6 August 2024
On Today Show
— Dennis Along, Resident of Long Terawan, Mulu – Dennis Demands Accountability for Environmental Destruction Tied to GPS Leaders
— Paul Nungang from Long Kaliman, Baram – Pressure Mounts on Logging Firms to Contribute to Baram’s Infrastructure Repair
— Meor Razak, SAM research & field officer – NGOs Push Back Against State Government’s Logging Policies Affecting Ulu Muda Dam
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Dennis Along, Penduduk Long Terawan, Mulu – Dennis Menuntut Pertanggungjawaban untuk Kerosakan Alam Sekitar yang Dikaitkan dengan Pemimpin GPS
— Paul Nungang dari Long Kaliman, Baram – Tekanan Meningkat kepada Syarikat Penebangan untuk Menyumbang kepada Pembaikan Infrastruktur Baram
— Meor Razak, Pegawai Penyelidikan & Lapangan SAM – NGO Menentang Dasar Penebangan Negeri yang Mempengaruhi Empangan Ulu Muda
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Special Randau
1. Fire and imprison Huang Tiong Sii, for committing environmental crimes. Dennis Along said. Huang has relinquished his positions in MM Golden and UU Green. But he is still the largest shareholder. He has deceived the prime minister and the people of Malaysia - Said Dennis Along. Dennis also wants strict environmental laws to be imposed on GPS cronies - such as the families and children of former Sarawak chief ministers who own almost all the land in Taman Negara Mulu. The law should not be two degrees.2. Allocation of 15 million to repair roads and bridges that collapsed due to natural disasters - not enough, said Paul Nungang. He commented on the media statement by Sarawak deputy premier Douglas Ungah who said that studies and tests proved that the amount allocated was not enough for the scope of the repair works. However, we think that logging companies and oil palm plantations that operate in landslide areas should be held responsible for covering the cost of repairs. Those who pollute the environment, profit hundreds of millions. But when it comes to improving the road that they themselves use to transport logs and palm oil - use money from taxpayers.
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Dennis Along, Resident of Long Terawan, Mulu
Dennis Demands Accountability for Environmental Destruction Tied to GPS Leaders
At the World Herpetology Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Monday, Sarawak Premier Johari Openg announced that Sarawak is considering implementing harsher punishments for environmental criminals, including fines and imprisonment. According to Johari, Sarawak's Attorney General is conducting a study to improve the national park law and the environmental ordinance, which have significant weaknesses. The Attorney General will make recommendations, which will then be brought to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for approval.
Dennis, a Sarawakian environmental activist, expressed his support for Johari's proposal. However, he pointed out that the primary culprits behind the environmental destruction in Sarawak, from Kuching to the interior regions, are allegedly the cronies of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Dennis mentioned Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Huang Tiong Sii, whose logging company is involved in deforestation activities in the land areas of Baram and Belaga residents. Despite some residents blocking these activities, the companies, MM Golden and UU Green, which are wholly owned by Huang and his family, have continued logging operations forcefully and secretly.
Dennis hopes that stricter law enforcement will result in fines and imprisonment for Huang and his family. He also mentioned that Huang might have to resign from his deputy minister position due to a conflict of interest, as per the conditions set by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Dennis highlighted another example of environmental exploitation in Mulu, where the family of former Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud owns significant land within Mulu National Park. Raziah Mahmud, Taib Mahmud's sister, runs hotel and tourism businesses in the area, while Taib Mahmud's son, Abu Bekir, through Titanium and Radian Lagoon, owns 4,400 hectares of land in Mulu. Recently, the Sarawak government, through the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), plans to gazette 4,300 hectares of the NCR Long Terawan land to create the Tutoh-Apoh National Park.
Dennis announced his intention to lodge an objection at the SFC office in Miri, armed with all the evidence he mentioned. He urged Premier Johari Openg to take decisive action against the family of former Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, rather than targeting ordinary citizens.
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Paul Nungang from Long Kaliman, Baram
Pressure Mounts on Logging Firms to Contribute to Baram’s Infrastructure Repair
Paul Nungang has highlighted significant concerns regarding the RM15 million allocated for repairing roads and bridges in Baram’s interior. According to Nungang, this amount is grossly insufficient for addressing the extensive repairs needed due to the poor condition of the roads and the scale of the required work. He emphasizes that the repair and maintenance of these infrastructure elements should be the government’s responsibility, as effective infrastructure is critical for community development and well-being.
Nungang also points to the role of logging companies, which have made substantial profits from their operations in Baram. Despite their financial gains, these companies have not been held accountable for the damage inflicted on the infrastructure. Nungang criticizes the government for its failure to address this issue publicly and for not involving logging companies in contributing to repairs and maintenance.
The performance of local representatives in Baram is another area of concern. Nungang notes that the region is served by three state assemblymen who are perceived as drawing salaries without effectively working for the welfare of the local population. This lack of tangible development and improvement highlights a serious gap between the promises made and the actual progress achieved.
After 61 years of independence, Baram remains significantly underdeveloped compared to other regions. Nungang underscores that this longstanding issue reflects inadequate investment and attention to the region’s infrastructure needs. The poor condition of roads and bridges impacts residents' access to essential services and markets, hampering their economic activities and overall quality of life.
Nungang calls for greater accountability and transparency from both the government and private sector. He stresses the need for effective use of resources and equitable distribution of development efforts to ensure fair and sustainable progress. Addressing Baram’s infrastructure challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes immediate repairs and long-term planning to prevent future issues and support meaningful development in the region.
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Meor Razak, SAM research & field officer
*NGOs Push Back Against State Government’s Logging Policies Affecting Ulu Muda Dam*Recent statements by the Kedah Menteri deny that the decrease in water levels at the Ulu Muda Dam is due to logging activities in the surrounding areas.
NGOs have been actively defending the 160,000 hectares of Ulu Muda, which includes eight forest complexes: Chebar Besar, Pedu, Padang Terap, Chebar Kecil, Ahning, and the largest, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. These forest complexes play a crucial role in the social and economic well-being of Kedah, serving as a vital water source for agriculture, particularly rice cultivation. Kedah, known as the "rice bowl" of Malaysia, relies on a consistent water supply, which also supports rice fields in Seberang Prai and Perlis. Protecting these forests is essential to prevent water shortages that could impact 60,000 farmers and their livelihoods.
The state government has prioritized logging as an economic resource but has not provided a list of logging licenses approved by previous administrations. NGOs are concerned about the significant impact of large-scale logging on agriculture and are advocating for the protection of these vital forest areas.