Who say we support HEP project, asks Anthony Lawai

MIRI, Nov 30, 2014: Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) is disappointed with Penghulu

Paul Kalang, the Community Chief of the Kenyah in Telang Usan, Baram for making sweeping and irresponsible statement on the proposed Baram HEP Dam project.

He was also accused of abusing the Sarawak National Kenyah Association (PKKS) for his own personal gain by claiming that the "silent majority‟ are supporting the said project and only a minority are making noise to protest against it.

Wanita -JOAS ready to protect their NCR lands

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30, 2014:  Jaringan Orang Asli SeMalaysia (JOAS) yesterday launched its women's network to mark the International Women Human Rights Defenders’ Day.

The birth of Wanita-JOAS comes at a critical time when indigenous women across Malaysia are

confronted with the need to defend their livelihoods and protect their heritage in the face of

threats to the very survival of their communities from large-scale mining, rampant logging, the

expansion of palm oil plantations, and the building of large-scale dams.

PKR women chief banned from Sarawak

KUCHING, Nov 30,2014: Ampang Member of Parliament and PKR national women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin was stopped at the Kuching International Airport from stepping out, soon after her arrival from Kuala Lumpur this morning.

An unidentified State Immigration officer told her that he was under instruction from the State government to bar her from Sarawak at the airport Immigration counter about 9.20am today.

Anwar: Umno leaders should take the cue of spirit cooperation between Pope Francis and Istanbul Mufti

KUCHING, Nov 30, 2014: Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Umno leaders should take the cue from Pope Prancis's visit to the Muslim-majority Turkey on religious tolerance and understandings.

"The visit by Pope Francis gives new to religious tolerance and understandings between Muslims and Christians,  and heralds a new chapter between to the two civilisations," he said at press conference after meeting State PKR leaders here today.

Good response to launching of book "Money Logging", says author

KUCHING, Nov 26, 2014: After several weeks of campaigning in Malaysia, Japan, Canada and the United States, BMF executive director Lukas Straumann has got back to his home base in Switzerland.

Straumann had been travelling to promote his new book "Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia" which exposes significant environmental crimes and the abuse of office in Sarawak.

Adenan asked to set an independent team to probe coal mine disaster

KUCHING, Nov 25, 2014: Sarawak PKR today calls on Chief Minister Adenan Satem to immediately order for the setting up of an independent team to conduct investigation into the Selantik coal mine disaster which had taken the lives of three foreign workers and injured 30 others, including 20 who are in critical conditions.

"We have urged the state government to look into the matter barely two years ago after four Chinese national coal miners lost their lives at the same coal mine.

Pledge alone not enough, sack top officials, urges BMF

KUCHING, Nov 25, 2014: Swiss-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), while commending Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s resolve to fight corruption and combat illegal logging, said pledges alone will not be enough to save Sarawaks’ threatened old-growth forests, which have been reduced to less than ten per cent of the state’s surface.

BMF calls on the Sarawak state government to install a task force to deal with the urgent problems of timber corruption, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity - and to replace the state’s top officials who should have dealt with the current problems a long time ago but failed to do so.

Faulty fan may have triggered the mine explosion, initial probe reveals

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: Initial investigation revealed that an explosion at a coal mine in Abok, near Pantu this morning, was caused by sparks from a faulty fan which ignited a gas fire and explosion in the 700-metre long tunnel.

The investigation was conducted by Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Department, led by its chief Ranger Moos.

CM to BN Youth leaders from Malaya:Speak up against extremism in Malaya

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: Chief Minister Adenan Satem had directly told Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth leaders from Malaya to speak up against racial and religious extremism, and not keeping quiet about it.

While Sarawakians are proud of its history of untarnished racial and religious harmony, Malaya is not. The rise of extremist groups, like Perkasa and Isma in Malaya, is a cause for concern. Racial riot broke out in Malaya in 1969, but not in Sarawak and Sabah.

Adenan's anti-illegal logging drive receives WWF's support

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) supports the Sarawak government’s intent to uphold integrity and legality of logging operations in Sarawak, stating that getting the main logging firms known as the “Big Six” and 15 forestry-related government agencies and companies to sign integrity pledges is a good start.

