Kuching Declaration is not Sarawak for Sarawakians slogan, says Baru Bian

Kuching, Sept 19, 2012: The Kuching Declaration signed on Malaysia Day on Sept 16 by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) top leaders cannot be equated as a Sarawak for Sarawakians slogan.

“No, it is not. Though a lot of people are talking about Sarawak for Sarawakians, it is not the spirit of the Declaration.

“If you talk about Sarawak for Sarawakians spirit, then of course we will be asking 100 % oil royalty, but we are not.

“We recognise that we are in the Federation of Malaysia and that is what we are realising and this is what we are asking Kuala Lumpur to realise as well.

“The Federation has been formed with an agreement of 1963, and what we are merely saying is that “go back to the agreement” and “go back to the basic foundations of that agreement…the spirit of the formation of Malaysia, and that is what we are saying,” he said.

Baru said Sarawak Barisan leaders should support, not oppose, the Declaration.

“If PR comes to power (in the upcoming general election), they, being Sarawakians, will also benefit.

“There is no reason why they should not support, not keeping quiet, but support it openly,” he said, adding:”Unless they think that we are very developed state in Malaysia.”

“If they say that we are equal in everything to Peninsular Malaysia, then it is up to Sarawakians to judge,” he said.

In any case, he said that the Declaration is not for the Barisan Nasional to say “yes or no”, but for the Sarawakians, Sabahans and Malaysians to consider.

“They are the ones who finally decide…whether it is rubbish, unrealistic, not true, we will leave it to Sarawakians, Sabahans and Malaysians to decide,” he said, adding:”It is not the Barisan leaders to decide.”

Baru expressed hope that the civil servants are happy with the Declaration.

“But I think the question of whether they are happy or not, should be posed to them personally and see if they are willing to answer that question.

“We are fighting for their positions as well,” he said.

Baru denied that the Declaration is to sow the seeds of discontentment and pit the people of Sarawak and Sabah against the people of Peninsular Malaysia.

“There is no truth in the claims, and we are leaving it to the Sarawakians and Sabahans to judge the Declaration,” he said, denying allegations by State BN leaders that PR leaders, by signing the Declaration, were sowing the seeds of discontentment and pitting the people of Sarawak and Sabah against fellow Malaysians in Peninsular Malaysia.

“As far as I am concerned, the dissatisfactions started some 49 years ago when Sarawak and Sabah joined and formed the Federation of Malaysia with Malaya and Singapore.

“Based on the people’s experiences and what they know personally, they can judge whether we are on par with Peninsular Malaysia in terms of development and infrastructure and whether it is fair that we should receive 5 % royalty from oil and gas from Petronas,” he said.

“The latest statistics shows that Sarawak and Sabah are far behind in terms of overall development. The two states are among the poorest in the country,” he added.

“Therefore, it is not true that Pakatan Rakyat is sowing the seeds of discontentment, and I believe that the truth is coming out and it is obvious that the Malaysian Agreement of 1963 has not be honoured,” he said

“We hear you (on the discontentment) and we are taking this up and we will do what we can in accordance and in consistence  with the desires of our forefathers and in line with the agreement signed in 1963,” he said.

He said that over the last 49 years, the people of Sarawak and Sabah have been complaining that they have been unfavourably treated.

“That is the issue here,” he said, adding:”But, of course, the Barisan leaders, including Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, are saying that we are moving fast .

“That, by itself, is an admission that we are actually lagging behind all these years.

“In fact, we are complaining not only in development itself, but also in the  Borneonisation of the civil service, schools, clinics and other basic infrastructure, clean water and electricity in the rural areas.

“How many percent of the rural areas have been lighted or provided with clean water?”

On claims that the Declaration was unrealistic and that Sarawak had already enjoyed a wide range of autonomy and total commitment of the federal government towards its development, Baru said that the PR government had the political will to execute what was being promised in the declaration.

“The seven Articles in the declarion are not difficult to carry out,  just give us the mandate to be the government of the day and we can prove to you that in the first term of five years, what we have promised and what have been the aspirations of Sarawakians and Sabahans, will be executed and fulfilled,” he said.

ARTICLE ONE: EQUAL PARTNERS

We will restore the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement and the position of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners within Malaysia by restoring autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah within the framework of the Federal Constitution.

