S’wak membantu membentuk Malaysia bukan menyertai Malaysia

TAMBAH ILMU: Wong (kiri) sambil diperhatikan yang lain membaca risalah sejarah semasa mengunjungi
Pameran 50 Tahun Sarawak Merdeka Dalam Malaysia Peringkat Bahagian Sibu, kelmarin.

SIBU: Fakta sejarah yang menyatakan bahawa Sarawak menyertai Malaysia adalah tidak benar dan ia harus diperbetulkan, kata Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan dan Pembangunan Masyarakat Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Sebaliknya jelas beliau, Sarawak telah membantu untuk membentuk Malaysia.

“Kesilapan itu harus kita perbetulkan dan harus diperbetulkan oleh pihak-pihak yang berkaitan.

“Kita perlu meletakkan fakta sejarah yang betul dan tepat untuk kita membentuk dan menjadi sebahagian daripada Malaysia.

“Dalam erti kata lain, Sarawak tidak menyertai Malaysia kerana Malaysia belum wujud lagi pada masa itu.

“Menurut fakta sejarahnya sebelum ini, Sarawak dilaporkan telah menyertai Malaysia dan banyak masyarakat menganggap Sarawak masuk Malaysia.

“Sebenarnya, fakta yang betul dan tepat adalah Sarawak membantu membentuk Malaysia dan tarikh 16 September adalah hari sebenar Hari Kebangsaan kita.

“Pembentukan rasmi Malaysia adalah jatuh pada tarikh 16 September 1963,” katanya kepada pemberita semasa ditemui selepas menyempurnakan Majlis Perasmian Pameran 50 Tahun Sarawak Merdeka Dalam Malaysia Peringkat Bahagian Sibu di Pusat Warisan Sibu di sini, kelmarin.

Hadir sama Pengerusi Majlis Perbandaran Sibu (MPS) Datuk Tiong Thai King, Residen Bahagian Sibu Sim Kok Kee, Setiausaha MPS Hii Chang Kee, Pegawai Kesihatan Bahagian Sibu Dr Muhamad Rais Abdullah serta ketua-ketua masyarakat.

Pameran yang mempamerkan kisah-kisah/gambar sejarah berkaitan kemerdekaan negeri ini berlangsung selama seminggu di pusat tersebut dan dibuka kepada orang ramai dari jam 9 pagi hingga jam 5 petang.

Acara 10 hari itu dianjurkan oleh Pejabat Residen Bahagian Sibu.

Ditanya sama ada terdapat usaha-usaha kerajaan memperbetul kesilapan tersebut, beliau berkata: “Ini akan dilakukan secara beransur-ansur kerana melibatkan kajian yang teliti berdasarkan fakta dan bukti yang kukuh.

” Wong yang juga Menteri Kanan dan Menteri Kewangan Kedua turut teringat akan peristiwa pada 22 Julai 1963 di mana bendera Union Jack diturunkan manakala bendera Sarawak dinaikkan buat pertama kalinya.

“Malah, Sarawak merdeka dari 22 Julai hingga 16 September bagi tempoh 68 hari apabila Malaysia diwujudkan.

“Ini sebahagian daripada sejarah yang mungkin banyak masyarakat tidak tahu,” jelasnya.

Sementara itu, beliau memberitahu bahawa pameran yang diadakan itu adalah berbentuk ilmu serta pengetahuan yang dikongsikan kepada orang ramai untuk melihat sejarah, peristiwa bersejarah serta pelbagai peringkat pembangunan yang telah berlaku di negeri ini.

Ini katanya, adalah satu platform untuk memupuk kesedaran generasi muda mengenai apa yang telah berlaku kepada negeri ini dan negara sebelum mencapai kemerdekaan.

“Oleh itu, generasi muda tidak boleh mengambil ringan tentang soal kemerdekaan.

“Segala keamanan, keharmonian dan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pesat sekarang adalah hasil usaha keras mereka yang terdahulu yang sanggup mengorbankan nyawa demi menuntut kemerdekaan.

Dalam pada itu, Wong yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bawang Assan turut menggesa para pelajar sekolah mengunjungi pameran itu yang disifatkannya sebagai satu pendidikan sejarah.- theborneopost

Sarawak natives protest as Murum dam begins to fill

Sarawak Energy said today it had begun filling the reservoir behind a controversial dam as a group of angry tribespeople protested.

