23 May 2024
On Today Show
— Dominic Langat, Resident of Long Tungan Baram – Sarawak's Carbon Trading Plan Criticized for Potential Land Ownership Issues
— Robert, social activist from Bintulu – Criticism Arises Over Unfulfilled Promises in Sarawak's Rural Development
— Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth Kuching chief – Supporting Healthcare Needs: DAP's Ongoing Advocacy for Better Social Welfare
Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Dominic Langat, Penduduk Long Tungan Baram - Kritikan Terhadap Pelan Perdagangan Karbon Sarawak Kerana Isu Pemilikan Tanah Potensial
- Robert, aktivis sosial dari Bintulu - Kritikan Muncul Berhubung Janji-janji yang Belum Dipenuhi dalam Pembangunan Luar Bandar Sarawak
- Michael Kong Feng Nian, Ketua Pemuda Sosialis Parti Tindakan Demokratik Kuching - Sokongan kepada Keperluan Penjagaan Kesihatan: Usaha Berterusan DAP untuk Kesejahteraan Sosial yang Lebih Baik
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*Special Randau*
1. The application for carbon trading licenses will be opened starting from December 2024. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Sarawak's Ministry of Environment Sustainability. Dominic Langat described the minister's statement as a promotion that is "too good to be true." He stated that no ordinary Sarawakian owns 100 hectares of titled land.
2. The Member of Parliament for Pasir Gudang commends the PMX for daring to end diesel subsidies for the T20 group, referring to those with a monthly income of RM15,000. By doing so, the government has successfully saved RM4 billion ringgit annually. Overall, the government spends RM80 billion annually to finance bulk subsidies.
3. 1MDB sues Patrick Mahony, the chief investment officer of Petrosaudi, for $1.83 billion. Mahony and a UK-based law firm are being sued in Malaysian civil court to force them to return the $1.83 billion invested in a joint venture in 2009.
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Dominic Langat, Resident of Long Tungan Baram.
*Sarawak's Carbon Trading Plan Criticized for Potential Land Ownership Issues*
Today, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Sustainability Sarawak, Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni, announced that applications for carbon trading licenses will be open to the people of Sarawak starting in December 2024. All Sarawakians are encouraged to participate, provided they own at least 100 hectares of titled individual land or surveyed and titled NCR land. For owners of smaller plots, land can be consolidated to reach the minimum size of 100 hectares. Hazland Abang Hipni made this statement while officiating the Sarawak Sustainable Seminar at the state auditorium in Kuching.
The invitation and promotion of carbon trading, as stated by the Deputy Minister, seem "too good to be true." I question how many ordinary Sarawakians own 100 hectares of titled individual land, except for YBs (elected representatives) or wealthy conglomerates. Our NCR land has yet to be surveyed by the GPS Sarawak government. Or maybe GPS is setting a trap? We are encouraged to survey our NCR land under Section 6 (to participate in carbon trading), which may ultimately lead to our land being converted to state or communal land ownership. All these possibilities could happen.
Before promoting carbon trading, the Sarawak government should first resolve the issue of NCR land ownership throughout Sarawak. Once all land has owners and titles, it is up to individuals to join carbon trading if it proves profitable. For us villagers, we are tired of being deceived. Previously, the government promoted grouped oil palm planting through the LCDA (Land Custody and Development Authority) with a shared approach (merging small land lots). But what we know today is that the LCDA oil palm plantations make millions in profits, yet there are no returns for the participants. Participants in LCDA-managed oil palm cultivation remain poor to this day. Will this carbon trading also end the same way? Even if there is a binding agreement, there is still a likelihood that we will be deceived. - Dominic Langat.
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Robert, social activist from Bintulu
*Criticism Arises Over Unfulfilled Promises in Sarawak's Rural Development*
The Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg, saying that the state government is focusing specifically on bridging the development gap between urban and rural areas. It including upgrading and improving infrastructure development, access to healthcare, educational opportunities, as well as expanding broadband networks, internet coverage, and digital services to rural communities, said Deputy Premier Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
However, social activist Mr. Robert from Bintulu described Douglas Uggah's statement as mere sugarcoating. He argued that despite Sarawak being under the same administration for 60 years, the development provided by GPS remains significantly lacking. For example, in Sebauh, Bintulu, which has produced many leaders for Sarawak, there is still only one clinic and not a single hospital for the people of Sebauh. This clearly shows that GPS is good at making promises and giving hope to the people but fails to fulfill them.
"Enough with deceiving the people," he said. "The wealth of Sarawak is not for the people, but for GPS in general."
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Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth Kuching chief
*Supporting Healthcare Needs: DAP's Ongoing Advocacy for Better Social Welfare*
The Democratic Action Party (DAP) is committed to advocating for improvements in healthcare and social welfare issues affecting Malaysians.
One of the party’s primary goals is to ease the financial strain on families. For example, Kong recently handed over financial assistance to a recipient whose husband had been hospitalized for 57 days due to a hemorrhage and subsequent brain surgery. Since his discharge, he remains bedridden and requires constant care, including feeding through a tube, which incurs significant expenses, such as RM1,500 per month for specialized milk powder.
With her husband unable to work, Madam Chai has become the sole breadwinner for her family. Despite working at a hardware store near her home, Chai faces immense pressure to provide for her family, including a recently adopted three-year-old child, whom her elderly mother assists in caring for during the day. In addition to daily expenses, Chai also has to cover household bills and her housing loan.
Although her husband had purchased Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance (MRTA) insurance for their home, the insurer has indicated that they will only disburse the insurance entitlement after monitoring his medical condition for six months. This leaves Madam Chai responsible for full loan installments in the interim.
To alleviate Madam Chai’s financial burden, DAP provided her with a financial allocation and encouraged her to inform the party of any further difficulties so they can explore additional avenues of assistance. This action reflects DAP's dedication to supporting individuals like Chai and fighting for broader healthcare improvements to ensure better support for all Malaysians.
In contrast, Kong highlighted that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) still needs to work hard to address shortcomings in the healthcare system. The current gaps and inefficiencies demonstrate the need for GPS to intensify their efforts in improving healthcare services and ensuring that all citizens have access to necessary medical care and financial support during health crises.
By addressing such cases, DAP aims to highlight the critical need for enhanced healthcare and social welfare systems in Malaysia, continuing their advocacy for meaningful reforms and financial support for those in need.