Plain disgraceful act to dismantle blockade, says SAVE Rivers

MIRI, Oct 31, 2014: Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) viewed the actions of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation enforcement officers (SAPU) together with the police to collude with a company doing illegal logging to dismantle the blockade at KM15 Long Kesseh, Baram as plain disgraceful.

Writer says will not retract a single word in his book, despite Taib's warning

KUCHING, Oct 31, 2014: Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud has instructed his London lawyer, Mishcon de Reya, to stop the international launch of Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia, according to Bruno Manser Fund in a statement.

PKR and BN in working relationship in Layar constituency?

BETONG, Oct 31, 2014: Is it a case of PKR building a mini-hydro and the State Barisan Nasional erecting up electric poles. Good working relationship between two rival parties in Layar constituency?

"Not so," stressed PKR Betong Division chief Vernon Aji Kedit in a statement today.

Land Code Bill short of expectations

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Oct 30, 2014: The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2014, to be tabled at coming Sarawak State Assembly sitting, is short of expectations of those who want to see a comprehensive and inclusive definition in the native customary rights (NCR) land.

The Bill has excluded giving definitions to "Pemakai Menoa" (territorial domain) and "Pulau Galau" (communal forest reserve) as NCR land.

"State govt has no prior knowledge of conference organised by women's wing of Isma"

KUCHING, Oct 27, 2014: The State Government has no prior knowledge to the holding here of the inaugural conference organised by  women's wing of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) from Oct 24 to 25, Chief Minister's Office said in a statement this evening.

"In  any  event, the  State  Government  had  never  given  approval  for  the Conference to be held here," it said.

DNC is concerned with Dusit's safety, says DNC president

 

KUCHING, Oct 26, 2014: Dayak National Congress (DNC) president Mengga Mikui has expressed his concern over threats of bodily harm to Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul for raising up issues concerning the rights and interests of the Dayak community.

 

"Although a police report has been lodged by Dusit on Oct 16, we are still concerned of his safety since we do not know the outcome of the police investigation at this moment," Mengga said in a statement today.

 

It is not Taib, but BN policy that the people oppose, says Chong

BINTULU, Oct 26, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen admitted today the political scenario in Sarawak has changed significantly since Adenan Satem became chief minister in February this year.

Sarawak DAP wants 50% of all tax revenue from Sarawak to be returned to State government

BINTULU, Oct 26, 2014: Sarawak DAP wants the federal government to return 50% of all tax revenue generated and collected in Sarawak to the State government as well as to give back 20% of oil and gas royalties as compensation in lieu of oil and gas rights.

These are among the points raised in the "DAP 2014 Bintulu Declaration: Towards Equal Partners"  adopted at the Sarawak DAP Convention here today.

The declaration stressed that asking the federal government to return the 50% of all tax revenue and the 20% oil and gas royalties is to empower the state with sufficient revenue for the planning and development.

It said this is to enable Sarawak to be on par with Malaya.

Chong wants to table Sarawak Freedom of Information Bill at the coming State Assembly sitting

KUCHING, Oct 24, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has notified the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly of his intention to apply for leave for him to table a Private Member's Bill on Sarawak Freedom of Information at next month's sitting.

He submitted the notice today to the state assembly's secretary. The state assembly, which sits for eight days from Nov 10, will decide whether to grant him the leave.

Wildlife now inhabiting rehabilitated dumping ground at Kuching Wetland Park

KUCHING, Oct 24, 2014: When PETRONAS brought some 200 students to plant mangrove (bakau) seedlings on a former dumping ground within the Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP) in May last year, they never thought that the badly contaminated plot can fully regenerate.

 A PETRONAS staff showing a couple of sea snails at the former dumping ground.

Anti-Baram dam protesters celebrating their year-long blockades with prayers, games and barbecue

BARAM, Oct 24, 2014: The anti-Baram dam indigenous landowners celebrated their year-long peaceful blockades  with games, prayers and a barbecue, yesterday.

The blockades were erected on Oct 23 last year to stop the construction of the proposed Baram dam.

The celebration, however, was clouded by attempts to remove one of their  barricades by deploying a local man who claimed to be a timber license holder.

Picture: The rebuilt barricade at the proposed dam site

Will the "Jokowi effect" spread to Malaysia?

By William Pesek, Bloomberg columnist

If Malaysian leader Najib Razak thought he already had problems at home, now he also needs to worry about a “Jokowi effect” spreading from neighboring Indonesia.

