13 October 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Iswardy Morni, Analis Politik - Kontroversi atau Kerjasama? Menilai Akibat Sokongan Ahli Parlimen untuk PMX Anwar
> Wong Chen, Ahli Parlimen PKR Subang - Subsidi Laluan Penerbangan dan Fokus Tenaga Bersih: Keuntungan Sarawak dalam Bajet
> Diog Dios, PKR Puncak Borneo - Rancangan GPS untuk Projek Berskala Besar, Tetapi Rakyat Masih Kelam
> Robert, Aktivis Sosial dari Bintulu - Abang Jo, Tolong Utamakan Kepentingan Rakyat
> Baru Bian, Setiausaha Agung PSB dan Peguam - Memastikan Kesinambungan: Menggantikan TYT Negeri di Sarawak
On Today Show
> Iswardy Morni, Political Analyst – Controversy or Cooperation? Examining the Consequences of MPs' Support for PMX Anwar
> Wong Chen, PKR MP for Subang – Flight Route Subsidies and Clean Energy Focus: Sarawak's Gains in the Budget
> Diog Dios, PKR Puncak Borneo – GPS Plans for Large-Scale Projects, but the People Remain in the Dark
> Robert, Social Activist from Bintulu – Abang Jo, Please Prioritize the People's Needs
> Baru Bian, PSB secretary-general cum Lawyer – Ensuring Continuity: Replacing a State TYT in Sarawak
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Special Randau
1. The actual Second Budget amounts to RM393.8 billion. With the government expecting revenues of RM307.6 billion and expenditures of RM393.8 billion (resulting in a deficit) for the year 2024. Sarawak receives RM5.6 billion, and Sabah RM6.6 billion. Civil servants from grade 56 and below will receive a one-time payment of RM2000 in February 2024.
2. Perikatan Nasional (PN) has accused the unity government of abusing their power by allegedly pressuring Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
3. Rafizi highlighted the government's focus on state development in an effort to reduce economic disparities among Malaysian states. The states are categorized into three groups based on their development and financial needs: priority states (e.g., Sarawak, Sabah), self-sustaining states (e.g., Penang, Selangor), and states in the middle (e.g., Perak, Johor).
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Iswardy Morni, Political Analyst
*Controversy or Cooperation? Examining the Consequences of MPs' Support for PMX Anwar*
In an interview with Time Magazine that was published online yesterday, PMX Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that there was indeed an offer to the PAS party to join his administration - right from the start. However, the basic condition is that PAS must agree with PH's main policy conditions/basic policies. Until now the offer to the PAS party is still open.
Iswardy thinks - Anwar puts the interests of the country more than differences in political ideology. What has been separating PAS and PH. However, PAS support is important to get more than two-thirds support. Imagine if the 2024 budget is passed with the support of a large majority. So it will give confidence to investors and the business community - domestic and foreign. Now - the decline in the value of the ringgit, one of the factors is the ongoing political strife and instability. Apart from that, if PAS agrees to support PMX. It will weaken PPBM (Bersatu party), as well as weaken the opposition.
In addition, yesterday several MPs expressed open support for PMX - among them is Kuala Kangsar MP - Iskandar Dzulkarnian Abdul Khalid. It is expected that between 3 to 5 more members of parliament from PAS and PPBM will do so. According to them- the support is to enable larger allocations to be channeled to their areas. Is this a misuse of power by PMX or have the parliamentarians involved violated the anti-party jumping act? It is up to the respective parties to act if they feel their MPs are violating party discipline and directives.
PMX has since the beginning offered allocations to opposition MPs, as long as they submit applications to him, without having to leave the party or express support for him.
Regarding the progress of the toilet upgrading and maintenance project in Sarawak. So far there is a district whose progress is 0%. Iswardy thinks, The central government has channeled all allocations to district offices throughout Sarawak, But they have failed to implement it. If the progress in schools in the peninsula has exceeded 90%, the autonomy of Sarawak seems to slow down the implementation of the project. The Sarawak government should prove it. When given autonomy, they can implement projects faster than in peninsular Malaysia. Is the GPS Sarawak government playing politics with PMX?
