15 August 2024
On Today Show
— Micheal Mering Jok- SCRIPS secretary general – Enough is Enough: Micheal Jok Demands Action on Rural Road Repairs and Cronyism in Sarawak
— Elia Bit from PENA (Penan Empowerment Networking Association) – Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Elia Bit Questions RM25 Million Handicraft Fund Allocation
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Micheal Mering Jok - Setiausaha Agung SCRIPS – Cukup Sudah: Micheal Jok Menuntut Tindakan Terhadap Pembetulan Jalan Luar Bandar dan Kronisme di Sarawak
— Elia Bit dari PENA (Persatuan Jaringan Pemberdayaan Penan) – Memperkasakan Usahawan Wanita: Elia Bit Mempertikaikan Peruntukan Dana RM25 Juta untuk Kraftangan
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Special Randau
1. Factory explosion in Bintulu Samalaju Industrial Park. The Sarawak Justice chairman demanded a transparent investigation and report to avoid a repeat of the incident. Yesterday it was reported that a factory / investment from Korea exploded due to the bottom tank of the reactor being under too much pressure and burst. 10 people were reported seriously injured and burned and sent to Bintulu Hospital ICU. People are advised to stay away from the scene to avoid poisoning.2. The Premier of Sarawak often talks big claiming Sarawak has a lot of money, Sarawak is a rich state and development is for all. Sarawak's 2024 budget is rm12.363 billion with the theme of development for all, together to build a prosperous, sustainable and united Sarawak. But the statement of Sarawak deputy premier Dauglas Unggah Embas is very contradictory - that is, there is not enough allocation to build and improve rural infrastructure. It is clear that the rural people are not the priority of GPS in Sarawak and it is the responsibility of the rural people to reject GPS in the upcoming state election.
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Micheal Mering Jok- SCRIPS secretary general.
Enough is Enough: Micheal Jok Demands Action on Rural Road Repairs and Cronyism in Sarawak
Micheal Jok reported - the results of a survey in several rural areas, especially in Baram and Hulu Rajang, showed that many roads and bridges had collapsed and the logging companies did not repair them again on the grounds that they no longer used the roads. Sarawak Deputy Prime Minister Douglas Unggah Embas said that the Sarawak government did not have enough budget to repair the damage and Assemblyman Mulu Gerawat Gala said more than 1000km of roads in Baram were in bad condition and needed immediate repair because they were used by 400 villages in Baram. It is not logical and it is not possible that the Sarawak government does not have enough money. The 2024 budget shows the biggest budget in the history of Sarawak which is rm12.363 billion, the problem is according to Micheal Jok. What are the government's priorities and how is the money spent on the ground? We often hear the term improving and upgrading log roads. What is the need to upgrade the log road if log trucks are still using the road. Sooner or later it will break down too. Inland residents are often threatened by logging companies. If they are not given a log concession - then they will not repair the log road. Since when did the people in the hinterland become hostages of the logging companies. The allocation is enough. The main problem according to Micheal is that the contract is given to cronies and the work is not carried out properly. I advise the civil administration to take serious action to prosecute YB's crony companies that often get government contracts but fail to complete their work. We the people are also aware that many log millionaires have been created through the policies of chief minister Taib Mahmud. It should be now that these timber companies contribute back to help develop rural infrastructure and contribute back to the community that has made them rich. Bintulu Bakun road is facing severe damage due to use by Shin Yang and Samling log trucks. But the authorities did not take action against them. We the people want strict action against any party that misuses power and road facilities in the interior should be a priority - Said Micheal Mering Jok.
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Elia Bit from PENA (Penan Empowerment Networking Association)
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Elia Bit Questions RM25 Million Handicraft Fund Allocation
Activist Elia Bit expressed her views regarding the RM25 million allocation to empower women entrepreneurs, announced by the Sarawak Premier, Abang Jo.
Elia welcomed the allocation, which is solely for the Sarawak handicraft sector. However, Elia questioned the procedures for applying for these funds. She emphasized that with a large sum like RM25 million, the government should not only target one ethnic group while leaving out those in rural areas without access to the funds. The government should not forget that in Sarawak, particularly in Northern Sarawak, it is one of the largest producers of handicrafts. Unfortunately, the market for Sarawak handicrafts is very weak.
In fact, the RM25 million should be allocated comprehensively and not just for handicrafts. What about women entrepreneurs involved in agriculture and retail businesses? Are these groups also being given attention? Many women entrepreneurs who venture into these fields often miss out on funding because they are not informed about the available government funds.
Regarding handicrafts, especially in Northern Sarawak, such as in Lawas and Miri, these areas are among the largest producers of handicrafts. However, when government-organized programs are held on a large scale, they are concentrated in the capital city, Kuching, for the purpose of promoting tourism in Sarawak. This is very unfair and causes women entrepreneurs from rural areas to be unable to participate due to the costs they have to bear on their own.
Moreover, the RM25 million could be used to further develop the agricultural sector in anticipation of future food crises, such as the import of goods like rice from foreign countries. Why is there no planning like this? Food security is crucial in facing future shortages of imported goods. It is enough to destroy forests for plantations, but instead, expand the agricultural sector with such a large amount of funding.