3 August 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Randau Khas – Ketaksamaan Kekayaan di Sarawak: 10% Kawal Majoriti Sumber Negeri
> Barnie Lasimbang, aktivis alam sekitar dari Sabah – Masyarakat Sivil Mencari Semakan Kehakiman terhadap NCA Kontroversial di Sabah
> Peter John Jaban, Aktivis dan timbalan presiden persekutuan Hak Asasi Manusia Global (GHRF) – 5 NGO mengheret KPN dan Peguam Negara ke mahkamah
> Belulok dari Sungai Asap – Masyarakat Luar Bandar Tuntut Tindakan Terhadap Syarikat Salah Guna Subsidi Minyak Kerajaan
On Today Show
> Special Randau – Wealth Inequality in Sarawak: 10% Control Majority of State's Resources
> Barnie Lasimbang, environmental activist from Sabah – Civil Societies Seek Judicial Review of Controversial NCA in Sabah
> Peter John Jaban, Activist and deputy president of the Global Human Right federation (GHRF) – 5 NGOs dragged the IGP and AG to court
> Belulok from Sungai Asap – Rural Community Demands Action Against Companies Misusing Government Fuel Subsidies
-
Special Randau
*Wealth Inequality in Sarawak: 10% Control Majority of State's Resources*
According to data from the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) in June 2023, Sarawak, Kelantan, and Sabah are ranked as the top three poorest states in Malaysia. Among them, Sarawak has the highest number of households with income below RM 2,000, totaling 88,173 households. However, Abang Johari has stated that cash should not be the sole measure of people's wealth. He pointed out that many people in Sarawak own land, and land is considered as their assets.
The Sarawak Chief Minister must accept the fact that Sarawak is indeed a high-income state. However, the distribution of wealth is concentrated among only 10% of the Sarawak population who have close connections with the political leaders in the state. Abang Johari also claims that the statistics released by the federal government are misleading, but this is not accurate. Official statistics issued by the government are undoubtedly based on international standards.
We, the people of Sarawak, question whether during the decades of rule by PBB/GPS, the government has surveyed and granted land to the people. How is it possible for the people to own land when the Sarawak government does not recognize the ownership of NCR (Native Customary Rights) land that has not been surveyed?
---------------------
Barnie Lasimbang, environmental activist from Sabah
*Civil Societies Seek Judicial Review of Controversial NCA in Sabah*
Civil societies in Sabah have raised serious concerns about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sabah State government and Hock Standard Limited, a Singapore-based company. The MOU grants Hock Standard exclusive rights to manage a vast 2 million hectares of forest in Sabah for a staggering 100 years. This long-term commitment, without any provision for the state government to rescind the agreement, has prompted fears of potential risks and consequences for future generations.
The lack of transparency and due diligence in the processes followed by both the state government and Hock Standard Limited has drawn criticism from Sabah's civil society organizations (CSOs). They believe the MOU requires a thorough and detailed examination to ensure everyone understands the purpose and implications of entering into the Non-Conservation Area (NCA) agreement.
Currently, the benefits of the NCA remain unclear, and the value of carbon generated from this endeavor is yet to be determined. Hock Standard Limited has introduced speculation about the potential value of carbon, but CSOs have demanded more transparent information and proper funding resources to support their claims.
Without concrete supporting facts, the market for carbon credits appears uncertain and unconvincing. Recently, a podcast addressing the NCA issue raised many questions from the public. However, the lack of understanding about NCA, carbon trading, and carbon credit generation has created confusion and misinformation. As a result, the matter is vulnerable to manipulation.
In light of these concerns, civil societies in Sabah are moving forward with their plan to file a Judicial Review against the MOU. They seek clarity, transparency, and public awareness on the matter, urging the state government and Hock Standard Limited to address their concerns and engage in a more open and informative dialogue. Protecting Sabah's natural resources and ensuring sustainable practices for future generations are at the core of their demands.
---------------------
Peter John Jaban, Activist and deputy president of the Global Human Right federation (GHRF)
*5 NGOs dragged the IGP and AG to court*
On July 31, 2023, 5 NGO GROUPS led by the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) took legal action against the Chief of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Idrus Harun and the Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain regarding the failure of the authorities to prosecute the controversial preacher Syakir Nasoha.
Those who filed the application through Messrs. Gunaseelan & Associates also want a declaration that the refusal to act against Syakir Nasoha is illegal and an abuse of power on the part of the KPN and the Attorney General. The judicial review proceedings against the Attorney General and IGP were heard before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. Judgment will be delivered on Sept 26 at 2.30pm.
Commenting on the court hearing, Global Human Rights Federation GHRF deputy president Peter John Jaban expressed his disappointment by claiming that Malaysians have lost faith in the authorities who are supposed to protect and act in accordance with Article 8 of the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara.
Why is Alister Cogia (young Bidayuh from Sarawak), aged 22, sentenced for five charges under Section 298A (1)(a) of the Penal Code, and five charges under Section 233 of the Multimedia and Communications Act 1998. Alister Cogia was sentenced to 10 year and a fine of RM50,000 for all 10 charges.
Action was taken against Alister so quickly. But no action was taken against Syakir Nasoha. The authorities reason that Syakir Nasoha's speech does not contain inflammatory elements. However, according to Peter John - clearly in the recorded footage - Nasoha accused the infidels in Malaysia/Dayak of killing Muslims in Indonesia. The women were raped and the men were slaughtered. These infidels are said to hate Islam very much. But according to Peter John, this is all wrong. Peter gave an example in his own family of many intermarriages with Muslims. How can we kill our own family? Peter insists that strict action be taken against Syakir Nasoha to prevent such incidents from happening again. Audio recording is attached.
---------------------
Belulok from Sungai Asap
*Rural Community Demands Action Against Companies Misusing Government Fuel Subsidies*
The rural community is expressing concern about the ongoing issue of commercial vehicles from plantation companies taking advantage of government subsidies by refueling with subsidised RON95 fuel or dissel at the Sungai Asap petrol station.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Bintulu branch has already taken action against the petrol station operator for selling subsidised fuel to a foreign-registered vehicle.
In response to this situation, Belulok is questioning whether companies that are misusing government-subsidised fuel for their commercial vehicles should also be held accountable.
He emphasize that the Sarawak state government should take responsibility for overseeing petrol stations to prevent such abuse of subsidies. Otherwise, it creates a situation where citizens find the petrol station running out of fuel when they need it, due to improper usage by commercial vehicles.
As this issue is a matter of concern for the community, the authorities need to address and monitor the situation to ensure that government subsidies are being utilized appropriately and that all users, including companies, are abiding by the regulations. The misuse of government subsidies undermines the intended benefits for citizens and could lead to fuel shortages if not properly regulated.