Some 100 Penan tribespeople from seven villages set up a blockade last week on the only road to the remote, $1.3 billion (RM4.2 billion) Murum dam in Sarawak, activists said.

"More than 100 Penans have set up a human blockade to demand RM500,000 for the loss of their land, property and livelihood," said Mark Bujang, secretary of the Save Sarawak Rivers Network.

The Murum dam is one of a series of hydroelectric facilities planned by the Sarawak state government as it pushes economic development in one of Malaysia's poorest states.

But the building spree has been dogged by controversy.

Activists allege massive corruption while natives complain it has flooded rainforests and uprooted tens of thousands of people.

Sarawak Energy said on its website that the 944-megawatt dam project began filling on Saturday and would be completed within 14 months.

It added that relocation of affected natives was set to be completed by year-end.

"It is disturbing that there are certain groups of people trying to give the wrong impression that when impoundment (filling) starts it will submerge the people who are yet to be relocated," Polycarp Wong, a vice-president with Sarawak Energy, said in the statement.

The government of resource-rich Sarawak says it hopes a plentiful supply of hydropower from the state's powerful jungle rivers will attract new industries.

The dam is expected to flood 245 square kilometres and cause 1,500 Penan and 80 Kenyah natives to lose their homes.

Sarawak natives have staged increasingly frequent protests and road blockades in recent years over the dams.

Sarawak's longtime chief minister Taib Mahmud has faced mounting accusations of enriching himself and cronies through a stranglehold on the state's economy, charges which he denies.

Sarawak is home to the already operating Bakun dam, which Transparency International has condemned as a graft-plagued ecological catastrophe. - AFP, September 23, 2013.

Mawan says not aware of ‘tuai sackings’

MIRI: SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan said he is not aware of a report carried by an Internet news portal that 40 ‘tuai rumah’ (village heads) in Marudi constituency had been relieved of their posts.

He, however, cautioned that the issue must be handled with care to avoid unnecessary action and political twist that can cause misunderstanding on the ground.

“I’m not aware of the issue and the sacking case must be handled with care in order to avoid unnecessary action and political twist,” he said here yesterday when met after presenting state flags to the contingent from Sarawak participating in the Borneo Games in Labuan.

He further said he has yet to receive feedback from the relevant authority and had to look at the matter seriously for the sake of solidarity and unity of Barisan Nasional (BN).

As of now, he said he could not comment more on the matter, pointing out that the terms of some of the village heads might have expired or that some might have volunteered to step down due to ill health and age.

According to him, their terms are for four years, which may be renewed and extended if they perform well.

However, if they were dismissed due to political reasons he feared the move would cause a backlash and confusion among the people.

The portal had claimed that the 40 longhouse chiefs had been removed from their posts allegedly upon the recommendation of Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Sylvester Entri, ironically the Marudi assemblyman.

It also said most of those sacked were members of SPDP, Entri’s former party and a letter of termination allegedly signed by the district officer of Marudi had been served on the 40 longhouse chiefs.

Giving no reason for their sacking, the portal also said the letter instructed the respective longhouses to choose their new ‘tuai rumah’. - theborneopost

No contest for top posts in PRS after nominations closed

Tan Sri Dr James Masing

KUCHING: Seven Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) leaders will be slugging it out for the five posts of elected vice-president in the party’s triennial delegates conference (TDC) in Sibu on Sept 20.

They are Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Lubok Antu MP William Nyalau Badak, state assemblymen Datuk John Sikie Tayai (Kakus), Datuk Mong Dagang (Bukit Begunan), Datuk Abit Joo and Majang Renggi.

There will be no contest for the two top posts.

Tan Sri Dr James Masing and Datuk Joseph Entulu will remain as president and deputy president respectively after the TDC.

There will be a ‘Royal Rumble’ sort of fight for the 15 ordinary supreme council member posts as 46 party members have been nominated by delegates for the posts.

Masing, who is Baleh assemblyman and Land Development Minister, revealed this at a 1.30pm press conference at the party’s headquarters in Jalan Pending here yesterday.

Among the notable personalities eyeing the 15 ordinary supreme council posts are assemblymen Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (Batang Ai) and Snowdan Lawan (Balai Ringin); political secretaries to the chief minister Angeline Umih and Wilson Nyabong Ijang who is also PRS information chief; entrepreneur Datuk Kristoffer Nyuak as well as PRS Batu Kawa chairman Lau Ting Ping and current supreme council member Azizi Morni.

Mussen is the current treasurer-general while Snowdan is current deputy secretary-general.

