6 June 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Randau Khas – Ahli Parlimen PN membantah usul membincangkan laporan audit negara
> Roland Engan, Pengerusi PKR Sarawak – Menangani Pembalakan Haram: Seruan untuk Tindakan dan Ketelusan dalam Pengurusan Hutan Sarawak
> Nick Kelesau, Ketua Persatuan Keruan – GPS ditangkap pembalakan haram, adakah ia hanya satu perbuatan?
> Abdul Razak Ismail, Setiausaha Agung Parti Hijau Malaysia – Parti Hijau Timbulkan Keraguan Mengenai 2 Projek Mega, Terima Surat Tuntutan
On Today Show
> Special Randau – PN MPs objected to the motion to discuss the national audit report
> Roland Engan, Sarawak PKR Chairman – Addressing Illegal Logging: Calls for Action and Transparency in Sarawak's Forest Management
> Nick Kelesau, Leader of Keruan Association – GPS caught illegal logging, is it just an act?
> Abdul Razak Ismail, Secretary-General of the Green Party Malaysia – Green Party Raises Doubts About 2 Mega Projects, Receives Letter of Demand
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Special Randau
*PN MPs objected to the motion to discuss the national audit report*
History was made today when the opposition was afraid to discuss the National Audit Report 2021. Usually, this is where the opposition shines. Surprisingly, all opposition members from the 2023 batch left the assembly hall. Could it be because they are afraid that the esteemed report will uncover the 7.2 billion scandal involving PN leader Muhyiddin Yassin or the 15 billion flood mitigation project involving PAS leader Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man?
All of this is being discussed today.
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Roland Engan, Sarawak PKR Chairman
*Addressing Illegal Logging: Calls for Action and Transparency in Sarawak's Forest Management*
The Minister of Natural Resources and Sarawak Urban Development - Awang Tengah Ali Hasan reported that 264 cases of illegal logging were recorded for the period 2020- and 2022. He said this when wrapping up the debate for his ministry in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. Awang Tengah also informed that the Sarawak government has established a special task force to combat illegal logging. Roland suggested that the task force include local residents, NGO leaders and community leaders.
Relying on drones and satellite images alone is not enough - according to Roland. For Roland some things should be improved. Among them. Complaints of forest encroachment and illegal logging from rural communities should be taken seriously/action. Forest enforcement officers in an area should be fully responsible for logging cases that occur. The village head should be responsible for reporting illegal logging activities. The government should be clear about logging concessions based on previous records, location, concession, who is the main license holder and who is the logging contractor. Loggers need to answer to residents when asked, there needs to be transparency and valid maps should be easy to obtain/refer to, if necessary. And what is no less important is that the amount of wood cut should be the same as the amount declared. There are many cases where the cut wood is not the same according to Roland. So he agreed that roadblocks should be done at all bus stops - where enforcement officers can check if necessary. This was done during the Adenan Satem administration.
Regarding the difference in the definition of illegal logging - Roland emphasized that the logging license given by the state government is not in bulk. It is strict with certain conditions. There are certain trees that cannot be cut down, there are certain lands that cannot be encroached upon and logging is permitted with the consent of the residents. If this can be followed, disputes related to logging will be overcome. Roland insisted that corruption is the cause of illegal logging. He urged the MACC to act decisively. So that the issue of illegal logging in Sarawak can be addressed.
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Nick Kelesau, Leader of Keruan Association
*GPS caught illegal logging, is it just an act?*
The Minister of Natural Resources and Sarawak Urban Development - Awang Tengah Ali Hasan reported that 264 cases of illegal logging were recorded for the period 2020- and 2022.
The question here is why only the wood is confiscated but the person who logs is not arrested? Nick Kelesau has no confidence on the GPS operation, he wonders Is this a drama and then the company can reclaim their logs.
Nick kelesau asked for intervention from the federal government to focus on all states that still have illegal logging activities.
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Abdul Razak Ismail, Secretary-General of the Green Party Malaysia
*Green Party Raises Doubts About 2 Mega Projects, Receives Letter of Demand*
The Green Party focuses on environmental issues. They recently revealed that the Bukit Lagong quarrying case is related to the state government, and now they have raised doubts about two mega projects approved by the Selangor government.
Over the past two years, the Selangor government proposed two mega projects: the redevelopment of the Shah Alam sports complex and the widening and deepening of the Klang River, known as the Selangor Maritime Gateway. The Shah Alam sports complex project is estimated to cost 1.5 billion, while the Selangor Maritime Gateway project is estimated to cost 700 million. These projects are being rushed before the upcoming state election. Regarding the Shah Alam stadium, it was initially proposed for refurbishment as the Public Works Department (JKR) estimated the cost to be only 200 million. The stadium's foundation is still in good condition and can last for a longer period. However, to our surprise, it was announced that the stadium would be dismantled. It appears that there are personal interests involved, as hotels, shopping complexes, and commercial centers will be built around the new stadium.
In the case of the Klang River project, there seems to be a conflict of interest or abuse of power. The project is estimated to cost 700 million, but the government is not paying a single cent. Instead, they are swapping parcels of land along the Klang River with the contractor. Unfortunately, we are unable to obtain a clearer picture through freedom of information requests, as we received a response stating that all information is classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
After Abdul Razak Ismail's articles were published in two portals, he received a letter of demand. Not only was a LOD issued to him, but also to the two media outlets that reported Abdul Razak's revelations. Abdul Razak is urging the Prime Minister to investigate the two projects. Furthermore, the Green Party applied to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) five months ago but has not yet received approval as a political party. Therefore, the Green Party Malaysia will miss the opportunity to contest in the upcoming State Election.
When asked if they will support any parties in the upcoming six-state election, Abdul Razak stated that the only party with the same ambition to protect the environment is PSM (Parti Socialis Malaysia). Other political parties do not seem to have made efforts to protect the environment. Even if they make promises now, they may not be able to fulfill them after winning the election.
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