2 November 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Iswardy Morni, Pakar Politik dan Aktivis – Persoalan Mengenai Pembiayaan Projek Infrastruktur Utama di Borneo
> Abun Sui, Senator PKR Sarawak – Memudahkan Dokumentasi bagi Penduduk Luar Bandar semasa Memohon MyKad: Seruan untuk Reformasi
> Barnie Lasimbang, Pengasas Tonibung – Cabaran dalam Mengeletrifikasi Komuniti Orang Asli: Dasar Lama dan Penyelesaian Amalan
> Marcus Hugo Lejau, Bekas Pendidik – PBD vs. Penilaian Baharu: Menilai Laluan Terbaik untuk Pelajar Sarawak
On Today Show
> Iswardy Morni, Political Analyst and Activist – Questions Arise Over Funding for Borneo's Major Infrastructure Projects
> Abun Sui, Senator of PKR Sarawak – Simplifying Documentation for Rural Populations when Applying for MyKad: A Call for Reform
> Barnie Lasimbang, Tonibung founder – Challenges in Electrifying Orang Asli Communities: Outdated Policies and Practical Solutions
> Marcus Hugo Lejau, A former educationist – PBD vs. New Assessment: Evaluating the Best Path for Sarawak's Students
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*Special Randau*
1. Jepak state election, GPS is expected to win big.
2. The Trans Borneo Railway project should go through poor areas in the countryside. The Pan Borneo Sarawak project only goes through the main cities of Sarawak. Inland residents cannot benefit.
3. The ASEAN Subsea Grid Project only benefits capitalists and GPS cronies. The lands and forests of the Indigenous people will continue to be confiscated. PMX and the Minister of Environment should take note. GPS does not look after the welfare of the people of Sarawak.
4. The President of Indonesia - JOKOWI broke ground on a new airport project in the archipelago. Expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2024.
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Iswardy Morni, Political Analyst and Activist
*Questions Arise Over Funding for Borneo's Major Infrastructure Projects*
According to Iswardi- GPS will win big in the Jepak state by-election because PBK and Aspirasi have not succeeded in bringing issues that interest voters. The main issue brought up by both parties is the independence of Sarawak. The issue of secession is not the main issue in Sarawak. On the other hand, the issue of corruption and abuse of power should be the focus of Sarawak's opposition parties.
Iswardi commented on 3 big projects that were announced on the island of Borneo a few days ago. First The construction of a new airport in the Capital of the Indonesian Archipelago which was recently announced by President Jokowi. The two proposed construction of the Trans-Borneo railway project connects Sarawak, Sabah and the archipelago in Indonesia. The third project. Asean subsea grid to sell electricity to neighboring countries. In terms of business planning and business and job opportunities. I have no problem and I agree. But I question who will bear the cost of the submarine cable and the cost of the trans Borneo railway project. Are these projects designed to distribute wealth to GPS cronies?. And the people are still poor? I also want to criticize the Premier of Sarawak. You have to show the profit from hydro generation first before launching a new hydro project. You also have to show the progress enjoyed by the people who had to sacrifice to make way for the hydroelectric project. If the hydro project has been built. Still not seeing the benefits. There is no need to build new hydro dams. Through 4 hydro dams that have been built. Many people are still poor (there is no electricity yet) and thousands of hectares of forest were destroyed. The Premier of Sarawak should respect the rights of the people of Sarawak and not arbitrarily announce that he wants to build a hydro dam without the consent of the people living in the area.
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Abun Sui, Senator of PKR Sarawak
*Simplifying Documentation for Rural Populations when Applying for MyKad: A Call for Reform*
The process of assisting rural populations in obtaining personal documents can be incredibly challenging. It demands strong mental endurance and a resilient heart due to the myriad of requirements involved, which can include:
1. Family Registration Certificate (KK/TR)
2. Verification by the Village Head
3. Confirmation by a Midwife
4. Validation by a Commissioner for Oaths
5. Testimonies from multiple Witnesses (1-5)
6. A Letter from a Lawyer
7. The presence of a person at least 10 years older than the applicant
8. Submission of Family Photos
9. Passport-sized Photos of all family members
10. Endorsement from the School Principal
11. Endorsement from the Headteacher
12. Plus additional requirements based on individual cases
These requirements don't even account for the logistical challenges of traveling to and from remote areas to reach the nearest National Registration Department (JPN) office or the difficulties in finding someone willing to assist. Additionally, the interview process further complicates matters.
For individuals in the B40 or hardcore poor category, the situation is particularly unfortunate. However, there are compassionate individuals, like Abun Sui, who recognize the complexity of these procedures. Abun Sui emphasizes that even a minor omission of a requirement can lead to insufficient documentation, requiring applicants to start the process all over again. He calls upon the government to simplify these procedures, especially for those in remote areas, allowing them to complete their Malaysian Identification Card applications with fewer back-and-forth trips.
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Barnie Lasimbang, Tonibung founder
*Challenges in Electrifying Orang Asli Communities: Outdated Policies and Practical Solutions*
The issue at hand pertains to outdated policies in the supply of energy to Orang Asli communities, particularly how the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) has caused delays in implementing micro-hydro projects. While this is an ongoing concern, there are various aspects related to the energy supply to Orang Asli communities in West Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
In West Malaysia, JAKOA is responsible for the framework governing the supply of electricity. Barnie Lasimbang said that, over the last two decades, Tonibung has successfully provided electricity to rural communities via the grid. They completed two micro-hydro projects in collaboration with the Selangor state government. Their intention was to expand their efforts to Pahang, but they faced challenges obtaining approval from JAKOA for the project.
The second issue revolves around how JAKOA plans to supply electricity to rural communities. The geographical terrain and associated costs make it challenging to lay cables for conventional electrification. Consequently, it's more practical to establish a mini-grid system. However, this alternative approach is not officially recognized in the same way as the traditional model employed by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).
In summary, the challenge is twofold: updating outdated policies and finding practical solutions for providing electricity to remote Orang Asli communities while acknowledging the unique circumstances they face.
**Tonibung is an indigenous-led NGO developing sustainable alternatives to rural electrification, which is based in Penampang, Sabah.
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Marcus Hugo Lejau, A former educationist
*PBD vs. New Assessment: Evaluating the Best Path for Sarawak's Students*
Marcus Hugo Lejau has expressed concern about the potential overburdening of students and teachers in Sarawak if the state proceeds with its own centralised assessment examination for Year 6 pupils. He believes it would be redundant to introduce another assessment exam when the focus should be on improving the implementation of the current classroom-based assessment (PBD).
Marcus argues that having both assessment systems in Sarawak schools would create additional stress for teachers and students. Teachers would need to handle the grading and paperwork for both exams, while another group would be required to prepare high-quality and reliable centralised question papers. Students would also have to prepare for an additional assessment examination on top of what is already carried out in school.
Sarawak's Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister, Roland Sagah Wee Inn, recently announced the state's plan to develop its own assessment examination for Year 6 pupils, similar to the abolished Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). The state ministry believes this is the best way to determine students' true performance.
Marcus disagrees with the introduction of a new assessment examination so soon after the implementation of PBD, as there have been no proper studies to identify the weaknesses of PBD. He argues that a new examination should only be considered if it serves a different purpose than the current assessment method.