Quit rent does nothing to help thousands of NCR land owners

Statement by Baru Bian

The announcement by the CM that the government has abolished quit rent on smallholder agricultural land and residential land is welcomed by all Sarawakians, myself included.

However, I want to stress that this move of abolishing quit rent does nothing to help the thousands of NCR land owners who are being deprived of their land because of the government’s refusal to recognize the NCR concept of pemakai menoa and pulau galau, both of which have been affirmed by the courts. This is an issue of the fundamental rights of the people to ownership of their land.

Sarawak Energy lighting up remote Batang Ai villages

SRI AMAN, March 17,2016:  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is continuing to electrify villages upstream of Batang Ai that are currently too remote to be connected to its grid.

The most recent longhouses to be installed with the solar home system (SHS) under Sarawak Energy CSR initiative is in Engkari.

The project comes under a RM3million commitment the power developer and energy utility is spending in Batang Ai over the next few years in social investment projects, in conjunction with its Batang Ai’s hydropower station's 30th Anniversary celebration.

SAVE Rivers receives Korean Justice and Peace Awards 2016

MIRI, March 11, 2016 - Grassroots civil society  SAVE Rivers was selected as one of the 11 recipients for the 19th Tji Haksoon Justice & Peace Award 2016.

 SAVE Rivers chairman Peter Kallang received the award in Seoul on behalf of SAVE Rivers yesterday.

He was accompanied by Dominic Mathew Usek, a villager from Baram, who is one of those who oppose the proposed Baram Hydroelectric Power Dam.

AIPP wants equitable representation of indigenous women in decision-making process

Statement by Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2016, the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) joins hands with women and men across the globe in the spirit of solidarity in advancing gender equality and social justice for all.

Honduran anti-dam activist assassinated at her home last week

KUCHING, March 9, 2016. An anti-dam activist of Honduras, who attended a World Indigenous Summit on Environment and Rivers in Miri last year, has been assassinated in her home country last week.

Berta Caceres was assassinated while she was at her home in La Esperanza, Hondoras, anti-dam grassroots network SAVE Rivers chairman Peter Kallang said in a statement today.