Monday, 16 November 2015

Bruno Manser Fund banned from tropical timber organisation conference in Kuala Lumpur



KUALA LUMPUR, November 16, 2016 - It came as a bad surprise for civil society today that the Malaysian government is attempting to ban the Bruno Manser Fund from yet another tropical timber conference after it succeeded in keeping its representatives away from last year's 50th International Tropical Timber Council session in Yokohama.

During the opening proceedings of the International Tropical Timber Council's 51st Session in Kuala Lumpur this morning, the Malaysian delegation said BMF should not be admitted to the conference because "of being disrespectful to the sovereign countries who get together to get cooperatively working to achieve the objectives of the International Tropcial Timber Agreement 2006".

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Was Swiss activist Bruno Manser killed by hired killers in the Baram forest?



 By Simon Peter

Was Bruno Manser, a Swiss environmental activist who lived with the semi-nomadic Penans for six years in the tropical rainforests in the deep Baram, killed in 2000?
If he was killed, then by who?

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Nancy Shukri attending fund-raising lunch organised by PTA of SK Keniong



SIMUNJAN, Nov 13, 2015 - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri attended a fund-raising lunch organised by parent-Teachers' Association (PTA) of SK Keniong, near here, yesterday.

Monday, 9 November 2015

Resolutions adopted at DAP Sarawak convention



RESOLUTIONS OF 17th DAP SARAWAK STATE ORDINARY CONVENTION
(8-11-2015)


1.       Reaffirm the DAP 2014 Bintulu Declaration :  Towards Equal Partners”

(a)           EQUAL PARTNERS between Sarawak and West Malaysia
                        1.       To call upon the Federal Government to respect the true spirit of the formation of Malaysia that Malaysia is a secular state where freedom of religion shall be upheld at all time.
                        2.       To return to Sarawak 20% Oil and Gas Royalty and 50% of all tax revenue collected in Sarawak.
                        3.       To devolve full autonomous powers on education and health care as well as partial autonomous power over police matter to Sarawak.
                        4.       To create the post of Minister for Sarawak Affair who shall have the final decision on all Federal matters in relation to or affecting Sarawak.
                        5.       To grant the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak the autonomous power in budgetary and administrative matters in relation to the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak.

State BN Youth: Next state election is all about Adenan, not Najib



 

By Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof
Sarawak BN Youth Chairman.


Each and every Sarawakians are smart enough to realize that this is a state elections and have nothing to do with Dato Sri Najib's leadership.

This is Tan Sri Adenan Satem's leadership we are talking about and he has made real and impressive changes to the state in the short two years that he has been in charge.

Sunday, 1 November 2015

SUPP: No way we will let UPP to contest any of our seats



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, Nov 1, 2015 - Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) does not want any of its traditional seats to be contested by any other party, its president Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said to reporters today.
"We shall contest in all the 19 seats and new seats allocated to SUPP under the Barisan Nasional banner," he said after the party's annual delegates conference (ADC) here.

Friday, 23 October 2015

Murum dam brings in positive changes to the lives of former semi-nomadic Penans



 By Andrew James
BELAGA, Oct 23, 2015 -  Three years ago, the semi-nomadic Penans were living in make-shift huts - no electricity or piped water to talk about or any other so-called modern facilities that the "civilised" world is enjoying.

With the construction and completion of Murum dam, their lives changed for the better.

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Former semi-nomadic Penans are stars in sape classics



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, Oct 22, 2015  -Out from the deep tropical rainforests in Belaga, former semi-nomadic Penan brothers Kuit and Laing anak Kilah were an instant hit with their mastery of "sape" classical musics.
They are now going places, performing at official functions attended by state ministers and other high ranking government officials.

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Hastily built rural roads in Layar are posing dangers to road-users



BY Vernon Aji Kedit,
PKR Betong chairman

There are three major gravel roads in Betong (constituency of N.31 Layar) which were hastily constructed within the last one year to bring development to 22 rural villages.

The gravel roads are Jalan Linsom (approximately 10km), Jalan Spak (approximately 5km) and Jalan Penyelanih Raba (2km).

Friday, 16 October 2015

Don't forget rights of indigenous peoples, JOAS tells Malaysian delegation to UN climate summit



KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16, 2015 -  In the countdown to UN climate negotiations taking place next week for the international climate summit (COP 21) in Paris, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia
(JOAS) issued a reminder to the delegation representing Malaysia to take heed of the urgent call of indigenous peoples that our rights along with comprehensive efforts to limit global temperature rise are not up for negotiation.

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

International gathering to mark 2nd anniversary of blockade against proposed construction of Baram dam



MIRI, Oct 13, 2015  – An international event will be held here from Oct 19 to 24 to mark the second anniversary of the blockade against the proposed construction of Baram-1 dam and the moratorium of works on the project.

