16 August 2024
On Today Show
— Tr Panting ak Baling, Head of the agricultural heritage village, Patin river, Bintulu – Dayak Community Faces Intensifying Pressure as SFC Tightens Grip on Agricultural Lands
— George from Uma Akeh Baram – Declining Logging Operations Leave Baram Roads in Disrepair, Says Local Voice
— Norashikin of PARTY MUDA – Meeting Basic Needs: The Key to Genuine Poverty Eradication in Sabah
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Tr Panting ak Baling, Ketua Kampung Warisan Pertanian, Sungai Patin, Bintulu – Komuniti Dayak Berdepan Tekanan yang Semakin Meningkat Ketika SFC Memperketat Kawalan ke atas Tanah Pertanian
— George dari Uma Akeh Baram – Operasi Pembalakan yang Semakin Berkurang Tinggalkan Jalan di Baram Tidak Terjaga, Kata Suara Tempatan
— Norashikin dari PARTI MUDA – Memenuhi Keperluan Asas: Kunci kepada Pembasmian Kemiskinan yang Sebenar di Sabah
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Special Randau
1. PMX announced a civil servant salary increase of between 7 and 15 percent starting in December 2024. The salary increase will be done in 2 phases, namely phase 1 in December 2024 and phase 2 in January 2026. This is important to curb price increases and inflation - said the prime minister. The last increase in civil servants' salaries was done 12 years ago. A total of 1.6 million civil servants in Malaysia will enjoy an increase in income between 16 and 42.7 percent.2. Update- the people of Similajau's agricultural heritage village will set up tents and blockades at the entrance to their coffee plantations and oil palm plantations next week. According to the head of Kampung Panting ak Baling, the SFC ignored their request not to include their farm area in the additional national park area. This is the result when the gps is too strong and powerful. They are not afraid of the demands of the people. In the upcoming election, the people of Sarawak should replace GPS with a party that respects the rights of the people - said Panting.
3. Update on the case of Penan Murum vs Danum Sinar. Today is the deadline for Danum Sinar to pay compensation to the 126 Penan workers who were suddenly dismissed. But according to Gereng Jadum - until 3 o'clock this afternoon. Still no progress. We are waiting for advice from our lawyers and the last option is to set up the blockade again
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Tr Panting ak Baling, Head of the agricultural heritage village, Patin river, Bintulu
Dayak Community Faces Intensifying Pressure as SFC Tightens Grip on Agricultural Lands
Update- Panting informed that the people of his village are living more and more difficult as they are prevented from entering the oil palm plantations and coffee plantations they are working on. SFC increases the strength at the entrance in the agricultural area of the population by placing 6 to 7 patrol cars at a time and 24 hours. They also installed cctv to record movement on the road and the entrance to the agricultural area. Residents are still appealing to the Sarawak government and SFC not to include their agricultural areas in the expansion of Similajau National Park. We are trying to contact YB Samalaju- Majang Renggie. However, we were scolded and prevented by officials in Yb's Office - to complain or enter Yb Majang's office. Even according to confidential information we have obtained. YB Majang Renggie - agreed that our farm and garden areas be seized by the SFC. We have had a meeting and we will set up tents and blockade next week. We are determined to do so because only palm oil plantations and coffee plantations are the only source of our income. According to Panting, Dayak voters are ready to change their votes to the Dayak PBDS party in the upcoming election. They are tired of being cheated and bullied by GPS. In fact, according to Panting, there are 31 cases throughout Sarawak where approval was given during the Adenan Satem administration but was withdrawn by Premier Johari Openg. Regardless of the SFC's threats against us, we are determined to fight for our lives, we will not submit to the SFC-Kata Panting ak Baling.
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George from Uma Akeh Baram
Declining Logging Operations Leave Baram Roads in Disrepair, Says Local Voice
George reported to RFS that there is a landslides happened at Long Lama Baram. Since the logging companies have reduced their operations in Baram, the roads and bridges are no longer maintained, as road maintenance was previously the responsibility of the logging companies. As a result, the Sarawak government has not paid much attention to the condition of the roads.
George questions why, despite Baram having four elected representatives who hold the title of Datuk, they have not brought significant changes to Baram. However, he acknowledges that these representatives are in office because the people have given them the mandate to continue serving as their elected representatives.
George also mentioned that the issue of road conditions has been discussed for a long time, yet it remains the same year after year. The roads in Baram are becoming increasingly dangerous, and he urges the authorities to take action.
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Norashikin of PARTY MUDA
Meeting Basic Needs: The Key to Genuine Poverty Eradication in Sabah
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor recently announced that there are no longer any households in Sabah classified as hardcore poor, stating that this milestone was achieved on July 31, 2024. He credited this achievement to the commitment of all parties involved, aligning with the aspirations of the Madani government and the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan 1.0 (2021-2025).
However, Norashikin, a commentator on the issue, provided a critical perspective on the Chief Minister's statement. She expressed that while it is commendable that Sabah is actively addressing hardcore poverty, such statements need to be made with caution.
Shikin opined that although the issue of hardcore poverty may indeed be declining in Sabah, the declaration should be based on thorough and comprehensive criteria. To accurately define the state of poverty, it is essential to consider detailed data and factors such as income levels, living standards, access to essential services, and independent statistics. For instance, data from organizations like the World Bank and local NGOs can provide a more accurate picture of the real situation on the ground.
She emphasized that the absence of hardcore poverty should be defined based on the fact that no households fall below the serious poverty rate. This means that basic needs such as food, clean water supply, housing, healthcare, and education must be adequately met for all individuals. Without meeting these fundamental needs, declaring the eradication of hardcore poverty might overlook those who continue to struggle despite not being classified under official definitions.
Shikin’s comments highlight the importance of a nuanced approach to such declarations, ensuring that they reflect the lived realities of the people rather than just statistical achievements.