30 January 2024
On Today Show
— Garak Jalong, Head of Long Lawen Village, Belaga – Challenging Pointless Dam Projects: Mini Hydro's Two-Decade Triumph in Sustainable Energy in Belaga
— Mr. James from the traditional village of Tukau Jaya – Marginalized Tukau Locals: GPS, Parabena, and Land Survey Disregard their Plight
— Bill Jugah, Founder of Independent Coalition Of Natives (ICON) – UNDRIP Principles and Local Governance: Striving for Community Consensus
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Garak Jalong, Ketua Kampung Long Lawen, Belaga – Menantang Projek Empangan yang Tidak Bermakna: Kejayaan Dua Dekad Tenaga Mampan Mini Hidro di Belaga
— En. James dari kampung tradisional Tukau Jaya – Masyarakat Tukau Dilupakan: GPS, Parabena, dan Pengukuran Tanah Mengabaikan Penderitaan Mereka
— Bill Jugah, Pengasas Gabungan Orang Asal Bebas (ICON) – Prinsip UNDRIP dan Pentadbiran Tempatan: Berusaha untuk Konsensus Komuniti
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*Special Randau*
1. It is possible that Daim will be accused again in Court for the offense of misuse of power for bribery section 23 MACC act 2009 and money laundering section 4(1) (AMLA).
2. Utusan reports that Najib Razak will be released from prison following a pardon from the Pardon Board that met yesterday. But the report was withdrawn by Utusan Malaysia on the grounds that there were facts that could not be verified. However, Federal Territories Minister Zaliha Mustafa advised the public to wait for an official statement from the Pardon Board. Najib is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for embezzling SRC international funds.
3. Malaysia's position in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is better, ranking 57th out of 180 countries. For Asean countries, Malaysia ranks 2nd behind Singapore. And for Islamic countries, Malaysia is in 4th position behind the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In the next 10 years. PMX aims to bring Malaysia to the position of 25 out of 180 countries in the world.
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Garak Jalong, Head of Long Lawen Village, Belaga
*Challenging Pointless Dam Projects: Mini Hydro's Two-Decade Triumph in Sustainable Energy in Belaga*
As the Village Head, Garak does not agree with the way the GPS state government handles the dam construction project in the state. It is said that the residents of Sg. Belaga agreed that the Melata dam should be built in their area. According to Garak, the state government should not only ask for the approval of village heads or tribal leaders. The consent of the poor or common people is very important. Obviously in the past the construction of the Murum and Bakun dams disturbed the lives of the residents.
Garak explained that Kampung Long Lawen did not agree to move to the new settlement of Bakun Sungai Asap, because the compensation value is too small, the land is only 3 acres for a family and it is expected that the poor family will not be able to pay the water and electricity bills.
The residents of Long Lawen moved their settlements (long houses) to higher ground when the bakun dam began to fill with water. In this higher Settlement the residents built a mini hydro Dam with the help of NGO-Green Empowerment from USA.
From 1999 to 2021, the residents of Long Lawen get electricity from this mini hydro dam, without having to pay electricity bills. In 2022 SEB supplies electricity to Long Lawen for free, in return for the land of Long Lawen residents who were not compensated by SEB- in the construction of the Murum hydroelectric dam.
Since the construction of the Murum hydro-electric dam more than 10 years ago, most of the NCR land of Long Lawen residents is affected due to the construction of the project. However, until now SEB and the Sarawak government have not paid compensation for the land. An argument ensued when the government said that the valuation of the land was based on sec 6. But the residents insisted that the land was indeed their NCR land which was valid and should be paid using the land price of sec 18. This case has been brought to court. The residents of Long Lawen use the services of Lawyer Abun Sui Anyit. Residents are still waiting for a hearing date.
Garak said that they still take good care of the mini hydro dam, because if SEB asks us to pay the electricity bill and we can't afford it, they will use the mini hydro dam again.
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Mr. James from the traditional village of Tukau Jaya
*Marginalized Tukau Locals: GPS, Parabena, and Land Survey Disregard their Plight*
James reports the current status of actions regarding cases of oppression by the Land and Survey department and Parabena. According to Mr. James, he and several villagers do not wish to pursue the case in court, although a few villagers still want to proceed with legal action against Parabena.
James said that, he and several villagers have sent letters to the Premier of Sarawak, representatives, Parabena, Land and Survey, and various related offices to demand fair compensation. Mr. James and the villagers are unable to afford legal services to continue the case, so it is reasonable for them to seek compensation for the losses incurred on their crops and houses that they have built for over 20 years.
Currently, they are only awaiting responses to their compensation demand letters.
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Bill Jugah, Founder of Independent Coalition Of Natives (ICON)
*UNDRIP Principles and Local Governance: Striving for Community Consensus*
Deputy Minister II for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Dr. Ripin Lamat, emphasized the importance of every member of the village, security, and development committee (JKKK) in strengthening the relationship between villagers and grassroots leaders. These leaders include the 'tuai rumah' (longhouse chieftains), village headmen, and 'Ketua Kaum' (neighbourhood chiefs).
However, in contemporary times, many village leaders are appointed by YBs or politicians, leading them to become spokespersons for the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and companies. This trend often results in chaos within the village, as these leaders prioritize their personal benefits, neglecting the rights of the villagers.
Bill Juga highlighted that not all appointments of JKKK by YBs are necessarily bad, but issues arise when there is a lack of consensus within the community. He advised that adherence to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), specifically in Article 4, commits the government to ensuring the self-determination rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He further emphasized that in the past, leadership was often determined by qualities such as being a warrior, but nowadays, it differs significantly. Individuals with the ability to think critically or possess education should be considered for leadership roles. Bill Juga suggested that if the JKKK team is elected by the community, it would lead to less politicization and greater democratic representation.
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