The World Indigenous Summit on Environment and Rivers (WISER Baram 2015) will be attended by representatives of indigenous peoples from Brazil, Honduras, Chile, the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Australia, the United States of America and the Wintu tribe of California.

The foreign delegates will be accompanied by local participants from the various Malaysian dams.

Monday, 12 October 2015

Incredible that Najib can speak of untruths with straight face

Comments by Baru Bian

The Prime Minister’s statement that BN is against racial extremism and practices moderation at the recent MCA assembly reflects his total lack of honesty and integrity. It is incredible that he can actually utter such untruths with a straight face.
 

Five Indonesians arrested, 323 protected birds seized from illegal bird trading centre in Suai



MIRI, Oct 12, 2015 - Five Indonesians were arrested by enforcement officers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation in a raid carried out at an illegal trading centre inside an oil palm plantation in Suai, near here, last Saturday.

The officers also seized 323 birds of various species, including the protected white rumped sharma, oriental magpie robin (burung semalau) and Asian glossy starling (burung tegok).

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Yayasan Teras dinner was like the scenes often seen during PBDS days



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, Oct 3, 2015 - The scene at a dinner hosted by Yayasan Pendidikan Teknikal Rakyat Sarawak (Yayasan Teras) reminded many die-hard supporters of  Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), which was deregistered on Oct 21, 2004 of the good old days when the party was still alive and kicking.

The presence of Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Datuk Seri Daniel Tajem, Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Datuk Joseph Entulu, Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum and Datuk Wilfred Nissom at the dinner was nostalgic.
They are the actors who were involved in the break-up of PBDS over a leadership tussle for the control of the party.

Friday, 2 October 2015

Najib speaks at UN General Assembly of new conflicts and threats to peace and security posed by extremists



Speech by Prime Minister Najib Razak At the General Debate of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly New York, 1 October 2015
Mr President,
1.       Congratulations on your appointment as President of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Your experience and wisdom will be invaluable in guiding us.

2.       This session’s theme – ‘The United Nations at 70: the Road Ahead for Peace, Security and Human Rights' – is timely. For we urgently need to find new approaches, to rise above the political divide and put people first, in an age when the old ways are proving inadequate to the challenges we face today.

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Orang Asli community wins in native customary rights land case



IPOH, Oct 1,2015 - The High Court declared yesterday that the Semai indigenous community or Orang Asli has customary rights over land at Kampung Orang Asli, Kuala Senta, in Bidor, south of Perak.
They have sued the Lands and Survey and two others for encroaching their customary rights land about 2,200 hectares.

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Dayak community leaders bringing their water problem to DAP Sri Aman to highlight



BY Andrew Daniels
SIMANGGANG, Sept 30, 2015 - A week after DAP Sri Aman branch highlighted the plight of Batu Lintang Undup residents requesting for clean treated water, some community leaders from Kara,Bukit Begunan and Lachau have asked its branch chairman Leon Jimat Donald to air their greviances.
The drought has hit the residents of the longhouses hard  and they are now asking that DAP Sri Aman write on their behalf to request to Chief Minister Adenan Satem to have a water treatment water plant be built in Lachau as to provide clean treated water to the many longhouses in these areas.

Climate change affects us more, say indigenous peoples



CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Sept 28, 2015 - The indigenous peoples, whose homes are in the mountains and forests, the coasts and small islands, are the real victims of climate change as a result of the failure of a development model which is contingent on using up natural resources with no consideration for sustainability and social equity.
"Corporate greed and control over resources have rendered our national decision-makers powerless in the face of pressure from industrialised nations," said a statement issued at the conclusion of a Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 21st Session of the UN Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)  Conference of Parties (COP21) from Sept 16-18, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Monday, 28 September 2015

Let the people be the judges - Opposition or BN who are the mind-poisoners?



By Baru Bian,
Sarawak PKR chairman
The recent statements by Sylvester Entri and Johnical Rayong calling for the people to reject the opposition parties and Peninsula Malaysian parties is a sign that BN is afraid that the people will come to realize that they have been duped by BN for the past few decades.

In fact, there has been an increase in these sorts of statements lately from BN politicians, which points to their worry that more and more people are beginning to reject their ‘empty promise and money’ style of politics.

Thursday, 24 September 2015

BMF says moratorium on Baram Dam should follow with action to find alternative energy sources



KUCHING, Sept 24, 2015: The Bruno Manser Fund, in welcoming Chief Minister  Adenan Satem’s decision to impose a moratorium on the Baram Dam, is asking the government to quickly follow this up with action in order to boost confidence in the policy turnaround.
In a statement, BMF said there should be a prompt launch of collaboration with a team from University of California, Berkeley, to find an alternative energy path for Sarawak.

Why ban Tony Pua? Is it got to do with him exposing 1MDB scandal?