Time for Jabu to be realistic

News commentary by James Tegas

In his winding up speech at the just concluded  State Assembly sitting, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang ridiculed Sarawak DAP over a Kanowit gathering in 1996, purportedly to oppose the development of native customary rights (NCR) - an event that happened some 18  years ago.

 

Alfred Jabu Numpang using his arms to measure the size of a rubber tree

No problem for PBB, PKR to support each other's views and suggestions

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014:  Abdullah Saidol, chief political secretary to  the chief minister, has praised Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian for supporting Chief Minister Adenan Satem's tough stance on corruption and illegal logging in the state.

"I am happy that he (Baru) is supporting our chief minister in the fight against corruption and illegal logging.

Not by judicial review, but writ of summons, rules Federal Court

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: In a landmark decision, the Federal Court ruled that native customary rights (NCR) landowners can now challenge the public authority by way of writs of summons, not by judicial review as applied for by the state government, in NCR land disputes.

The apex court, thus, upheld the decision of the High Court which was later affirmed by the Court of Appeal, in dismissing the state government's application that NCR land disputes be initiated by way of judicial review to challenge the public authority.

 

Baru Bian

240,000 domestic consumers to benefit from electricity tariffs reduction

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: Some 240,000 domestic electricity consumers in Sarawak will get to benefit from the reduction in electricity tariffs, effective Jan 1 next year.

In announcing the downward revision, Chief Minister Adenan Satem said the state government can afford to reduce the tariffs.

SAPA officially receives its deregistration letter today, may seek legal avenue

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) today officially received a letter of its deregistration from the Registrar of Societies (RoS), four days after the Home Ministry had made the announcement.

SAPA president Lina Soo received the letter from the state RoS office at Jalan Wan Alwi this morning.

 

Revocation of registration order from the Home Ministry

Protest by NGOs is to discredit SEB, says spokesperson

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) spokesperson believed that the protests by a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow is an integrated effort to discredit SEB.

"The same NGOs have been protesting and manipulating information with the intention of gaining international sympathy and support.

SAPA chief Lina to hand over mins of AGM to ROS

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspirations (SAPA) president Lina Soo said she will come to the State Registrar of Societies (ROS) office here tomorrow to personally hand over minutes of SAPA's annual general meeting held in Feb this year.

"We will submit our AGM minutes as requested and politely ask for a  letter to communicate the decision to us or in its stead, a copy of the gazetted notice from the home ministry," Lina said today.

Baru: Sarawak pays heavy price due to illegal logging and corruption over past decades

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014:  Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian stressed that illegal logging and corruption in Sarawak are crimes which have been long-standing and that Sarawak has paid a heavy price over the last few decades.

" It is undeniable that the economy, the environment and the people have suffered heavy losses. In fact, this was one of the major issues we highlighted to Chief Minister Adenan Satem when State PKR leaders had a meeting with him in October this year," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the State Assembly sitting here.

SEB-Cats FM team up on proper electrical usage, safety procedures

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is teaming up with a local radio station Cats FM in a bid to spread awareness on proper electrical usage and safety procedures.

 

Under this collaboration,  SEB will disseminate information and advisory messages on electrical safety via Cats FM for a duration of six months, from today to April 16 next year.

BMF gives top mark to Adenan for his courageous stance on timber corruption

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Swiss-based anti-Abdul Taib Mahmud non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) has praised new Chief Minister Adenan Satem for his stance on timber corruption, describing it as "a stunning development in the Malaysian state of Sarawak."

"For the first time in the history of Sarawak, which has been part of Malaysia since 1963, a Chief Minister has taken on the timber industry.

 Strausmann (centre) at the launch of his book Money Logging

Headmaster, teachers coerced into signing away school's land?

SIMUNJAN, Nov 17, 2014: State Education Department has begun investigating  allegations that headmaster and teachers of SK Semalatong, near here, were coerced into signing an "agreement" by the school's Parents-Teachers' Association (PTA), giving away the school's land to a  plantation company.

Kurup embarrassed with report on religious restrictions in Malaysia

KUCHING, Nov 17, 2014: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup said he is embarrassed that Malaysia has been placed on par with Egypt, Syria, Somalia, Russian, Sudan and Iraq on religious restrictions.

