29 August 2024
On Today Show
— Gereng Jadum - Spokesperson for Penan Murum – Sudden Layoffs at Danum Sinar: Penan Workers Fight for Their Rights
— Komeok Joe, CEO and Founder of Keruan – Ba Data Bila Penan Call for Government Intervention on Logging Activities
— Agnes Padan, Activist from Lawas – Children of Mixed Marriages See Improvements in IC Application Process
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Gereng Jadum - Jurucakap Penan Murum – Pemberhentian Mendadak di Danum Sinar: Pekerja Penan Berjuang untuk Hak Mereka
— Komeok Joe, CEO dan Pengasas Keruan – Penan dari Ba Data Bila Menyeru Campur Tangan Kerajaan Terhadap Aktiviti Pembalakan
— Agnes Padan, Aktivis dari Lawas – Anak dari Perkahwinan Campur Melihat Penambahbaikan dalam Proses Permohonan IC
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Special Randau
1. Tarek Obaid was jailed for 7 years and Patrick Mahony was jailed for 6 years by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court for their role in embezzling the funds of 1 mdb. They were accused of creating a false impression that the Saudi Arabian government supported their company, in a joint effort to convince the 1mdb board of directors to establish a joint venture with their company in 2009.2. The 126 Penan workers who were dismissed by the Danum Sinar plantation company in Murum Sarawak and replaced by foreign workers without valid work permits is an injustice and a violation of the law, according to Murum Penan spokesman Gereng Jadum.
3. Sarawak should be ashamed of destroying the environment, instead of proudly claiming to have succeeded in planting 35 million trees. Sarawak continues to actively grant timber concessions to the main timber companies in Sarawak, in addition to PL for Palm oil plantations and plans to build 10 more hydro dams. In a speech during the launch of the Asia-Pacific regional conference on forest landscape restoration, Sarawak's deputy premier Awang Tengah claimed that Sarawak is an example and leader in forest conservation because it successfully planted 35 million trees before 2025.
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Gereng Jadum - Spokesperson for Penan Murum
Sudden Layoffs at Danum Sinar: Penan Workers Fight for Their Rights
Gereng provided an update regarding the case of 126 Penan Murum workers who were suddenly dismissed by the Danum Sinar Palm Oil Plantation company, citing the closure of two plantations where they worked. The two plantations in question are Kelayan Plantation and Lakin Plantation. Three days ago, the lawyer representing the Penan workers informed that the company is willing to pay compensation to the dismissed workers, calculated at 20 days per year and paid at RM57.69 per day. This means that each worker is entitled to compensation of RM1,153.80 multiplied by the number of years worked. For those who worked for 6 years, they will receive RM6,922.80, while those who worked for 4 years will receive RM4,615.20.
The Penan workers reluctantly accepted this compensation because the amount is very small, and Danum Sinar refuses to pay 3 months' salary for the sudden termination, even though it had been agreed upon in previous discussions. The Penan community is appealing to Danum Sinar to be given contracts in the remaining plantations so they can continue their livelihood.
The process of collecting palm fruits in the supposedly closed Lakin and Kelayan Plantations will be carried out by Indonesian workers without valid work permits and by the remaining 86 Penan workers still employed. These remaining workers are still working in Jabon Plantation and Marong 1 and 2 Plantations, which are also owned by Danum Sinar.
"We will continue to demand the 3 months' salary for the sudden termination. We will refer this matter to the Sarawak Department of Labour," said Gereng.
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Komeok Joe, CEO and Founder of Keruan
*Ba Data Bila Penan Call for Government Intervention on Logging Activities*Last Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Komeok led a group of Penan from Ba Data Bila in upper Baram to submit a petition to Deputy Premier Awang Tengah. The Premier was not in the country at the time. The group also held a small symbolic protest by displaying placards during the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape for Restoration. The conference took place in Kuching on Tuesday. The team also submitted the petition to the Director of the Forest Department during the event. Yesterday, they had a meeting with Suhakam Sarawak, where the Suhakam Commissioner agreed to pay a visit to the logging site in Ba Data Bila, upper Baram.
The petition highlights the serious logging activities occurring in Ba Data Bila and Suling Selaan, which are destroying forests that are supposed to be protected. The Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape for Restoration appears to be effective only on paper, while the reality on the ground is quite the opposite. Communities are being divided by their leaders, and many of the logging workers are reportedly illegal.
Komeok urges the government to address the complaints made by the communities. Despite two police reports being lodged by the communities, no action or investigation has been conducted to date.
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Agnes Padan, Activist from Lawas
Children of Mixed Marriages See Improvements in IC Application Process
Agnes Padan explained the process of applying for an identification card (IC) for children from mixed marriages, which has always been difficult. However, under the MADANI government, there is now a sense of relief as many IC cases have been resolved smoothly. Previously, children born from such unions were automatically assigned the status of a foreign national, following the nationality of the foreign parent.
But now, cases of mixed marriages can apply for an IC as long as the couple has sufficient documentation and a valid marriage certificate. Since 2023, there have been applications from two students: one in Form 6 and the other in Form 5, both of whom are still waiting for their ICs. It would be a great loss if their applications were rejected, as these local children are among the top students at their school.