Sarawak DAP gives the thumb-up to Adenan

KUCHING, Oct 23, 2014: Sarawak DAP Sarawak has commended Chief Minister Adenan Satem on his announcement of allocation of RM3 million for the 14 middle schools in Sarawak as a good start. 

"However, given the large expenses of running the Chinese Middle Schools, we hope that this annual allocation will be increased over time," Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said in a statement today.

JOAS appeals to UN Human Rights rapporteur over dismantling of barricade in Baram

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23, 2014:  Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) has urged Malaysian and international human rights organisations to unite and publicly condemn the actions taken by authorities and logging company representatives to intimidate  indigenous peoples in Sarawak at the proposed site of the Baram Dam.

Ghani Bina is in critical condition following road accident

KUCHING, Oct 22, 2014: Former Sarawak Teachers' Union (STU) president William Ghani Bina is in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Sarawak General Hospital following a road accident this evening.

"Money Logging" book on exploitation of Sarawak's natural resources to be launched on Nov 3

(BASEL, SWITZERLAND, Oct 22, 2014: A 300-page non-fiction paperback on Borneo logging will be launched on Nov 3 on the occasion of the 50th session of the International Tropical Timber Council in Yokohama, Japan.

The book, entitled Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia, reads like a thriller and is authored by historian and campaigner Lukas Straumann, who is also the executive director of the Bruno Manser Fund, a Switzerland-based advocacy group closely connected to the plight of Malaysia’s indigenous peoples.

Blockade set up by anti-Baram dam protesters has been dismantled

BARAM, Oct 21, 2014: A year old blockade set up by the indigenous communities in an attempt to stop the construction of the proposed Baram dam was dismantled this morning by the police, Forest Department officers and the loggers.

Chong: Why wait for royalties when SESCo can afford to reduce electricity tariffs?

KUCHING, Oct 21, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen stressed today there is no need for the State government to wait for the increase in the oil and gas royalties from Petronas before it can reduce electricity tariffs.

"SESCo (Syarikat Sesco Berhad) can afford the reduction of electricity tariffs," he said in a statement when commenting on a pledge by Chief Minister Adenan Satem that the State government would reduce water and electricity tariffs if it succeeded in getting Petronas to raise the oil and gas royalties for Sarawak.

Adenan attracting attention with his pronouncements

KUCHING, Oct 20, 2014: Adenan Satem, who became chief minister on Feb 28 this year, continues to attract attention with his pronouncements.

Political observers are looking at Adenan as being more transparent, politically friendly and a grassroots man.

Dusit's family threatened and harassed after he raised up Dayak issues

KUCHING, Oct 17, 2014: About 30 Dayaks  comprising members of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) and Dayak National Congress (DNC) turned up at Sungai Maong police here today to accompany Dr Dusit Jaul and Alim Madeh lodging police reports. 

Calling for entries for the Hydropower Development and Social Investment Media Awards 2014

Calling for entries for the Hydropower Development and Social Investment Media Awards 2014

KUCHING, 16th OCTOBER, 2014, THURSDAY: Media practitioners are reminded that the last day to submit their entries for the Hydropower Development and Social Investment Media Awards 2014 is on Nov 15 this year.

The awards along with cash prizes will be presented to the winners of the various categories at a glittering Media Night to be held on Dec 5.

Don't mess around with religious beliefs of Sarawakians, Chong warns Fed Govt

KUCHING, Oct 15, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has warned the Umno-led Federal Government to respect the religious rights of Sarawakians, and not try to mess around with the harmonious relationship among the different religions in the State.

" Do not import your religious extremism into Sarawak," he said in his speech in Parliament yesterday.

Chong to Fed Govt: Address the sentiment of Sarawakians of being unfairly treated

KUCHING, Oct 15, 2014: Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen said that the Federal Government must address the sentiment of Sarawakians of being unfairly treated which has resulted in movements like Sarawak for Sarawakians and Sarawak Sovereignty Movement to crop up.

"The best and most appropriate solution to the problem is to address the concerns raised by Sarawakian, one of which is to return to Sarawak, the 20% oil and gas royalties demanded by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

A total fine of RM439,000 issued to 24 members of Sibu Confectionery and Bakery Association

KUCHING, Oct 13, 2014: The Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) has issued a total fine of RM439,000 to  24 members of the Sibu Confectionery  and Bakery Association for fixing the prices of their products.

