28 November 2023
On Today Show
> Samaruddin Ajing, Residents of Muara Selebai Village, Betong-Sarawak – Ensuring Accountability: The Need for Annual Audits in Local Governance
> Abun Sui, PKR Sarawak Senator – A Call to End Unjust Practices in Aid Distribution
> Mr. Ragunath Kesavan, Suhakam commissioner – Unveiling Shadows: Suhakam's Urgent Call to Combat Human Trafficking in Malaysia
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Samaruddin Ajing, Penduduk Kampung Muara Selebai, Betong-Sarawak – Peruntukan RM 100K: Keperluan Audit Tahunan
> Abun Sui, Senator PKR Sarawak – Seruan untuk Mengakhiri Amalan Tidak Adil dalam Pengagihan Bantuan
> Mr. Ragunath Kesavan, Pesuruhjaya Suhakam – Seruan Segera Suhakam untuk Memerangi Pemerdagangan Manusia di Malaysia
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*Special Randau*
1. Each village and longhouse JKKK account must be audited every year. If there is any wrongdoing, the MACC should press charges. An allocation of RM100,000 for each longhouse should be used honestly and transparently.
2. Police arrest an individual offering RM5 million to assassinate PMX Anwar Ibrahim.
3. Member of Parliament for Bukit Gantang, a member of PPBM, openly expresses support for PMX.
4. Certificates for Sarawak timber show significant defects; NGOs warn international timber buyers not to purchase timber from the Samling company.
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Samaruddin Ajing, Residents of Muara Selebai Village, Betong-Sarawak
*Ensuring Accountability: The Need for Annual Audits in Local Governance*
Samaruddin welcomed the grant allocation of RM50-RM100K for each village and longhouse across the country under the Madani community program. The unity government has allocated RM1 billion overall to all villages and longhouses in the 2024 budget, allowing residents to decide on projects beneficial to them. Din hopes for government guidance in the planned economic ventures/projects of the villagers, emphasizing the need for marketing, packaging, and advisory services. Additionally, he calls for the annual audit of financial accounts of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK). However, he expresses concern for his area in Betong, where the majority of JKKK is dominated by GPS, and he fears that the project and allocation will also be controlled by GPS. Din cites an example where YB GPS is invited to the launch ceremony, making it appear as a state government effort despite federal government allocations through the Madani community program. He highlights past instances where the central government's initiatives, such as the JPJ masuk kampung program, were manipulated by YBYB GPS, urging vigilance from the administration of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against GPS's influence. Din concludes by emphasizing the need to recognize efforts from various sources, not just those praised by the people.
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Abun Sui, PKR Sarawak Senator
*A Call to End Unjust Practices in Aid Distribution*
In Sarawak, residents from rural areas are expressing concerns about unfair treatment and bias in the distribution of government aid and financial allocations by community chiefs. Abun Sui has drawn attention to reports indicating that certain community leaders are leveraging political affiliations when allocating government aid, leaving residents unaligned with their camps without assistance. He strongly emphasized the urgency of putting an end to such abuses of power, highlighting that personal disputes and political differences should not impede the fair distribution of aid.
Abun Sui elaborated on the federal government's process of channeling aid through specific programs, indicating that allocations are intended for distribution to rural populations in longhouses and villages through Sarawak ministries. Despite this structure, he observed instances where community chiefs selectively provide aid based on personal disputes and political affiliations, underscoring the need to terminate these detrimental practices.
Bringing attention to the upcoming Madani monetary allocations from Putrajaya, approved under Budget 2024 for the repair of homes in longhouses and villages, he urged that the funds be directed toward deserving individuals rather than being misused by community chiefs involved in political maneuvers. Additionally, Abun Sui called on state government leaders to enforce transparency measures and prevent the misuse of federal aid by unscrupulous community chiefs. The issue reflects the broader importance of ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of government aid to benefit all residents in rural Sarawak.
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Mr. Ragunath Kesavan, Suhakam commissioner
*Unveiling Shadows: Suhakam's Urgent Call to Combat Human Trafficking in Malaysia*
Rafunath of Suhakam has expressed deep concern about human trafficking in Malaysia, emphasizing its importance as an ongoing issue involving both women and men using false documents. This problem has persisted for many years. To tackle the issue head-on, Suhakam has urged the government to establish a special task force with higher authority to uncover the roots of the problem, identify the masterminds, and ensure that charges are brought against them.
One particularly troubling aspect is the plight of victims stranded at airports after completing immigration procedures without any employer coming to claim them, despite having paid significant agent fees. This prolonged issue is exacerbated by the demand for foreign workers in sectors such as plantations, factories, and restaurants, leading to difficulties in obtaining workers. The exploitation of those already in the country has become a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.
The lack of transparency in the system, coupled with the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for employers, contributes to the problem. Instead of following established procedures, employers often rely on agents, fostering a system that is conducive to exploitation. The current system's laxity is exploited by syndicates, possibly due to corruption within the system. Swift action is needed to address these issues and establish a more transparent and accountable framework to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable workers.