17 August 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Celine Lim, Pengarah Urusan Save Rivers – Taktik SLAPP: Jamilah Taib Saman BMF di Mahkamah Switzerland
> Salomon Ngau, Pakar alat muzik tradisional Sape dari Baram – Penebangan Hutan Menyebabkan Kehilangan Budaya: Kehormatan Samling yang Memalukan
> Nora, penduduk Kampung Angkeh Gua Musang – Dari Undi Hingga Penceroboh Tanah: Kerajaan Negeri PAS Didakwa Ceroboh Tanah Orang Asli
> Siti Kasim, Peguam Aktivis – Mempertahankan Hak Orang Asli Terdedah Di Tengah Ancaman Kematian? Siti Kassim Gesa Polis Siasatan Adil
On Today Show
> Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers – SLAPP Tactics in Focus: Jamilah Taib's Suit Against BMF in Swiss Court
> Salomon Ngau, master of the traditional Sape musical instrument from Baram – Deforestation Causing Cultural Loss: The Shameful Honor of Samling
> Nora, villagers from Kampung Angkeh Gua Musang – From Ballots to Land Battles: PAS State Government Accused of Encroaching Orang Asli Ancestral Lands
> Siti Kasim, activist lawyer – Defending Vulnerable Groups' Rights Amid Death Threats? Siti Kassim Calls for Fair Police Investigation
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Special Randau
1. PAS and PPBM emerged victorious with a significant win, yet the government stood firm. The election has concluded, and now it's time to get to work.
2. The staging of the Rainforest Tribunal has captured global interest and participation in safeguarding Sarawak's forests.
3. Asfia has assumed the role of the Governor of Sarawak.
4. The Defamation Lawsuit by Jamilah Taib against BMF was heard in a Swiss Court on Wednesday (yesterday). The case is still in the management phase. This lawsuit has been classified as a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), a tactic often used to silence critics. Jamilah is demanding the removal of 249 BMF publications and no further statements linking her to the company involved in wrongdoing in Sarawak.
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Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers
*SLAPP Tactics in Focus: Jamilah Taib's Suit Against BMF in Swiss Court*
Celine and the delegation from Sarawak are in Basel Switzerland to attend the Rainforest Tribunal and will then attend the trial of the defamation suit brought by (Jamilah Taib) daughter of TYT Sarawak Taib mahmud against BMF. Explaining about the Rainforest Tribunal - according to Celine it is a staging that talks about the deforestation/logging that is happening in Sarawak (Borneo). Many parties were called to testify, including logging workers, scientists, journalists, activists, politicians and the indigenous/Penan people who every day feel fear and threats every time they defend their forests. According to Celine, although we are unable to stop logging completely. But at least, we are informed, consent from us should be obtained and our rights should be respected. We also question - where are the results of logging for decades?. Celine was excited because many parties sent positive feedback (especially Sarawakians) and wanted to join the campaign against deforestation.
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Salomon Ngau, master of the traditional Sape musical instrument from Baram
*Deforestation Causing Cultural Loss: The Shameful Honor of Samling*
Samling Group received the distinguished 'Most Diversified and Value-Adding Timber Manufacturer' award from the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) as part of their 50th-anniversary celebration. The award was presented in the presence of Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. STIDC commended Samling for diversifying their operations, prioritizing high-value production, and aligning with the Sarawak government's goal of boosting the timber industry and achieving RM8 billion in annual exports by 2030.
However, amid this recognition, Salomon expresses discontent with Samling's honor and raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of deforestation and the resulting extinction of trees. Salomon, a master of the traditional Sape musical instrument, has dedicated years to both studying and crafting Sape instruments. He highlights the necessity of the Adau tree for crafting Sape, but due to rampant deforestation, these trees are now increasingly scarce and at risk of extinction. The scarcity of Adau trees as raw materials has driven up instrument prices and led to a decline in the number of people learning this art. Beyond the economic implications, this situation presents challenges for the continuation of this traditional culture.
Salomon asserts that the destruction caused by deforestation cannot be viewed as honorable. He draws attention to the fact that these forests are vital for sustaining indigenous communities, and the negative impact extends beyond livelihoods. Practices such as preserving indigenous culture through music are also suffering due to the consequences of destructive logging activities.
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Nora, villagers from Kampung Angkeh Gua Musang
*From Ballots to Land Battles: PAS State Government Accused of Encroaching Orang Asli Ancestral Lands*
After the conclusion of the state elections in six states on August 12, PAS secured significant victories in Kelantan, Kedah, and Terengganu. While the public anticipated the state governments to implement policies beneficial to the people, news emerged that indigenous lands in Kelantan were being encroached upon by the state government, contradicting this expectation.
On August 16, 2023, more than 30 communities from Kpg Angkeh in Gua Musang, Kelantan, including Nora, jointly filed a police report at IPD Gua Musang. The incident revolves around the encroachment by the Kelantan state's Yayasan (Foundation) onto land owned by the Kpg Angkeh community.
This encroachment led to the destruction of their gardens, which contained fruit trees, rubber trees, and other crops, all without obtaining Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Their water catchment area was also impacted. The community, under Nora's leadership, organized a press release on-site to draw attention to the issue. The encroachment came to light when one member of the community discovered the incident while visiting their garden and informed the entire community.
Nora herself suffered losses, as her paddy farm and vegetable garden were also destroyed. Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Kelantan state agency, Tok Kenali, erected signboards claiming the land as state government property and prohibiting the community's access to the affected areas.
As a response, more communities are expected to file police reports, highlighting the urgent need to address this encroachment issue and the broader concern of land rights and sustainability.
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Siti Kasim, activist lawyer
*Defending Vulnerable Groups' Rights Amid Death Threats? Siti Kassim Calls for Fair Police Investigation*
The police investigation into the discovery of two homemade bombs found beneath the car of lawyer-activist Siti Kasim has reached a standstill. According to Kuala Lumpur police chief Shuhaily Zain, the examination of CCTV footage from various locations has failed to identify any potential suspects. Furthermore, no fingerprints were found on the explosive devices except for Siti's fingerprints on the vehicle. Siti Kasim expressed her surprise at this turn of events. However, she expressed disappointment upon learning that the CCTV cameras at the Kajang court complex car park were not operational. She stated, "I don't know whether it's true or not, but I was told that the CCTV (there) is not working." The incident unfolded on July 21 when Siti noticed two suspicious objects beneath her car after taking it to a workshop in Kuala Lumpur for routine servicing. She documented the discovery in a video posted on Facebook, showing what appeared to be plastic water bottles attached to her car's suspension. The bomb squad was subsequently dispatched. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain later confirmed that the objects were improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended to cause harm to Siti. In response to the situation, Siti highlighted her involvement in advocating for indigenous rights and various cases, including indigenous individuals dying in detention centers and land disputes. The threat she now faces is unexpected, as most threats were previously limited to online platforms. Adding to her concerns, Siti expressed frustration at the shifting stance of the police. Initially, there were indications of imminent arrests, but the situation has changed. She is now calling for a more comprehensive investigation into the matter.