29 November 2023
On Today Show
> Gereng Jadum, Penan from Metalun Murum – Urgent for Action: Penan Community Cut Off by Landslide at Murum Dam
> Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth Kuching chief – Democracy in Focus: DAP Member Highlights Need for Opposition Leader Appointment in Sarawak
> Mr. Nicholas Bawin, social activist – People's Welfare as Priority: Amidst Political Games in Sarawak
> Mr. Boyce Ngau, retired teacher – Language Policy Mistakes: Boyce Ngau's Perspective on the Evolution of Malaysia's Education
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Gereng Jadum, Penan dari Metalun Murum – Komuniti Penan Terputus Hubungan oleh Tanah Runtuh di Empangan Murum
> Michael Kong Feng Nian, Ketua Pemuda Parti Tindakan Demokratik Sosialis Kuching – Fokus Demokrasi: Ahli DAP Menyoroti Keperluan Pelantikan Pemimpin Pembangkang di Sarawak
> En. Nicholas Bawin, aktivis sosial – Kesejahteraan Rakyat Sebagai Keutamaan: Di Tengah-Tengah Permainan Politik di Sarawak
> En. Boyce Ngau, guru bersara – Kesilapan Dasar Bahasa: Pandangan Boyce Ngau tentang Evolusi Pendidikan di Malaysia
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*Special Randau*
1. Lim Guan Eng criticizes the President of PPBM, Muhyiddin Yassin, for using the excuse that it's at his wife's behest to contest the position of PPBM president for another term.
2. DAP confirms that they have filed a lawsuit against PAS Member of Parliament Siti Mastura for accusing DAP leaders of having family ties with former leader of the Malayan Communist Party (PKM), Ong Boon Hua. The lawsuit was filed in the George Town High Court two days ago.
3. The lawsuit by the son of the TYT Sarawak, Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, against his stepmother, Ragad Kurdi Taib, regarding the transfer of shares (Tycoon Taib's assets with his first wife) is still awaiting a trial date. Will Taib be allowed to testify, and can Taib provide testimony?
4. The Future Wealth Fund of Sarawak, starting operations with an upfront injection of 8 billion for the coming year, will receive a fixed deposit annually. Do you know who the 9 board members are, and will it benefit the people of Sarawak?
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Gereng Jadum, Penan from Metalun Murum
*Urgent for Action: Penan Community Cut Off by Landslide at Murum Dam*
Gereng Jadum reports that today marks the 3rd day of the landslide at KM17 of the road to the Murum dam. Causing the Penan community there to be cut off from the outside world. Which we are most concerned about. How to send a sick family in an emergency. Gereng said that he himself was stuck on the road for 3 hours. The road is impassable due to mud floods. An alternative road, through the oil palm plantation road was opened. But unfortunately the road was also flooded. Residents take their own risk to wade through the flood to get home. I reached home at 12 pm. Three hours looking for a way out of the oil palm plantation. According to Gereng again, such incidents often recur every year. No wonder why landslides often occur in the area. The area is an active logging and plantation area. The landslide area is through the SOP- Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation. I appeal to the state government and the central government. Repair the road to Murum. At least 4 dangerous rubble areas. When the rainy season ends at the end of the year, the situation becomes more risky. The government should not just build the road to the Murum Dam. Build a road to the Penan village. I think it is fair to demand that the timber company and the Palm Oil Company be held responsible for rebuilding the road that was damaged due to their actions.
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Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth Kuching chief
*Democracy in Focus: DAP Member Highlights Need for Opposition Leader Appointment in Sarawak*
Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) member Michael Kong Feng Nian has called on the Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, to officially appoint a new Opposition leader in the assembly.
Asfia had previously declared that Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is no longer the Opposition leader after his party pledged support for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Despite this vacancy, Kong expressed regret that the Speaker has yet to formally announce the appointment of a new Opposition leader in the DUN. He raised concerns about the adherence to established norms within the Westminster parliamentary system, emphasizing that the absence of an Opposition Leader denies citizens the full spectrum of representation and discourse necessary for a healthy democratic process.
Kong, who also serves as the special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, stressed that the recognition of the Opposition leader should go beyond a nominal title. It should encompass tangible support, including office allocation and staff, to empower effective scrutiny of government policies and actions. He emphasized that this is not mere symbolism but a fundamental tenet of a functioning democracy.
He urged the Speaker to prioritize the appointment of an Opposition leader and provide the necessary resources, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the parliamentary system. Kong underscored that every voice, regardless of its stance, should be given due recognition and resources to fulfill its democratic responsibilities.
On Nov 18, Asfia had announced that Wong is no longer the Opposition leader in the assembly because they are no longer playing the role of the Opposition. Presently, GPS holds 76 out of 82 seats in the assembly, with the remaining six seats represented by DAP's Chong Chieng Jen and Violet Yong Wui Wui, PSB's Johnichal Rayong Ngipa, Wong Soon Koh, and Baru Bian, and Independent member See Chee How.
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Mr. Nicholas Bawin, social activist
*People's Welfare as Priority: Amidst Political Games in Sarawak*
Mr. Nicholas Bawin who previously supported the PSB party during the last state election, expressed his views on PSB's bold declaration of support for GPS. Bawin is not surprised by the dirty politics brought by the PSB party president, as it is a cunning political game aimed at strengthening the GPS coalition. However, Bawin emphasizes that in Sarawak, we must remember that the anti-hopping law has not been implemented yet. Therefore, there is no barrier for any leader or party to switch parties. Nevertheless, what is crucial is that the people's welfare should be prioritized.
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Mr. Boyce Ngau, retired teacher
*Language Policy Mistakes: Boyce Ngau's Perspective on the Evolution of Malaysia's Education*
Boyce Ngau reflects on the statements made by academic Syed Ali Tawfik Al Atas regarding the poor state of Malaysia's education system over the decades. Mr. Boyce Ngau concurs with the assessment.
According to Mr. Boyce Ngau, it is evident that our education system has experienced a decline, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, where he has had teaching experience. The transitions that have taken place, especially in Sarawak, have put the region at a disadvantage.
In the past, there was a strong emphasis on striving for excellence among students. However, changes in teaching methods and the implementation of certain subjects have impacted the system. The old system prioritized Bahasa Malaysia, resulting in English being taught only for one subject, which limited exposure for both students and teachers. This was a government policy aimed at promoting and strengthening Bahasa Melayu for all Malaysians, which Mr. Boyce Ngau acknowledges as a slight mistake.
Mr. Boyce Ngau also mentions his direct involvement in overseeing the implementation of English language teaching in two subjects, namely mathematics and science. However, this was limited to top classes, highlighting a disparity in English language education.
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