By Chong Chieng Jen,
Sarawak DAP Chairman
Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s full support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cannot be any clearer than the banning of  Petaling Jaya Utara Member of Parliament Tony Pua from entering Sarawak, yesterday.

Though Adenan has openly said that he will ban the racists and religious bigots from entering Sarawak, his act to ban Tony from entering Sarawak does not reflect what he has pledged.

Monday, 14 September 2015

Nomadic Penan boy who rises up to become Petronas welding instructor



KOTA KINABALU, September 14, 2015 - As a boy in the hinterland of Baram, Sarawak, it was usually on Saturdays at the end of the school holidays that Rendy Ziki, now 30, would wake up at midnight, pack his meagre possessions and bid his parents goodbye before making his way into the darkness for the long journey back to school.

For the graduate of PETRONAS’ VISTA programme, in collaboration with Kolej Yayasan Sabah (KYS), the journey from being a nomad boy to a welding instructor has been no walk in the park.

Thursday, 10 September 2015

BMF's campaign gaining traction in Australia for recovery of AS$30m allegedly stolen from Sarawak

ADELAIDE, September 10, 2015 -The Bruno Manser Fund's campaign for the recovery of stolen assets to Sarawak, Malaysia, has gained traction today with extensive media reports on the alleged laundering of $30 million.

BMF executive director Lukas Straumann and Jenny Weber of the Bob Brown Foundation briefed the press in a boardroom of the Adelaide Hilton hotel this morning on the dodgy origins of the funds with which the Hilton was purchased  in 1994.
 From left: Lukas Straumann, Mark Parnell and Jenny Weber in South Australia's corridors of power

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Over 2,000 turned up to lend support to TR Sandah in landmark land appeal case by the government



By James Joseph
KUCHING, Sept 9, 2015 - Over 2,000 customary rights Dayak landowners crowded the High Court building  today to give support to Tuai Rumah Sandah anak Tabau, TR Lajang anak Lang, Semawi and Paong, Semunggah anak Janda, Muli Paong, Bonyoi Jawa, Suluk Paong and Bajing Apong, all of Kanowit, in a land mark case.

Saturday, 5 September 2015

Beautiful Sino-Dayak woman lawyer joins Sarawak PKR


Athina Klaywa Sim

By James Joseph
KUCHING, Sept 5, 2015 - Pretty 26-year old lawyer Athina Klaywa Sim has joined a  growing number of young professionals to be members of Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

She submitted her membership application form to Sarawak PKR vice chairman See Chee How this morning.

"I am always attracted towards PKR's political struggle and principle," she told reporters at a press conference. 

Athina, a Sino-Dayak parentage, will be a member of the Bengoh branch. She is from Kampung Podam, Bau.

The branch chairman Willie Mongin said she will take charge of the day to day operation of the branch.
See, commenting on Athina's application to join PKR, said she is among the young professionals who have joined the party.

"Like many other professionals, we welcome her to join us," said the Batu Lintang state assemblyman.
Athina (centre) submitting her membership form to Chee How (right) while Bengoh branch chairman Willie Mongin and PKR national women vice head Voon Shiak Nie (left) and Iana Akam of Tasik Biru branch look on.
Meanwhile, Mongin asked Minister of Communications and Infrastructure Development Datuk Seri Michael Manyin on why construction work on the proposed construction of tourist facilities for raft safari event park at Kampung Git, Kota Padawan, has not begun yet.

He said Manyin made the promise to construct the facilities two years ago, but until today, nothing has been done at the site.
Athina (3rd from right) and Voon Shiak Ni (centre) holding a banner "Wanita Berdaya Harapan Negara" with other PKR women members.



"The riverside at Kampung Git is scenic, good fishing spot and quality jungle trekking but what missing are the tourist facilities," he said.

Mongin said the tourist facilities should include stalls for the villagers to ply their handicraft, farm and jungle produce and foodstalls.






Wednesday, 2 September 2015

SEB-Lubok Antu community cooperation paved the way to sustainable development




KUCHING, September 2, 2015 - The level of cooperation attained between Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and the communities in Lubok Antu has paved the way for sustainable development in the area over the past 30 years since the construction of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant.

SEB's executive vice president of corporate services Aisah Eden said this has enabled the state power company, the State government and relevant agencies to attend to the needs of the communities in regards to basic amenities and socio-economic aspects.

Lawyer receives RM74 only as dividends this year from his 4.8ha NCR land developed under Salcra scheme



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, September 2, 2015 - Practising lawyer Francis Teron Kadap expressed his shock that he only received a pittance sum of R39 in July and RM35 in January this year as dividends from  his 4.8ha native customary rights (NCR) land developed under the Sarawak  Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) oil palm scheme in Stenggang, Bau-Lundu area.
"I am not exaggerating, but this is true," he told reporters here today.