ARTICLE TWO: FAIR REPRESENTATION

We will increase national integration between Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia through a fair power-sharing arrangement that fully upholds the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement.

ARTICLE THREE: CITIZENSHIP

We will set up a Royal Commission to solve the perennial national problem of illegal immigration and citizenship, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.

           

ARTICLE FOUR: RESTORATION OF NATIVE CUSTOMARY RIGHTS OVER LAND

We will endorse the authority already vested in the State Laws of Sarawak and Sabah to set up Land Commissions to investigate, resolve disputes, redress, survey and restore Native Customary Rights over Native Customary Lands.

ARTICLE FIVE: COMPETENT SARAWAK AND SABAH

We will endorse the appointment of Sarawak and Sabah citizens to head Government Departments in their own respective States and by the powers vested in the State Secretaries of both States as well as give first priority to the appointment of Sarawak and Sabah citizens at Federal Government level functioning within Sarawak and Sabah.

ARTICLE SIX: OIL JUSTICE

We will raise the royalties paid on petroleum and hydrocarbon resources to Sarawak and Sabah to 20% from the present 5%.

ARTICLE SEVEN: EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT

We will bring the level of infrastructure development in Sarawak and Sabah up to par with Peninsular Malaysia.

Baram residents delivering petition to Taib's office, protesting against plan to build dam

Kuching, Sept 18th 2012:  About 50 indigenous people from the Baram area delivered a petition of thousands of signatures to the Chief Minister of Sarawak today at Wisma Bapa Malaysia (State Secretariat building). The people were representing at least 18 longhouses from Upper and Middle Baram.

The petitions are in protest of the plans to build a mega-dam which would flood half the size of Singapore. Thousands of Baram residents would be forced to move away from their ancestral lands, homes and farms, to accommodate the mega-dam.

Affected resident, and President of JOAS (Jaringan Orang Asal seMalaysia or Indigenous Peoples’ Network of Malaysia), Thomas Jalong of Long Anap, Baram views with grave concern of the planned construction of mega-dam because of its potential adverse implications, particularly on the rights, livelihoods and future of the indigenous people of the area.

“The dam would inevitably submerge our ancestral homelands of more than 20,000 people and in the process would forcibly displace us from our homes. We would also be unjustly deprived of our lands, sources of livelihood and sustenance, facing an uncertain future,” Thomas Jalong said.

“To us indigenous peoples, our ancestral land is a link to our past, present and future generations. Land is not only regarded as an economic resource but is fundamental to our social, cultural, spiritual and political identity and survival,” Thomas added.

Peter Kallang, Chairperson of Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers), a coalition formed by indigenous peoples and NGOs to stop the 12 planned mega-dams in Sarawak says, “This clearly shows that the majority of the Baram people do not want the dam.”

“If you look at the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) that Malaysia has agreed to adopt, the plan for constructing the dams have to stop immediately and all works on the access roads to the dams including the soil studies has to be stopped,” Peter adds.

Philip Jau, of Baram Protection Action Committee says, “the government has not been transparent at all with actual plans of the Baram mega-dam. They have not asked the people what they think about the plans of the dam, but instead have commenced plans to start surveys for the access roads. We do want development and roads but we do not want an access road built specifically for the mega-dam. This is not what we want.”

“When we met with the Superintendent of the Lands and Survey Miri, he did not mention the building of the access road or the reason why the road is being built. This is an example of how they continue not to be transparent of their plans,” Philip Jau stressed.

Philip Jau hopes that the government would listen to the voices of the Baram residents and stop all building related to the Baram mega-dam, hence the handover of the petition today.

Prior to the handing of the petition, at least 150 people attended a forum organized by Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) on native customary lands, and mega-dams in Sarawak on Monday (Sept 17th) at Telang Usan Hotel. Speakers spoke on the rights of indigenous peoples, especially in relation to land, and the socio-economic impacts of the mega-dams. 

BN leaders have failed to look after the interests and rights of Sarawakians, charges Baru Bian

Kuching, Sept 16, 2012: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian has accused the Barisan Nasional leaders of falling asleep when they are supposed to look after the rights and interests of Sarawakians.

“Those leaders who were meant to take care of our interests have been asleep on their watch,” he said in his speech at the Malaysia Day celebration at Chonglin Park here.

