27 November 2023
On Today Show
> Jeffridin Baudi, the Resident Representative of Sabah Forest Industry Housing Park – SFI Housing Estate Residents' Dilemma: Seeking Justice and Support
> Wesley from Belaga – Ensuring Fairness: The Call for Transparent Fund Utilization in Villages
> Barnie Lasimbang, Founder of Tonibung – Tonibung's Vision: Amplifying Community Voices through Renewable Energy
> Chris Lau, independent Journalist from Sarawak – Communication Revolution: Addressing Network Gaps in Sarawak's Budget Plans
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Jeffridin Baudi, Wakil Penduduk Taman Perumahan Industri Hutan Sabah - Dilema Penduduk Taman Perumahan SFI: Mencari Keadilan dan Sokongan
> Wesley dari Belaga - Memastikan Keadilan: Seruan untuk Penggunaan Dana yang Telus di Kampung
> Barnie Lasimbang, Pengasas Tonibung - Visi Tonibung: Memperkuat Suara Komuniti melalui Tenaga Boleh Baharu (TBB)
> Chris Lau, Wartawan Bebas dari Sarawak - Revolusi Komunikasi: Mengatasi Kesenjangan Rangkaian dalam Pelan Belanjawan Sarawak
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*Special Randau*
1. During the annual PKR Congress, PMX announced an allocation of RM100,000 for each village and longhouse in Malaysia through the Smart Community Program. A total allocation of RM1 billion for each village and longhouse is available for proposals on suitable projects in their communities.
2. The Malaysia-Singapore Submarine Cable Project will pass through the Muri-Midai Corridor, covering 80% of the area in Indonesia and 20% in Malaysia. The agreement related to the Muri-Midai Corridor was signed in 1983. Malaysia is set to sell 1000MW of power to Indonesia, as disclosed by Sarawak's Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi, during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly session today. The question arises: why export clean energy when the country itself relies on sources such as coal, diesel, and gas?
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Jeffridin Baudi, the Resident Representative of Sabah Forest Industry Housing Park
*SFI Housing Estate Residents' Dilemma: Seeking Justice and Support*
Through a media release dated November 26, 2023, that the Sabah State Government has emerged victorious in the 13,000-hectare land dispute case. The court ruled that Grant Thorn (GT) was a trespasser, and the state government's acquisition of the land was deemed complete.
Consequently, GT, its agents, and staff are required to vacate the land immediately to facilitate the implementation of forest sustainability, research, and conservation programs by the Sabah state government. Jeffridin emphasized that any disputes between the state government and external parties should not adversely affect the workers of Sabah Forest Industry (SFI). Many SFI employees have dedicated 20 to 30 years to the organization, and some are elderly and fragile.
According to available information, an eviction notice will be issued shortly, and Jeffridin appeals to the Chief Minister of Sabah and other leaders entrusted with the welfare of the people to provide assistance. He urges them to prepare a place for the affected individuals to relocate. Highlighting that the residents of the SFI housing estate are also citizens with rights, Jeffridin expresses concern that the state government appears to view the matter solely from a business profit and loss perspective.
He reminds the authorities that the affected individuals are the people of Sabah, entitled to basic facilities as human beings and deserving of compensation if they lose their jobs. A total of 647 families residing in the SFI Housing Estate, all of them former SFI factory workers, are affected by this decision.
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Barnie Lasimbang, Founder of Tonibung
*Tonibung's Vision: Amplifying Community Voices through Renewable Energy*
Barnie Lasimbang is currently in Geneva attending the 12th United Nations Business and Human Rights Forum. Tonibung has recently been recognized with the ORG Impact Award by international organizations for its work in the NGO sector.
Barnie shares that, the initiative serves as a source of encouragement for them, as Tonibung has been actively involved in renewable energy for over two decades. The award symbolizes recognition for their efforts in Sabah, Sarawak, and West Malaysia, providing a platform for the promotion of renewable energy, including micro-hydro and solar solutions.
Beyond recognition, this award is a means of encouragement for them to persist in their efforts. Despite facing challenges, especially in combating mega projects planned by the government that impact communities and leave them with no choice for sustainable projects, Tonibung remains dedicated. Their goal is to continue providing a platform to amplify the voices of these communities, especially regarding their rights.
With this recognition, they aim to extend their support to more communities. Additionally, they hope to secure more funding from corporations, NGOs, and ultimately, the government.
**Tonibung is an indigenous-led NGO developing sustainable alternatives to rural electrification, which is based in Penampang, Sabah.
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Wesley from Belaga
*Ensuring Fairness: The Call for Transparent Fund Utilization in Villages*
Yesterday, Anwar Ibrahim stated at the PKR Congress that there will be an allocation of RM50,000 to RM100,000 aimed at empowering villages, rural areas, longhouses, and urban housing. For those in the inland areas, this is seen as excellent news, providing an opportunity to effectively utilize the funds for the development of inland villages.
However, many are concerned that if these funds are handed over to village heads for management, politically biased village leaders might misuse the allocation, leading to a lack of proper development within the villages. Wesley expressed that in many inland areas, village heads often act as puppets for the GPS, and corruption issues frequently arise in the use of funds. Using his village as an example, he pointed out instances where a road was supposed to be fully constructed, but only half was completed, leaving the other section unfinished. He finds it illogical to allocate funds for only half of a road.
Wesley is calling for the establishment of a Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) within each village, emphasizing that the committee should be free from the influence of village heads' relatives to ensure fair, transparent, and effective use of allocated funds for village development.
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Chris Lau, independent Journalist from Sarawak
*Communication Revolution: Addressing Network Gaps in Sarawak's Budget Plans*
Sarawak is set to bring forth its largest annual budget within the year 2024 - RM12.36 billion. Chris believes that this data indicates the initiation of numerous large-scale projects. He emphasizes that while such projects may require several years for completion, it is crucial for them to be executed within the planned timeframe, avoiding delays or incomplete results.
Chris considers communication infrastructure as the most vital among the various projects. This is because there are still many areas in Sarawak without reliable internet access or communication facilities, which he deems unreasonable in the context of the 21st century. He urges the Sarawak government not to overlook the networking needs of inland regions.
Furthermore, he notes that although key points from the state assembly can be found in newspapers, the absence of live broadcasts on Sarawak Television is perplexing. He questions why the Sarawak State Assembly sessions are not broadcast live on the national television network to enable a wider audience to tune in.