31 January 2024
On Today Show
— Simo Sekam- Resident of Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh – Living Dam-Free: Nyegol's Example on mini hydro, eco-tourism and reforestation - the Possibilities for Other Communities
— Daeng Laing from Long Panai – Listening to the Majority: Concerns of Local Communities Contradict the Tutoh Dam Support by Community Leaders
— Bryan Tan, treasurer of MUDA Sarawak – MACC Independence: Muda Sarawak's Call for Credibility and Transparency in Malaysia
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Simo Sekam - Penduduk Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh – Hidup Bebas Dari Empangan: Contoh Nyegol Mengenai Mini Hidro, Ekopelancongan, dan Penanaman Semula - Kemungkinan untuk Komuniti Lain
— Daeng Laing dari Long Panai – Mendengar Suara Majoriti: Keberimbangan Komuniti Tempatan Menentang Sokongan Pemimpin Komuniti terhadap Empangan Tutoh
— Bryan Tan, bendahari MUDA Sarawak – Kemerdekaan SPRM: Seruan MUDA Sarawak untuk Kebolehpercayaan dan Ketelusan di Malaysia
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*Special Randau*
1. The coronation of Sultan Ibrahim (sultan of Johor) as the 17th Agong/King, for Malaysia replacing Al-Sultan Abdullah (sultan of Pahang) who has expired. Malaysia is among the 43 countries in the world that practice constitutional monarchy and is the only country in the world that rotates the position of "Head of State", Agong/King- among 9 Malay kings.
2. Pardon of the Viceroy - the absolute right of the Agong/King. News that Najib Razak may be pardoned by the 16th Agong/King, spread yesterday. Najib was found guilty in the case of misappropriating SRC International funds amounting to RM42 million and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million. The trial began in April 2018 and ended in August 2022. Najib has just served a year and 5 months in prison. If he is acquitted, who should be held accountable for the 50 billion 1MDB debt and if he is found guilty again in several other 1MDB cases that are being tried. Will Najib be jailed again? This seems like a pointless process and system. These are some questions asked by the public. Please contact us 013-5515219 to express your opinion.
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Simo Sekam- Resident of Kampung Ngigol, Bengoh (In the Puncak Borneo Parliamentary constituency).
*Living Dam-Free: Nyegol's Example on mini hydro, eco-tourism and reforestation - the Possibilities for Other Communities*
In 2007 the Sarawak government made a decision to build the Bengoh dam to supply clean water to the people of Kuching City. In 2010 Bengoh Dam was completed. Some villages were relocated because they were in the project area. But the villagers of Nyegol decided not to move and only moved to higher ground that was not flooded.
Looking back on a decision made 17 years ago, Simo along with 15 other families do not regret to continue living in the dam area. They now inherit their family's NCR land of more than 5000 hectares. They cultivate a small part of the land by planting rice, fruit orchards, replanting trees and running a homestay.
Besides that, Simo and his friends since 2 years ago have started planting 10 thousand trees of various species of tropical trees and now there are still 10 thousand more trees that are still in the nursery. Simo said that they get clean water supply from gravity pipes and work on a mini hydro dam with the help of the NGO Light Up Borneo, and the tree planting project in collaboration with SEB.
This is a very intriguing phenomenon. Initially, the construction of the SEB dam forced several villages to relocate, but now they also recognize and support the village that is reluctant to move, and are involved in a planting project.
Simo said that remembering what happened to them, the government's plan to build the Bengoh dam to supply water to the people of Kuching - has failed. Until now there is no pipe installation from the Bengoh dam to the City Center. They won when they took their case to court in 2014, and they got compensation.
Simo said that they are grateful to Yb See Che How who helped them a lot.
“I advise all residents who are victims of the dam not to give up hope. We have to creatively try to stay alive and have rights on our NCR land. ”
Simo encourage the indigenous communities who facing the same issue, do not give up to protect their land.
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Mr. Daeng Laing from Long Panai
*Listening to the Majority: Concerns of Local Communities Contradict the Tutoh Dam Support by Community Leaders*
Daeng Laing responds to the statement made by Mulu ADUN Gerawat Jala, who claimed that the cascading dam project would proceed as it had received approval from the community leader.
Mr. Daeng Laing considers this statement to be deceptive by the representative. He questions why the people are constantly oppressed with the construction of cascading dams when there are already mega dams like Bakun, Murum, and Batang Ai in existence. Why is there a need for new dams to build roads?
Mr. Daeng Laing does not trust the government's promises, and the opposition will continue despite the need to set up blockades again. They do not want to be deceived into believing that a cascading dam will be built, only to later see the construction of a mega dam.
Last Friday, RFS interviewed Celine Lim, Managing Director of Save Rivers on the signature campaign and she mentioned residents from Mulu, Tutoh, and Apoh have initiated a protest petition since September 2023, accumulating over 800 signatures protesting the GPS government's hydro dam construction plan last week.
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Bryan Tan, treasurer of MUDA Sarawak
*MACC Independence: Muda Sarawak's Call for Credibility and Transparency in Malaysia*
On Transparency International's perception of corruption in Malaysia, the country currently stands at 57 points. In the year 2023, Malaysia showed improvement compared to previous years. Bryan Tan is of the opinion that this is a positive beginning but emphasizes the need for continuous progress.
He believes that with the new or existing government in place, Malaysia has the potential to achieve further improvements. One crucial aspect, according to Bryan Tan, is ensuring the independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for the betterment of the nation.
He advocates for a scenario where the MACC operates independently, free from external influences, ensuring that cases are not selectively pursued but rather based on the credibility and merit of each case. This, he believes, will contribute significantly to a more transparent and corruption-free Malaysia.