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Bersih 4 Kuching is not about mob politics, but voice of the voting public




The Bersih4Kuching organisers wholeheartedly thank the people of Sarawak for their support over the Bersih weekend events – thank you to those who attended for coming and to those who didn’t for accepting any disruption.   

Friday, 28 August 2015

Nancy: The intention of Sarawak's Bersih 4 organisers is genuinely for peaceful assembly




 By James Joseph
KUCHING, 28 August 2015 - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said there is a different approach in respect of Sarawak Bersih organisers when they agreed to the change of venue proposed by the State Authority.
"Civil Liberties is all about being civil, and negotiations should be part and parcel of that. 
"Here in Sarawak, we witnessed the workings of civil liberty at its best because the intention of organiser is genuinely to gather peacefully according to law and at the same time the Local Authority acknowledges civil rights of people to assemble," she said in a press statement today.

Thursday, 27 August 2015

Don't make use of S4S movement for your political careers, Jaban tells opportunists



KUCHING, Aug 27, 2015 - Peter John Jaban, one of the organisers of last month’s unprecedented Sarawak 4 Sarawakians gathering today hit out at opportunists who are attempting to found political careers on the widespread support for the civil society movement. 

"The success of the movement is based on the fact that it is apolitical and these moves to hijack its popularity will only serve to destroy the movement itself, thus robbing the Rakyat of a genuine avenue of self-expression, much in the same way as Bersih, another civil society movement, has been incorrectly branded in the press as opposition," he said.

James Masing is both a racist and incapable of conducting proper research



By Karen Shepherd,
Spokesperson for Bersih 4

Personally, I loathe race politics.  It is a stain on the nation and the end of any possibility of a meritocracy.  In his statement to Bernama on 26 August 2015, YB Tan Sri James Masing has made this point very publically because he has chosen not to attack me for what I do or what I say.   

Instead, he has chosen to attack me for the colour of my skin.  I’m afraid there is nothing I can do about that.  It is the way I was born.
 

Saturday, 22 August 2015

IMDB scandal under Swiss federal prosecutor investigation



KUCHING, Aug 22 - Swiss federal prosecutors have opened criminal proceedings against two "entities" of the Malaysian state fund 1MDB and "unknown" third parties, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland announced on Friday.

The news was broken by the Geneva newspaper Le Temps.

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

SEB donating RM200,000 to Penan Education Fund



KUCHING, August 19, 2015-  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has set up a Penan Education Fund, under the umbrella of the Belaga Charitable Trust, to help financing studies and as  incentives for school children of communities in Belaga district.

The State’s energy provider has allocated a revolving fund of RM200,000  to provide educational assistance for Penan communities,  including the six villages involved in the Murum resettlement area and another other 19 Penan longhouses in the district.

Adenan agrees with PKR on full control of education by Sarawak



By Baru Bian,
PKR Sarawak chief
The announcement by the Chief Minister that he is keen to reclaim full control of education from the federal government is welcome news as this is one matter that I am passionate about and have constantly brought up in my statements and DUN speeches. 

In almost every State Assembly sitting I attended, I have highlighted the weaknesses and failures of the education system in this country, including the inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, lack of qualified and suitable teachers and the declining standards of education. 

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Book documenting rich cultural heritage of highlanders of Sarawak and Sabah launched




BARIO, Aug 9,  2015 -  Communities living in the Kelabit and Maligan highlands in Sarawak and Sabah have  something to be proud of – a book documenting their rich cultural heritage and folklores is finally published.

Entitled, Highland Tales in the Heart of Borneo, the 92-page book is a colourful showcase of the community’s past, present and future that are very much intertwined with their natural surroundings in the picturesque highlands of Ba’ Kelalan, Bario, Long Semadoh in Sarawak and Long Pa’ Sia, Sabah.

PKR candidates: Vernon Aji for Layar, Noel Changai for Bukit Saban in state election



By BR James
BETONG, Aug 9 - Sarawak PKR information chief Vernon Aji Kedit has been nominated as a  potential candidate for Layar in the next Sarawak state election.
Aji's nomination was proposed at the division quarterly meeting at PKR Service Centre in Pasar Baru Medan here, last Friday.
The meeting, which Aji chaired, also proposed the divisional vice chairman Noel Changai Bucking as a potential candidate for Bukit Saban.
Aji (4th from left, Changai (5th from left) with Betong Division committee members

Adenan is right on large scale deforestation in Sarawak, says forest council



KUCHING, Aug 9 - Forest Stewardship Council has said that over 80 per cent of Sarawak’s forests  have been reportedly cleared, proving Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem right in saying of an unchecked logging activities and clearance for agriculture and urban development taking place in the state over the years.
In the peninsula, over 60 per cent of its forests have been cleared over the years.
SFC said most of the country's forested areas are found within its national parks.
"The World Bank estimates that trees are being cut down at four times the sustainable rate," SFC said in a statement today.

