2 October 2024
On Today Show
— Micheal Mering Jok, General Secretary of SCRIPS (Sarawak Indigenous Rights Association) – Anger Grows as NCR Lands in Belaga Face Unlawful Invasion by Unknown Parties
— Jeffrery Ngui, Chairman of MUDA Sarawak – Vision or Overspend? Concerns Grow Over Sarawak’s Plan to Model Kapit After Bergen
— Jeffery Baudi, Resident Representative of SFI Housing Park – "What About Us?" Sipitang SFI Residents Demand Equal Land Rights
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Micheal Mering Jok, Setiausaha Agung SCRIPS (Persatuan Hak Orang Asal Sarawak) – Kemarahan Memuncak Apabila Tanah NCR di Belaga Diceroboh Secara Haram oleh Pihak Tidak Dikenali
— Jeffrery Ngui, Pengerusi MUDA Sarawak – Visi atau Pembaziran? Kebimbangan Meningkat Terhadap Rancangan Sarawak untuk Mencontohi Kapit Seperti Bergen
— Jeffery Baudi, Wakil Penduduk Taman Perumahan SFI – "Bagaimana Dengan Kami?" Penduduk SFI Sipitang Tuntut Hak Tanah yang Sama
-
Special Randau
1. Community leaders, tribal leaders, village leaders are involved in making illegal logging a success. There is a possibility that the local YB, government officials and certain villagers are involved because they want immediate remuneration. That's according to Micheal Mering Jok. He advised all these parties to repent before the villagers responded with violence to defend their rights.
2. Trial in the high court - case of money laundering and abuse of power of 1mdb worth rm2.27 billion. Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Ikram said all the actions of 1mdb CEO Sharol Azral Ibrahim were on the orders of Najib and Jho Low really existed and were in many chapters in the story of 1mdb. Jho Low was with Najib's family vacation, important petro-saudi meeting, at Najib's house in Langgak Duta including free entry and exit at Najib's office at the finance ministry.
------------------------
Micheal Mering Jok, General Secretary of SCRIPS (Sarawak Indigenous Rights Association)
Anger Grows as NCR Lands in Belaga Face Unlawful Invasion by Unknown Parties
According to Micheal, SCRIPS is reviewing the complaints received by it from the villagers, particularly in Belaga, Murum, Baram and Mulu related to the invasion by unknown parties entering NCR customary land and allegedly making land measurements and mapping. They did not get permission from the villagers -they do not show any valid documents from the authorities/government. Micheal is convinced that these parties are looking for new sites for illegal logging on the NCR land of the residents as well as possibly looking for valuable metals/minerals to steal. It is more unfortunate that these parties are given the cooperation of tribal leaders and some villagers who want immediate financial compensation. There is a possibility that the YB of the area is also involved or government officials who work with the forest department or the department that issues logging or plantation licenses. I want to warn these intruders and thieves to stop this act, because the anger of the villagers has reached its peak. Avoid unwanted incidents. Micheal appealed to the government to tighten monitoring and act decisively against corrupt officials. Please act decisively - Said Micheal Jok. Micheal called on the public to report immediately if they see a glimpse of foreigners/outsiders who are supposedly carrying equipment to measure villagers' land for development projects. Report to us and we will investigate- Said Micheal Jok. Lately Kampung Long Bangan Belaga (Kampung Micheal Jok) and Kampung Una Sambop Belaga reported that their land was encroached by the company MM Golden and UU Green Sdn.BHd.
------------------------
Jeffrery Ngui, Chairman of MUDA Sarawak
Vision or Overspend? Concerns Grow Over Sarawak’s Plan to Model Kapit After Bergen
The necessity of a Sarawak government delegation’s working tour to Norway next month has been called into question. The visit, aimed at understanding Bergen's development as a model for Kapit, has raised eyebrows among the public and political observers.
Jeffrey Ngui opines that these types of working tours are not new but have been practiced for decades. He points out that such tours often involve not only officials but also family members and relatives, with expenses claimed from the government. This practice, Ngui notes, has long been unchecked. "Until when will we find a solution or have a voice to ensure proper checks and balances?" he asks.
At present, Sarawak's State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has only two opposition seats, both from the Democratic Action Party (DAP). However, with DAP now part of the MADANI bloc, some fear this limited representation hinders effective opposition. YB Chong, a DAP leader, has previously remarked on how restricted the opposition’s platform is for voicing concerns.
To ensure proper checks and balances on government expenditures, like this proposed Norway tour, Ngui argues there needs to be a stronger opposition presence. “If we want to hold the government accountable for all its expenses, we must have enough opposition seats to challenge such decisions.”
Ngui also questions the logic behind modeling Kapit after Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway. "Why are we aiming to make Kapit like Bergen, or, for that matter, Lundu like Dubai and Sematan like Hawaii?" he asks, referencing past government comparisons. While Ngui respects these ambitious visions, he stresses the importance of realistic and well-planned implementation, starting with responsible spending and proper long-term planning. Without that, he fears such goals may remain unattainable.
In conclusion, Ngui calls for wise spending and a strategic approach to development that is rooted in practicality, along with stronger oversight to ensure the government’s spending aligns with the needs and priorities of the people.
------------------------
Jeffery Baudi, Resident Representative of SFI Housing Park
"What About Us?" Sipitang SFI Residents Demand Equal Land Rights
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor recently announced that part of the former Sabah Forest Industries (SFI) forest estate will be allocated as a village, with several thousand hectares designated for residents. This move aims to provide a solution for villagers in the former paper mill forest estate. He also directed the Sabah Land and Survey Department to implement the Sabah Native Customary Land Services Programme (PANTAS), which is designed to address long-standing land disputes by surveying and granting land titles to rightful owners who have long occupied and cultivated these areas.
However, this announcement has sparked frustration among SFI residents in Sipitang, particularly from Jeffrey Baudi, who questioned why the allocated land was only given to the residents in Tenom and not in Sipitang. "What about us?" Baudi asked, expressing the disappointment felt by many in Sipitang who have been waiting for a resolution to their land concerns.
Jeffrey Baudi pointed out that SFI owns over 288 hectares of forest land, and for the residents of Sipitang, the transfer of this land would be a significant step toward resolving the ongoing land dispute that has plagued them for years. According to Baudi, many SFI residents in Sipitang still feel like outsiders, living on land without clear ownership or rights. He argued that the residents of Sipitang deserve the same treatment as those in Tenom and should also be awarded land that they have long occupied.
Jeffrey Baudi plans to formally request the Sabah Chief Minister to consider awarding land to the SFI residents in Sipitang, similar to the recent land allocation for the people of Tenom. He believes that this would finally address the long-standing grievances and provide much-needed security for the residents in his community.