Nomination closed at 5pm yesterday and it was not known at press time if the number of nominations for the supreme council member posts had changed.

Masing also revealed that Tamin assemblyman Datuk Joseph Mauh Ikeh has declined from contesting in any post including that of the vice-president.

Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat and Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong as well as Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang withdrew their respective nominations for the vice-president posts, he added.

However, Liwan is now the new PRS Youth chief after Mong declined nomination for the post.

Masing said he would only know if there would be changes in any of the appointed posts after the TDC.

As president, he has the power to appoint any member to any appointed post like secretary-general, treasurer-general and information chief and their deputies as well as four appointed ordinary supreme council members.

“Only after the result of the TDC is out can we appoint members. The 46 nominations for 15 supreme council member posts show that people are very eager to be in,” he said.

He was glad to note that many top positions in the party were uncontested, which was proof that the party was solid and united.

“Members are not fighting for top posts but as for the bottom posts, let them go around and see how much support they have and I think this (contests for bottom posts) is healthy in any party in Sarawak,” he added.

The TDC for the party’s Women and Youth wings will be held a day earlier, also in Sibu.

Current Women chief Senator Doris Sophia Berodie and her deputy Nuai Gema will be uncontested.

The two Women vice-presidents – political secretary to the chief Minister Angeline Umih and Roselind Neging – will also retain their posts uncontested.

According to supreme council member Edward Kurik, who is also executive secretary and deputy treasurer-general, there will also be no contest for the 10 Women supreme council member posts because when nominations closed at 5pm yesterday, 10 nominees had withdrawn while another 10 accepted.

However, he said he could not tell how many nominations had been received for the post of 10 Youth supreme council members because some might have been couriered from the divisions but arrived late at the headquarters.

The deputy Youth chief would be Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, a lawyer from Sibu as the post like Liwan’s (Youth chief) was uncontested.

Initially, four names – Jelani Ajang, Sempurai, Jessy Bitok and Kemarau Entalai – were nominated for the two Youth vice-chairman positions.

However, Jelani and Sempurai withdrew their nominations, allowing Jessy and Kemarau to be uncontested.

Youth chief (Liwan) and Women chief (Doris) will automatically become appointed vice-presidents in the PRS main body, said Edward. - theborneopost

Better to join BN, says PERSB founding member

SARIKEI: Newly-minted Parti Ekomomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) should apply to join the Barisan Nasional (BN) as PERSB’s main struggle is for the betterment of the rural people.

PERSB founding member Kiprawi Suhaili said whatever the party decides during its inaugural general meeting, its members should realise that the party should join forces with either the BN or Pakatan Rakyat to realise its struggles.

He said this was necessary because the present political conditions have made it difficult or impossible for any party to survive on its own.

But if given the choice, he preferred joining the BN.

“It is an undeniable fact that the rural people have full confidence in the BN to change their livelihood for the better. As PERSB is pursing the same agenda, we have every reason to complement each other.”

Kiprawi said this yesterday in when asked for his comments on a remark by Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Tuesday that he had no qualms over any new political parties joining the BN coalition.

However, the chief minister, said approval of such applications required the unanimous decision from all BN component leaders in the country, and that he had no power to decide on such matter.

Kiprawi hoped his party’s pro tem committee would decide on PERSB’s direction during its first general meeting, which must be held within 90 days after its registration.

If the party decided to join the BN, he hoped there would be no conditions attached, such as requests for seats in future elections.

That could come only after PERSB had proven itself as a sincere BN partner.

“For now we should be sincere in offering ourselves to serve the people. We don’t have to be elected representatives to serve the people.”

Meanwhile, PERSB pro tem committee chairman Mohd Noh Bakeri said the future direction of the party would be discussed and decided during their inaugural general meeting.

Kiprawi, Noh and 13 others from PERSB, which was then unregistered, stood as independent candidates in the 10th state election in 2011, but all lost.- theborneopost

Dr Jerip: SUPP chief’s reported move wrong

KUCHING: SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin’s reported suggestion to pass the baton to his deputy Datuk Richard Riot Jaem will not rejuvenate the party.

SUPP Bengoh chairman Dr Jerip Susil said this move, which was reported by several Chinese newspapers recently, would make the situation in the party worse.

He said Chin must remember that the party was now in two parts, and any action taken without consulting the other faction would never be in the interest of party unity.

“If the statement as reported by the Chinese press was true, and Chin was quoted correctly, then he is obviously going against his own words.