Serious gaps in laws, policies and administration in recognising NCR land, seminar finds



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, Aug 9 - Despite Malaysia’s endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, which outlines the rights that the government should respect and recognise, serious gaps in our laws, policies and administration in recognizing Orang Asal customary land continue to persist.
The finding is part of a seminar held during the national-level Perayaan Hari Orang Asal SeDunia
(PHOAS) to celebrate the achievements of the Indigenous Peoples, hosted by Jaringan Orang Asal
SeMalaysia (JOAS).

Sarawak PKR's 18 Points Roadmap - Sarawak4Change



18-Point Roadmap

Our first duty is the complete removal of the cancer that is Barisan Nasional. This Roadmap outlines the difficult path toward healing and transforming our great nation. Our centrist policies signal a new era of equality, opportunity, and possibility. We’re working for a stronger, fairer Sarawak.

Monday, 3 August 2015

Kenapakah SK Bengoh banyak masalah selepas 52 tahun dah Merdeka



Oleh Willie Mongin,
 Pengerusi PKR Cabang Puncak Borneo (Mambong)

SK Bengoh merupakan sebuah sekolah yang terletak di Jalan Puncak Borneo, Ulu Bengoh lebih kurang 40KM dari Bandaraya Kuching. Buat masa ini, terdapat 98 orang murid bersekolah disini dengan 13 orang tenaga pengajar.

 Sekolah ini juga menyediakan asrama kepada para – pelajar yang datang dari kampung – kampung yang jauh. Namun keadaan sekolah yang begitu daif dan uzur telah dibiarkan terus rosak tanpa diberi peruntukan walaupun telah dibuat tinjauan oleh Pegawai dari Pejabat Pendidikan beberapa kali untuk penilaian kos pembaikan.  

Sleepy Betong town will be a ghost town in 10 years from now



By Vernon Kedit,
PKR Betong branch chairman

 Despite assurances by the government insisting that Betong is a developed town, the facts speak for themselves. I shall list out the facts and correlate them to the well-known fact that Betong has and continues to be helmed by no less than a Deputy Chief Minister, a full fledged Federal Minister, and an Assistant Minister for more than a quarter of a century.

Saturday, 25 July 2015

Following the footsteps of early settlers of highlands in Heart of Borneo



BA'KELALAN, July 25, 2015 -  After months of preparation, the inaugural Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge finally kicked off today, participated by  an enthusiastic group  of adventurous people.

They will walk in the footsteps of the early settlers of the highlands, who used to travel on foot between Ba’ Kelalan and Bario through challenging terrains and weather, yet beautiful mountainous landscape in the Bornean rainforest.

Friday, 24 July 2015

Sarawak has created history with huge gathering for S4S Freedom and Independence Day walk



By Panglima Peter John Jaban
Sarawak made history on Wednesday.  There are lots of different reports of the numbers who came, from a laughable 1,000 in Bernama up to an impressive 10,000, but one thing is clear: many Sarawakians turned out to celebrate 22 July 2015.   

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

PRS Youth must be sleeping that it does not know what are happening in Sarawak



By  Simon Siah Sy Jen,
Deputy chairman,
PKR Youth Sarawak

Of late, there seems to be a lot of people barking up the wrong tree.  One case in point is the PRS Youth yesterday challenging YB Baru Bian to state his stand on hudud. It appears that PRS Youth has caught the disease from DAP a bit too slowly when it is already yesterday’s news that PKR and YB Baru Bian have stated their stand on the issues of hudud very clearly.

It just goes to show that PRS Youth probably do not keep up with current affairs in Sarawak if until today they still do not know PKR and YB Baru’s stand on hudud.  His statements on hudud have been published in both the mainstream press and in online news portals so it is rather incredible that PRS Youth should issue this silly challenge. 
Baru Bian (2nd from left) with other Sarawak PKR leaders at a press conference

Thursday, 2 July 2015

BN YBs from oil producing states should join forces to demand for oil royalty increase



By See Chee How,
State Assemblyman for Batu Lintang

The 25 BN Members of Parliament from Sarawak must make their stand clear, to fully back the state’s demand for 20% of petroleum royalty, to ensure more equitable and just development and fairer distribution of wealth between Sarawak and the Peninsular Malaysia.

All the BN Members of Parliament from the oil producing states of Sabah, Trengganu and Kelantan should join force and push for this demand of 20% of petroleum royalty for their states to remedy the embarrassing and ironic reality that these states remain the poorest in Malaysia.

Star of Bethlehem reveals the birth of the Son of Man



In Christian tradition, the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, revealed the birth of
Jesus to the Biblical Magi, and later led them to Bethlehem. The star appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew, where magi "from the east" are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem.

 There they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, to the South of Jerusalem.

