21 May 2024
On Today Show
— Nicholas Mujah, Environmental Activist and Secretary General of SADIA – Sarawak’s Environmental Autonomy Must Meet Global Standards
— Agnes Padan, a citizenship activist from Lawas – The Unfairness of Excluding Third-Generation Sarawak Natives from Aid
— Meneng Biris, PKR Mas Gading – Accessibility vs. Permanence: Debating Sarawak’s Mobile Legal Aid Program
Pada Rancangan Hari Ini
— Nicholas Mujah, Aktivis Alam Sekitar dan Setiausaha Agung SADIA – Autonomi Alam Sekitar Sarawak Mesti Mematuhi Standard Global
— Agnes Padan, aktivis kewarganegaraan dari Lawas – Ketidakadilan Mengecualikan Generasi Ketiga Anak Jati Sarawak daripada Bantuan
— Meneng Biris, PKR Mas Gading – Aksesibiliti vs. Permanen: Perdebatan Program Bantuan Guaman Bergerak Sarawak
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*Special Randau*
1. The founder and editor of Sarawak Report, CRB, expects that she might be imprisoned for a longer period compared to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was found guilty in the 1MDB scandal. Previously, the media reported that CRB was sentenced to two years in prison by Magistrate NIK Mohd Tarmizie Nik Mohd Shukri (in a trial held in absentia). Clare was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code for allegedly defaming the Sultanah of Terengganu in her book, "The Sarawak Report: The Inside Story of the 1MDB Exposé."
2. The PAS party also fosters religious extremism, according to the Chairman of Parti AMANAH Federal Territory, Khalid Samad. According to Khalid, PAS has long propagated the idea that Islam is under threat and has continuously played on racial issues. Although AMANAH appreciates PAS's stance in defending DAP MP Teresa Kok from death threats, the hate campaigns and narratives of Islam being under threat propagated by the party foster religious extremism.
3. Full environmental autonomy for Sarawak comes with heavy responsibilities. Sarawak does not need to comply with federal standards, but it must adhere to international standards to ensure its export commodities are accepted in international markets.
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Nicholas Mujah, Environmental Activist and Secretary General of SADIA
*Sarawak’s Environmental Autonomy Must Meet Global Standards*
The return of full autonomous power regarding the environment to Sarawak is welcomed. This means Sarawak has full authority to carry out any activities related to the environment without needing approval from federal agencies. Starting this August, 160 staff from the Federal Department of Environment (DOE) in Sarawak will be absorbed and transferred to NREB. Full power regarding the environment does not mean that Sarawak can act as it pleases. Instead, all forestry and environmental activities in Sarawak must comply with international standards. Only by adhering to these internationally set standards will it ensure that Malaysian and Sarawakian trade commodities will be well received and not face sales restrictions, said Nicholas Mujah. The return of full autonomous power over the environment is a very heavy responsibility, given that all export commodities currently have standards set by global organizations at the international level. Therefore, Sarawak must strive diligently to meet these established international standards.
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Agnes Padan, a citizenship activist from Lawas
*The Unfairness of Excluding Third-Generation Sarawak Natives from Aid*
Agnes Padan disagrees with the statement made by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak that the third generation born outside Sarawak does not have the right to receive aid. According to Agnes, this will deny the rights of the third generation in the future. Even if one of their parents is an indigenous person from Sarawak, it is unfair to implement this rule. For example, if a third-generation child wants to return to their parent's place of origin in Sarawak, they might not be recognized as indigenous to Sarawak. This would be a significant loss for Sarawak, especially if the person possesses expertise such as being a doctor, engineer, and so on, which could contribute to Sarawak's development. Surely, the third generation would not be interested in contributing their expertise to Sarawak, and this would be a great loss.
Additionally, the online application for Bumiputera status in Sarawak should not be implemented during this restricted period, as it will silently erode the rights of the Dayak people in Sabah and Sarawak in the future. Bumiputera status leans more towards those who are Muslim. The Dayak people of Sarawak should not have their Dayak status disturbed.
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Meneng Biris, PKR Mas Gading
*Accessibility vs. Permanence: Debating Sarawak’s Mobile Legal Aid Program*
Meneng Biris commented that the government had launched the third 'Justice on Wheels' (JoW) program in Sarawak. This mobile legal clinic program aims to facilitate better access to legal aid, services, information, and benefits for those in rural areas, according to the Sarawak Federal Secretariate. The first two programs were in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
The JoW will run from June to October this year, covering the areas of Sri Aman, Lingga, Mukah, and Lundu Sematan.
Meneng believes that while this program is good, conducting it on a roadshow basis is not appropriate. Legal issues are not one-off events; they require a long process. Therefore, it would be better to place legal aid permanently in the premises of the District Office or District Council. This would be more convenient for rural communities to communicate with counsel or bring their documents when needed.