“On many occasions, he told everyone that he was pursuing reconciliation by trying to put two hands together to reunite the party, but now he is making a decision without even consulting our group. This is a very unwise move by him.”

Dr Jerip, who is also Assistant Public Health Minister and Bengoh assemblyman, was speaking on behalf of his faction that is led by SUPP Sibu branch chairman cum Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Other members in the faction are assemblymen Datuk Francis Hardin Hollis (Simanggang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong (Engkilili).

Dr Jerip said getting Riot, who is also Human Resources Minister, to helm the party would make the situation worse since the Registrar of Societies (ROS) had yet to announce its decision on the alleged irregularities reported by several branches in the run-up to the party’s triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) in 2011.

“So, at the moment, pending the decision by ROS, any suggestion or decision made by the party is not in the spirit of what the authority is doing.”

Several months ago, the ROS served show-cause letters on two branches, and the party had replied.

However, ROS had yet to announce its decision. - theborneopost

Kedudukan parti politik baru belum diputuskan

Kita memerlukan persetujuan dari semua parti komponen yang terdiri dari 13 buah kesemuanya.

KUCHING: Kedudukan dua parti politik baru Sarawak yang mengaku ‘Mesra Barisan Nasional (BN)’ untuk menyertai parti induk BN bakal diputuskan dalam mesyuarat akan datang.

Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud berkata sebarang keputusan berhubung penyertaan parti baru itu tertakluk kepada keputusan mesyuarat BN pusat.

“Kita memerlukan persetujuan dari semua parti komponen yang terdiri dari 13 buah kesemuanya untuk membuat keputusan bagi menentukan mereka (parti baru) layak menyertai BN atau sebaliknya,” katanya di sini, hari ini.

Menurut beliau keputusan untuk menerima parti baru menyertai BN bukan dalam bidang kuasanya tetapi bergantung kepada budi bicara BN pusat.

Beliau berkata, satu mesyuarat BN pusat akan diadakan tidak lama lagi dan parti politik yang mahu menyertai komponen BN boleh mengemukakan permohonan untuk dipertimbang serta dipersetujui.

Ditanya mengenai permohonan parti baru itu untuk menyertai BN negeri, Pehin Sri berkata, “Mereka boleh memohon tetapi keputusan tetap akan diputuskan dalam mesyuarat BN pusat.”

Dua politik baru Sarawak, Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) dan Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru telah menyatakan pendirian sebagai parti ‘Mesra BN’ dan mahu bergabung sebagai komponen BN.

Taib peminat no. 1 P.Ramlee

Sementara itu, Taib tidak menolak kemungkinan persembahan Teater Muzikal P Ramlee akan diadakan sekali lagi di Sarawak pada masa depan.

Menurutnya, Teater Muzikal P.Ramlee yang diterajui oleh Penerbit Ekeskutifnya, Datin Sri Tiara Jacquelina berjaya menterjemahkan sedikit sebanyak perjalanan kehidupan seniman agung Allahyarham Tan Sri P Ramlee disebalik kemasyurannya.

“Saya sangat seronok menikmati persembahan teater musikal ini dan saya rasa, kumpulan teater itu berjaya menggambarkan kehidupan sebenar P Ramlee secara jelas sebelum menjadi seniman agung dan kehidupan seninya,” ujarnya.

Enfiniti Events bijak menggunakan latar belakang seperti penggunaan menara stesen kereta api yang secara tidak langsung membawa penonton menyaksikan sendiri situasi sebenar P Ramlee semasa tiba di Singapura dalam usaha mengejar cita-citanya.

“Persembahan teater musikal ini mungkin akan diadakan lagi pada masa depan dan mungkin babak-babak lain pula dipersembahkan,” ujarnya ringkas.

Ini adalah kali pertama Persembahan Teater Muzikal P Ramlee diadakan di negeri ini yang bersempena dengan 50 Tahun Sarawak Merdeka Dalam Malaysia.

Dalam pementasan selama empat jam tersebut, Tony Eusof memegang watak sebagai P.Ramlee, Elly Mazlein sebagai Saloma, Datin Tiara Jacquelina sebagai Norizan dan Nadia Aqilah sebagai Junaidah berjaya memukau kira-kira 2,000 orang penonton yang setia menyaksikan pementasan berkenaan sehingga tamat. - FMT

Keputusan di tangan BN pusat

RASMI: Taib memalu beduk sebagai simbolik perasmian Seminar Budaya Melayu Sarawak Keenam di Kuching, semalam. Turut kelihatan Adenan (kiri) dan Pengerusi Seminar Budaya Melayu Keenam Profesor Madya Datu Sanib Said. — Gambar Muhd Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Parti-parti politik yang baharu diluluskan penubuhannya oleh Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) bebas memohon untuk menjadi komponen Barisan Nasional (BN).