Another victory for NCR landowners in their battle against the government



IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF MALAYSIA
AT PUTRAJAYA
BETWEEN
1. TAMIT ANAK ANJAT
2. MUKIT ANAK SEKERANG
3. JUPITER ANAK SEGERAN @ SEGARAN
[Suing on behalf of themselves and 19 other family or bilik, or
proprietors, occupiers, holders and claimants of native customary
rights land situate at Lubok Batu, Nanga Lembong, Suai, Niah, Miri,
Sarawak]
- APPELLANTS
And
1. FUNG TAI SDN BHD (REG. NO. 94165-D)
2. LAND CUSTODY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (LCDA)
3. SUPERINTENDENT OF LANDS AND SURVEYS, MIRI DIVISION
4. STATE GOVERNMENT OF SARAWAK
- RESPONDENTS
AND BETWEEN
TR MERINGAI ANAK SEGARAN (WN.KP. 490804-13-5571)
[Suing on behalf of himself and 21 other family or bilik or
proprietors, occupiers, holders, and claimants of native customary
rights land situated at Sungei Lembong Suai, Miri, Sarawak]
- APPELLANTS
And
1. BUTRASEMARI SDN. BHD. (REG. NO. 560581-D)
2. SUPERINTENDENT OF LANDS AND SURVEYS, MIRI DIVISION
3. STATE GOVERNMENT OF SARAWAK
- RESPONDENTS

CORAM:
Abdul Wahab Patail, JCA
Mohtarudin Baki, JCA
Mah Weng Kwai, JCA
Date of Judgment: 8th October 2013

GROUNDS OF JUDGMENT
2. The High Court dismissed the Appellants/Plaintiffs' Tamit Anak Anjat and Others ("the Plaintiffs") claims in their consolidated civil suits on the grounds the Plaintiffs had failed to discharge the burden of proof that they had acquired Native Customary Rights (NCR) over the disputed lands.
The Appeal
3. The Plaintiffs appealed to this Court. Their grounds of appeal were that the High Court had erred:
(a) in not finding that the Plaintiffs had established NCR over the said land and ought to have found in favour of the Plaintiffs upon the balance of probabilities;

Saturday, 27 June 2015

Sarawak4Sarawakians movement to hold parade to mark Sarawak's Independence Day on July 22



Story by James Belayong,
student activist
KUCHING, June 27, 2015 - Sarawak4Sarawakians civil movement will hold a parade on July 22 to mark Sarawak's Independence Day, its leader Peter John Jaban told reporters today.
He said it is on this day in 1963 that Sarawak gained its Independence from Britain.
"Sarawak is one of the founding partners of the Federation of Malaysia. Therefore, July 22 is an historical day and significant moment for Sarawak and its subjects," he said, adding that Sarawak was an Independence Nation before it joined Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
Peter John Jaban (right) with parade coordinator William Bong at the press conference

Monday, 22 June 2015

Human rights group wants Parliamentary Select Committee to solve problems of land rights of indigenous people



KOTA KINABALU, June 22, 2015: In a parliamentary briefing to 20 of parliament (MPs) at the Opposition Party Office (DAP) last week on 17 June 2015, the Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) as part of the recommendations following the findings of the Task Force on the SUHAKAM National Land Inquiry (NI) on the Land Rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Malaysia.

JOAS delegates consisting of Orang Asal from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,
presented updates from the findings of the SUHAKAM NI report as well as on the issues
surrounding the development of mega dams.

DNC and SIPAK ink MoU to strength and establish cooperation



 By James Belayong

KUCHING, June 22, 2015 - Dayak National Congress (DNC) and Sarakup Iban Pabatasan Kapuas Hulu (SIPAK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) DNC which will formally strength and establish cooperation between the two Iban-based non-governmental organisations.
Sotomo (left) and Mengga signing the MoU. Seen at right is DNC deputy president Datuk John Tenewi Nuek

PBDS Baru may contest a few seats in coming state polls, says its chief



KUCHING, June 22 - President of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS Baru) Louis Jarrau said today that the party's supreme council meeting will meet next month to make a stand on the state election.
"We will decide whether we should be contesting and if we do, how many seats we are going to contest," he said.
"If we decide to contest, then we will be putting up candidates in a few seats," he said in a statement.
"We contest those seats where we feel we are comfortable with," he said.
He said he may stand in Dudong where the Dayaks form about 45 per cent of the voters while his deputy, Patrick Uren may contest in Tasik Biru or Opar.

Saturday, 20 June 2015

Dusit to Dayak leaders in the govt: Use your power wisely to help the community



Story and pictures by James Belayong,
Postgraduate university student
KUCHING, June 20, 2015 - Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul explained he is critical of Dayak leaders in the government who are in a position of power but do little to help the Dayak community, in the fields of culture, education, job and business opportunities.