" I am also little concerned with certain international reporting which makes our freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution questionable.," he said at the launch of the UN International Day for Tolerance at Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Joseph Kurup...dramatic decline in culture of tolerance

No letter yet from ROS to officially declare SAPA an unlawful society

KUCHING, Nov 15,2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) has not received any letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on the decision by the Home Ministry, it said on its Facebook page, in response to the ministry's decision to declare SAPA as an unlawful society.

SAPA called the declaration as "unprecedented of Putrajaya to take this step".

 

Lina Soo...SAPA president

Home Ministry declares SAPA an illegal organisation

KUCHING, Nov 15,2014: The Home Ministry has gazetted Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) as an illegal organisation for contravening section 5(1) of the Societies Act 1966,.

The ministry issued the gazettification notice N Pewartaan (P.U.(A) 307/2014 yesterday.

DAP lawmaker claims BN is scared of DAP's Impian Sarawak

KUCHING, Nov 15, 2014: Pelawan state lawmaker David Wong Kee Woan has claimed that the state government is allocating 50% of the total development allocations in the State Budget to the rural areas because it wants to counter the DAP's Impian Sarawak rural drive programme.

"Why is this 50% of the development allocation of the proposed budget for the implementing of programmes and projects in the rural area? he asked.

Students, professors witnessed the launch of Money Logging;On The Trail of Asian Timber Mafia

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: Students and Professors at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, last Thursday witnessed the launch of Money Logging: On The Trail of Asian Timber Mafia, authored by Lukas Strausmann.

Author Lukas Strausmann with two unidentified women at the launch of the book at University of British Columbia.

The Iban's fear to the idea of Malaysia is now a reality, says Baru

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: The fear among the majority of the Ibans when they opposed the idea of Malaysia in 1963 is a reality today, a well-known land rights lawyer and state lawmaker Baru Bian pointed out at the Sarawak Business Summit yesterday.

"Sarawakians are left far behind in our stride towards building a developed nation and treated as less equal in many areas, specifically agreed under the 18/20 agreements," he said at the "Special Leaders Forum: The Future of Sarawak", an event of the Sarawak Business Summit.

Sarawak needs leaders of integrity, corruption erodes public trust

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: For Sarawak to thrive, for all its people in the rural and urban areas to prosper,  the state must have leaders of integrity who place the interests of the people before their personal gain.

"We need a government that is competent, accountable and transparent," Sarawak PKR chief and well-known land rights lawyer Baru Bian said at the "Special Leaders Forum: The Future of Sarawak" held  in conjunction with the Sarawak Business Summit yesterday.

Chee How takes a swipe at Jabu's Ministry

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Batu Lintang state lawmaker See Chee How takes a swipe at the Sarawak Ministry of Rural Development over the unsatisfactory implementation of the rural growth centres (RGCs).

He said the ministry, whose minister is Alfred Jabu Numpang, has come under the microscope of the Auditor-General who highlighted such issues as delays in the implementation, lack of response from the local community brought about by locality issues as well as poor facilities maintenance.

Be different from previous administration, King Wei tells Adenan

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Padungan state lawmaker Wong King Wei has urged the state government to hold open tenders for all government contracts, state lands, timber logging licence to quality contractors.

He said holding open tenders will ensure that Sarawak's wealth is being fairly distributed among Sarawakians.

Chee How on why select committee is necessary

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Batu Lintang state lawmaker See Chee How today reiterated his proposal for the setting up of State Assembly Select Committee similar to the UK Commons Select Committee for each government department, to monitor examine and supervise their spending, policies and administration.

"After India had initiated its parliamentary reform in 1919, most countries which are practising the Westminster democracy have initiated and implemented parliamentary reforms to address the inherent problems which are aimed at restoring the independence of their country’s legislative arm of government," he said.

Sabah CM gets tick-off over his statement

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 13, 2014:  Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), is appalled by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman's statement that native lands in the State have always been protected and prioritised by the government.

Apart from blaming the natives for selling their land, Musa also accused NGOs such as PACOS Trust of misleading and confusing the natives.

Police report against Tabung Haji over destruction of school compound

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Shocked and angry, a village headman Sipi Narang lodged a police report against Tabung Haji plantation over the destruction of the compound of Sekolah Kebangsaan Semalatong, Ulu Simunjan, late last month.

