19 September 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Richard Engan, Penduduk Long Terawan Mulu Baram - Kami Mahukan JalanRaya, Bukan Jalan Kayu Balak
> Charles Santiago, bekas MP Klang - Isu Pendidikan Graduan SPM yang Belum Terselesaikan
> Wing Miku, Aktivis Sosial dari Bakun - Janji-Janji Kerajaan yang Tidak Ditepati kepada Penduduk Bakun
> Paul Nungang dari Long Liam - Melindungi Ekosistem Baram, Hentikan Pembalakan Hari Ini Di Rancangan
On Today Show
> Richard Engan, Resident of Long Terawan Mulu Baram – We want Paved Roads, Not Log Roads
> Charles Santiago, ex-MP of Klang – Parliament's Silence: The Unaddressed Issue of SPM Graduates' Education
> Wing Miku, Social Activisst from Bakun – Decades of Disappointment: Government's Broken Promises to Bakun Natives
> Paul Nungang from Long Liam – Safeguarding Baram's Ecosystem, Stop Logging Today
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Special Randau
1. The allocation of RM331 million for log road upgrades is wasteful. It's time for PMX to build permanent roads to remote villages in the interior. Logging companies are benefiting without justification.
2. Norges Bank is a major shareholder of CMSB. Did Norges Bank acquire its shares through legitimate transactions, or is there a connection to the transfer of a significant number of CMS shares to Ragad several months ago? We request that Norges Bank disclose the details of the stock transactions honestly and transparently.
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Richard Engan, Resident of Long Terawan Mulu Baram
*We want Paved Roads, Not Log Roads*
The announcement of an allocation of RM331 million to upgrade and maintain log roads in Sarawak is unnecessary and a waste. Richard said Reluctantly.
On Sept 18, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi announced the allocation and the upgrade and maintenance process should be completed before Christmas 2023. This is an act that wastes people's money. According to Richard, every year hundreds of millions are announced for upgrades and maintenance. But we residents of Baram do not see any log roads being upgraded. There are no signs erected indicating the existence of log road upgrading works. This is a waste and this action is as if the government is giving free money to logging companies. This practice should be stopped - Said Richard. The government should not spend money to repair the log roads. The logging company itself should take responsibility for maintaining all logging roads in Sarawak for the convenience of the rural population. The reason is that all these logging companies have been making excessive profits - for the past decades. Now is not the time to force the rural residents to continue using log roads, instead the government should start now to build paved roads into villages throughout Sarawak.
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Charles Santiago, ex-MP of Klang
*Parliament's Silence: The Unaddressed Issue of SPM Graduates' Education*
Approx 180K or 48.74% who finished SPM in 2021 have no plans to pursue their education. The decision by nearly half of the SPM graduates in 2021 not to pursue further education has raised concerns about its potential repercussions for Malaysia. Among the key reasons cited for this trend are a lack of interest in continuing studies and the belief that alternative career paths, such as becoming e-hailing drivers, offer the prospect of substantial income. These considerations are leading some graduates to question the value of spending four years in university only to start with an income ranging from 2000 to 3000 Malaysian Ringgit upon graduation.
This significant number of SPM graduates opting out of higher education has considerable implications for the nation. As the cost of living continues to rise, the limited availability of educational opportunities can result in longer working hours for these individuals, often surpassing the standard 8-hour workday. This extended work commitment becomes a necessity for those seeking to earn more in order to cope with the challenges posed by inflation.
It is crucial for the Malaysian government to address this issue promptly and proactively. The Ministry of Education (MOE), under the leadership of Minister Fadhlina Siddiq, must take decisive steps to reverse this concerning trend. The potential consequences, including the impact on skills development, unemployment rates, wage disparities, and poverty levels, cannot be ignored.
The MOE should consider implementing comprehensive strategies aimed at encouraging SPM graduates to pursue higher education.
Another noteworthy aspect of this issue is the lack of substantial debate on it within the Malaysian Parliament. Given the far-reaching implications of a large number of SPM graduates opting out of further education, it is crucial for policymakers to engage in discussions and develop strategies that promote higher education and skills development for all Malaysians.
In conclusion, the increasing number of SPM graduates choosing not to pursue higher education demands immediate attention and action. The government, led by the Ministry of Education, must develop and implement comprehensive plans to encourage students to continue their studies. Only by addressing this challenge effectively can Malaysia secure a brighter future for its youth and mitigate the potential negative consequences for the nation as a whole.
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Hary Wing, Social Activisst from Bakun
*Decades of Disappointment: Government's Broken Promises to Bakun Natives*
Natives from Sarawak's Bakun region, uprooted in 1997 due to the RM15 billion hydro-electric dam project, are criticizing state and federal governments for failing to fulfill 25 years of promises to upgrade their resettlement longhouses. Eight of these longhouses have been destroyed by fires.
The latest fire, which occurred just four days ago, destroyed Block B of the Uma Nyaving longhouse. Social activist Harry Wing highlights that despite repeated assurances, eight of the 15 longhouses provided in the Sg Asap Resettlement Scheme have burned down due to deteriorating wooden structures and electrical systems.
Wing emphasizes the hardships faced by native communities as a result of unfulfilled government promises. The original 15 longhouses accommodating 15,000 Bakun natives were hastily constructed in 1997 for the flooding of the Bakun Dam reservoir. These wooden longhouses have suffered from rotting structures and wiring systems.
Wing suggests a phase two for the resettlement scheme, featuring concrete longhouses and new farmland to accommodate the growing population. Without action, the risk of fires continues to rise.
On September 11, Block B of Uma Nyaving was completely destroyed in a blaze, displacing more than 150 residents. Last year, on July 12, the Uma Sambop longhouse also suffered a similar fate, leaving more than 700 people homeless. The Sg Asap Resettlement Scheme is situated about 50 kilometers downstream from the Bakun Dam in central Sarawak.
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Paul Nungang from Long Liam
*Safeguarding Baram's Ecosystem: Stop Logging Today*
A year after Samling initiated a defamation lawsuit against the grassroots indigenous organization SAVE Rivers, the logging company has decided to drop the case. The lawsuit, which was originally scheduled for trial today in the Miri High Court, was unexpectedly withdrawn after last-minute discussions.
This development is certainly encouraging news. However, there is an additional aspect to consider. Samling should also consider withdrawing from its involvement in the other three avenues within Ulu Baram. The reason for this is that as long as logging activities remain active in those areas, the government may be hesitant to invest in building infrastructure, such as roads.
As the Baram villagers, it is essential for us to maintain our opposition to logging activities to allow the forest to regenerate naturally. Simultaneously, it is imperative that the government takes steps to provide necessary infrastructure, including roads, to facilitate the development of inland communities.
By addressing both these aspects, we can strive for a more sustainable and balanced approach to development and conservation in our region.