SEB to go ahead in building the 12 dams. SEB boss comes under fire

(BASEL, SWITZERLAND) (March 22, 2012:  Torstein Dale Sjotveit, the Norwegian CEO of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), a state-owned Malaysian power supplier, has come under fire for systematically withholding information on the implementation of twelve planned dams in Sarawak.

Despite demands from local communities and opposition politicians for full transparency over the Sarawak dam plans, SEB has been accused of deliberately and systematically pushing forward its dam plans under a cloud of secrecy.

According to official plans, the 12 dams are to be completed by 2020 despite growing criticism over a power glut caused by the recent completion of the 2400 MW Bakun dam, Asia’s largest hydropower project outside China.

Native communities affected by the 900 MW Murum dam, which is currently under construction, complain that they have never been properly informed on this project which will cause the displacement of thousands of locals.

The Murum construction site has been sealed off from the public and no journalists have ever been allowed to visit the site.

It is an open secret that the dam is being constructed by a workforce of thousands of Chinese workers brought to Sarawak by contractors from mainland China.

The 1000 MW Baram dam, another mega project soon to be started, is being pushed forward in massive violation of the affected communities’ basic right to information.

The locals are being kept in the dark in order to stifle potential opposition against the dam, which will cause the flooding of large tracts of the Borneo rainforest and the displacement of over 20,000 indigenous people.

“Mr. Sjotveit’s conduct is appalling and absolutely inacceptable”, the Bruno Manser Fund wrote in a statement.

 “In Norway, he would be charged for fraud for deliberately misleading the public in such a deceitful way.”

With an annual salary of 1.2 million US dollars, Siotveit is one of Malaysia’s best-paid executives. He works under Hamed Sepawi, the first cousin of Sarawak’s extremely corrupt Chief Mininster, Taib Mahmud.

The Bruno Manser Fund calls on Sarawak Energy to release all relevant information on the dam plans to the public, including maps, feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, project finances and resettlement plans.

Mawan and Masing running scared of the well-informed Dayaks, says Baru Bian

Kuching, March 19, 2012: The leaders of the SPDP and PRS have, by their recent statements, exposed the modus operandi that has perpetuated their abuse of power and the oppression of the rakyat for over 40 years: keep the people simple and ignorant.

"At all cost, they prevent any advancements from reaching the rakyat so that they remain grateful to the BN for the little scraps that are thrown at them once every 5 years," Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said in a statement today.

He said William Mawan’s statement in yesterday’s Star with regard to why he thinks holding the elections on 3 June is not a good idea beggars belief: ‘If election is held during this time, the young, educated professionals who work in the cities might bring everything that is new that in turn, could change the mentality of the people in their kampungs and longhouses’.

"This statement betrays the fear the BN politicians have that the rural folk will one day wake up to the sobering truth that the only people who have benefitted from this BN government are the BN politicians themselves and their families and cronies," he said.

Baru said Mawan’s desire to keep the rural people as ignorant and unaware as the proverbial frog under a coconut shell suggests that the BN government has no desire at all to help them grow and advance with the times.

"What is it about changing their mentality that frightens the BN so much? How are we ever going to catch up with the developing world if our government prefers to keep the rakyat in the dark ages?

"Is this the reason why healthcare and educational opportunities and facilities are so primitive and inadequate in the rural areas?" he said, adding:" In this day and age, up to 500,000 homes are still not connected to any electricity grid, and the majority of the rural population has no access to the internet and other amenities."

Baru said the government has no business harping about SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) and the miraculous riches it will bring to the raykat when it has not provided the basic education and facilities for the people to be able to participate in it.

He said to top it off, the Sarawakians are told that bringing "everything that is new" to the kampong is not a good thing.

"Obviously, encouraging the population to acquire knowledge is detrimental to the BN’s health, as with knowledge (and critical thinking) comes the realisation of the people about the power that they wield," he said of Mawan.

