6 June 2024
On Today Show
— Robert Muyang, Ex-Priest of the Catholic Church, Sebauh – Failures in Rural Infrastructure Blamed on GPS
— Ngeow Chow Ying, Convenor of Project SAMA – Calls for Transparency and Action on Human Rights from Madani Government
— Florence from Tamin, Dalat – Tamin Residents Struggle with Flooding and Poor Infrastructure
Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Robert Muyang, Mantan Paderi Gereja Katolik, Sebauh - Kegagalan Infrastruktur Luar Bandar Dituduhkan kepada GPS
- Ngeow Chow Ying, Pengerusi Projek SAMA - Seruan untuk Ketelusan dan Tindakan mengenai Hak Asasi Manusia dari Kerajaan Madani
- Florence dari Tamin, Dalat - Penduduk Tamin Bergelut dengan Banjir dan Infrastruktur Buruk
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*Special Randau*
1. The Election Commission (EC) has announced a budget of RM2.1 million, with polling day set for July 6, 2024. The by-election follows the death of the Sungai Bakap State Assemblyman from PAS, Nor Zam Latiff, 56, on May 24, prompting the by-election. This time, PAS will be contested by PKR representing Pakatan Harapan (PH).
2. The President of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), Voon Lee Shan, has challenged the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)/Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to propose a constitutional amendment for Sarawak to prevent Peninsular Malaysia-based parties from contesting in Sarawak. This suggestion follows a statement by Batu Kitang Assemblyman Lo Khe Ching (SUPP), who urged Sarawakians to support individuals or groups aligned with Peninsular parties, claiming they have long hindered Sarawak's progress and harmony. Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR Chairman Roland Engan stated that there is no need for a constitutional amendment in Sarawak. Both the Sarawak Constitution and the Federal Constitution guarantee democratic freedom for all Malaysians.
3. Robert Muyang criticized GPS for failing to advance rural areas in Sarawak despite the establishment of numerous development corridors with budgets of hundreds of millions of ringgit. Many projects have been abandoned, the quality of projects is very low, and there is corruption and misappropriation in the implementation of these projects.
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Robert Muyang, Ex-Priest of the Catholic Church, Sebauh
*Failures in Rural Infrastructure Blamed on GPS*
During the Gawai celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) hosted by Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, Uggah urged the Dayak community to continue cooperating and supporting GPS in advancing the Dayak community in Sarawak. According to Uggah, the Sarawak government has established nine regional agencies to help develop the Dayak community in rural areas. These nine development agencies are the Highland Development Agency (HDA), Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), and Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA). Additionally, there are the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA), Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), Rejang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), Rajang Area Security Command Development Agency (RADA), and Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
According to Robert, the Dayak community has always supported GPS, as evidenced by the coalition winning 80 out of 82 seats in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. Despite the establishment of many development agencies supposedly to advance rural areas, the projects implemented by these agencies are mostly abandoned, and the quality of the projects is very poor. "From what is mentioned, it sounds like a lot, but the results are very little," said Robert Muyang.
"We also recently learned about the existence of RADA - the Rajang Area Security Command Development Agency. However, a few days ago, TR Siling anak Rabing reported to RFS that residents of 21 longhouses in the RESCOM area still use logging roads to return to their villages during the recent Gawai celebration. The Premier of Sarawak likes to boast that Sarawak has a lot of money, but rural infrastructure facilities are still far behind."
Robert also disagrees with the interference of politicians or elected representatives (YB) in the appointment of village chiefs and believes that elected representatives should not be involved in the handing over of appointment letters to village chiefs, as it seems like the YBs are the ones appointing the village chiefs. Robert advised longhouse residents not to be afraid of threats from their local YBs, as they can remove those YBs through the power of voting.
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Ngeow Chow Ying, Convenor of Project SAMA
*Calls for Transparency and Action on Human Rights from Madani Government*
On the current human rights situation in Malaysia after the change of government, Chow Ying opined that other than the abolition of the death sentence, there has been no progress in other areas. Malaysia still retains draconian laws such as the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA), emergency laws, the Sedition Act, and certain sections of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act. There has been a lot of misuse of power under these laws. The freedom of expression is now under threat from entities like the MCMC. Marginalized groups such as the LGBT community, people with disabilities, and women's communities have seen no progress in their rights and protections.
This state of human rights is disappointing, especially since the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which consists of PKR, DAP, and Amanah, promised in their manifestos to improve human rights conditions in Malaysia. They pledged to abolish draconian laws such as the Sedition Act, but these promises have not materialized.
Yesterday, in a Malaysiakini news report, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) stated in his meeting with the Human Rights High Commissioner that a country needs to base its recent values on creating a harmonious and peaceful society without forgetting compassion and human rights. However, this statement alone is not sufficient. The Madani government needs to go further and explain to us the concrete actions and plans they have to improve the human rights situation in Malaysia.
There is an urgent need for the government to outline specific steps and timelines for the abolition of draconian laws, the protection of freedom of expression, and the advancement of rights for marginalized communities. The people of Malaysia deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders on these critical issues.
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Florence from Tamin, Dalat
*Tamin Residents Struggle with Flooding and Poor Infrastructure*
Residents of the villages along Jalan Batang Oya in the Tamin constituency have long shared the problems of poor road conditions and lack of treated water supply under the GPS government. They frequently face flooding, which forces them to stay in hotels during the Gawai celebration because the road to their longhouses in Batang Oya, DUN Tamin, is flooded.
The severely damaged and unpaved road is neglected by the government despite the numerous residents living along it and the presence of a primary school. Their representative, assemblyman Christopher Gira from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)-GPS, excuses the lack of road funding by claiming that previous allocations were used up by the former representative, YB Joseph Entulu, and that reports have been submitted by the former YB.
However, according to Ms. Florence, it is unreasonable for Christopher Gira to keep using the same excuse when they (GPS) have the political will to make decisions that would bring development to the people.