8 March 2024
On Today Show
— Peter Kalang, Chairman of SAVE Rivers Network – Why appeal for funding to the Federal? Where the logging tax revenue and forest concession trust fund?
— [International Women Day] Agnes from Dijih Selangau –Fearless and Determined: Agnes's Fight Against Injustice
— [International Women Day] Chua Kuan Ching, Activist Lawyer and legal advisor for SWWS – Creating a Fair Society: Empowering Women for Equity
Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Peter Kalang, Pengerusi Rangkaian SAVE Rivers - Mengapa merayu untuk pembiayaan kepada Pihak Berkuasa Persekutuan? Di mana hasil cukai pembalakan dan dana konsesi hutan?
- [Hari Wanita Antarabangsa] Agnes dari Dijih Selangau - Berani dan Bertekad: Perjuangan Agnes Menentang Ketidakadilan
- [Hari Wanita Antarabangsa] Chua Kuan Ching, Peguam Aktivis dan penasihat undang-undang untuk SWWS - Mencipta Masyarakat Adil: Memberdayakan Wanita untuk Kesamarataan
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*Special Randau*
1. YB Chong Chieng Jen urges MACC to investigate Taib Mahmud's wealth assets. According to Chong, in order to be fair to the people of Sarawak, at least investigate and submit a declaration of Taib's assets for public knowledge. Chong spoke in a parliamentary session yesterday.
2. Stop the provision for maintaining the logging road in Baram. The government should start building its own roads for the safety and convenience of the people. Until when rural people have to depend on log roads. Log roads are only for transporting logs and are not safe for public use.
3. CUEPACS- Congress of public service workers' unions requesting the consideration of bonuses in conjunction with the Eid al-Fitr celebration.
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Peter Kalang, Chairman of SAVE Rivers Network
*Why appeal for funding to the Federal? Where the logging tax revenue and forest concession trust fund?*
Yb Anyie Ngau's speech in parliament yesterday, appealed to the federal government to provide allocations to the Baram parliamentary constituency to repair and maintain the deteriorating log roads. According to Yb Anyie, in Baram there are 425 long houses connected by 1500 km of road, of that, only 100km of paved roads are graded R1, R2 and R3, While the rest is a log road.
According to Peter Kalang, The log road in Baram is getting worse and impassable. Of course, log roads are not for public use, when the wood that was cut is used up, then the logging company will stop operations in an area. This doesn't mean we need the loggers to come back. But it is the government's responsibility to build safe road infrastructure for the people of Baram.
Peter's question is, why only appeal for funding to the federal government? While the state government collects logging tax revenue and in 1985 the Forest Concession Trust Fund was established in Sarawak to collect funds from loggers for the development of the people in the Logged Areas.
Where does the money go? YBs Sarawak should ask this question in DUN and a clear answer should be given to the people of Sarawak. Money from the forest concession fund should be used to build roads and facilities for people in the interior affected by logging. Until when the appeal requests allocation to maintain the log road. The government should build its own roads for the people. Not giving allocations to improve log roads.
According to Peter, logging in Sarawak became very aggressive in the 1980s, with the use of heavy machinery, helicopters and chainsaws. The rate of forest loss in Sarawak is the fastest in the world. We have to stop logging.
he visited Sukadana in Kalimantan, was informed by the staff there - since the center was built, more and more Orangutans come to take refuge in the wildlife park. They expect these Orang Utans to come from Sarawak, whose forests are almost extinct. Wild animals will be traumatized by the roar of logging machines. They will look for a lonely forest as a habitat.
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Agnes from Dijih Selangau
*Fearless and Determined: Agnes's Fight Against Injustice*
Last week, RFS reported that Agnes has successfully reclaimed her land after 16 years of legal battles. In 2008, Agnes began the legal proceedings, and this year, 2024, she won the case for 1.2 hectares out of her 4.3-hectare land. Fearless against power, she fought against an unjust system. She is known as IBU NCR.
She started listening to RFS programs in 2011, from being a listener to becoming a sharer of issues and a participant in fighting for NCR rights, she has been with RFS all the way. She said that when her land was deceived, she had sought help from local councilors but was told it couldn't be resolved. This made her angry, prompting her to file the case herself. Despite the 16-year-long legal battle, she eventually succeeded in reclaiming her land.
She emphasized that inland women must know their rights, especially land rights, and not be easily deceived. When faced with injustice, they must fight to the end.
This story highlights the importance of women's autonomy and rights protection. Women often face various forms of discrimination and unfair treatment in society, especially in land rights. Agnes's perseverance and efforts demonstrate women's determination and courage in fighting for their rights. This also calls on our society to provide more support and protection for women, ensuring that they have equal rights and opportunities. Only in this way can our society be more just and equal.
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Chua Kuan Ching, Activist Lawyer and legal advisor for SWWS
*Creating a Fair Society: Empowering Women for Equity*
The campaign theme for this year's International Women's Day on March 8 is "Inspire Inclusion," which emphasizes the need to create a space free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. It calls for efforts to empower women to achieve fair treatment and rights in society. Equity and equality are crucial. As members of society, women should have the same rights as men.
However, they still face discrimination within the family. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and must be given help.