – Electricity Export vs. Local Needs : Unequal Access to Electricity
> Abun Sui, Sarawak PKR Deputy Chairman Senator Abun Sui – Bakun Road Dangers: Urgent Calls for Safer Infrastructure in Sarawak
> Thomas Fann, chairperson of Bersih 2.0 – The Role of Syed Saddiq: Balancing Power in the Malaysian Parliament
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Special Randau
1. Sarawak's Plan to Sell Electricity to Singapore for Crony Contracts
2. Zahid's Case to be Brought to Parliament by PSC - Assurance from YB William Leong
3. President of MUDA Party Goes on a Rampage in Parliament
4. Save Rivers Case Trial Scheduled for September 18-20, 2023. You are Invited to Attend.
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Gabril Atong, Long House Resident Punan Datah Ba (Downstream of Bakun Dam)
*Electricity Export vs. Local Needs : Unequal Access to Electricity*
The Sarawak government's plan to sell 1000 megawatts of electricity to Singapore will not affect domestic needs, said Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi. Selling electricity to Singapore will be done through the construction of a 700 KM submarine cable. Gabril thinks that in terms of the long-term economy it is good, there is continuous income for the state and the country. But the question is, who is the government's priority GPS?. While the majority of residents downstream of the Bakun dam still do not have access to electricity, even though the Bakun dam has been generating electricity for more than 10 years. Rumah Panjang Punan Datah Ba is only 60 km away from the Bakun dam. The Sarawak government still fails to supply electricity to the population. According to Gabril, all these mega project plans were made to produce contracts worth billions of ringgit which were then given to GPS cronies. Their priority is not the people. Their priority is the GPS party and their cronies. For the record of Bakun dam 2400 MW, Murum 944 MW and Baleh 1285 MW and all 3 dams in the parliamentary area of Hulu Rajang This produces more than 4000 MW of electricity. But strangely, the people in this parliamentary area are categorized as the poorest.
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Abun Sui, Sarawak PKR Deputy Chairman Senator Abun Sui
*Bakun Road Dangers: Urgent Calls for Safer Infrastructure in Sarawak*
Sarawak PKR Deputy Chairman Senator Abun Sui recently survived a serious accident on the treacherous Bakun Road near Bakun Dam in central Sarawak. His pickup truck overturned after encountering potholes in a waterlogged stretch of the road. Fortunately, Abun and his fellow party members in the vehicle emerged unscathed.
Abun had been driving cautiously at a speed of 70 km per hour when the accident occurred at KM65 of Bakun Road. This incident has highlighted the perilous conditions of Sarawak's interior roads, with similar accidents resulting in fatalities in recent times. Abun has urgently called on relevant federal and state ministries and departments to address the persistent road hazards.
Abun emphasized the immediate need for the Public Works Department to repair the damaged sections of Bakun Road. This 200-kilometer road, connecting Bakun to Bintulu, was originally constructed in 1996 during the Bakun Dam project. Over the years, it has deteriorated, plagued by potholes, erosion, and landslides, primarily due to heavy usage by timber logging and plantation trucks.
Before the incident happened, the Public Works Department has approved an additional allocation of RM1.5 million, increasing the total funding to RM7.5 million, for the repair and maintenance of the Simpang Bakun Road to Bakun Dam in Bintulu.
Abun has also raised a pertinent question about the government's plan to export power to Singapore. Despite the presence of Bakun Dam nearby, he questions why there is insufficient street lighting on the roads. In comparison to well-lit highways in West Malaysia, Sarawak's roads are dangerous, marred by potholes, and pose significant risks to drivers. Abun insists that Sarawak's interior regions, where many still lack access to electricity, should be a priority. He believes that charging for electricity is reasonable, and any disconnection due to arrears should be contingent on ensuring that electricity is provided to the interior areas first.
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Thomas Fann, chairperson of Bersih 2.0
*The Role of Syed Saddiq: Balancing Power in the Malaysian Parliament*
President of MUDA, Syed Saddiq, has decided that MUDA will withdraw its support for PH (Pakatan Harapan). However, Thomas believes that Syed Saddiq does not need to vacate his parliamentary seat, as he contested the election under the MUDA party and not under PH. Although there was an understanding with PH that he would support them with the condition that PH not contests in Muar, it is argued that he is not in violation of the Anti-Hopping law. In principle, every Member of Parliament must have the freedom to make decisions on issues, especially when they believe their principles are at stake.
The disagreement arose primarily because Syed Saddiq was not in agreement with the decision to discharge but not acquit Zahid Hamidi of all his corruption charges. This was seen as a violation of PH's promise to fight against corruption and uphold the rule of law.
Drawing a parallel to the 1MDB case during Najib Razak's tenure, where many UMNO members such as Muhyiddin and Syafie Abdal left their party, it is understood why Syed Saddiq decided to leave PH. At that time, these individuals were hailed as heroes for their principled stand.
In this situation, Syed Saddiq plays an important role in parliament, as without his support, a Unity government would have no guarantee of securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. By including Syed Saddiq, the parliament just might have the numbers needed to support the PH government's agenda. Therefore, PH needs to negotiate with him if they want to achieve institutional reforms in parliament. This situation is not necessarily negative, and he is not violating the anti-hopping law.