AIPP wants equitable representation of indigenous women in decision-making process

Statement by Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2016, the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) joins hands with women and men across the globe in the spirit of solidarity in advancing gender equality and social justice for all.

Honduran anti-dam activist assassinated at her home last week

KUCHING, March 9, 2016. An anti-dam activist of Honduras, who attended a World Indigenous Summit on Environment and Rivers in Miri last year, has been assassinated in her home country last week.

Berta Caceres was assassinated while she was at her home in La Esperanza, Hondoras, anti-dam grassroots network SAVE Rivers chairman Peter Kallang said in a statement today.

2016 state election is another ball of game for opposition parties in Sarawak

An observation by Peter John Jaban

The last general election was hotly anticipated.  In fact, many of us thought it might even prove to be the greatest upset in the history of Sarawak elections. The opposition was riding high, matched equally by the height of anti-Taib sentiment. 

But polling night proved to be something of a letdown, with Barisan Nasional returned in strength, in Sarawak especially.  Sarawak voters, particularly those in the rural areas, kept Barisan Nasional in power; without us, we would not be living through another BN term which has dragged Malaysia through scandal and shame worldwide.

Why call Najib best prime minister when he is not, Baru asks Adenan

By Baru Bian

Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked Sarawakians for a strong mandate for Chief Minister Adenan Satem so they can continue to negotiate on empowerment and other things.

The CM already has two-thirds majority in the State Assembly and even with unanimous support from the members for a motion to demand an increase in our oil royalty payments, he still could not influence the PM to agree to it and our other demands. What is another five years going to achieve?

Awang Tengah is not telling the truth on NCR land definition

By Baru Bian

I refer to Awang Tengah’s bunkum of a statement ‘NCR Land Perimeter Survey Proof of State Government’s Sincerity’, published on 24 February 2016 in the Borneo Post. Do the 459 areas of 732,080ha surveyed include pemakai menoa and pulau galau? My assumption is that they do not. 

This is because the government had appealed the decision of the court in TR Sandah, against this very concept, even though it had been affirmed in the High Court and Court of Appeal in about 30 cases throughout Sarawak to date, affirmed by the Federal Court in the Medeli case and was obiter in the Bisi Jinggut case in the judgment of CJSS Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.