9 November 2023
Topik Pada Hari Ini
> Baru Bian - Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Bakelalan Sarawak - Impak Empangan Mega Sarawak
> Barnie Lasimbang, aktivis sosial dari Sabah - Meningkatkan Penyertaan Orang Asal dalam Inisiatif Tindakan Iklim
> Encik Nicholas Mujah, Setiausaha Agung SADIA - Menghormati Hak Komuniti: Pendapat Nicholas Mujah mengenai Empangan Baram
On Today Show
> Baru Bian- Member of the Bakelalan State Legislative AssemblySarawak – The Impact of Sarawak's Mega Dams
> Barnie Lasimbang, social activist from Sabah – Enhancing Indigenous Participation in Climate Action Initiatives
> Mr. Nicholas Mujah, the Secretary-General of SADIA – Respecting Community Rights: Nicholas Mujah's Take on Baram Dam
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*Special Randau*
1. Member of Parliament for Muar, Syed Saddik, has been found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison, fined RM10 million, and given 2 strokes of the cane. He remains a member of parliament for Muar until the appeal process is completed.
2. Four PPBM (Bersatu) members of parliament who support PMX Anwar Ibrahim are requesting a change in their parliamentary seats from the opposition block. Tonight, the highest council of Bersatu will hold a meeting to address the actions of their members of parliament who support PMX Anwar Ibrahim.
3. DAP (Democratic Action Party) has filed a police report against the allegations made by Siti Mastura, a PAS (Islamic Party of Malaysia) member of parliament, claiming that Lim Guan Eng is related to Chin Peng, the leader of the Malayan Communist Party, and related to the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew.
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Baru Bian- Member of the Bakelalan State Legislative AssemblySarawak.
*The Impact of Sarawak's Mega Dams*
Baru Bian submitted 10 questions to the DUN at the DUN meeting which will start from 20 to 29 Nov 2023. Among the questions related to the construction of dams and the re-demarcation of electoral areas. Baru Bian asked the Sarawak government to state the number of hydro dams in the construction plan, whether the community has been informed and whether the feasibility study has been completed. Asked if there is an energy development strategy in Sarawak, by building hydro dams that are very profitable. According to Baru Bian. It is beneficial to the government but detrimental to the native people in terms of loss of land and losses due to negative impact on the environment. In the long run. We lost - according to Baru Bian. According to Baru Bian, the amount of energy from the 4 mega dams in Sarawak is currently more than enough for local use.
The second question is related to the re-delimitation of electoral areas. Baru Bian agreed that the number of constituencies for the Sarawak State Assembly should be increased. So that a large area can be reduced and the people's representatives can carry out their duties more effectively. He hopes that Bakelalan state assembly can be added one more state assembly area. Regarding the Gedong state assembly area (Sarawak Premier's contested area) which has the smallest number of voters in Sarawak but is located in an urban area. While the Murum and Belaga areas are outside the city, large areas have more voters. Baru Bian suggested that the people of Sarawak participate in proposing a new area/demarcation of the DUN area in their place. That's why I raise this question so that the population is informed and participates in the process of delimitation of electoral areas.
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Barnie Lasimbang, social activist from Sabah
*Enhancing Indigenous Participation in Climate Action Initiatives*
In his recent meeting with YB Nik Nazmi, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate in Putrajaya, Barnie discussed three key issues concerning the Indigenous peoples of Malaysia.
Firstly, they discussed the implementation of a just energy transition in the country, in line with the launch of the Transition Energy Road Map. This strategy aims to shift the country's energy resources from fossil fuels to renewable sources like solar energy. Barnie highlighted the pressing issue of supplying electricity to rural areas, a primary concern for Indigenous communities across Malaysia. He emphasized the need to upgrade outdated policies in this regard. The Minister assured Barnie that he would coordinate with his officers to explore the possibilities of green energy and solar power supply to rural areas.
Secondly, Barnie and his team presented several research papers conducted by Tonibung and a consortium of NGOs known as Sabah RE (Sabah Rural Electrification Road Map). This initiative focuses on developing mini-grids using solar or micro-hydro systems to provide power to rural communities. The Minister expressed his support for this endeavor.
Thirdly, they discussed upcoming events, particularly the Asian Pacific Climate Week, scheduled to take place in Johor from November 13 for one week. Tonibung requested a slot for Indigenous peoples to participate in discussions and provide input during this event and its side events. Barnie also suggested that Indigenous communities would need special funds or support from the Malaysian government to send delegates to participate in COP28, scheduled to be held in Dubai. They face challenges related to permits for accessing premises and venues for the event, as the UAE in Dubai has restricted access to the Blue Zone, where dialogues are held. NGOs are limited to the Green Zone, which hosts exhibitions.
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Mr. Nicholas Mujah, the Secretary-General of SADIA,
*Respecting Community Rights: Nicholas Mujah's Take on Baram Dam*
Nicholas Mujah commented on Abg Joe's intention to build another dam in Baram. Mujah emphasized that, to undertake a major project, the government must conduct a more in-depth investigation to determine whether the majority of the Baram people agree with it. People cannot be forced to accept a form of development they do not want, as it could potentially jeopardize their rights permanently.
However, it is also logical to acknowledge that we cannot blame the government entirely because a government is the choice of the people themselves. If the people still want the current government, it is their right. But they should not be upset later if they feel that all their rights have been lost due to their own ignorance.