15 July 2024
On Today Show
— Dominic Langat- Resident of Penan Long Tungan Ulu Baram – Sarawak Premier's Comments Spark Outrage Among Rural Residents
— Jeffrey Ngui of MUDA Sarawak – Ending Racial Sentiments: Fair Development and Poverty Reduction in Sarawak
— Meor Razak, SAM research & field officer – Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve at Risk: SAM Criticizes New Plantation Approval
Topik Pada Hari
— Dominic Langat, Penduduk Penan Long Tungan Ulu Baram – Komen-Komen Ketua Menteri Sarawak Memicu Kemarahan di Kalangan Penduduk Luar Bandar
— Jeffrey Ngui dari MUDA Sarawak – Mengakhiri Sentimen Perkauman: Pembangunan Adil dan Pengurangan Kemiskinan di Sarawak
— Meor Razak, Pegawai Penyelidik dan Lapangan SAM – Risiko Rezab Hutan Kledang Saiong: SAM Mengkritik Kelulusan Ladang Baru
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Special Randau
1. When will Sarawak Premier Johari Openg drive himself from Long Lama to Long Kevok as he promised a year ago. Dominic Langat asked. The Premier's statement which says that rural residents who drive/buy 4x4 cars are not from the poor group. We are worried that with the Premier we will not be eligible to receive/buy diesel at the subsidized price. If the prime minister does not know the real situation of the people in the interior, how will he give accurate information to the central government?.
2. Robbers, crooks and bandits of national money will not be happy with the current government. The government's determination to fight corruption, leakages and misuse of power will not be liked by some parties who have been stealing people's money, like to ask for commissions and bribe. PMX ANWAR asks the people to continue to give their support so that the effects of the reforms will benefit the people, we have included excerpts of PMX's speech for loyal RFS listeners.
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Dominic Langat- Resident of Penan Long Tungan Ulu Baram
Sarawak Premier's Comments Spark Outrage Among Rural Residents
Dominic commented and criticized the statement of Sarawak Premier Johari Openg who said that "People who have a Hilux (4x4) who live outside the city are not the poor category, if they are really poor. They don't have a Hilux".
The Sarawak Premier's statement shows that he really does not understand the problems of rural residents. We bought a Hilux because it was a necessity. Without a 4x4 car. We won't be able to move anywhere. The bad condition of the deep road can only be passed by 4x4 car, and even then it has to travel 5 to 8 hours. We also want to buy a small and cheap car. But this small car will 100% never reach our village. Will break down and end up in the middle of the road. Because of the bad road to the interior of Sarawak. Car maintenance costs are very high. This greatly burdens our lives. So much so that we live very stressed and most of our income is spent to pay the 4x4 car installment only. The question is how do we buy a car if we are poor. Most of us buy 4x4s using the names of our children who have payslips working in the city. Most banks did not approve our loan application because there was no permanent job. Because we use the names of our working children. So we have to work hard to find money to pay our monthly installments every month. I hope the Premier of Sarawak does not make media statements without first checking the real facts of an issue. Now in peninsular Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak excluded for now) the government is implementing a policy targeting diesel fuel. The price of diesel was floated making the price of diesel rm3.35 per liter compared to the previous rm2.15 per litre. We are worried if the government thinks we are rich in the countryside. Then we will face another problem, the diesel subsidy for us will be withdrawn. The Premier of Sarawak should give an accurate report to the central government. A few years ago Premier Johari Openg said that he would drive a small car from Long Lama to the Penan settlement of Long Kevok. To make roads in the interior of Sarawak safe and comfortable. Until now, the Premier has still not managed to fulfill his promise. I can only use my tires for 3-4 months only need to be replaced. Compared to those who live in the city can use their car tires for more than a year. This is a picture of the difficulties that we rural people face every day - Dominic Langat said.
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Jeffrey Ngui of MUDA Sarawak
Ending Racial Sentiments: Fair Development and Poverty Reduction in Sarawak
Jeffrey Ngui of MUDA Sarawak commented on the issue refuted by the Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, who stated that the issue of poverty in Sarawak should not be politicized if accurate data is not available.
Although the data released by the Sarawak state government has been updated, Jeffrey Ngui pointed out that the level of poverty in Sarawak still exists. He emphasized that this issue can actually be addressed if the government cooperates with all parties, including sharing ideas and suggestions from various groups and NGOs.
It is undeniable that the development provided to the people is not equally distributed according to race and religion, and this racial sentiment must be stopped. In reducing poverty, all citizens must be included regardless of their race and religion.
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Meor Razak, SAM research & field officer
Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve at Risk: SAM Criticizes New Plantation Approval
SAM is concerned about the extension of the third forest plantation in the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve, which was approved in 2023 for 4,280 hectares. SAM foresees potential issues such as floods, wildlife attacks, and water pollution.
The forest plantation concept initially introduced in the early 80s was a good initiative aimed at compensating for the local wood supply shortage. The targeted areas were destroyed for rehabilitation, but the scale was minimal and adhered to the requirements set by the Forestry Department in West Malaysia. However, since the 2000s, the forest plantation concept has shifted towards commercial interests.
Originally, the forest plantations were managed by the state’s Forestry Department. Since 2000, these plantations have expanded significantly. When commercialized, the areas involved span thousands of hectares. In Pahang alone, one project covers nearly 10,000 hectares. Imagine if a particular forest reserve is just 4,000 hectares; the original forest would be destroyed.
This is why SAM disagrees with the current forest plantation concept.