Redeem yourself by resigning as a minister, Baru asks Nancy

KUCHING, Oct 11, 2014: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian today urged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri to do the honourable thing by resigning from her ministerial post for her poor judgment and explanation not to prosecute Islamist extremist Ibrahim Ali.

"I hope that Nancy will try to redeem herself by apologising to all Malaysians for her poor judgment and tender her resignation for failing us," he said in a statement to express his shock at Nancy's explanation for the decision of the Attorney-General not to prosecute Ibrahim.

Leon: Devious efforts to convert Christian students to Islam at MRSM Betong

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Oct 10, 2014: DAP Sri Aman chief Leon Jimat Donald will be writing to Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over allegations by parents that there were "some devious" efforts to convert their children, who are studying at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara in Betong, to Islam.

He said he has been approached by the parents at his office in Sri Aman on the allegations.

RM6,000 untuk menukar agama?

BELAGA, 10 Okt 2014: Penganut Agama Kristian di Daerah Belaga dikejutkan dengan satu berita bahawa sekumpulan pihak luar sedang giat untuk kononnya melawat ke beberapa rumah panjang di hilir Pekan Belaga dalam Daerah Belaga.

Jabu asked to explain his failure to keep to his promises

KUCHING, Oct 9, 2014: Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang has been asked to explain on his failure to keep to his promise of reviving all the 20 agriculture stations he made exactly four years ago.

Sarawak PKR chief Vernon Aji said Jabu was reported to have announced on Oct 7, 2010 that the State Cabinet had approved the revival of 20 agriculture stations throughout the state.

SEB-SEC ink RM1.5b contract for Balingian power plant

KUCHING, Oct 9, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has entered into a RM1.5 billion contract with one of China’s leading electrical equipment manufacturing conglomerates, Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd (SEC), for the construction of the Balingian coal-fired power plant project.

Under the contract, SEC will be undertaking the construction of the 2 x 300MW Balingian coal-fired main power plant.

Nancy: Thorough study needed before school bus fares deregulation can be implemented

KUCHING, Oct 9, 2014: Any move to deregulate school bus fares in Sarawak needs to be thoroughly studied before it can be implemented, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri explained today.

She was commenting on an announcement by the Land Transport Commission (SPAD) that school bus fares deregulation would be implemented in Malaya starting the first day of school in January next year.

Indigenous Peoples' Heroes and Martyrs in Asia

Indigenous Peoples' Heroes and Martyrs in Asia

By Komeok and the Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (The Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia) JOAS)

Introduction

 Asia is home to 2/3 of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples. They share a common situation with other indigenous peoples in other parts of the world – they are part of the most marginalized and discriminated. Based on Human Development index (HDI), indigenous peoples are overrepresented among the poor, illiterate, malnourished and stunted.

This is largely due to historical injustices committed to indigenous peoples especially by states, and the continuing viola-tion of their collective rights to their lands, territories and resources, the right to self-determination including on development concerns, and to their cultural diversity and dignity as distinct peoples.

NCR land disputes: Don't ignore court rulings, SAM tells govt

KUCHING, Oct 8, 2014: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has called on the Sarawak government not to ignore the overwhelming landmark court rulings when finding solutions to disputes over claims to the native customary rights (NCR) land.

Its president SM Mohamed Idris said that the courts have upheld that indigenous territorial domain is beyond the government’s interpretation of what constituted NCR land.

Compel Fed Govt to give effect to oil and gas royalties resolution, Chong tells State Govt

KUCHING, Oct 7, 2014: Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen today urged the State Government to take a further stronger action to compel the Federal Government to give effect to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly's resolution calling for an increase in the oil and gas royalties.

He said the State Government should not sit back and wait in vain for an answer or be pushed around.

Soon Koh on why SUPP's splinter group chose UPP road.

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Oct 6, 2014: Newly formed United People's Party (UPP) officially opened its state headquarters today, signifying new chapter in the party's short history.

"It signifies a new beginning for all its members," UPP president Wong Soon Koh said. 

DIG raises up Dayak issues with James Masing

KUCHING, Oct 3, 2014: Dayak Informal Group (DIG) had raised a number of issues affecting the Dayak community when its members met with Land Development Minister James Masing last week.

The issues include education, civil service, economics, religious extremism and cultural issues that are of genuine concern to the Dayak community.