8 January 2024
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Dennis Along, Aktivis dari Long Terawan Mulu, Sarawak – Pencerobohan Tanah dan Perluasan Taman: Perjuangan Mulu tidak akan Berhenti
— Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, Mantan MP PKR Miri – Autonomi Kesihatan Tidak Bererti Jika GPS Tidak Boleh Selesaikan Isu Kesihatan di Dalam Negeri
— Encik Roma, Warga Sarawak yang bekerja di Selangor – Tiket Mahal, Cabaran Pulang Kampung: Warga Sarawak di Semenanjung Menghadapi Dilema Kembali ke Kampung
— Encik Velon Lavinon, Pegawai Bertanggungjawab Komuniti SSCR Sumindak Sirung – Memberdayakan Komuniti: Kemunculan Pelancongan Komuniti Sumindak Sirung
On Today Show
— Dennis Along, Activist from Long Terawan Mulu, Sarawak – Land Invasions and Park Expansion: Mulu's Battle for Survival
— Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, PKR ex MP of Miri – Healthcare Autonomy in Vain If GPS Can't Solve Interior Healthcare Issues
— Mr. Roma, A Sarawakian who works in Selangor – Costly Tickets, Homebound Struggles: Sarawakians in West Malaysia Facing Back Hometown Dilemma
— Mr. Velon Lavinon . Person in charge of SSCR Sumindak Sirung Community – Empowering Communities: The Rise of Sumindak Sirung Community Tourism
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Special Randau
1- Pro-PN activists question why MACC only probing Daim over Pandora Papers
2- Najib Abdul Razak wants the government to make Netflix take down the 1MDB-linked documentary “Man on the Run”. The former prime minister claimed the show was “contemptuous and sub judice” to the ongoing RM2.27 billion 1MDB corruption trial against him.
3- The Dubai move is an attempt to divert attention from the major news of the MACC investigation against three former prime ministers and Tun Daim Zainuddin.
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Dennis Along, Activist from Long Terawan Mulu, Sarawak.
*Land Invasions and Park Expansion: Mulu's Battle for Survival*
Today Dennis and his villagers drove more than four hours to the Marudi District Office to meet the Marudi District Officer to protest against the land department's encroachment and survey of their land. They received a notice from the Land and Survey Department that the land survey in Long Terawan village will be done under section 6 and a dialogue related to the matter will be held on 10 January 2024 in Long Terawan village. Even before the dialogue was held, the Land and Survey Department started the land measurement work under section 6 today without the consent of the villagers. This is a fraud and an invasion. We have made a police report regarding this matter.
The second thing we object to is the increase in the area of Mulu National Park and the name of Mulu National Park being changed to Tutoh Apoh National Park. We object to the addition of the area and Tutoh Apoh's name. Tutoh Apoh is an area far from Mulu. Second, increasing the area of mulu national park is a way of confiscating our land. The SFC will also introduce/enforce the TPA- Total Ptotaction Area law. Where the original people will be driven out of the area. Agricultural activities, taking forest products and hunting are prohibited. We should be the ones who are appointed to look after the forest in MULU because we Orang Asal are the most skilled forest keepers. We will meet the SFC in Miri tomorrow to express our objection. In 2018 we fought with Radian Legoon for land in Mulu. Three years we fought and we won. Now the SFC and the GPS Sarawak government are happy to designate the area as a National Park. We protested and asked for it to be cancelled
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Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, PKR ex MP of Miri
*Healthcare Autonomy in Vain If GPS Can't Solve Interior Healthcare Issues*
A delegation from the Ministry of Health (MoH) is scheduled for a meeting this Friday to discuss matters related to Sarawak's healthcare autonomy, announced Deputy Premier Dr. Sim Kui Hian. The GPS state government strongly advocates for healthcare autonomy, but Dr. Teo emphasized that if Sarawak regains healthcare autonomy, effective oversight by the GPS government is crucial.
Dr. Teo highlighted the unique challenges faced by Sarawak compared to West Malaysia, emphasizing the vast geographical area and sparse population. He suggested that healthcare specialists from West Malaysia might not fully grasp the complexities of Sarawak's situation, making local governance more favorable. However, delays and complications in hospital construction projects under GPS management have posed challenges to healthcare development.
While acknowledging the completion of Lawas Hospital, Dr. Teo stressed the need for adequate resources to address internal requirements such as specialized personnel and equipment. He urged GPS to listen to the voices of the interior population, understand their challenges, and provide effective healthcare facilities while maintaining control over healthcare.
Dr. Teo emphasized that after decades of GPS administration in Sarawak, if healthcare autonomy cannot be effectively managed, there might be no necessity for GPS to oversee it.
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Mr. Roma, A Sarawakian who works in Selangor
*Costly Tickets, Homebound Struggles: Sarawakians in West Malaysia Facing Back Hometown Dilemma*
AirAsia has introduced fixed one-way economy tickets to Sabah and Sarawak at RM348 and RM298, respectively, for the Chinese New Year period starting Jan 5. Transport Minister Anthony Loke praised AirAsia for providing affordable options to manage the surge in demand during festive seasons. These fixed-fare tickets can be purchased until Feb 15 or while stocks last.
However, Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia, like Roma, expressed concern about the high airfare rates during the festive season, priced at 295+ one way. Roma finds these rates to be still high, especially for families. Checking online prices from KL to Sibu, Roma was surprised to discover one-way fares ranging from 300 to 400 ringgit per person. As a result, Roma had to cancel plans with his family due to the high cost for a round trip to Sarawak.
Roma suggests that flight fares be reduced to ease the financial burden on those wishing to return to Sabah and Sarawak, particularly given the current uncertain economic conditions.
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Mr. Velon Lavinon . Person in charge of SSCR Sumindak Sirung Community
*Empowering Communities: The Rise of Sumindak Sirung Community Tourism*
When the government neglects community development and the promotion of local economic growth, communities must rely on their own initiatives to organize projects and drive tourism activities to showcase local attractions.
The community at Sumindak Sirung Community Resort (SSCR), Kg Timpangoh Sugud, Penampang, has successfully established another Community-Based Tourism (CBT) destination. Situated at the hilltop, this location boasts an extraordinary natural environment. The community-based tourism project started in 2018, initiated by the communities of Timpangoh Sugud and Simangan Laut Penampang. In 2018, an outsider proposed the idea of initiating tourism activities in the area. The locals swiftly decided to take charge and manage the project themselves. They promptly organized a community meeting and formed the Sumindak Sirung Community Resort. The process took some time, especially due to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the application process with the Land Department. It was eventually completed by the end of 2023, culminating in a soft opening.
Despite facing challenges with insufficient water supply at the mountain's peak, the community successfully overcame this issue by constructing a small reservoir. The resort offers picturesque scenery, a cool climate, views of the Crocker Range, and a panoramic view of the Town of Kota Kinabalu towards Tanjung Aru during both sunrise and sunset.
The purpose of this community resort is to stimulate social and economic participation within the community. It will operate during weekends and holidays, allowing those working or studying in urban areas to participate. Local residents express that Sabah has numerous distinctive places worth promoting for tourism, but due to a lack of government action, communities have had to rely on themselves and have achieved remarkable success.