6 October 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Chong Chen Jen, Pengerusi PH Sarawak - Persoalan Timbul Mengenai Dasar-Dasar Empangan: Kes Runtuhnya Jambatan Sungai Musah
> Barnie Lasimbamg, aktivis alam sekitar dari Sabah - Amaran yang Diabaikan: Kegentaran Mendesak untuk Keselamatan Empangan di Malaysia
> Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, ahli kepimpinan Sarawak KEADILAN - PKR Desak: Penanaman Padi yang Dipimpin oleh Komuniti di Sarawak
On Today Show
> Chong Chen Jen, Chairman of PH Sarawak – Questions Raised Over Dam Policies: The Case of Sungai Musah Bridge Collapse
> Barnie Lasimbamg, environmental activist from Sabah – A Warning Ignored: The Urgent Need for Dam Safety in Malaysia
> Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, member of Sarawak KEADILAN Leadership – PKR urged: Community-Led Rice Cultivation in Sarawak
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Special Randau
1. PH will determine whether to participate in the Jepak State Assembly by-election in the upcoming meeting, said Chairman of PH Sarawak CJ Chong.
2. CJ Chong will demand a comprehensive report on the collapsed bridge at Sungai Musah in the Song district during the next parliamentary session.
3. Former PKR Deputy President Syed Hussin Ali calls on the government to decisively abolish the Sedition Act and SOSMA.
4. A US district judge has ordered former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng to be returned to Malaysia to face charges related to the scandal-ridden 1MDB sovereign wealth fund
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Chong Chen Jen, Member of Parliament for Stampin (DAP), Member of the Padungan State Legislative Assembly, also chairman of PH Sarawak.
*Questions Raised Over Dam Policies: The Case of Sungai Musah Bridge Collapse*
According to Chong - PH Sarawak will meet next week and will decide whether to field a candidate in the Jepak by-election or not. But traditionally the Jepak seat is reserved for PKR. PKR should have made a decision first. For now PBB/GPS, Aspirasi and PBK-Parti Bumi Kenyalang announced that they will compete in the Jepak by-election, this November. Chong explained that the collapse of the Sungai Musah bridge in Song is very surprising and troubling. He will insist that a full report be given by the public works minister in next week's parliamentary session. The RM55 million bridge collapsed after it was completed 9 years ago. The authorities have appointed consultants to study the exact cause of the collapse of the bridge. While the GPS Sarawak government's policy to build more hydro dams is an effort to obtain clean, renewable energy. Clean and renewable energy is attracting investors around the world. But His question is, will it benefit the people where the dam is built and building a hydro dam to get electricity and selling it abroad is a less wise move. This excess energy should be for the benefit of the population and the progress of our own state and country. Not for sale - Chong said.
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Barnie Lasimbamg, environmental activist from Sabah
*A Warning Ignored: The Urgent Need for Dam Safety in Malaysia*
In recent news reports, concerns have arisen regarding the integrity of eight dams, including the Babagon Dam. These dams have been found to have suffered damage, raising alarm among the public. The release of a comprehensive report supports the long-standing protests against the state of these damaged dams, drawing parallels with similar incidents in other countries like China, which tragically claimed lives. This issue demands a serious response, particularly in light of plans to construct additional dams, such as the Kaiduan Dam in Sarawak, which pose long-term threats to safety.
Among the eight damaged dams, the Babagon Dam stands out as one in dire need of costly maintenance. While it serves a valuable purpose for the public, concerns about its structural integrity cannot be taken lightly. This serves as a clear warning to both the government and individuals who continue to advocate for the construction of large dams as part of their development agenda. It is the opinion of many that building more dams is not conducive to sustainable development, as it not only threatens the structural integrity of these structures but also has significant environmental impacts.
The Babagon Dam, which has been privatized and is operated by Jentama, a government-linked company (GLC) in Sabah, has faced operational issues. There have been instances where the spillway, responsible for controlling floods during heavy and prolonged rainfall, failed to function correctly. This failure resulted in flash floods in the Moyog area, despite Jentama's denial of any wrongdoing. Eyewitness accounts from surrounding residents confirmed the spillway gate's failure, leading to the overflow of water and subsequent flash flooding incidents.
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Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, member of Sarawak KEADILAN Leadership
*PKR urged: Community-Led Rice Cultivation in Sarawak*
The Sarawak government's strategic endeavor to transform the state into the country's second rice bowl has garnered significant support. This initiative, driven by the Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development, Dr. Stephen Rundi, and backed by a substantial allocation of RM1 billion from Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg, aims to boost rice production and reduce the state's heavy reliance on rice imports, which currently account for 60% of its rice consumption.
Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, a member of Sarawak KEADILAN Leadership, expressed his endorsement of this effort. He emphasized the pivotal role that the local community, particularly those residing in villages and rural areas, can play in utilizing idle land for rice cultivation to meet their own needs.
Furthermore, Abang Zulkifli suggested that an even more efficient approach to enhance rice cultivation would involve registered agricultural cooperatives. He stressed the importance of providing training and opportunities to cooperative members and management. Their active participation not only stands to boost cooperative incomes but also assists the government in addressing the persistent issue of rice shortages within the state.
Abang Zulkifli also highlighted the need for continued support for traditional farmers while simultaneously promoting the development of large-scale, technologically advanced rice farms.
In addition, Abang Zulkifli called attention to existing rice farms, such as those in Tanjung Bijat Sri Aman and Gedung Sarawak, underscoring that their potential remains largely untapped. He emphasized the importance of dedicated efforts to maximize the productivity of these farms, suggesting that any delays or failures in achieving this potential must be addressed promptly.