5 September 2023
On Today Show
> Roland Engan, Chairman of the Sarawak PKR – Carbon Trading in Sarawak: Who Reaps the Benefits?
> Jeffrey Ngui, chairman of MUDA Sarawak – GPS Persists with ART, but Fails to Solve Traffic Realities
> Peter Hee, the leader of Dapsy Sarawak – Dapsy Sarawak Mendesak Tindakan Kerajaan untuk Beras Tempatan Yang Berpatutan
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Roland Engan, Pengerusi PKR Sarawak – Perdagangan Karbon di Sarawak: Siapa Yang Untung?
> Jeffrey Ngui, pengerusi MUDA Sarawak – GPS Kekal dengan ART, tetapi Gagal Menyelesaikan Masalah Trafik
> Peter Hee, ketua Dapsy Sarawak – Dapsy Sarawak Gesa Tindakan Kerajaan untuk Beras Tempatan Mampu Milik
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Special Randau
> Why was Zahid Hamidi released without being acquitted when there is already a prima facie case? The public wants Zahid's case to proceed, in addition to the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) and a detailed investigation and testimony from the MACC. What is your opinion? Please contact us at 013-5515219.
> Carbon trading, only owners of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land are allowed to participate or obtain carbon trading licenses. But the question is, who has the authority to grant ownership of NCR land? It's the state government.
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Roland Engan, Chairman of the Sarawak PKR
*Carbon Trading in Sarawak: Who Reaps the Benefits?*
In the keynote speech at the Carbon Asia conference on 15 March 2023 which took place in Kuching. The Sarawak Premier expects that Sarawak will earn RM315 million to RM1.039 billion a year through Carbon trading. We agree with carbon trading for economic benefits and environmental sustainability. We maintain the forest and stop this logging (Zero logging) which PKR Baram proposed more than a year ago - according to Roland. But we still question who benefits the most when this carbon trading is implemented. Will Orang Asal also get a share of the carbon trading revenue? asked Roland. Or licensees and concession holders will be given and monopolized by giant logging and plantation companies that have been destroying and polluting the environment. We Sarawakians want laws that favor the people, not capitalist companies. Roland lashed out at the Sarawak Government under the leadership of GPS which wants carbon emissions but still allows/gives licenses to loggers. This is the difference between our policy when compared to GPS. Roland wants the proceeds of carbon trading to be paid directly to the people who look after/own the forest where the carbon is obtained.
Another thing that the people should be aware of according to Roland, the Carbon Trading and Land Affairs Bill (to be presented in November 2023) will give the state government the right to control, dominate and collect revenue not only from the forest but also what is in the land , rivers and in the air (including carbon). This all gives results to the state government but not to the poor people who own land, rivers and forests. Roland urged the people of Sarawak to elect a government that safeguards their rights and at the same time provides economic prosperity. Regarding the GPS issue, all 82 state assembly seats will be contested in PRN13 Sarawak. Roland stressed that PH and PKR Sarawak are ready at any time to replace GPS to govern Sarawak. With the awareness of the majority of the people will give hope for change.
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Jeffrey Ngui, chairman of MUDA Sarawak
*GPS Persists with ART, but Fails to Solve Traffic Realities*
Sarawak now has an Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system, which is currently in the testing and data collection phase. Will it effectively address traffic congestion in both Samarahan and Kuching?
Despite criticisms from the public, including those raised in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), ART has finally been introduced in Kuching. It appears that GPS state government is determined to proceed with this project.
However, the question remains: why do we need ART? Its designated route is from Kota Samarahan to alleviate traffic issues in that area. Can this ART system truly resolve the traffic problems in Kota Samarahan?
Jeffrery said that, currently, we have hydrogen and electric buses that remain unused and are parked at the old DUN building. Now, with the introduction of ART, which can transport hundreds of passengers, we have a more visually appealing and modern alternative. ART operates on rubber tires and is touted to be more cost-effective than Light Rail Transit (LRT), which requires expensive rail infrastructure.
ART has the capacity to accommodate 300 passengers, but the question arises: do we have a sufficient number of passengers to fill it? Public buses faced challenges in the past, with limited success. In earlier times, they were more popular due to lower car ownership rates.
Given the evolving circumstances, self-driving options have become increasingly important. Are the people of Samarahan willing to rely on ART as their primary mode of transportation for commuting to work or sending their children to school? Will it replace services like Grab, motorcycles, and private cars? So far, it doesn't seem to be heading in that direction.
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Peter Hee, the leader of Dapsy Sarawak
*Dapsy Sarawak Urges Government Action for Affordable Local Rice*
The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak has urged the state government to take immediate actions to ensure that Sarawak residents have access to affordable locally-produced white rice.
Peter Hee, expressed concern over the rising prices of imported rice, attributed to supply issues and increased transportation costs. Recently, Bernas announced a significant increase in the wholesale price of imported white rice, from RM2,350 per tonne to RM3,200 per tonne, effective this month.
Hee pointed out that many Sarawakians are compelled to buy costly imported rice because most local vendors do not offer locally-produced white rice.
He stated, The people of Sarawak have no other alternatives and are compelled to purchase expensive imported rice.
Hee proposed that the Sarawak government take steps to reduce the reliance on imported rice, promote local rice cultivation, safeguard food safety, and ensure a stable supply and pricing of locally-produced white rice.
He emphasized that, across Malaysia, Sarawak is the only region lacking access to affordable locally-produced white rice. The Sarawak government bears responsibility for this shortfall.
Hee also cautioned that it would be a grave dereliction of duty if Sarawak residents were unable to afford the benefits of reasonably priced local rice.