On James Masing’s statement, also in yesterday’s Star, Baru said it is equally astounding: that the rakyat are the bosses only for one day every 5 years, that is, during polling day, and that the rest of the days for the next 5 years, the elected YBs are the bosses and the rakyat are to be ‘subservient’, having no right to challenge anything the bosses choose to do.

"The Borneo Post quotes him: ‘If their YBs, for instance, pass a law which tells the rakyat to walk backward, the rakyat must walk backward’.

"It is extremely disturbing and disappointing that this veteran politician should cite as an example a law which clearly would not advance the welfare of the people and which cannot reflect the will of the people. Yet what an apt example for him to put forward – it reflects perfectly the policies of the BN government.

"Keep the rakyat backward and poor while the BN politicians push forward with their self-enriching land-grabbing schemes.

"In fact, the government policies over the past few decades have forced the rakyat to walk backwards - they are actually getting poorer.

"As proof of this, the Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said that since 2007, the rate of poverty in Sarawak had increased from 4.2% to 5.3% in 2009 (The Star 1 Nov 2011).

"What a shameful legacy for the BN government.

"Our elected representatives are given the privilege to sit in their positions of authority so that they can serve the will of the rakyat.

"The rakyat is not defined according to political leanings and even if it is, the will of the opposition may well be the will of the majority, given the gerrymandering and dirty politics practised by the BN government.

"Our elected representatives are not given wholesale power to act on their whims and fancies," he said, accusing Masing of using twisted reasoning to justify a decision made in an obvious case of abuse of power that will intensify the resentment of the people against a tyrannical government.

He said despite the best efforts of the BN government to keep the Sarawakian rakyat simple, they are not going to buy James Masing’s revolutionary and unique take on democratic principles.

"His perverse defiance in the face of criticism and reproach (even from some BN leaders) does not bode well for him, but has contributed in no small way to building up support for the message of truth and promise of good governance by the opposition. 

"It is clear that the time has come for the people to unite and show the elected representatives who the real bosses are.," Baru said. By Sematong Express.

SPDP delegates express their displeasures at Taib Mahmud at the AGM

Bintulu, March 17, 2012: Delegates attending the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) 9th annual general meeting today expressed their displeasures at Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in dealing with  the Gang of Five..

They said while Taib continued to retain Datuk Peter Nansian and Datuk Sylvester Entrie in his administration, he also appointed Rosey Yunus as an assistant minister and Paulus Gumbang as chairman of the Miri Port Authority.

One delegate, in an interview outside the Bintulu Civic Centre, believed that the long serving chief minister is arrogant and dictatorial.

"He cares only about himself and PBB, but gives little or no respect to other component parties of the Barisan Nasional, like SPDP and SUPP," said the delegate who requested that his name be not published for fear of reprisals from PBB and Taib against SPDP and  party president Tan Sri William Mawan.

The attack on Taib started with a delegate from Meluan branch, who said that Taib should have sacked Nansian and Entrie from his administration.

"But he not only did not sack them after they have been sacked from SPDP, he also appointed Rosey as assistant minister and Paulus as Miri Port Authority chairman.

"To us, Taib is seen to be challenging the party members," he said.

Another delegate told Taib to look at the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor government as an example when it removed Datuk Dr Hassan Ali as an executive councillor after he had been sacked as a memher of PAS.

"Likewise, Taib should have sacked Nansian and Entrie, but he did not," the delegate said to the applause of the other delegates.

Another delegate accused Taib and other BN leaders of behind the Gang of Five.

He said while the SPDP leadership was trying to solve the issue concerning the Gang of Five, these BN leaders were seen to be instigating them.

"Therefore, it was very difficult for the SPDP leadership trying to resolve the issue," he said.

Many delegates called on the Gang of Five, which also included Dr Tiki Lafe, the MP for Mas Gading, to resign from their seats if they still had the honour and respect left.

"We, the grassroots leaders, will make sure that SPDP retains the seats, if by-elections are to be held," they said.

SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan, however, downplayed the issue concerning the Gang of Five and the BN leaders alleged to be behind them.

"We must look beyond the issue. It is time for us to look forward, moving on with our political agenda within the Barisan Nasional," he said.

