18 April 2024
On Today Show
— Dennis Along, PKR Baram Communications Director – Join Us Tomorrow: Kick Start Campaign to Repeal Section 5(7) of the Sarawak Land Code 1958
— John Bampa, activist from Belaga – Sarawak's Ambitious Hydroelectric Plans: Broken Promises and Skepticism
— S Arutchelvan, deputy chairperson of PSM – Building a Fairer Economy: PSM Advocates for Wealth Tax to Address Social Issues
Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Dennis Along, Pengarah Komunikasi PKR Baram - Sertai Kami Esok: Memulakan Kempen untuk Tarik Balik Seksyen 5(7) Kanun Tanah Sarawak 1958
- John Bampa, aktivis dari Belaga - Rancangan Hidroelektrik yang Ambisius di Sarawak: Janji Kosong dan Skeptisisme
- S Arutchelvan, Timbalan Pengerusi PSM - Membina Ekonomi yang Lebih Adil: PSM Mecadang Cukai Kekayaan untuk Menangani Isu Sosial
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*Special Randau*
1. The campaign to repeal section 5(7) of the Sarawak Land Code 1958 will kick off tomorrow (April 19, 2024) at 3 pm in the parking lot of Wisma Madani, Jalan Tanjong Lobang, Miri.
2. BERSIH 2.0 and the ICJ are urging for the court proceedings for Najib Razak's house arrest case to be open to the public. According to IGC and BERSIH, the judicial review of this case is of public interest and involves a high-profile individual.
3. DAP has established the Karpal Singh Scholarship with an initial fund of RM100,000 to assist law students. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke announced this at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of Karpal Singh's death.
4. Lawyer to the Malaysian Bar, Dato Ambiga Sreenevasen, demands that the AGC and MACC take responsibility following the Attorney General's decision to seek an acquittal without discharge (DNAA) in the case of Zahid Hamidi/the Yayasan Akal Budi case. Ambiga, through the Malaysian Bar, seeks permission to initiate a judicial review to overturn the DNAA granted to Zahid Hamidi.
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Dennis Along, PKR Baram Communications Director
*Join Us Tomorrow: Kick Start Campaign to Repeal Section 5(7) of the Sarawak Land Code 1958*
The Kick Start campaign to repeal section 5(7) of the Sarawak Land Code 1958 will start tomorrow - 19 April 2024, at the parking lot of Wisma Madani Jalan Tanjong Lubang, Miri. All parties are invited to attend. Especially the parties whose rights are affected by the seizure of NCR land and also those who are dealing with NCR land claims in Court.
This is the best opportunity to meet and hear the explanation of the effect of the use of section 5(7) of the Sarawak land code over the years. With this repeal directly the NCR Bumiputra Sarawak land ownership is recognized and in any dispute. The party challenging the right of ownership must bear the burden of proof. Let us all bury section 5(7) together with Taib Mahmud - Said Dennis Along. Dennis further explained that section 5(7) was created and included in the Sarawak Land Code during the administration of former chief minister Taib Mahmud. It is the most effective method of legally seizing NCR bumiputra land.
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John Bampa, activist from Belaga
*Sarawak's Ambitious Hydroelectric Plans: Broken Promises and Skepticism*
On April 15, it was announced that Sarawak has plans to develop up to 10 river basins statewide into sources of hydroelectric power. State Public Utilities and Telecommunication Minister Julaihi Narawi made this announcement during a Hari Raya gathering in Kuching, stating that the mega plan is already in progress.
However, the Sungai Asap community, affected by the Bakun Dam, has expressed their skepticism towards the promises of development brought by dams. After 25 years, the state government has yet to fulfill its promises of basic infrastructure and electricity for Sungai Asap, let alone economic development.
John Bampa, who was once a member of the Develop Bakun Committee representing the villagers of Bakun, quit the committee when officials failed to respond to his inquiries about logging company licenses on indigenous customary land. He stated that since the construction of the Bakun Dam, the community has not received any share of its revenue. This money was supposed to be used for community development and children's education. Additionally, many electric poles from Bakun to Bintulu have been erected on the villagers' land without any compensation.
The Punan Bah community downstream from Bakun still has children who need to cross the river by boat to attend school. John questioned why the state government, which claims Sarawak is rich, has not addressed the hardships faced by inland children.
He urged communities about to be affected by dams to think carefully, citing the situation at Bakun Dam as evidence that they should not be easily swayed by the government's promises.
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S Arutchelvan, deputy chairperson of PSM
*Building a Fairer Economy: PSM Advocates for Wealth Tax to Address Social Issues*
PSM is urging the government to implement a wealth tax. In many countries where GST has been implemented, it is very popular, affecting everyone. This is what the rich want.
From PSM's perspective, during Annuar's tabling of the finance last year, he said he would implement two types of taxes. One would be a tax on luxury goods, but somehow this tax was not implemented. Instead, he raised SST from 6 to 8 percent. At the end of the day, the people bear the burden.
According to Asia Forbes, the 50 richest individuals in Malaysia are gaining the highest wealth. The rich are getting richer. A wealth tax would include all their assets. If just a small percentage, say one or two percent, were placed on these 50 richest individuals, that amount would be enough to address many of the issues we are facing today.
Arul comment that, when Annuar says he is concerned about the poor and wants to tax the rich, we don't seem to see that materialize in practice, but rather it remains a theory. That's why PSM is urging the government to introduce a wealth tax, as several other countries have done. Globally, many people want the government to implement wealth tax, luxury tax, and capital gains tax. These three taxes would not affect ordinary people. Now, the government is being pressured to reinstall GST.