He said the rights and interests of Sarawakians, which the founding fathers were so eager to safeguard and which were inscribed in the Malaysian Agreement,  had been insidiously chipped away over the past years.

He stressed that when Sarawak and Sabah agreed to form the Federation of Malaysia, along with Malaya and Singapore some 49 years ago, our forefathers had a firm belief that this federation would be a real partnership, striving together for their mutual security, development and prosperity.

“Our forefathers greeted that day with huge dreams and mighty aspirations.

“Sarawak and Sabah being lands rich with oil, timber, gold, fertile lands and a harmonious and hardworking people, they had everything to look forward to.

“The future was brimming with the promise of a federation of vibrant, thriving countries, populated by happy, healthy and secure peoples of various races and ethnicities,” he added.

“But after 49 years we ask ourselves:

“Does every citizen benefit from the immense wealth of our country? Does everyone have access to the basic amenities of this modern era such as electricity, clean water and proper healthcare?  

“Are our lands and heritage being protected for the future generations? Are our children receiving the best educational opportunities? Are our Sarawakian and Sabahan workers highly skilled and meaningfully employed?

“Have the dreams of our founding fathers been realized?  Or have those dreams turned into nightmares for countless people who call this once ‘fair land’ Sarawak home?

“Why are we constantly saying ‘Barang naik, barang naik’ and finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet?

“Why are the Malays of Kampung Sampadi unhappy that the surrounding lands where they ‘cari makan’ were included in a lease issued to a company owned by outsiders?

“Why are the Ibans of Melikin still struggling to defend their ancestral lands from the marauding plantation companies?

“Why are the Kayans  and Kenyahs of Baram fighting to stop the drowning of their lands by the dam builders?

“Why are the people of Bakun still waiting for compensation for the lands taken from them almost 13 years ago?

“What happened to our lands, forests, our trees and natural resources?” he asked.

“Tragically, the betrayers of the people are not strangers but our own leaders,” he said.

“And so today, the native landowners have lost their lands, their heritage and their birthright. The citizens of Sarawak and Sabah have lost the elements of control over their own destiny, elements for which our founding fathers meticulously negotiated,” Baru added.

He said he has a vision of a government led by humble leaders who serve the rakyat with integrity,never forgetting that they are but the servants of the people on whose goodwill and co-operation they are entirely dependent.

“In my vision, our schools teach a first rate curriculum and our children are given every opportunity to acquire skills and qualifications to properly prepare them to face the challenges of life.

“In my vision, the government provides safe and adequate infrastructure for the people and sound policies for economic development and growth.

“In my vision, the airwaves and television screens carry balanced and accurate news so that the people are properly informed.

“In my vision, the people are free to practice the religion of their choosing without any interference from the authorities.

“In my vision, the sick and infirm are given the best medical care.

“In my vision, Sarawakians and Malaysians of all races who have the determination and drive are given equal opportunity to succeed and prosper.

“I am told by the nay-sayers that I can only continue to dream about bringing a change to the lives of the poor and the marginalized. Those who have the most to lose are fearful of change and therefore pour scorn on my dreams, my hopes and my vision.

“But I know all of you who are standing here today share my dreams. I know that the people in the far reaches of the interior hills, from Long Semadoh in Ba’ Kelalan to Kampung Rejoi-Nyegolin the Bengoh ranges share my dreams.

“I know that the people of the rivers, from Kapit on the Rejang River to Marudi on the Baram River share my dreams. I know that the people of the towns, from Lundu in the East to Limbang in the West share my dreams.

“The dreams of our forefathers may have been crushed by the ruthless and greedy pretenders who came in the night. But we, the people of Sarawak are a resilient people.

“We now reject the nightmare inflicted upon us by those who have stolen from us. We have begun to revive the dreams that were dreamt for us by those who came before us.

“Your presence here today is testament to my unshakable belief that we all share the same dreams, that we will play our part to ensure that our beautiful country is a place where peace and prosperity prevails, where justice and fairness and equality are the right of every citizen,” he said.

He said that the leaders from Pakatan Rakyat have wholeheartedly consented to honour the Malaysian Agreement that was signed by our forefathers which, up until today, the government has preferred to ignore.