"If they have used their powers given to them wisely, then Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have no reasons to exist and mushroom," he said at the launch of the three-day Dayak Cultural Festival held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association building at Kumpang Road, Off Ong Tiang Swee Road here today.

133 Penan families in Lusong Laku to benefit from iM Sarawak wet paddy cultivation



KUCHING,  June 20, 2015  – Some 133 Penan families in Lusong Laku, Belaga will benefit from an iM Sarawak wet paddy cultivation project that will be due for harvesting at the end of the year.
The project, which is a collaborative partnership between iM Sarawak, the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture,  State Department of Agriculture and Ceria Group, aims to assist in the food sufficiency problem faced by the Penan community here.
The MR263 seedlings used are expected to gain much higher yield as compared to the hill paddy that the community used to plant. In addition, they will now also be able to harvest twice a year as compared to the once a year harvest of the hill paddy.

Friday, 19 June 2015

Masing: We should count our blessings that PR did not win in the general elections, otherwise....



KUCHING, June 19 -  Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said Malaysians can count themselves fortunate because PR did not win the majority parliamentary seats in the last general elections.
"Had they won, there would be political instability, chaos in the country because they did not have any common ideology to govern the country," he said, pointing out that their only goal then was to defeat the Barisan Nasional.
Tan Sri Dr James Masing

Monday, 15 June 2015

Why Lun Bawang objecting the proposed Ulu Trusan Protected Forests.



By Baru Bian,
Ba'Kelalan State Assemblyman

On 26 May 2015, the Borneo Post published a notice of the government’s intention to declare an area of approximately 120,855 ha (close to 300,000 acres) as Protected Forest, (“Proposed Ulu Trusan Protected Forests”) extinguishing the Native Customary Rights of the Lun Bawangs.

Payeh Maga - another paradise of Sarawak




LAWAS, June 15, 2015 -   A male Ashy Drongo, flies back and forth between a few trees to a designated tree near a wooden hut belonging to villagers of Long Tuyo, in the picturesque highlands called Payeh Maga.
Ashy Drongo is just one of the many birds species found in Payeh Maga, a bird-watching paradise, that is already known for many rare and endemic avifauna species. 

Start with the Taib family first, Bruno Manser Fund tells MACC and Adenan



KUALA LUMPUR, June 15, 2015 - Bruno Manser Fund has called on Chief Minister Adenan Satem and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to start with the Taib Mahmud family first if they are serious in combating corruption in Sarawak.
BMF executive director Lukas Straumann made the call following an admission by Taib's son, Mahmdu Abu Bekir of having owned a fortune of US315 million (RM1.185b) early today.
The declaration was made during  a divorce proceedings in response to a forensic report produced by his ex-wife’s lawyer.

Lukas Straumann

Sunday, 14 June 2015

Dayak community to treat Najib to a dinner, but will he announce some "goodies" for them?



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, June 14, 2015 - Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), the umbrella body for Dayak-based NGOs, will treat an embattled Prime Minister  Najib Razak to a community dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Tuesday night.
The Umno president will be accompanied by his wife  Rosmah Mansor  to the dinner which is to mark SDNU 59th anniversary.
Najib Razak

Friday, 12 June 2015

Torstein to public: Don't believe what are being posted on social media on dam safety in Sarawak



By Doris Yoong
KUCHING, June 12, 2015 - At a Press Conference today, Datuk Torstein Dale Syotveit explained "complex" issues concerning the safety of dams in Sarawak , telling the public that what have been reported on the social media and newspapers are "not factual".
He said there is so much being said in the media on the concerns of dam safety in relation to the probability of earthquakes, such as the recent incident that occurred in Sabah.

Thursday, 11 June 2015

Adenan's autonomy call "like an empty can", claims Chong



By Doris Yoong
KUCHING, June 11, 2015 - Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said a call by Chief Minister  Tan Sri Adenan Satem that Sarawak wants more autonomy to the federal government is "like an empty can".
"He needs to elaborate on the areas that the autonomy needs to be reinstated to Sarawak," he said in a statement today.

Chong Chieng Jen

Sunday, 7 June 2015

NGOs, political parties gang up against rape



Story and pictures by Doris Yoong
KUCHING, June 7, 2015 - Twenty-eight  non-governmental organisations and political parties took part in a protest rally against rape at Taman Shahabat here today, prompted by the acquittal of a 60-year old government retire by the Court of Appeal last month.

Saturday, 6 June 2015

The Broken Shield: The Dayak Dilemma is must read for Dayak leaders



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, June 6, 2015 -  "The Broken Shield: The Dayak Dilemma" is a must read for  the present and aspiring Dayak leaders, Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul informs them today.
"After going through the book, it becomes apparent to me that it is a portray or a vivid description of the Dayak political drama at its best," he said when launching the book written by veteran reporter Joseph Tawie.

