17 October 2024
On Today Show
> Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers – Save Rivers and NGOs Raise Concerns Over UBFA Cancellation, Demand Transparency
> Puan Nancy, from Long Terawan Mulu – Indigenous Rights Erosion: A Call for Dayak Orang Ulu to Rise
> Yusri Ahon of Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Orang Asli Demand Fair Treatment in Management of Oil Palm and Rubber Plantations
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Celine Lim, Pengarah Urusan Save Rivers – Save Rivers dan NGO-NGO Bersuara Mengenai Pembatalan UBFA, Tuntut Ketelusan
> Puan Nancy, dari Long Terawan Mulu – Hak Orang Asal Terhakis: Seruan Kepada Dayak Orang Ulu untuk Bangkit
> Yusri Ahon dari Kpg Sg Mai Pahang – Orang Asli Tuntut Layanan Adil dalam Pengurusan Ladang Kelapa Sawit dan Getah
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Special Randau
1. Daim Zainudin, the former finance minister of Malaysia, was admitted to Asunta Hospital the day before the trial began. The trial that should have started today is the proceedings of the prosecution's application for Daim to undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial for the case of failure to declare property. Daim and his wife Naimah were charged with committing the offense between 13 and 14 December 2023 and could be jailed for up to 5 years and fined RM100.00 if found guilty.2. The Sarawak Forestry Department will continue the UBFA Project in their own way. Is their way through the logging project for development like what happened in Ba Data Bila?. Borneoland Timber was given permission by the forest department to log in the virgin forest area in Ba Data Bila. It is said that while logging, the company will do development for the Penan people there, such as building roads, bridges and leveling house sites. Our question is how many decades has logging been in Sarawak?, why are there still no roads and development in the interior of Sarawak.
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Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers.
Save Rivers and NGOs Raise Concerns Over UBFA Cancellation, Demand Transparency
The cancellation of the UBFA Joint Venture project was announced a few hours before the UBFA steering committee meeting scheduled to take place in Miri, Sarawak. According to Celine, the meeting that was supposed to take place at 9 am-9/10/2024 had to be postponed to 2 pm to await the arrival of the group from Hulu Baram that was stranded due to a landslide. But the meeting has not yet started at 2 pm. The media has reported that the Director of the Forest Department has canceled the UBFA project. This means that ITTO sponsored UBFA projects and funds from ITTO member countries have been cancelled. However, the Sarawak Forest Department still wants to continue the project in their own way. Asked what was the reason for the cancellation. The director of the forest department informed that the continuous disturbance from NGOs, demonstrations from a group of Penan people, especially the logging dispute in Ba Data Bila. But for us according to Celine, that is part of the process of transparency and accountability. If there is an objection, then the UBFA Project management should provide an explanation. Save Rivers is also of the view that we will also continue the project by working closely with the local population. But what worries us is the dispute at Ba Data Bila. When it was proven that illegal logging by Borneoland Timber had occurred with several other offenses, the Sarawak Forest Department denied it. With such an attitude of the Forest Department. We are very worried about the virgin forest area in Ba Data Bila which needs to be saved from illegal logging. We feel aggrieved by the attitude of the Sarawak forest department which from the beginning of the project did not want to cooperate and did not want to share information with the steering committee.
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Puan Nancy, from Long Terawan Mulu
Indigenous Rights Erosion: A Call for Dayak Orang Ulu to Rise
Nancy voiced her concerns regarding the erosion of indigenous rights by the government. According to her, we cannot solely blame the leaders for constantly seizing the rights of the indigenous people. However, the gradual erosion of these rights is also due to the attitude of the people themselves, who continue to vote for a government that shows no concern for their welfare.
She emphasized that it is crucial for the Dayak Orang Ulu community to rise up and change the current system of governance. In her view, the community must recognize the importance of political reform to safeguard their rights and future.
Furthermore, Puan Nancy stressed the importance of raising awareness among the younger generation. She believes that their active involvement in advocating for change and their willingness to engage in political discourse are essential to ensure that the rights of the indigenous people are protected and respected moving forward.
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Yusri Ahon of Kpg Sg Mai Pahang
Orang Asli Demand Fair Treatment in Management of Oil Palm and Rubber Plantations
Recently, a group of Orang Asli from Pahang, led by Yusri Ahon, submitted a memorandum directly to Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The memorandum was in protest against the Pahang State Government's decision to appoint ORACO (Orang Asli Corporation Sdn Bhd) to manage Orang Asli commodity products such as oil palm and rubber. The group expressed concerns that this move undermines the rights of the Orang Asli communities over their resources.
The Pahang State Government established ORACO in 2021 to manage Orang Asli welfare and economy. In 2024, ORACO replaced RISDA in managing TSK plantations on Orang Asli land, citing unpaid premiums. ORACO plans to impose "tapping rights" charges, which the Orang Asli oppose, as the land is theirs.
Smallholders also face similar charges, and MPOB and LGM have stopped issuing licenses, pressuring them to formalize land ownership. The Orang Asli reject these measures, calling for their customary rights to be respected and criticizing the lack of consultation. They suggest returning plantation control to Orang Asli participants instead.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, the group also took the opportunity to raise other pressing issues affecting the Orang Asli, including land rights, environmental concerns, and access to basic services. The dialogue was regarded as positive, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim promising to carefully look into the issues raised. He assured the group that he would follow up on the matters and work towards addressing their concerns.