In his report, the headman said about 5ha of the school land, including its fenced compound, was encroached and destroyed the TH, a Malayan-based plantation company.

It will be another Adenan's great legacy, says Tze-fui

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Meradong state lawmaker Ting Tze-fui reckons that Chief Minister Adenan Satem will leave "another great legacy" if he abolishes the Rejang Bridge toll.

"It is hopefully that under the leadership of the chief minister, the toll can be abolished very soon in very near future.

Jabu blamed for failures of RGCs

KUCHING, Nov 12, 2014: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian is attributing the  failures of the Rural Growth Centres (RGCs) in Sarawak to Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Rural Development Alfred Jabu Numpang.

"If what have been mentioned in the Auditor-General's Report are correct, then he should be held responsible as well as officers involved in the development of the RGCs," Baru told reporters on the sidelines of the Sarawak State Assembly sitting here today.

Make your stand on Christians' rights, Baru tells JAKIM and JAIS

KUCHING, Nov 12, 2014: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian is asking why the Malaysian Islamic Affairs Department (JAKIM) and Sarawak Religious Islamic Department (JAIS) are not making their stands on the rights of Christians in Sarawak to use the word "Allah" in their prayers and in churches.

"I am thankful for the voices of Chief Minister Adenan Satem and Land Development Minister James Masing who have consistently rejected the religious extremism that is being propounded by several groups in Malaya," Baru said when debating the State Budget 2015 today.

Auditor-General slams Sarawak Ministry of Rural Development

KUCHING, Nov 11, 2014: The Ministry of Rural Development has been slammed by the Auditor- General Ambrin Buang for its failure to conduct impact studies on achievements and successes of the Rural Growth Centres (RGCs).

This is despite the fact that RGCs have been implemented since 18 years ago.

"Where are the 11 extra seats?"

KUCHING, Nov 11, 2014: Where are the extra 11 state seats and where will they be, Pelawan State Assemblyman Wong Kee Woan asked when debating on the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2014 in the State Assembly today.

"Are they to cater for the rural areas?" he asked.

King Wei: Dun (Composition of Membership) Bill may have contravened Federal Constitution

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Nov 11, 2014: Padungan State Assemblyman Wong Wing Wei has cautioned that  the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2014 may have contravened the Article 117 of the Federal Constitution?

The Bill sought to increase the number of state lawmakers from the present 71 to 82. It was later passed after much debate.

Wong, in posing a question whether the Bill had contravened Article 117, said that amendment, in just one sentence, had failed to inform where the additional seats were and why the delineation of seats had to be done.

 

Chee How on why CCTV is important to deter crimes being committed

State Assemblyman for Batu Lintang See Chee How debating on the private member’s motion on the use of public space CCTV to deter crime in residential estates, today Nov 11, 2014.

Datuk Amar Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to debate on this motion of public interests and bear witness to the fact that this August House is concerned and determined to support efforts to combat crimes in the State.

I will confine my speech on the rampancy of crimes committed in residential estates throughout the state, and pray that we do resolve to play our parts to ensure the safety and security of our Sarawakian homes, through the use of public space CCTV.

Adenan presents rural-biased State Budget

STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL 2015 AS PRESENTED BY CHIEF MINISTER TAN SRI ADENAN SATEM ON NOV 10, 2014

Budget Objectives and Strategies for 2015

In our efforts to achieve a greater and more balanced development and to sustain a healthy economic growth, the proposed State Budget for 2015 is drawn out based on the objectives and strategies as follows :

(a) Development-Biased Budget

Of the proposed budget, RM4,546 million or about 71% is for development purposes, and RM1,813 million or 29% is for operating expenditure. This level of expenditure is expected to generate a fairly high level of economic activities in order to sustain the level of economic growth in the State and ultimately narrowing the overall development gap between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

Baru expressing reservation on new section 197A of the land Bill.

Ba'Kelalan State Assemblyman Baru Bian's debate speech on the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2014 at the Sarawak State Assembly today, Nov 10, 2014 

Ø  Section 5(2) 

The proposed amendment to section 5(2) of the Land Code is the “reincarnation” of part of my private Bill, which was rejected by a vote in this august house in our last sitting in May. Nevertheless, I am happy to lend support to the amendments proposed in the present Bill before us today except a small reservation on the new section 197A, for reasons I will elaborate later.