He, however, appreciated the concerns and views expressed by the delegates.

Tomorrow, SPDP will hold its triennial general assembly, during which party election will be held. By Sematong Express.

Solid waste management at Kpg Stungkor Lama in Lundu: Did the govt consult the local community?

Boniface Willy: Notice issued by Sudarsono is defective and bad in law

On Monday the 12th March 2012, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment, Datu Sudarsono Osman took out an advertisement persuant to Section 5(3) and (4) of the Sarawak Land Code.

The advertisement appeared, among others, in the Borneo Post’s edition of the 12th March 2012.

This advertisement relates to the plans of the state government to acquire 200 hectares of NCR land in kampung Stungkor Lama in the administrative district of Lundu, for the purpose of Solid Waste Management.

The residents of kampung Stungkor Lama and other nearby villages are extremely upset by this proposed solid waste management project and the manner in which they were ‘informed’ about the project.

The Issues

1. Kpg Stungkor Lama is administratively within the jurisdiction of the Pejabat Daerah Lundu and yet

    Lundu was conspicuously missing in the Ministry’s notice referred to above.

2. It is stated in the notice that the residents of kampung Stungkor Lama who are affected by this

    proposed project has 60 days, from the 12th March 2012, to file their claim of  NCR rights over the

    affected land/area with the Jabatan Tanah & Servei.

3. On the 14th March 2012, 3 days after the notice/advertisement in the Borneo Post, an officer of

    Pejabat Daerah Bau confirmed that they have not recieved from  Jabatan Tanah & Servei the

    map of Plot A, delineated in Plan Print No. 3/AQ/ID/45/2011, which is the map of the land to be

    acquired as stated in the ministry’s notice.

4. The same officer from the Pejabat Daerah Bau also confirmed that they were not informed of

    government’s plan to acquire land in kampung Stungkor Lama for the purpose of solid waste

    management.

   AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE ABOVE, THE SAID NOTICE IS DEFECTIVE AND BAD AND  IS NOT

   BINDING ON THE RESIDENTS OF KAMPUNG STUNGKOR LAMA AND/OR THE AFFECTED

   RESIDENTS OF NEARBY VILLAGES.

   ITEM 4 OF THE SAID NOTICE IS THEREFORE RENDERED INOPERATIVE AND WITHOUT ANY EFFECT

  WHATSOEVER.

6. No official from the relevant government department or agency has  ever discussed with the

    residents of kampung Stungkor Lama or the other nearby villages the government’s plan to site

    the solid waste management project in the vicinity of their village.

7. Solid waste management is always associated with environmental pollution, health and safety

    hazards. There will always be problems with foul smell and the presence of vectors of disease

   like  flies. There is also the possibility of fire and foul-smelling smoke during the dry period.

    The dangers posed by this proposed project to the health and safety of the local population and

    to the environment cannot be discounted and taken lightly.

    Of equal concern to the local population, if not greater, is the effect on the commercial value of 

    land and properties in the vicinity of the project. It is not lost on the villagers that the value of

    their land and landed properties will be doomed.

    The villagers of kampung Stungkor Lama and the other nearby villages are shocked that the

    authorities concerned did not inform them about the project.

It would appear that there is a pre-meditated and active attempts by the state authorities to conceal this project from the residents of kampung Stungkor Lama and residents of nearby villages.

The residents of kampung Stungkor are very angry over this shoddy treatment from the state government and by the inaction of their elected representatives, ADUN Yb Ranum Mina and MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe over the matter.

They now demand that the state government withdraw the notice issued by the Resource Planning and Environment Ministry immediately. They also demand that, should the government wish to proceed with the project, they must first engage the residents, especially on the impact of the project to the safety and health of the affected residents, the impact to the local environment and to the value of their land and landed properties and thereafter to get their consent and agreement to the project.

By : BONIFACE WILLY ANAK TUMEK

      AJK, PKR CABANG MAS GADING

Need to re-examine why many Sarawakians are working outside the state, suggests Baru Bian

There were complaints about working terms and conditions, salaries different from what was promised, and working long hours without overtime, as highlighted by the Borneo Post in today's issue.

