8 November 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Komeok Joe, Aktivis Alam Sekitar Penan - Kami, Kaum Penan, bersedia menentang pembinaan empangan hidro Tutoh
> Mr. Linggang dari Marudi - Pengabaian Infrastruktur: Komuniti Mahukan Jalanraya bukan empangan
> Agnes Padan, Aktivis Sosial dari Lawas - MyKad, MyKAS, Perjuangan ke Arah Kewarganegaraan
On Today Show
> Komeok Joe, Penan environmental activist – We Penan are ready to oppose the construction of the Tutoh hydro dam
> Mr. Linggang from Marudi – Infrastructure Neglect: Communities want Better Roads
> Agnes Padan, social activist from Lawas – MyKad, MyKAS, the vRoad to Equal Citizenship in Malaysia
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*Special Randau*
1. Three united parliament members have openly declared their support for PMX Anwar Ibrahim. The latest member is Gua Musang MP, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim. Previously, the Kuala Kangsar MP and Labuan MP also expressed their support. The PPBM/BERSATU party alleges that they were offered a significant amount of money. The MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) denies making any threats or interference in political affairs.
2. The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN Sarawak) session will take place from November 20 to 29, 2023. YB Baru Bian raised questions related to how many dams are planned to be built in Sarawak and how many additional seats in the State Legislative Assembly will be created through redistricting.
3. The Malaysian Parliament session, which began on October 9, 2023, will conclude on November 30, 2023. Today, YB Rafizi is leading the discussion on the Ministry of Economy.
4. Komeok Joe - We, the Penan people of Tutoh, oppose the construction of the Tutoh dam. In the Tutoh area, the majority of the population consists of Penan.
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Komeok Joe, Penan environmental activist
*We Penan are ready to oppose the construction of the Tutoh hydro dam*
According to Komeok, the entire penan community is against the government's plan to build the Tutoh dam. We were surprised when we read in the newspaper, the Premier of Sarawak announced the construction of the Tutoh dam, supposedly everything had been approved. We all disagree, maybe only YB agrees. Tutoh River is our source of life. There are many fish. There are lots of crocodiles too. But the crocodile didn't bother us. In the Tutoh area, the majority are Penan, followed by Kayan, Tering, Berawan, Lakiput, Iban and Kedayan. We all want good roads, not hydro dams. We will write a letter to YB and the Premier. But we are ready to fight if we have to. We ask everyone to help us. We can successfully prevent the construction of the Tutoh dam just as we successfully prevented the construction of the Baram dam.
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Mr. Linggang from Marudi
*Infrastructure Neglect: Communities want Better Roads*
Linggang stated that even though it is not in Marudi where the dam construction is planned, he disagrees with the state government's decision to build another dam.
The objection comes from three longhouses because many people still rely on river resources apart from agriculture such as oil palm and other agricultural products.
Linggang is puzzled by the development plans by the Sarawak state government because the road from their longhouses to the Marudi market, which spans 9 kilometers, is in a very poor condition. Promises made during each election to improve this road have remained unfulfilled. Not everyone owns a 4x4 vehicle to navigate the extremely poor road, and smaller vehicles cannot pass through it.
Regarding the dam, the people are still paying relatively high electricity tariffs despite the existence of the Bakun and Murum Dams. Therefore, the government should wisely allocate state funds for more sustainable development projects.
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Agnes Padan, social activist from Lawas
*MyKad, MyKAS, and the Road to Equal Citizenship in Malaysia*
Obtaining an official identity card is a crucial milestone for individuals in Malaysia. The card, known as MyKad, serves as a symbol of full citizenship, entitling its holder to various rights and privileges. However, the process of acquiring MyKad can be intricate, especially for those who fall into a particular category, holding MyKAS identity cards
One of the fundamental determinants in securing MyKad is the identity card held by one's parents. If an individual's parents possess the coveted blue MyKad, the process of obtaining the same becomes significantly more accessible. However, when parents themselves have different status, the road to obtaining MyKad for their children takes on an entirely different dimension, fraught with challenges.
Among those who experience the difficulties of this system are the native-born Sarawakians, who have lived their entire lives in Sarawak. They were born there, married, and raised their families in this region. Despite this deep-rooted connection to their homeland, they remain unable to obtain the highly sought-after blue MyKad. Instead, they are categorized as MyKAS holders, a status that does not confer the same rights and privileges.
A substantial portion of these individuals was born before the year 1963. In some heart-wrenching cases, entire families are categorized as MyKAS holders. The only authority capable of changing their status is the Ministry of Home Affairs. The application process for the green identity card can be a prolonged one, taking approximately 3 to 6 months, and it necessitates renewal every five years.
MyKAS is an identity document issued to individuals born in Malaysia, but their citizenship status remains uncertain and unconfirmed. It is crucial to recognize that MyKAS holders do not enjoy the same rights and privileges as full citizens with blue MyKad.
Despite the persistence of this issue over the years, it remains unresolved. Individuals aged over 50, who hold only MyKAS cards, continue to face significant challenges. They lack access to basic citizen rights such as affordable healthcare. Furthermore, securing their next generation's access to free education necessitates continuous application and exemption requests, reflecting the depth of their struggle.
The quest for full citizenship rights remains a poignant and enduring issue in Malaysia. Particularly for those bearing MyKAS identity cards, the disparity in rights and privileges calls for a comprehensive resolution. This issue highlights the need for a fair and just system that ensures all Malaysians can enjoy equal rights and privileges, regardless of the type of identity card they hold.