Fully packed tour of Penang, with fond memories

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9, 2014: It was a fully packed tour of Penang by 13 reporters and three Sarawak DAP state law makers from Kuching. 

The tour, from Nov 3 to 6, was at the invitation of the Penang state government.

Picture: Members of the Kuching media and three Sarawak DAP state law makers posing for a group photograph before leaving George Town.

CCJ: We didn't receive Pas invitation to attend PR meeting

KUCHING, Nov 8, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has denied that the party had received an invitation to attend a  State Pakatan Rakyat (PR) committee meeting chaired by Sarawak Pas last Thursday.

"We were in the dark of the meeting," he said when asked why the party was absent from the meeting.

Picture: Chong Chieng Jen (2nd right) says that his party did not receive an invitation to attend a PK committee meeting chaired by Sarawak Pas.

DAP nominates Thomas Tegong as a candidate for senatorship

KUCHING, Nov 8, 2014: Thomas Tegong Laka, a retired head of the Iban service of RTM, has been nominated by the Sarawak DAP as a candidate to be a senator from Sarawak.

The election of the senator by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly is on Tuesday, Nov 13, in the event that two candidates are being nominated.

 Picture: Chong Chieng Jen (left) with Thomas Tegong Laka.

Rahman Yakub responding well to treatment at a private hospital

KUCHING, Nov 8, 2014: Datuk Justine Jinggut explained that his father-in-law Abdul Rahman Yakub is responding well to treatment at the Normal Medical Special Centre for flu infection.

"He has started eating...nothing to worry about," Justine said today.

 

A must visit places if you are going to Penang

KUCHING, Nov 7, 2014: If you are planning to visit Penang, make sure to include George Town Heritage Site on a must-visit list of itinerary.

The site, of about 259ha, is where you can see well-preserved old buildings and places of interests, which have been declared as heritage buildings and sites by the Penang government.

Picture: A sketch map of the George Town World Heritage Side area.

Don't give up on your demand for better oil and gas royalties, Guan Eng tells Adenan

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, Nov 7, 2014: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has told his Sarawak counterpart Adenan Satem not to give up demanding for an increase in the oil and gas royalties from 5% to 20%, from the federal government.

"Don't settle for anything less," he said when speaking at a dinner hosted for members of the Sarawak media on Wednesday night.

 Lim Guan Eng (front row, centre) with members of the Sarawak media and DAP posing for photograph after the dinner on Nov 5.

Masing visits Kanang's unattended grave

KUCHING, Nov 6, 2014:  Land Development Minister James Masing visited the grave of the nation's most decorated war hero Kanang Langkau at the Heroes War Memorial at Reservoir Road here today.

The visit follows a complaint by Kanang's soldier son Cpl Langgi that his father's grave was left unattended, despite a promise being made by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang that the government would give the late hero a proper respect that he deserved.

 

Picture: James Masing paying his last respects at the grave of the late War Hero Kanang Langkau. 

Stop intimidating the protesters, NGOs tell police

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6, 2014: - Malaysian and international human rights organisations are uniting to publicly denounce the actions taken by police to intimidate indigenous peoples in Sarawak at the proposed site of the Baram Dam.

On Oct 31, when a group of residents from the villages of Long Na’ah and Long Kesseh tried to access customary lands located within the site designated for the proposed Baram Dam, they were blocked by over 30 personnel from the General Operation Force (GOF) and at least 10 enforcement officers of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

Last minutes bid to stop the launch of "Money Logging" book in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, Nov 2, 2014: Malaysia’s delegation to the International Tropical Timber Organisation, ITTO, has orders  from the "highest levels of government in Kuala Lumpur“ to stop the presentation of a book by Lukas Straumann, the executive director of the Bruno Manser Fund.

Zainuddin, you just zip up !

KUCHING, Nov 2, 2014: Former Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has been slammed by Sarawakians for  his "insulting  criticisms" against Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing.

Zainuddin, former Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief, had accused Masing of trying to confuse the Christian community in Sabah and Sarawak by likening the Customs Department’s seizure of Christian materials containing the word Allah on October 25 to growing religious extremism in the country.