Friday, 5 June 2015

Vernon Kedit: Masing can do more than just criticising



By Vernon Aji Kedit,
Sarawak PKR Information Chief

 I read with a sense of amusement and disbelief today's headline in the Borneo Post screaming "Legality of nation at stake".

 Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, President of PRS, has outdone himself yet again for having the courage and grit to question the Election Commission and call for a reinstatement of the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 and I personally salute the man for his tenacity.

Give back those powers, Adenan tells Najib



By Doris Yoong
KUCHING, June 4, 2015  - Chief Minister Adenan Satem is asking the federal government to surrender back those powers which Sarawak had given away since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
"We want our autonomy back," he said, adding that he had discussed with Prime Minister Najib Razak over breakfast before they left to attend a public  gathering in support of  Najib at the Unity Stadium in Petrajaya this morning.
"We want those powers back otherwise, there is little meaning to our request for autonomy," the chief minister told Najib at the gathering.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Court of Appeal rules why Bunya anak Jalong was discharged and acquitted with raping a 15-year old girl




GROUNDS OF JUDGMENT
[1] The Appellant, Bunya Anak Jalong (I/C No: 541004-13-5351) appealed against the dismissal by the High Court in Sibu of his appeal against his convictions by the Sessions Court in Sibu.

Najib must give firm commitment on oil and gas royalty to reciprocate Sarawak's support for his leadership



By See Chee How,
State PKR vice chairman and Batu Lintang State Assembly

 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must give Sarawakians a firm commitment on the 20% oil and gas royalty and a five-years plan to develop  Sarawak and Sabah to be at par with Peninsular Malaysia, together with his pledge for good governance, before seeking the allegiance of Sarawakians to support his leadership.

He must take heed of the statement by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem that the development, progress and modernization that is accorded to the Peninsula Malaysia must also be given to Sarawak.

Friday, 29 May 2015

Baru: Why we must be thankful to celebrate Gawai Dayak

Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian's Gawai Dayak message
Being a multi-racial country, Malaysia is a one of the few countries in the world to observe numerous holidays and celebrations.

We consider this a great privilege for us, and the fact that Sarawakians of all races and ethnicity can freely celebrate Gawai each year is reason for us to be thankful.

The celebration of the harvest, or Gawai, is a major feature of our unique cultural heritage.
YB Baru Bian

Jaku Pesan Gawai Dayak Ari Ketuai PKR Sarawak Baru Bian




Nyadika sebuah menua ti diwan mayuh pupu raban bansa, Malaysia nya sebuah menua dalam dunya tu ti nyambut sereta ngintu mayuh macham kemisi enggau pengerami. Kitai tau ngumbai utai tu siti penyelai ba kitai, lalu ngamatka penerang ti madahka rayat Sarawak ari mayuh pupu raban bansa ulih sama berami Gawai ninting taun, lalu ngembuan ketegal diri empu dikena beterima kasih.

Pengerami bansa asal ti diintu dikena ngelai penembu maya ngetau, tauka Gawai, nya sebengkah faktor dalam daya idup kitai ti nyelai tu.

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

DNC calls on all Dayak NGOs to come for a meeting on June 13



By  Edward Edwin
KUCHING, May 27, 2015. - Dayak National Congress (DNC) is calling on all Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to attend a meeting to discuss and form committees with regards to the resolutions  adopted at a public forum on native customary rights (NCR) land on May 9.

The meeting has been scheduled to be held at DNC meeting room at Batu Kawah new township on June 13, starting at 2.30pm.

People from nine longhouses to celebrate Gawai in the dark



SIMANGGANG, May 27, 2015 - Nine longhouses in Ulu Undup, near here, will continue to celebrate Gawai Dayak without any electricity connection which has been promised three years ago.

Losing patience with waiting, they have decided to approach DAP Sri Aman chief Leon Jimat Donald to express their anger and frustration.

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

"It is embarrassing for Muhyiddin to say that our children receive better education than those in US, UK and Germany"



By Voon Shiak Ni,
PKR National Women vice head

With the flip-flop Malaysian education system, it is embarrassing for Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to claim again that Malaysians cannot deny that the country  has the best education structure .

Muhiddin in his statement yesterday said that Malaysian youngsters are receiving better education than children in the United States, Britain and Germany.

Monday, 25 May 2015

Unhappy villagers in Bau want bridges replaced



By Boniface Willy Tumek,
PKR Mas Gading branch chairman

 About 15 families living in  Sri’an area in Kampung Barieng, Singgai are becoming increasingly frustrated with a suspension bridge over Sungai  Adis and another two wooden bridges in their village.

These three bridges are part of the access to their homes in Sri’an.

Last Sunday,  some of the affected villagers staged a peaceful gathering at the site of the wooden bridge to show their displeasure and to demand that the relevant government authorities take immediate actions to build new and safer bridges for them.