13 March 2024
On Today Show
— Agnes Dijih, Resident of Selangau – Since Taib’s death, People want their illegally confiscated land to be returned!
— Dennis Along, social activist from Mulu – Challenging Unexplained Wealth: Activist Appeal for Investigation
> PROGRAME ANNOUCEMENT: The Centre for Independent Journalism is organizing an event titled "The Pursuit of Truth: An Insight into Exposing Corruption." Clare will be speaking online and responding to questions.
— Dr. George Chen from Sibu, the co-ordinator of Bersih in Central Sarawak – Insight into NCR Land Ownership in Sibu: The Legacy of Taib Mahmud
— Sailisah of kpg Andab Bangau Kudat, Sabah – Save Sabah's Coastal Environment: Stop the Sand Mining at Bangau Beach
Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Agnes Dijih, Penduduk Selangau - Sejak kematian Taib, rakyat mahu tanah yang dirampas secara haram dikembalikan!
- Dennis Along, aktivis sosial dari Mulu - Menantang Kekayaan yang Tidak Diterangkan: Rayuan Aktivis untuk Penyiasatan
> ANUNSI PROGRAM: Pusat Kewartawanan Independen sedang menganjurkan satu acara bertajuk "Menjejak Kebenaran: Pandangan dalam Mengungkapkan Rasuah." Clare akan berucap secara dalam talian dan menjawab soalan-soalan.
- Dr. George Chen dari Sibu, koordinator Bersih di Sarawak Tengah - Pandangan ke atas Pemilikan Tanah NCR di Sibu: Warisan Taib Mahmud
- Sailisah dari kpg Andab Bangau Kudat, Sabah - Selamatkan Alam Sekitar Pesisir Sabah: Hentikan Penambangan Pasir di Pantai Bangau
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*Special Randau*
1. The late Taib Mahmud - the largest landowner in Pasai Siong in SIBU. The value of 68 lots of land in Taib's name in Pasai Siong is estimated at RM92.2 million. Almost 90 percent of the people in Pasai Siong are poor. But why is the land not given to them for free?. Why should it be given to TYT Taib who is rich.
2. The Express Boat Service on the Belaga-Kapit-Belaga route was stopped yesterday. This affects thousands of residents who need the service because there is still no road from Belaga to Kapit. Sarawak Premier Abang Johari promised that the Kapit to Belaga road would be completed in 2024. But until now there is no news related to it. We are still trying to get comments from affected residents.
3. Human rights and environmental activist - Dennis Along today made a report to the MACC asking the relevant authorities to investigate the assets belonging to the late Taib Mahmud. According to Dennis, he and all the people of Sarawak want a clear report regarding Taib's legacy.
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Agnes Dijih, Resident of Selangau.
*Since Taib’s death, People want their illegally confiscated land to be returned!*
Agnes' longhouse is less than an hour's drive, via the pan borneo highway to reach Pasai Siong.
I have many acquaintances and relatives living in Pasai Siong - Agnes said.
Agnes was surprised when she was told that Taib Mahmud owned 68 lots of land with a total area of 260 hectares in Pasai Siong. The latest assessment of the property value in the area involved is estimated at RM370,000 per hectare and roughly the value of the land owned by Taib is RM92.2 Million.
According to Agnes it is not surprising because pasai siong is just next to SIBU airport. TYT Taib in April 2019 asked the land and survey department to reissue the land title deed to him on the grounds that the old land title deed had been lost. We also want to ask, is this an effort to erase the real ownership rights/original owners of the land in the area in question. For Agnes, this is Taib's effort to impoverish the Iban people living in the area. Sooner or later Pasai Siong will be developed. The original inhabitants who own the land will be compensated. But with Taib's ownership of the lands in question. Then they will not be paid anything.
We in Selangau have never been able to find out the gazette as stated. When asked why TYT Taib in his old age still needs thousands of acres of land. If not to deny the rights of others. The land can increase Taib's wealth. He easily sold to rich Chinese- Said Agnes. We the people of Peladalan - since Taib's death, are waiting to see what the authorities will do about Taib's property. We want our illegally confiscated land to be returned.
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Dennis Along, social activist from Mulu
*Challenging Unexplained Wealth: Activist Appeal for Investigation*
Dennis went to the police station yesterday to report about the huge wealth of the late Taib Mahmud and where it came from. Today, he also went to the MACC office in Miri to make a report.
He stated that based on online information, the late Taib Mahmud's assets or businesses are spread across 25 countries worldwide, with 332 companies registered under his name in Malaysia alone. This raises questions as to how a civil servant for over 30 years could amass such enormous wealth.
He emphasized that if these are all rumors, then Taib's family must make a clear clarification to dispel any stigma. The GPS government must also take action to investigate, as staying silent raises suspicions.
Furthermore, Dennis requested that the MACC in Miri take his report seriously. Since 2018, he has been reporting various cases of injustice and corruption, but they have all gone unresolved. He suspects that these reports may have been ignored.
During his report, he noticed that the office of the MACC in Miri still had pictures of the late Taib hanging on the walls among the government leaders' photos. He questioned why the old TYT's (Governor's) photo was still displayed when there has been a change in leadership.
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Dr. George Chen from Sibu, the co-ordinator of Bersih in Central Sarawak
*Insight into NCR Land Ownership in Sibu: The Legacy of Taib Mahmud*
George Chen provides insight into the NCR land in Sibu (Pasai Siong) owned by Taib Mahmud. The value reaching RM 100 million is something that should not be taken lightly. While still with PKR, the struggle to expose the wealth of Taib's family has begun. However, even though Taib Mahmud has passed away, it does not mean that the wealth of Taib's family cannot be investigated. A detailed investigation should be carried out by the MACC, and we sincerely hope that wealth obtained by oppressing the people should be returned, even if it has to go through legal processes because the rights of the people must be restored.
In addition, political will can also play a role in Taib's wealth if the people dare to change the existing Sarawak government. Taib Mahmud was so greedy that many indigenous people were not recognized as owners of their NCR land; hence, there are still many lands that the government refuses to grant under the Customary Right Land Code.
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Sailisah of kpg Andab Bangau Kudat, Sabah
*Save Sabah's Coastal Environment: Stop the Sand Mining at Bangau Beach*
The communities of Kampung Andah Bangau are urging the public to sign a petition on change.org titled "Save Bangau Beach Kudat, Sabah" to help them voice out and protect the environment. Now the collection with only 8000+.
The Sabah state government, led by the Minister of Sabah Industrial Development, Joachim Gunsalam, is cooperating with a company from China called Kibing Group (M) Sdn Bhd, to build a sand mining factory and an international port to mine and export Sabah's natural resources, namely silica sand that makes the Bangau coast look so beautiful, clean, and white.
With the existence of a sand mining company near Kampung Andab Bangau, the villagers are feeling worried. They have set up an urgent meeting to form a special committee to run a petition to gain support from surrounding villages and address other issues.
She feels sad that even though the communities have raised their worries and concerns, it seems like the government has no concern at all. There has been no response from them either.