He added that spirit of the Kuching Declaration is ignited and will continue to glow in our hearts as a constant hope and indeed of the promise, of better days to come. By Sematong Express

 

The Kuching Declaration signed by Pakatan Rakyat leaders

THE KUCHING DECLARATION

L

EST WE FORGET, AND LEST ALL THE PEOPLES OF OUR GREAT NATION OF MALAYSIA FORGET, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DO ONCE AGAIN FIRMLY, RESOLUTELY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY PLEDGE AND PROMISE BEFORE THE WHOLE NATION OF MALAYSIA AS OUR WITNESSES, ON THIS HISTORIC DAY THE 16^TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2012, IN THE CITY OF KUCHING, AND ON BEHALF OF OUR RESPECTIVE PARTIES AND PAKATAN RAKYAT AS A WHOLE, THAT WHEN WE FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA, PAKATAN RAKYAT WILL HONOUR ALL ITS PLEDGES AND PROMISES TO THE PEOPLES OF MALAYSIA.

W

E WILL HONOURABLY EXECUTE ALL THE POLICIES SET FORTH IN THE BUKU JINGGA SO THAT MALAYSIA WILL ONCE AGAIN  BE A GREAT NATION, HER PEOPLES PROSPEROUS, HER FUTURE SECURE AND PEACEFUL, AND HER NAME CELEBRATED BY ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.

W

E WILL HONOUR THE SPIRIT OF THE MALAYSIA AGREEMENT OF 1963 WHICH OUR FOUNDING FATHERS PUT THEIR HANDS TO, AND AS A SIGN OF OUR DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLES OF SARAWAK AND SABAH, CONSISTENT WITH DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AND JUSTICE FOR ALL MALAYSIANS, IN PARTICULAR:

ARTICLE ONE: EQUAL PARTNERS

We will restore the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement and the position of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners within Malaysia by restoring autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah within the framework of the Federal Constitution.

ARTICLE TWO: FAIR REPRESENTATION

We will increase national integration between Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia through a fair power-sharing arrangement that fully upholds the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement.

ARTICLE THREE: CITIZENSHIP

We will set up a Royal Commission to solve the perennial national problem of illegal immigration and citizenship, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.

           

ARTICLE FOUR: RESTORATION OF NATIVE CUSTOMARY RIGHTS OVER LAND

We will endorse the authority already vested in the State Laws of Sarawak and Sabah to set up Land Commissions to investigate, resolve disputes, redress, survey and restore Native Customary Rights over Native Customary Lands.

ARTICLE FIVE: COMPETENT SARAWAK AND SABAH

We will endorse the appointment of Sarawak and Sabah citizens to head Government Departments in their own respective States and by the powers vested in the State Secretaries of both States as well as give first priority to the appointment of Sarawak and Sabah citizens at Federal Government level functioning within Sarawak and Sabah.

ARTICLE SIX: OIL JUSTICE

We will raise the royalties paid on petroleum and hydrocarbon resources to Sarawak and Sabah to 20% from the present 5%.

ARTICLE SEVEN: EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT

We will bring the level of infrastructure development in Sarawak and Sabah up to par with Peninsular Malaysia.

           

W

E, the undersigned, MAKE THIS DECLARATION AS AN INCONTROVERTIBLE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE PAKATAN RAKYAT AND THE PEOPLES OF MALAYSIA, THIS HISTORIC DAY OF 16^TH SEPTEMBER, 2012, ON MALAYSIA DAY, SO THAT IT MAY RING OUT RESOUNDINGLY From MALAYSIA’S high forest hills Down to the open sea; SO THAT freedom MAY ever reign; AND OUR PEOPLES Live in Unity!

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Declaration, and all the peoples of Malaysia being witnesses thereof.

Done at Kuching, this 16th day of September, 2012, in six copies of which one shall be deposited with each of the signatories.

For People’s Justice Party (KEADILAN)

Y.B. Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ketua Umum

For Democratic Action Party (DAP)

Y.B. Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Leader

For Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS)

Y.B. Dato’ Seri Hj. Abdul Hadi Awang, President

For People’s Justice Party (KEADILAN)

Y.B. Baru Bian, Chairman, PKR Sarawak

For Democratic Action Party (DAP)

Y.B. WONG HO LENG, Chairman, DAP Sarawak

For Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS)

tuan haji adam BIN AHID, State Commissioner, PAS Sarawak

With or without PR leaders from Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysia Day do at Chonglin Park is still on

Kuching, Sept 15, 2012: Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has expressed its concern that PR leaders from Peninsular Malaysia may be stopped from entering Sarawak to attend tomorrow’s Malaysia Day celebration at Chonglin Park, Tabuan Road.

