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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.