8 May 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Sinaran Khas Randau - Malaysia menduduki tempat ketiga dalam indeks kapitalisme kroni The Economist untuk tahun 2023.
> John Brian, Pengerusi Tetap Parti PBDS - Politik sebagai Lesen untuk Kaya Raya.
> Nicholas Mujah, Setiausaha Agung SADIA - Undilah Menentang Boneka Kapitalis: Memperkasakan Rakyat.
> Romuald Siew, Presiden Persatuan Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal - Pengiktirafan Saksama: Membela Hari Kelepasan untuk Perayaan Keamatan dan Gawai.
> Florence, seorang penduduk Sarawak yang bekerja di Semenanjung Malaysia - Rakyat Malaysia Timur meminta Perayaan yang Saksama.
On Today Show
> Special Randau - Malaysia ranked third on The Economist’s 2023 crony-capitalism index
> John Brian, Permanent Chairman of the PBDS Party – Politics as a License to Get RichPolitics as a License to Get Rich
> Nicholas Mujah, General Secretary SADIA – Vote Against Capitalist Pawns: Empowering the People
> Romuald Siew, President of Persatuan Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal – Equal Recognition: Advocating Public Holidays for Keamatan and Gawai Festivals
> Florence, a Sarawakian working in Peninsular Malaysia – East Malaysian asked for Equal Celebration
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Special Randau
- Malaysia has been ranked third behind Russia and the Czech Republic in the latest instalment of The Economist magazine’s crony-capitalism index, which first estimated how much plutocrats profit from rent-seeking industries almost a decade ago.
- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has filed a RM150 million defamation suit against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Dr Mahathir alleged that Anwar had defamed him by accusing him of being racist and enriching himself and his family members during his 22-year tenure as prime minister.
- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today that the government has provided Lynas Malaysia with a six-month extension to fulfil the conditions of its operating license in the country.
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John Brian, Permanent Chairman of the PBDS Party
*Politics as a License to Get RichPolitics as a License to Get Rich*
The Economist magazine in 2023 ranked Malaysia in third place, behind Russia and the Czech Republic, in the Crony Capitalism Index. This indicates the extent of cronyism practices in Malaysia. According to John Brian, all of this stems from political power. Politics is used as a means to become wealthy. Let's take the example of a retired teacher who was poor but became rich shortly after winning the election representing the BN. It all starts when election candidates representing BN are funded by wealthy capitalists for their campaigns. When these sponsored politicians win in the elections, it becomes their obligation to repay the money that was used during the campaign. They do this by awarding contracts and projects worth millions to these capitalists.
According to John, in Sarawak, it is not a secret that companies like Samling, Shin Yang, Rimbunan Hijau, Ta Ann, WTK, and KTS have funded the election campaigns of BN candidates in the past. As a result, the wealth of Sarawak is plundered by a group of wealthy capitalists. It is truly unfortunate for Malaysia that 6% of the population monopolizes the country's wealth. The administration of Anwar Ibrahim began to break the monopoly on rice, sugar, diesel/petrol in a short period of time. Only by changing the government can this practice be eradicated, says John Brian.
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Nicholas Mujah, General Secretary SADIA
*Vote Against Capitalist Pawns: Empowering the People*
Nicholas explained that the practice of Crony Capitalism has hindered the country's development progress. Many projects and contracts are awarded to individuals who lack qualifications, solely based on their connections with politicians and influential figures. As a result, some projects were not implemented, some faced delays and cost overruns, and others were completed but with subpar quality. Additionally, there were cases of misappropriation of project funds and contracts. This crony-capitalism culture thrived during the BN government's rule for decades. According to Nicholas, there are two necessary steps to counter the influence of crony capitalism. Firstly, the government and politicians must firmly reject manipulation by capitalists, and secondly, the people should remove any politician who becomes a pawn for capitalists through their votes in elections. Nicholas is confident that if given the opportunity to govern Malaysia, PMX will succeed in achieving these goals.--------------------------
Romuald Siew, President of Persatuan Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal
*Equal Recognition: Advocating Public Holidays for Keamatan and Gawai Festivals*
The 8 NGOs have come together to discuss the Keamatan celebration on the 30th and 31st of May for the natives of Sabah, while the Gawai festival for the Dayaks in Sarawak takes place on the 1st and 2nd of June. However, these festivities have not been officially recognized as public holidays in Malaysia. Currently, there is only a one-day holiday for Gawai. Considering that Sabah and Sarawak are integral parts of Malaysia, it would be beneficial for the federal government to declare public holidays for Keamatan and the Gawai festival. Malaysia already have public holidays for Hari Raya and Chinese New Year, and as Malaysians who are of diverse backgrounds, it is important that we are treated equally.
The statement was issued by Dayak Think Tank Association Sarawak deputy president Ricky Sani; Dayak National Congress president Paul Raja; Persatuan Iban Sarawak president Samuel Suring; Society for Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak secretary general Michael M Jok; Sarawak Dayak Iban Association Miri secretary Rafael Dru; Terabai Menua adviser Wilfred Nissem; Persatuan Masyarakat Salako dan Rara Sarawak president Robert Umping; and Persatuan Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak president Romuald Siew.
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Ms. Florence, a Sarawakian working in Peninsular Malaysia
*Equal Celebration: Recognizing Gawai and Keamatan as National Public Holidays*
Ms. Florence residing in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, welcomes the proposal by Sarawak NGOs to request recognition from PMX for public holidays during the Gawai festival and Sabah's Keamatan celebration at the national level. She expresses that during the Gawai festival, Sarawakians who are unable to return to Sarawak feel that the federal level does not pay sufficient attention to the sentiments of diverse communities and celebrations from Sabah and Sarawak, which occur from the 30th of May to the 2nd of June each year. Since living in Peninsular Malaysia since 1998, Ms. Florence and her family face exorbitant costs, reaching up to RM 3,000, to travel back to Sarawak. Consequently, during the festive season, their children continue schooling as usual in Peninsular Malaysia. Ms. Florence wonders why Hari Gawai and Keamatan are not celebrated throughout Malaysia, whereas Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Christmas are embraced nationwide. Does the Dayak celebration hold such little significance? Ms. Florence hopes that the proposal by Sarawak NGOs will be implemented for the sake of a diverse and inclusive MalaysiaThe issue of rising cost of living in Peninsular Malaysia is still a topic of concern among the people. With the heavy economic burden that remains unresolved, Ms. Florence hopes that the Pakatan Harapan government can promptly address the people's problems and regain their trust.