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Wong Chen, PKR MP for Subang
*Flight Route Subsidies and Clean Energy Focus: Sarawak's Gains in the Budget*
Madani Budget 2024- As much as RM396 billion is the largest budget in the history of Malaysia. This big budget has its good and bad. The bad thing is that the government has to owe up to RM92 billion, but the good thing is that the government has enough money to spend. But according to Wong Chen, the most obvious thing is that the government has "the courage to defend the poor". The government next year will implement targeted subsidies. Where it is intended for the middle class and the poor and no longer in bulk including the rich. For that the government will introduce various new taxes "luxury goods tax" and at the same time maintain the SST tax between 6 to 8 percent. Among the lowest in the region. The government is studying to raise wages for the poor to at least RM3600 a month. Through this budget, the government increased the allocation for Sarawak from RM5.6 billion last year to RM5.8 billion this year. Likewise for Sabah which increased from RM6.5 billion last year to RM6.6 billion this year. Representatives from Sabah and Sarawak are appointed in the IRB to be able to see how the country's revenue is handled. Most interesting is the subsidy allocation of RM29 million for flight routes to the interior of Sarawak. Sarawak directly benefits in this budget as the government focuses on clean, renewable energy. Vast forests generate tremendous carbon sink potential. So the Sarawak government should take good care of their forests so that our country can achieve net zero carbon emission as soon as possible.
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Diog Dios, PKR Puncak Borneo
*GPS Plans for Large-Scale Projects, but the People Remain in the Dark*
Abang Jo's plans, which encompass investments in robotics, the establishment of a boutique airline, the construction of a casino, power exportation to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and the development of additional dams, portray a vision of progress and innovation for Sarawak. However, amidst these grand ambitions, a stark irony unfolds as rural communities in Sarawak fervently call on the federal government to allocate more funds for improving internet connectivity and enhancing basic facilities.
Diog Dios, echoing the sentiments of many, underscores that large-scale projects undertaken by GPS would be genuinely welcomed if they indeed served the interests of the people, met their essential needs, and contributed to the region's overall development and welfare. Nevertheless, the bitter truth remains that, as of now, numerous rural and interior areas continue to grapple with issues of inadequate, incomplete, or virtually non-existent basic infrastructure.
In some areas, the absence of electricity is a stark reality, and even though streetlight poles exist, they remain unlit. Roads are often left incomplete or in a state of disrepair, presenting challenges for residents and travelers alike. These fundamental infrastructure concerns remain inadequately addressed while GPS continues to prioritize the planning of grand-scale projects. The underlying concern is whether the allocated funds are genuinely invested in the welfare of the people or rather directed toward self-interest.
The juxtaposition of ambitious development projects and the pressing needs of rural communities underscores the critical need for Sarawak to strike a balance between its aspirations for growth and the immediate requirements of its people. This scenario calls for a comprehensive examination of resource allocation and priorities to ensure that the benefits of development reach all corners of the state and address the basic necessities of its residents.
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Robert, Social Activist from Bintulu
*Abang Jo, Please Prioritize the People's Needs*
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg aspires to develop robots within the state to assist with daily human activities. He mentioned drawing inspiration from "Grace," the nursing assistant robot featured at the recent 27th World Congress on Innovation and Technology and the 6th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (WCIT|IDECS) 2023. However, this proposal has sparked discontent among grassroots communities.
According to Robert, he believes that it's not yet the time to grant permission for robots to take care of human health. Can these robots think better than a doctor when we, as humans, visit a clinic or hospital to discuss our ailments? Even if you insert 4,000 mentors or chips into a robot, it's still better to have real humans as medical professionals.
Instead of investing a significant amount of money in developing these robots, why not use those funds to address fundamental issues affecting the people, such as advancing the agricultural sector to prevent rice price crises that cause hardship for many citizens on a daily basis? Allocate financial resources to improve the people's lives. Provide more subsidies for essential kitchen items to lower the price of rice.
Because humans need to eat, and robots don't require food, but they do require high maintenance for upkeep. Robots can lead to many people losing their job opportunities. Prioritizing the advancement of the robot sector while neglecting the needs of humans is not a rational approach.
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Baru Bian, PSB secretary-general cum Lawyer
*Ensuring Continuity: Replacing a State TYT in Sarawak*
In the Sarawak constitution, there are no specific criteria stated for the appointment of the State TYT. However, there is a clear provision that disqualifies individuals who are not Malaysian citizens. It is commonly understood that a person must be a Malaysian citizen and originally from Sarawak to be eligible.
In practice, the appointment of the State TYT is often a political decision, reached through consensus among politicians. The State Premier advises the King to appoint a specific individual as the TYT, and the term is typically four years. This term can be renewed if Sarawak politicians wish for the individual to continue.
After four years, if the TYT is unable to fulfill their duties due to health issues, extended vacations overseas, or any other reason, they can be replaced. An acting TYT can be appointed, as has been done before, with the Speaker taking on this role.
In the event of the TYT's birthday celebration being postponed, which may be due to severe illness, the most important thing is that an acting TYT has been appointed. If the TYT's health deteriorates critically, the State Premier can advise the King to appoint a new TYT or continue with the acting TYT.