22 August 2024
On Today Show
— Apai May, Residents of Kampung Tangap, Niah – Villagers Clash with WTK Over Unfulfilled Promises in Suai Niah Palm Oil Dispute
— Anyi Lah from Long Tebangan, Baram – Tragic Boat Capsize Highlights Urgent Infrastructure Needs in Sarawak's Remote Villages
— Celine Lim, Manager of Save Rivers – Baram Peace Park: Indigenous-Led Conservation Efforts Threatened by Ongoing Logging
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Apai May, Penduduk Kampung Tangap, Niah – Pertelagahan Penduduk Kampung dengan WTK Mengenai Janji yang Tidak Ditepati dalam Pertikaian Sawit Suai Niah
— Anyi Lah dari Long Tebangan, Baram – Kecelakaan Bot yang Tragis Menyorot Keperluan Infrastruktur yang Mendesak di Kampung-Kampung Terpencil di Sarawak
— Celine Lim, Pengurus Save Rivers – Taman Damai Baram: Usaha Pemuliharaan yang Dipimpin oleh Orang Asli Terancam oleh Pembalakan yang Berterusan
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Special Randau
1. Riots and attacks that occurred at the WTK Suai Niah company's palm oil plantation because a group of residents were not satisfied with the company not returning the 30% yield as promised. This is according to a source who declined to be named. However, information and reports on social media are still unclear and the police advise the public not to speculate on the news.
2. Palestinians treated in Malaysia will not stay in Malaysia. They are more willing to die in their own country. That is according to the Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia, Wahid Abu Ali. Wahid was surprised by the negative reaction of some Malaysians to the initiative to help treat the injured Palestinians. According to Wahid - the matter should be seen from a humanitarian point of view, not a political point of view.
3. Najib took over 1MDB because of responsibility and not because of greed - this is the defense argument by Najib's main lawyer - Mohammad Shafee Abdullah. Najib is being tried for 4 cases of abuse of power and 21 cases of money laundering of RM2.27 billion from 1mdb.
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Apai May, Residents of Kampung Tangap, Niah
Villagers Clash with WTK Over Unfulfilled Promises in Suai Niah Palm Oil Dispute
Kampung Apai May is located 1 hour away from the WTK palm oil plantation that was recently attacked by a group of villagers. But according to Apai May, outsiders don't really know about the attack because the WTK farm is located far from the main road.
However, according to Apai May, WTK owns 3 palm oil plantations in Suai Niah and has been operating for over 10 years. For this time the police have arrested 3 people who committed attacks and damage in the offices and residences of WTK farm workers and according to internal information - the police are still hunting for 4 more people.
According to an informant to RFS who refused to be named, the attack was not carried out by the entire village population. It is done by a small group only. It was done because of dissatisfaction with unfulfilled promises. The agreement in question is - residents will be paid 30% of the revenue from the WTK farm in Suai Niah to the villagers who own the land. But after more than 10 years have passed. The company claims that the company is still in losses and has not been able to pay the revenue as intended. The company has paid the residents but not as expected. Because the residents were not satisfied, they picked their own palm fruit and sold it. When this situation is known to WTK. WTK claimed that the parties involved were thieves and brought their own thugs to prevent and drive away the parties involved. However, the party accused of stealing responded by attacking the WTK farm.
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Anyi Lah from Long Tebangan, Baram
Tragic Boat Capsize Highlights Urgent Infrastructure Needs in Sarawak's Remote Villages
Sungai Kayan in Lundu has recently become a focal point of concern due to tragic events and ongoing infrastructural issues affecting the residents of Kampung Selampit. The river, a critical waterway for the villagers, was the site of a devastating boat capsize that resulted in the disappearance and drowning of several individuals. This incident has highlighted the urgent need for improved infrastructure in the area.
In similar circumstances, Mr. Anyi from Long Tebangan, Baram, who frequently transports food supplies to remote schools like Long Lutong, has pointed out the severe infrastructural shortcomings in Sarawak's interior regions. Despite Sarawak being a high-income state, many remote villages still rely on dangerous boat crossings, particularly during the rainy season when rivers like the Baram become large and swift.
Long Luteng School, for example, depends entirely on boat services for transporting goods. The situation is exacerbated by a damaged suspension bridge that is no longer safe to use. This issue, which has been brought to the attention of local representatives, remains unresolved. Mr. Anyi has criticized the government's reliance on logging companies, which are no longer operational, and has urged the Sarawak government to take proactive measures to support the people.
He emphasizes that waiting for another tragic incident, like the one at Sungai Kayan, to prompt action is not acceptable. The government should prioritize building essential infrastructure such as bridges to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in remote areas. This proactive approach is crucial to prevent further loss of life and to address the pressing needs of Sarawak's underserved communities.
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Celine Lim, Manager of Save Rivers
Baram Peace Park: Indigenous-Led Conservation Efforts Threatened by Ongoing Logging
The establishment of the Baram Peace Park, an indigenous-led initiative aimed at protecting the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Sarawak's last area of pristine primary forest in the upper Baram region, has hit a significant roadblock due to continued logging activities. The proposed park, covering approximately 283,500 hectares—nearly 3.89 times the size of Singapore—is a crucial effort to preserve Sarawak’s environmental and cultural legacy.
However, logging continues in many areas within the park's proposed boundaries, which poses a major challenge to the park's establishment, according to Save Rivers. The organization supports the creation of the park and is deeply concerned about the ongoing deforestation, particularly in the core zones that are meant to remain untouched to protect the most sensitive and valuable ecosystems.
The state government is in a difficult position because it cannot simply withdraw the timber licenses without facing legal repercussions. The licences were issued long before the idea for the park was mooted by the Penans living in the area. So, the whole process is now in the hands of the government.
The core zones of the park are intended to remain intact, serving as sanctuaries for the region's biodiversity and as a means of preserving the indigenous cultural heritage. Yet, despite the ongoing logging activities, local communities, including those in Ba Data Bila, continue to advocate for their rights and for stakeholder ownership to be respected.