26 October 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Bill Jugah, Presiden Gabungan Bebas Orang Asal Sarawak - Seruan untuk Kebebasan: Mengekalkan Sekolah di Luar Konflik Antarabangsa
> Peter John Jaban, Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Hak Asasi Manusia Global - Seruan untuk Bantuan untuk Manfaat Kanak-Kanak Orang Asal di Malaysia
> Dominic Langat, Penan dari Long Tungan Baram - Kerajaan Negeri Perlu Menawarkan Pendidikan Pra-Sekolah, Bukan Syarikat-Syarikat
> Tan Bun Teet, Pengerusi Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) - Kumpulan Alam Sekitar Menuntut Kekerapan Keputusan Lynas
On Today Show
> Bill Jugah, President of the Independent Coalition of Sarawak Natives – A Call for Neutrality: Keeping Schools Out of International Conflicts
> Peter John Jaban, Deputy President Global Human Rights Federation – Call for Aid to Benefit Indigenous Children in Malaysia
> Dominic Langat, Penan from Long Tungan Baram – State Government Should Offer Preschool Education, Not Corporations
> Tan Bun Teet, the chairperson of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) – Environmental Groups Demand Clarity on Lynas Decision
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*Special Randau*
1. PRK DUN Jepak - The MACC is investigating a case involving a candidate distributing rice to voters. The Director of MACC Sarawak stated that they are currently investigating a public complaint related to the actions of the Aspirasi Party candidate, Chieng Lea Phing, who distributed 1000 bags of rice to the public.
2. A letter from the Deputy Director-General of Education Malaysia has gone viral, directing schools in Malaysia to organize a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian people's struggle and to keep schools away from international conflicts.
3. The Speaker of Parliament rejected the motion to refer Lim Guan Eng to the Parliamentary Committee on Rights and Freedoms during the budget debate. Lim argued that Wan Faizai's (PN-Machang) proposal to print more money would lead the country into the valley of destruction. Wan Faizai submitted a motion to refer Lim to the Committee.
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Bill Jugah, President of the Independent Coalition of Sarawak Natives
*A Call for Neutrality: Keeping Schools Out of International Conflicts*
Regarding the letter from the Malaysian deputy director general of education instructing all schools in Malaysia to organize a solidarity week in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people on this (29 Oct to 3 Nov). Bill said- don't waste the teachers' time, money and energy on useless activities. We should all keep schools away from international conflicts such as the war between Israel and Palestine. Schools should return to their original purpose of educating children about values, understanding, tolerance and avoiding extremist attitudes. The conflict between Palestine and Israel has a long history. Encouraging young people to support one side is a bad idea. Regarding the support of the Malaysian government and PMX supporting Palestine. According to Bill Jugah. The actions of politicians should be read through two lines. PMX may want to kill the arguments of supporters of extremist factions such as PAS and take the hearts of Muslim countries for investment and political support.
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Peter John Jaban, Deputy President Global Human Rights Federation
*Call for Aid to Benefit Indigenous Children in Malaysia*
PJJ strongly objected to the instruction letter from the Ministry of Education asking schools across the country to organize a week of solidarity to support the struggle of the Palestinian people. He requested that the order be withdrawn immediately. According to PJJ- school students do not need to be dragged into war and political conflict. Students should not be taught to hate. Schools and the Malaysian government should not favor any of the parties facing war to avoid global enmity. Why Malaysia and PMX support Palestine and send financial aid. According to PJJ- that action is also a wrong action. If the aid is for humanitarian purposes. It is obligatory for Malaysia to help both sides. However according to PJJ. Instead of channeling aid to the outside world. The aid should be channeled to the children of the Aboriginal people who live in poverty.
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Dominic Langat, Penan from Long Tungan Baram
*State Government Should Offer Preschool Education, Not Corporations*
Borneo Post reported that since 2016, Petronas has invested RM2.75 million in constructing five preschools in Penan settlements located in the Ulu Baram's Tutoh/Apoh area. The construction was completed in 2020, and in 2019, Petronas also finished the construction of Tadika Sedidik Long Jenalong. These preschools are now under the management of Sedidik Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Sarawak Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development, which underscores Petronas's commitment to the education and development of the Penan community.
Dominic Langat, a Penan from Long Tungan Baram, is puzzled about the GPS State Education Department's decision not to directly build schools in interior villages but instead to allow companies to construct schools and then hand them over to the Education Department for management. He is also wondering if there are any specific conditions attached to this arrangement.
He highlights that in inland areas, especially in villages like Penan, children have limited access to preschool education. In some cases, NGOs provide early childhood education in these villages. Dominic questions why the State Education Department doesn't provide schools with preschool education and instead relies on external assistance for places like Penan.
Dominic hopes that the GPS government will prioritize the education of children, especially those in interior areas. He emphasizes the importance of preschool education, as a weak foundation can lead to difficulties in keeping up with progress and learning when transitioning to primary school.
Dominic Langat is raising questions about the indirect method of building schools in interior villages through companies and the lack of direct provision of preschool education by the State Education Department, particularly in areas like Penan. He stresses the significance of early childhood education for the educational development of children, especially those in interior regions.
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Tan Bun Teet, the chairperson of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL)
*Environmental Groups Demand Clarity on Lynas Decision*
Prior to assuming office, the Madani Government enjoyed extensive political support, with figures like PMX rallying behind their campaign to halt Lynas operations. However, the actualization of these promises seemed to fall short when the newly formed government initially declined Lynas's request to continue importing raw materials.
Tan Bun Teet, the chairperson of Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL), expressed his perspective on this matter. Additionally, the government rejected the proposal to impose conditions on the primary process of cracking and leaching, which results in the production of waste leach purification (WLP). Over the course of 12 years of operation, Lynas had accumulated approximately 1.6 million tons of radioactive waste situated behind its Luna factory.
Nonetheless, just recently, the Minister made a surprising announcement. The Minister declared that Lynas would be permitted to maintain its operations, citing Lynas's claim that they had discovered a method to separate radioactive thorium from the WLP. However, this announcement carries some uncertainty, as Lynas has not yet established a proven mechanism for this separation. Despite the assertion of a local university professor claiming research on thorium separation from WLP, a Google search does not produce evidence of an existing, successful separation method. Consequently, this situation remains unconfirmed.
In light of these developments, environmental groups are urging the government to provide an explanation for their decision to permit Lynas to retain its cracking and leaching facility in Gebeng, Kuantan.
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