2 May 2024
On Today Show
— John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh, Baram – Standing Up to Encroachment: Community Fight for Fairness
— Dr Micheal Teo, PKR ex-MP of Miri – From Feedback to Action: The Impact of People's Voices in Governance
— Agnes Padan, activist from Lawas – Citizenship for All
Topik Pada Hari Ini:
- John Bara, Penduduk Uma Akeh, Baram - Melawan Pencerobohan: Perjuangan Komuniti untuk Keadilan
- Dr. Micheal Teo, Bekas Ahli Parlimen PKR Miri - Dari Maklum Balas ke Tindakan: Impak Suara Rakyat dalam Pentadbiran
- Agnes Padan, aktivis dari Lawas - Kewarganegaraan untuk Semua
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*Special Randau*
1. Labor Day Celebration 2024 - Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a salary increase of over 13 percent for civil servants, effective December 2024. According to PMX, this is to appreciate the contributions and aspirations of civil servants. However, it must be followed by an increase in productivity. The last time the government raised the salaries of civil servants in Malaysia was 12 years ago.
2. Shin Yang Holy Stone has deceived us since 1996, which is 28 years ago. John Bara and his family realized that Holy Stone had encroached on their land beyond the limit allowed in the agreement. Therefore, we are demanding compensation for 28 years - said John Bara. Our lawyer, Harrison Ngau, will represent us in all matters.
3. The court rejected Zafrul's application to file an affidavit in the case of the house arrest of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Zafrul's affidavit aimed to correct factual errors in the affidavit of Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, who supported Najib's efforts to serve the remaining prison sentence at home.
4. 1MDB trial update - Najib is charged with 4 counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion of 1MDB funds. The 49th witness (Nur Aida Arifin) explained that the MACC received thousands of documents in the 1MDB investigation and Najib was given ample opportunity during the 2018 questioning. Although the MACC did not question Najib about emails with Jho Low, it still received information about the Najib-Jho Low emails from other witnesses. The trial will continue tomorrow.
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John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh, Baram
*Standing Up to Encroachment: Community Fight for Fairness*
John Bara felt compelled to inspect his family's land leased to the quarry company Batu Holy Stone owned by Shin Yang since 1996 - about 28 years ago. In the original agreement, Shin Yang Holy Stone would mine stones on a 4.16-acre land and in return, they would rent the land on a monthly basis. However, what is surprising is that all of the 19.08 hectares of land have been excavated by Shin Yang Holy Stone. When John Bara's family objected and requested additional payment and compensation, the workers of Holy Stone made a police report against them.
Earlier today, John Bara's family met with the Holy Stone representatives and they were invited to a meeting at the Shin Yang Holy Stone HQ in Miri. They declined because only a few of them would be able to make it to Miri and it would also be difficult for them to get the views of other family members living in Kampung Uma Akeh. Therefore, the final decision was to hold the meeting with Shin Yang Holy Stone in Uma Akeh on May 4, 2024.
They are demanding additional rent and compensation for the 28 years during which Holy Stone did not inform them that they had encroached on their land beyond the limits allowed in the agreement. Lawyer Harrison Ngau is representing their family in this claim. One problem they face in this case is that their village headman is siding with Shin Yang Holy Stone. The village headman testified that the quarry area land is communal land of Kampung Uma Akeh. On the contrary - it is clear that their family has a title deed that is surveyed under sec 18.
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Dr Micheal Teo, PKR ex-MP of Miri
*From Feedback to Action: The Impact of People's Voices in Governance*
Recently, the Ministry of Health announced that the additional building of Miri Hospital, which will provide 328 beds, 5 specialist clinics, and 900 parking spaces, is expected to be operational in June 2024. This achievement was the result of numerous representations and suggestions made by former Miri Member of Parliament (MP) YB Dr. Micheal Teo to the federal government's Ministry of Health.
RF received public attention, indicating that this is Dr. Teo's effort. Through this interview, Dr. Teo's views on this matter were sought.
Micheal Teo stated that during his tenure as the Miri MP, he often received complaints from the public about insufficient parking spaces, inadequate beds, and having to seek medical treatment in other hospitals. In order to address these issues, he raised them with the then Minister of Health and received a prompt response. Planning was initiated, leading to the establishment of additional medical facilities and the construction of another hospital this year.
He emphasized the importance for both national and state representatives to regularly engage with the public and understand their concerns in order to improve their lives. He also mentioned that if GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) MPs understand the problems faced by the people and bring these issues to parliament, solutions can be found.
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Agnes Padan, activist from Lawas
*Citizenship for All*
Citizenship activist Agnes Padan today assisted an elderly citizen who has been rejected three times. The applicant, since the age of 12 in the 1960s, has been brought by his family to work in Brunei to earn a living... but since then, the applicant has only had a My PR status card. Because he is now old and unable to work in Brunei, this elderly citizen from Trusan Lawas wants to retire in his hometown. However, because he only has a MyPR card, all health matters at government clinics or hospitals require him to pay expensive fees as a foreigner. Therefore, Agnes Padan is doing her best to help the elderly citizen apply, and the proof regarding the applicant is that he is originally from Lawas.