3 July 2024
On Today Show
—【FORUM：COMMUNITY VOICE】Empowering Sarawak's Dayak Communities: Key Discussions
—【FORUM：COMMUNITY VOICE】Gebriel Atong from Punan Pah Belaga – From Activism to Advocacy: A Journey in Punan Bah Belaga
— Jeffery Baudi, Resident Representative of SFI Housing Park – Empowering SFI: Fun Run to Secure Clean Water
— Chong Yee Shan, central committee of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) – Access Denied: Kantan Farmers' Struggle Against Restrictions
Topik Pada Hari Ini
—【FORUM: SUARA KOMUNITI】Memperkasakan Komuniti Dayak Sarawak: Perbincangan Utama
—【FORUM: SUARA KOMUNITI】Gebriel Atong dari Punan Pah Belaga – Dari Aktivisme ke Advokasi: Perjalanan di Punan Bah Belaga
— Jeffery Baudi, Wakil Residen Taman Perumahan SFI – Memperkasakan SFI: Larian Amal untuk Mendapatkan Air Bersih
— Chong Yee Shan, Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) – Akses Ditolak: Perjuangan Petani Kantan Menentang Sekatan
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Special Randau
1. House Arrest - Court Rejects Najib's Judicial Review Application. Najib failed to obtain permission to proceed with a judicial review allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. Judge Amarjeet Singh ruled that all affidavits claiming the existence of the relevant addendum were hearsay.
2. Participants in the "Voice of the Community" forum organized by RFS in collaboration with the Tering Miri Association concluded that 10 actions must be implemented immediately, including allocating RM1 billion annually to the Dayak Development Fund and establishing the Sarawak Dayak Custom Council (MADAS) to coordinate the appointment of tribal chiefs and have full authority over Dayak customs, culture, land, and natural resources - John Brian. Lawyer Harrison Ngau demanded significant compensation be paid to the Dayak community for decades of discrimination, injustice, and suffering since Malaysia's formation. Meanwhile, lawyer Roland Engan urged the government to recognize and ratify UNDRIP and grant autonomy to districts and villages to determine their natural resources, land, forests, and make decisions independently
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【FORUM：COMMUNITY VOICE】
Empowering Sarawak's Dayak Communities: Key Discussions
The two-day "Community Voice" forum in Miri, Sarawak on June 29th and 30th, 2024, sparked vibrant discussions on land rights, indigenous rights, and development issues. PBDSB's Dr. John Brian, activist lawyer Iswady Morni, land rights lawyers Roland Engan and Harrison Ngau, and Muda Sarawak Chairman Jeffrery Ngui led attendees in addressing concerns and aspirations of indigenous communities.
The forum highlighted demands including:
1. An annual RM 1 billion federal allocation to the Dayak Development Fund.
2. Adoption of UNDRIP principles for dealing with Dayak and indigenous communities.
3. End to political interference in tribal leader appointments.
4. Salary increases for village and tribal heads.
5. Establishment of the Sarawak Dayak Custom Council (MADAS).
6. Creation of an Indigenous Council to oversee state projects on customary land.
7. Recognition and respect for Dayak culture and traditional rights.
8. Inclusion of direct benefit programs in state projects on customary land.
9. Compensation for historical injustices faced by Dayak and Orang Asal communities.
10. Transparency in state licensing and contracts.
11. Legal aid for traditional communities to defend their rights.
12. Reform of police procedures regarding rights violations.
13. Ensuring free and fair elections and combating corruption.
14. Enhanced enforcement against illegal logging and encroachments on public and customary lands.
15. Return of a percentage of project revenues to Dayak communities.
16. Full district and village autonomy over natural resources and development projects.
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【FORUM：COMMUNITY VOICE】
Gebriel Atong from Punan Pah Belaga
*From Activism to Advocacy: A Journey in Punan Bah Belaga*Gebriel Atong, an activist from Kpg Punan Bah Belaga, a lesser-known ethnic group often mistaken for Penan, has been involved in activism since 2006. He has faced numerous struggles, including lodging complaints of misconduct against authorities and even approaching SUHAKAM, but with little outcome. He prioritizes resisting corruption in his community. Since 2006, despite attempts to negotiate with companies for essential services like clean water and education, they were asked to surrender their land, which they have occupied for 16 generations, spanning 400 years. Legal action was initiated against the company, initially led by Harrison Ngau and later by Paul Raja, awaiting a court decision.
Gebriel faces internal community divisions, with some siding with the company and government, creating rifts. He belongs to the middle class and has confronted higher-class factions in his village before leading his group against Samling and the government. He has been active in politics, initially with PKR, influenced by stories like Nekodimus, where justice is overlooked despite voting. Projects in the village are often kept secret from him due to his opposition. Gebriel emphasizes community mapping using GPS, advocating for self-sufficiency and highlighting the disparity between Sarawak's wealth and its people's poverty.
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Jeffery Baudi, Resident Representative of SFI Housing Park
*Empowering SFI: Fun Run to Secure Clean Water*Jeffrey Baudi and the residents of SFI Sabah will announce a Fun Run event on 08.08.2024 aimed at raising funds from the public, politicians, and NGOs to build a tube well at the SFI housing site for basic water needs. For 1 year and 2 months, they have not had access to clean water and 24-hour electricity. Jeffrey Baudi has discussed with the SFI residents to construct this tube well and has received support from all residents of SFI. This is because they feel sorry for seeing mothers having to fetch water from the river and some having to buy water from shops. This Fun Run is one way to raise funds to build the tube well.
To get a bite of rice and continue their lives, SFI residents have to work as security guards and some work in shops. However, what is saddening is that in the past year, Jeffrey Baudi's friends had to leave their wives because they could no longer cope with the loss of income...
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Chong Yee Shan, central committee of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
Access Denied: Kantan Farmers' Struggle Against Restrictions
Last Friday night, Kantan farmers discovered that PKNP had installed steel bars at all four entrances to their gardens, preventing them from accessing their farms. They also found that not only the main entrance but also alternative entrances were blocked with iron bars and large holes dug to obstruct their passage. With over 100 farmers affected, PSM and the farmers held discussions with PKNP, resulting in an agreement that farmers can enter the area but must register at checkpoints each time they wish to access their farms. These checkpoints are only open from 7 AM to 5 PM.
Secondly, what is PKNP's motive now? This seems like a provocation, reminiscent of historical British invasions. The farmers and PSM plan to submit a memorandum to the state government and to Datuk Sri Annuar Ibrahim, the MP of Tambun constituency.
Forceful evictions have occurred several times in this area. PMX had promised during the election to address this issue, but two years have passed without any action being taken.