The fear was expressed following the ban on the entry of 14 PR leaders, without any reason given,  from entering Sabah yesterday.

They were to attend the countdown of the Malaysia Day celebration in Kota Kinabalu tonight.

After attending the countdown, they were to fly to Kuching for celebration in Kuching.

 “We are extremely concerned that these leaders, who will be flying to Kuching tomorrow,  may be denied entry to Sarawak as well.

“We want to inform the public that even if these leaders are banned from Sarawak, our Malaysia Day celebration tomorrow is still on as planned at Chonglin Park, between 3pm and 7pm,” said Sarawak PKR information chief Vernon Kedit to reporters today.

“We are prepared for the worse,” he said.

Sarawak DAP secretary and Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen said that one of the most biggest ironies in the history of Malaysia is  that on the eve of Malaysia Day celebration, “our friends from Peninsular Malaysia were denied entry into Sabah.”

“I surely hope that such idiotic move or action will not be repeated by the Sarawak state government.

“We, from PR, surely uphold the principle of the Malaysian Agreement whereby Sarawak and Sabah have autonomy over immigration, but such autonomy should not be abused to deny political leaders from Peninsular Malaysia from entering the two states.

“The authorities must show evidence that these people have criminal records or past criminal convictions before the authorities can deny them to come.

“If these people do not have records or the tendencies to do criminal acts, then why should they be denied the entry?” he asked.

“If it is purely for political reasons, then the autonomy on immigration is not intended to be used just to consolidate the political power of the Barisan Nasional, and I think that this is surely an abuse of the immigration autonomy,” he said.

Chong said denying people from entering Sarawak or Sabah for legitimate political activities is against the intention of the signatories  of the Malaysian Agreement.

“I am quite sure, by doing so, the Barisan will antagonise more people, and I urge the Sarawak government not to repeat the folly of the Sabah government.

“I call upon Sarawakians to come to the Malaysia Day celebration at Chonglin Park tomorrow afternoon,” he said.

Sarawak PKR vice chairman See Chee How said it is important that this celebration must be a success as Sarawak is the host.

He said guests from as far as Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah are most welcome to attend.

“But, of course, we uphold the principle of the immigration autonomy. There are safeguards provided under the Immigration Act for Sarawak and Sabah, but people coming in for legitimate social events or activities should not be stopped.

“I hope that the Sarawak State Security Office will not abuse the immigration powers by denying PR leaders from coming to Sarawak,” he said.

Kedit, meanwhile,  said that it is grossly unfair to deny PR leaders who want to come and celebrate Malaysia Day in Kuching, but the Barisan Nasional are allowed to come and celebrate Malaysia Day in Bintulu.

He said that the organising committee has some plan ready in case the PR leaders, including PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Pas president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang are not allowed to enter Sarawak to attend the Malaysia Day celebration.

“Regardless of what happen, the celebration will still be on,” he said.

Kedit said a special area will be allocated for the bloggers and another area for the media.

Chong said the unveiling of the Kuching Declaration will still take place and that “other ways” will be available for the three top leaders of PR to sign the declaration before releasing it to the public and through social media and the Internet.

“The signing could be done electronically,” he said.

The declaration will be made available in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Iban.

He said  Chief  Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, having over 30 years experience in politics, will not be so silly as Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to deny PR leaders from entering Sarawak.

Asked whether the Sarawak and Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders are scared of the PR leaders, Chong said that is an understatement.

“If the Barisan is not scared of PR forming the next federal government,  the 13^th general election would have been held a long time ago. Reading at the sentiments of the Barisan leaders, they are certainly scared,” he added.

“That is why you see a lot of irrational actions by the BN supporters, like promoting political gangsterism and  splashing of the PR van and the DAP headquarters with red paint,” he said.

Chong said when the Barisan was strong, there was nobody to splash red paint or any underhand tactics against PR.

“Then suddenly, we have these political underhand tactics happening. Why? Because we have become strong and the Barisan leaders are scared of us,” he said. By Sematong Express