The Labour Department’s Senior assistant director Ahmad Lamat said there is nothing much the government can do to help them.

Today’s Star highlighted that illegal foreign workers are causing the government to lose millions of ringgit in levy and that foreigners are snapping up jobs shunned by locals. Ahmad Lamat blamed this on the locals being choosy due to unattractive wages.

We need to examine the root cause of these problems:

1.     Poor Education policies and amenities

Our people, especially those in the rural areas have little opportunities to complete their school studies and go on to tertiary level.

From the Labour Force Survey (2008-2010) of the Department of Statistics, out of Sarawak’s labour force, only 17% or 166,175 people have any form of post secondary education.

In fact the projected labour force with post secondary education 2011 (projected from Education and Social Characteristics of the population 2000 and Yearbook of Statistics Sarawak 2009) shows that of the total projected number of 150,690, the ethnic breakdown is as below:

Malay/Melanau:        33.44%

Chinese:                      39.49%

Iban:                           15.50%

Bidayuh:                     7.19%

Orang Ulu:                  4.38%

YB Fatimah Abdullah said we have only 25% (this is significantly higher than the figure from the Department of Statistics for 2008-2010) highly skilled workers to date and that by the year 2015, SCORE is expected to create some 290,880 jobs that would increase to 662,065 jobs by 2020.

From the statistics above, clearly, our people, especially the indigenous people, are in no position to take on the jobs that are purportedly going to be created by SCORE. We will need around twice the number of skilled workers than will be available from the whole of our labour force. The government is actually looking at importing foreign labour to fill these vacancies. How is SCORE going to benefit the people, if this is the scenario?

We need to refocus on the very basic foundation of a successful and vibrant society: Education.

PR government will ensure that every child is given the opportunity to further his or her studies. We will raise standards of teaching, provide training opportunities for teachers, and provide better and more vocational training for school leavers.

2.                  No political will to raise wages.

Foreigners work mainly in Plantations and Construction sites, the majority of which are owned or controlled by the CM’s family and cronies, and BN politicians and their families/cronies.

They take the land from the locals for plantations, and then to add insult to injury, offer the lowest wages (around RM18 per day), which is grossly insufficient to sustain even one person, let alone a family.

Ahmad Lamat said ‘Our people are choosy, but foreign workers are willing to do the tough work for a few years just to earn a living.’

We cannot blame the people for not wanting these jobs. They have to go to West Malaysia, Singapore and further abroad to make a living. There, they are forced to just ‘make a living’ by taking on the jobs that West Malaysians and Singaporeans don’t want to do.

The point is that our people cannot even earn a living on the wages being offered here. Why should they just be content on earning a living? We should want them to thrive and prosper. The Indonesians live the most frugal lives here so that they can send to their families the little that they make. Our people have families to support, and hence have to seek greener pastures outside of Sarawak.

There are 112,209 legal foreign workers in Sarawak, according to YB Adenan Satem. That means there are 112, 209 jobs that could be given to locals, if they are paid decent wages which they can live on.

Currently, money generated from plantations and construction projects end up in Indonesia as remittances of the labourers or in the pockets of those who steal from and cheat the rural people.

Is it any wonder that Sarawak is one of the poorest states in the country? Is it any surprise that YB Fatimah Abdullah said that the number of poor in Sarawak is expected to increase?

The solution is to raise the wages sufficiently so that people can have enough to live on comfortably and to aim for better futures for their children, instead of just struggling to eke out a living.

Pakatan Rakyat wants Sarawak to be the richest state. The only way to do it is to eradicate land grabbling, corruption and cronyism and to refocus on the basics such as education and training, and implement policies of good governance. We have formulated policies that will serve the needs of the people, as set out in the PK Budget 2012 released by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in October 2011. A PR government will work on the premise that the people are the boss and our job will be to implement policies that will improve the lives of the population.

Baru Bian

State Assemblyman

N70 Ba’ Kelalan/

Chairman

PKR Sarawak