21 June 2024
On Today Show
— Ricklend, the spokesperson for PACOS (Partners of Community Organisations Sabah) – Potential Scandal in Sabah's Carbon Trading: Indigenous Rights at Risk
— Nick Kelesau, Penan Activist – Crony Companies Still Threaten Indigenous Land Rights in Sarawak, Says Activist
— Paulus Jahin of JOAS Sabah – Nine-Year Struggle Ends in Triumph for Tongod's Land Rights
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Ricklend, jurucakap PACOS (Rakan-rakan Organisasi Komuniti Sabah) – Skandal Potensi dalam Perdagangan Karbon di Sabah: Hak Asasi Orang Asal Terancam
— Nick Kelesau, Aktivis Penan – Syarikat Kroni Masih Mengancam Hak Tanah Orang Asal di Sarawak, Kata Aktivis
— Paulus Jahin dari JOAS Sabah – Perjuangan Sembilan Tahun Berakhir dengan Kemenangan untuk Hak Tanah Tongod
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Special Randau
1. The Dayak Forum organized by RFS in collaboration with the Tering Association will be held on June 29 and 30, 2024, at Mayymall Miri. Everyone is invited to attend. Communities from all over Sarawak will be present to voice their opinions. See you there.2. Jok Jau Ivong-SAM warns the Sarawak government that large-scale mining will damage Sarawak's environment. The Sarawak government plans to bring Canadian mining technology to mine metals worth RM1.25 trillion from the depths of Sarawak. A few months ago, the Sarawak government also announced the construction of 10 more hydroelectric dams in Sarawak. Even now, severe environmental damage is evident in Sarawak, said Jok Jau, as quoted by The Vibers.
3. Members of Parliament receive a pension reaching RM30,000 per month for life. It's shameful and disproportionate to their contributions, said former Bersih chairperson Ambiga. Previously, the Prime Minister stated that, morally, a Member of Parliament is only entitled to one pension. There are Members of Parliament who have served only one term but enjoy a lifelong pension, and if they hold positions as ministers or speakers, they will receive multiple pensions.
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Ricklend, the spokesperson for PACOS (Partners of Community Organisations Sabah)
*Potential Scandal in Sabah's Carbon Trading: Indigenous Rights at Risk*Ricklend raised concerns about the upcoming Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) bill that will be presented in parliament at the end of this year, stating that it will not apply to Sabah, according to Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Jeffery Kitingan. He emphasized that there is a clear separation in the constitution that places land and forests under the state's jurisdiction. Ricklend questioned how carbon trading agreements are signed, whether they involve government-to-government (G2G) transactions or if they are open to anyone. If it involves G2G trade, it is impossible for CCUS not to be referenced when Sabah enters into agreements with foreign countries or companies.
Ricklend also questioned the Sabah state government's actions of hiding carbon trading agreements that have been signed secretly without involving the state government of Sabah, with only representatives from the government present. He stated that this is a suspicious beginning for carbon trading. If our land and forests are to be used for carbon trading, we must be officially informed, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be implemented first. We also want to know the economic benefits for our community. So far, the Sabah government has talked about carbon trading, but the people in the villages know nothing about it. We want detailed information and explanations to be given to the people of Sabah. To implement carbon trading, permission must be obtained from the indigenous communities who own the land, and agreements must be signed with their consent.
The Sabah state government must resolve land ownership issues in Sabah, which have not been settled until now. If these issues are not resolved, it is highly likely that carbon trading will become a fraudulent scandal that will disadvantage the people of Sabah. Both the state and federal governments must respect the rights of the people and adhere to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
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Nick Kelesau, Penan Activist
Crony Companies Still Threaten Indigenous Land Rights in Sarawak, Says Activist
Every August, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated, and this year at the national level, the celebration will be held in Bau, Kuching. According to Mr. Nick Kelesau, an indigenous person from Sarawak who often participates in the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples events, this program allows us to voice the demands and rights of the indigenous people. Until now, indigenous rights have not been preserved by the government due to the ongoing problem of NCR land seizures for crony companies that continue to rob the rights of the indigenous people. Mr. Nick believes that this is because crony licenses are still being issued for logging and plantation projects. What can the indigenous people do? Because the licenses approved by government agencies empower these crony companies, making them feel invincible and allowing them to continue their activities on indigenous land.
Additionally, the system for documenting indigenous people is also not given attention, which is why so many indigenous people still do not have identification cards, and their rights as citizens are often denied. For example, when an indigenous couple wanted to register their marriage certificate at the Baram Long Lama District Office, they were told to go to Miri. Upon arriving in Miri, they were directed to Marudi, and upon arriving in Marudi, there was no data in the system. This has made their lives difficult as it feels like they have no rights in their own state.
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Paulus Jahin of JOAS Sabah
Nine-Year Struggle Ends in Triumph for Tongod's Land Rights
In 2016, Paulus Jahin led the Tongod community in a legal battle over their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land. In 2018, the Tongod community was granted a communal land title for an area designated as a campsite for the construction of a main road. While the community was waiting for the land to be surveyed for individual lots, a company entered the area without their consent in 2021. The community wondered why the company built a basecamp there. Paulus led the community to discuss the matter with the company, which claimed to have been appointed by the state government via JKR to construct the road. Despite the community already winning their NCR land in 2016, the company proceeded to build the basecamp.
The company insisted that the area belonged to the government and that the government could reclaim the land for public purposes at any time. The company, Lestari Sdn Bhd, actually has ties with politicians. The communities were not objecting to the construction but questioned why the rentals were given to someone else. The 2,000 acres belong to three villages, so why did other people receive the rentals? As a result, the communities took legal action against the company via Mr. Kong's legal firm last year. The trial took place last February, and the decision was made yesterday in favor of the communities.
This victory marks the end of a nine-year struggle for the Tongod community to reclaim their land rights. The court's decision validates their claim and ensures that the community's rights are recognized and respected. It is a significant achievement for the villagers, who can now look forward to securing their land and receiving the benefits they deserve. The case highlights the importance of protecting indigenous land rights and ensuring that any developments or agreements involving such lands are made transparently and with the consent of the rightful owners.