3 September 2024
On Today Show
— Nicholas Mujah, Secretary General of SADIA – Forest Clearing for Palm Oil: Hidden Logging Practices Exposed in Sarawak
— Dominique Ng, Lawyer activist and PKR Bandar Kuching branch chief – Kampung Marakai Residents Stand Firm to Protect NCR Land from Oil Palm Company
— Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Kuching chief – Disappointment in Sarawak Over Fallen Flag and Alleged Misuse of Funds
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Nicholas Mujah, Setiausaha Agung SADIA – Pembalakan Tersembunyi Dalam Penjelasan Penghutan Hutan Untuk Kelapa Sawit di Sarawak
— Dominique Ng, Aktivis Peguam dan Ketua Cabang PKR Bandar Kuching – Penduduk Kampung Marakai Teguh Mempertahankan Tanah NCR daripada Syarikat Kelapa Sawit
— Michael Kong Feng Nian, Ketua Pemuda Sosialis Parti Tindakan Demokratik (Dapsy) Kuching – Kekecewaan di Sarawak Terhadap Bendera yang Jatuh dan Dakwaan Penyalahgunaan Dana
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Special Randau
1. Corruption and abuse of power is the cause of environmental pollution that occurs and repeats itself in Sarawak - SADIA secretary general Nicholas Mujah said. Commenting on the logjam incident that occurred in the Balai Ringin catchment area. Environmental criminals can get away easily by bribing YB, village head, NREB or forest department. To stop this happening. The people of Sarawak should elect a political leader who formulates firm policies and integrity.
2. Hydrogen produced through the electrolysis process using electricity from hydro dams is not entirely environmentally friendly. Because the process of hydropower generation itself produces countless amounts of greenhouse gases, polluting rivers and cutting down trees. You can read an interesting article written by Sarawak Report regarding the Sarawak government's desire to be a leader in green hydrogen production.
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Nicholas Mujah, Secretary General of SADIA
Forest Clearing for Palm Oil: Hidden Logging Practices Exposed in Sarawak
The Borneo Post reported a logjam in the catchment area of the water treatment plant at Balai Ringin, Sri Aman. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), legal action has been taken against the company responsible for the pollution. The NREB stated that the incident was caused by uncontrolled forest clearing activities.
However, Nicholas Mujah claims that the forest clearing is actually being conducted for commercial palm oil cultivation. Before planting, the entire area is cleared of all weeds and trees. Plantation companies often take the opportunity to sell the logs from the designated plantation area. Nicholas notes that some companies apply for permits to establish oil palm plantations just to gain access to areas for logging. After the trees are cut down, the areas meant for palm oil cultivation are sometimes left abandoned.
According to Nicholas, this situation is common due to widespread corruption among elected representatives (YBs) in Sarawak. The forest department and the oil palm plantation companies bribe village heads to keep them from reporting these environmental crimes. The current fines range from RM30,000 to RM150,000, depending on the size of the contaminated area. However, these fines are negligible compared to the environmental damage caused and the substantial profits from selling logs in the designated plantation areas, which can reach tens of millions of ringgit.
To change this situation, the people of Sarawak need to realize the importance of electing responsible representatives who are not involved in corruption. Additionally, there is a need for a government committed to protecting the environment by introducing stricter laws that include prison sentences.
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Dominique Ng, Lawyer activist and PKR Bandar Kuching branch chief
Kampung Marakai Residents Stand Firm to Protect NCR Land from Oil Palm Company
Dominique Ng and his team recently visited the community of Kampung Marakai, including the community leader, who are defending their Pulau Galau against an oil palm plantation company attempting to encroach on their land. It is understood that around 90 families are involved, including women and children, who have been staying at their campsite for over two months. Their action is not a blockade or roadblock but rather an occupation of their own Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.
From Dominique Ng and his team's observation, the community remains in high spirits despite having been at the campsite for over two months. Dominique is aware that their struggle is well-known throughout Sarawak. It is understood that the community had previously won a court case against a nearby oil palm plantation company in the High Court, affirming their rights over the land in Kampung Marakai. However, the oil palm plantation company claims that the community does not have NCR rights. Dominique, who has experience handling NCR cases since 2000, stated that the company's claim is incorrect.
Currently, the community of Kampung Marakai has not yet engaged a lawyer. During his visit, Dominique provided some advice on the next steps to be taken and suggested giving the community space to discuss their options. He also noted from social media reports that the community has faced threats, with the oil palm company allegedly sending a group of thugs. However, it is understood that the police have been fully cooperative in monitoring the situation without siding with the company.
Several Dayak NGOs, including SADIA, are supporting the community in their efforts.
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Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Kuching chief
Disappointment in Sarawak Over Fallen Flag and Alleged Misuse of Funds
DayakDaily reports that the giant "Ibu Pertiwi" flag of Sarawak, installed at the Kuching Waterfront, fell due to heavy rain and strong winds. The flag, celebrated as the largest state flag in Malaysia, was hoisted in honor of Sarawak Day. The incident has led to public disappointment and concerns about the quality of the materials used for the flag, especially considering its high cost.
Michael Kong, the special assistant to YB Chong, voiced his frustration over the situation. He criticized the expenditure of tens of millions of public funds on a flag that does not reflect prudent use, given the poor quality of the materials. Kong contrasted this with the flags at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, which have flown for a long time without similar incidents, highlighting the apparent disparity in quality.
Kong suggested that the funds spent on the flag could have been better used to assist the people, particularly in efforts to reduce poverty. He expressed the hope that the GPS government will provide a clear explanation regarding the flag's quality and the incident.