5 July 2024
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Special Randau
1. 39,222 voters of Sungai Bakap, in the Nibong Tebal Parliamentary constituency of Pinang Island will elect a new assemblyman tomorrow. One-on-one competition between PH/PKR against PN/PAS. The election was held following the death of the area assemblyman due to stomach inflammation. According to PH's director of elections, Rafizi Ramli, the winner will be determined by voters over the fence.
2. 1MDB and 10 plaintiffs' lawsuit against Rosmah Mansur amounting to RM1.63 BILLION. According to Rosmah, the high court had previously ruled that the jewelry and luxury goods associated with it were not obtained through illegal activities. On 9 May 2024, 1mdb and 10 other parties filed a writ of summons against Rosmah and Shabnam Naraindas Daswani alleging that Rosmah's jewelery was bought with embezzled funds from 1mdb.
3. Excessive power given to GPS by the people makes GPS CORRUPT said Paul Raja in the Suara Komuniti Forum.
4. KK/KM in the GPS administration era was used as a tool to control public opinion and became a GPS government intelligence tool - John Brian said.
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【FORUM：SUARA KOMUNITI】
Dr John Brian, Permanent Chairman of the PBDS Party and Political Analyst
Breaking Free: Proposing an Independent Sarawak Dayak Customary Council
John Brian commented that the appointment of Head of Tribe/KK and Head of Community/KM during the GPS administration era aims to make KK and KM agents to dominate the people's thinking. KK and KM are used to spread the GPS policy to the grassroots. Therefore, because of that, GPS took over the right of appointment and made the positions of KK and KM permanent salaried positions, making them part of the government staff. This is a very powerful weapon for GPS to control the minds of the people.
The task of making Sarawak more advanced and its people progressive in the future is to free KK and KM institutions from political power and political appointees. Therefore, I propose an independent body such as the Sarawak Dayak Customary Council (MADAS), similar to the one established in Indonesia, which is free from political influence but recognized by the ruling government. With the existence of MADAS, the appointment of KK and KM would be coordinated, allowing KK and KM to function independently and enforce Dayak customs, culture, and traditions.
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【FORUM：SUARA KOMUNITI】
Paul Raja, lawyer activist
Demanding Better: Changing GPS for a Government That Serves the People
Paul Raja compared the colonial administration with the current BN/GPS administration. During the colonial era, the DO (District Officer) and his entourage worked efficiently, focusing on providing services to the people. They moved from one longhouse to another, making entries in logbooks. They registered residents who did not yet have an identity card, birth certificate, or special document. They also recorded data on individual land ownership, village boundaries, income levels, number of children, and overall population. This allowed them to identify villagers who were skilled and had the potential to lead a village or community. The DO visited all the longhouses along the river, up the mountain to Bario, without exception. In simple terms, the colonial administration provided services to the people.
However, the BN/GPS administration only administers and does not take serious efforts to serve the people. DOs and government employees no longer provide services but only administer, waiting in the office and handling the affairs that are presented to them. The question is why the attitude of the government changed from providing services to merely administering. The answer is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. BN/GPS, which was given full power for decades, became arrogant and corrupt. People should not give excessive power to any political party, because excessive power makes the government unafraid of being rejected or replaced by other political parties. I think we have no choice but to change the GPS to get back a government that will earnestly serve the people.
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【FORUM：SUARA KOMUNITI】
Stem Liau from Bakun
*Community Perspectives on Development in Belaga, Bakun, and Murum*Stem Liau from Bakun reflects on unfulfilled promises made to Belaga, Bakun, and Murum. Observing the disparity between past and present livelihoods, Stem notes that despite claims of greater happiness and meaning, the reality does not match up. Attention shifts to the Hulu Rejang Development Agency, where despite positive public perception, development has waned since its inception. Questions arise regarding the allocation of funds, including a substantial 9 million allocation to ADUN, prompting skepticism about expenditures on ethnic organizations and festivities rather than essential community infrastructure. Stem laments the poor condition of roads leading to resettlement villages in Bakun, with widespread housing issues exacerbating disparities.
Concerns deepen as rumors circulate about increasing wealth among project contractors and political associates, prompting Stem to question the transparency of such prosperity. Despite community voices advocating for equitable development, leaders dismiss criticism as opposition to progress and communal harmony. Stem contrasts the narrative of progress in places like Sg Asap, where ostensible development, such as widespread vehicle ownership, is attributed to oil palm cultivation, often at the expense of indigenous NCR lands belonging to communities like Long Bangan.
Highlighting the plight of those without access to lucrative ventures like oil palm, Stem underscores the challenges faced with minimal land and dependence on future generations for sustenance. Stem's narrative emphasizes the stark reality of economic disparities and unmet promises, challenging perceptions of widespread prosperity in Bakun and calling for accountability and equitable development.
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Agnes Paya from Selangau
Madam Agnes's Call to Action: Valuing Our Ancestral Land
Agnes Paya is a participant in the Community Voice forum. She is an icon for all indigenous people who are still fighting for the rights that have been taken by crony companies, and she has successfully defended these rights to this day. During the forum, Madam Agnes gave words of encouragement, emphasizing that NCR (Native Customary Rights) land must not be misinterpreted and its value is for our future generations. Money can be earned, but losing our land will make us indigenous people even poorer in the future. Although Madam Agnes has already achieved success, she wants her example to be followed by all layers of society.
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Mr Robert from Sebauh, Belaga
Building Momentum: Mr. Robert's Call to Action at Community Voice
Mr. Robert, a social activist, praises the courage of the RFS team in collaboration with PMTM for organizing a Community Voice forum, the first of its kind after 14 years of operation. Mr. Robert fights for the land of his ancestors, currently encroached upon by logging companies. Initially unsure how to resist, attending the Community Voice forum has reignited his spirit to advocate for his and his family's rights. Mr. Robert has gained insight into the importance of community mapping, realizing its potential to generate socio-economic income from the land.
Mr. Robert hopes that forums like this can continue in the future to provide deeper knowledge to all layers of society, particularly indigenous peoples.