18 July 2024
On Today Show
— John Brian, Sarawak Political Analyst – Issues of Silence and Exploitation in Bintulu Port Development
— Wong Kueng Hui, director of Mandiri Borneo – 3,000 Families at Risk: Bajau Laut Face Uncertain Future in Sabah
— Paul Nungang from Long Kaliman – Roads First: Baram's Infrastructure Needs Over Bamboo Projects
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— John Brian, Pakar Analisis Politik Sarawak – Isu Senyap dan Eksploitasi dalam Pembangunan Pelabuhan Bintulu
— Wong Kueng Hui, Pengarah Mandiri Borneo – 3,000 Keluarga Berisiko: Bajau Laut Menghadapi Masa Depan Yang Tidak Pasti di Sabah
— Paul Nungang dari Long Kaliman – Keutamaan Jalan: Keperluan Infrastruktur Baram Lebih Penting daripada Projek Buluh
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Special Randau
1. The successful return of Bintulu port under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak government due to the sincerity of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Gps is just a barking party- said John Brian. The people of Sarawak should remember the goodness of the prime minister and vote for his party during the next election.
2. The people of Baram were surprised when the state government announced a bamboo planting project in an area of 49,000 hectares of land in Baram. Are we once again at risk of losing the right to that much land. Will this incoming investment damage our environment. If true, it is a project that brings progress. Create roads and infra facilities along with it. - said Paul Nungang.
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John Brian, Sarawak Political Analyst
Issues of Silence and Exploitation in Bintulu Port Development
Yesterday, all 23 Sarawak GPS MPs expressed their happiness when the People's Assembly passed the Bintulu Port Board (Dissolution) Bill 2024 and the Bill declaring Bintulu a federal port (dissolution) 2024. Deputy Prime Minister Fadilah Yusuf thanked the Prime Minister. John Brian, a Sarawakian, shared his joy, stating, "As a Sarawakian, I certainly feel happy." He added that he knows the history of Bintulu Port well, having served as its chairman in 2018.
Brian explained that Bintulu Port was developed with federal funds through PETRONAS to export natural gas to Japan and Korea. He questioned why the GPS had not spoken up about this sooner. He suggested that the BN's strong power at the federal level and GPS's fear at the state level were the reasons for their silence. He also criticized BN for not being sincere towards Sarawak, citing their exploitation of Sarawak's resources.
However, with the political changes before and after PRU15, the return of Bintulu Port under MA63 became possible. Before PH's victory, Anwar Ibrahim promised to return all Sarawak rights, and after PH won in PRU15, he fulfilled his promise. Brian emphasized that these efforts were not due to GPS but to PH and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's goodwill. He urged the people of Sarawak to vote for PKR/PH in the next election, as this party has proven to be honest and has good intentions to help the people of Sarawak.
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Wong Kueng Hui, director of Mandiri Borneo
3,000 Families at Risk: Bajau Laut Face Uncertain Future in Sabah
Over the past two months, more than 3,000 families, predominantly Bajau Laut in Lahad Datu, have been living in fear of homelessness following the demolition of their homes, labelled as “squatter colonies” across Sabah. The state government’s ambitious “Operation Squatter Colony” has already demolished more than 1,300 houses, and many fear it will eventually reach their water villages. As a result, many families are packed and ready to leave but have nowhere to go.
Wong Kueng Hui, Director of Mandiri Borneo(Mandiri Bornei, a coalition of 126 NGOs) expressed his concerns about the situation: “We have seen houses set on fire and demolitions carried out against Bajau Laut communities in Sabah’s water villages recently by the Sabah State government. Those displaced are now sheltering along the coast, exposed to social problems and lacking security. As a community, we do not like this situation, honestly. Where is the rationale of this government?”
Annuar’s last visit to Sabah aimed to eradicate poverty, yet both Bajau Laut communities and urban settlers are now at risk. Wong questioned, “Is this the way to eradicate poverty?”
Wong Keng Kui recently met with Jeffry Katingan and Shafie Abdal, MPs for Keningau and Samporna, respectively. They have agreed to work together to solve the Bajau Laut issue, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate and rational approach to addressing the community’s needs.
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Paul Nungang from Long Kaliman
Roads First: Baram's Infrastructure Needs Over Bamboo Projects
Paul Nungang questions the logic behind the project to plant bamboo on 49,000 hectares of land. We, the people of Baram, want paved roads leading to Bario so that we can cultivate our own crops and sell them to the city. Not everyone can afford a Hi-Lux to navigate the logging roads, which are the main problem for the poor who want to market their agricultural produce. With paved roads, transportation costs would undoubtedly be reduced without burdening all parties. Regarding the bamboo, what is the purpose that can prove that planting bamboo will be profitable? What type of bamboo? There is already plenty of bamboo in Baram.
What guarantees are there that this project will not lead to the seizure of the indigenous people’s NCR (Native Customary Rights) land? The ancestral lands of the indigenous people of Baram still do not have grants. Can the government provide grants using the concept of Section 18? Once again, Paul Nungang urges the government to focus on building roads for the people.