Bagaimanapun, Ketua Men-teri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud menegaskan, keputusan untuk menerima atau menolak permohonan itu bergantung kepada persetujuan BN pusat.

Menurutnya, keputusan itu juga akan mengambil kira pandangan dan pendapat para pemimpin semua parti komponen dalam BN.

“Bukan saya yang memutuskan. Perkara seperti ini perlu diputuskan di peringkat pusat, iaitu pada Mesyuarat BN Pusat akan datang.

“Malahan, ia memerlukan persetujuan serta kesepakatan daripada kesemua pemimpin parti di mana mereka perlu bersetuju pada mesyuarat diadakan,” ujarnya ketika di-temui pemberita selepas me-rasmikan Seminar Budaya Melayu Sarawak Keenam anjuran Amanah Khairat Yaya-san Budaya Melayu Sarawak di sini, semalam.

Taib yang juga Pengerusi BN Sarawak berkata, tidak wujud paksaan bagi parti baharu untuk menyertai sama ada BN atau pembangkang.

Baru-baru ini, ROS meluluskan penubuhan 20 parti politik baharu dengan lima daripadanya di Sarawak iaitu Parti Ekonomi Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), Parti Bansa Da-yak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru), People’s Alliance for Justice of Peace dan Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS).

Dua daripada parti tersebut iaitu PBDS Baru dan TERAS kemudiannya mendakwa me-reka lebih mesra BN.

PBDS Baru melalui Presiden Protemnya Louis Jarau menegaskan pendirian parti sebagai mesra BN buat masa ini dan sebarang perubahan akan ditetapkan selepas Me-syuarat Agung Tahunan pertama parti kelak.

Manakala, TERAS mungkin akan membuka pintu parti itu kepada lima bekas pemimpin Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP) atau lebih dikenali Kumpulan Berlima (G5), selepas Kelab BN dikatakan ditubuhkan oleh penyo-kong kelab itu.

Sementara itu, dalam ucapan perasmiannya pada seminar berkenaan, Taib berkata rakyat pelbagai kaum di negeri ini perlu berubah, berfikiran terbuka dan sedia bekerjasama dengan kaum-kaum berbeza untuk mencapai sesuatu ke-majuan.

Ketua Menteri berkata, ini berbeza dengan budaya lama yang mana sesuatu kaum cenderung bekerjasama hanya dengan kaum sendiri sahaja.

“Apa sahaja kemajuan yang berasingan dan bertentangan dengan kaum lain akan mendapat tentangan. Namun, apa yang lebih baik adalah be- kerjasama dengan kaum-kaum lain,” katanya sambil menegaskan, kemampuan negeri untuk mencapai kemajuan bergantung kepada produktiviti semua kaum.

Beliau yang juga pencetus idea kepada penubuhan Simposium Budaya pada tahun 1988 berkata, ia bertujuan membawa para pemimpin semua kaum berfikiran secara serius dan mendalam mengenai nasib kaum masing-masing.

“Ini termasuk arah mana mereka memperjuangkan nasib mereka sendiri dalam konteks semua kaum serta kesedaran untuk menyedari kekuatan dan kelemahan kita sendiri.

“Ada kelemahan ini dapat kita atasi kerana ada usaha kita sendiri dahulu, dan kekuatan kita yang boleh kita gunakan tanpa membawa pergaduhan dengan orang lain,” jelasnya.

Mengulas mengenai Seminar Budaya Melayu itu, Taib berkata, ia amat penting bagi menyemai kesedaran dalam kalangan kaum Melayu bahawa ia bukan sahaja mengenai soal pemeliharaan budaya, tetapi juga keterbukaan pemikiran.

Tambah beliau, pemikiran terbuka amat penting kepada orang Melayu untuk bekerjasama dengan kaum-kaum lain bagi mencapai kemajuan masa hadapan, yang disifatkannya sebagai mencabar.

“Orang Melayu amat kaya dengan budi perkerti, saling menghormati serta bertimbang rasa. Mereka adalah golongan penting bagi semua rakyat yang mahu mencapai perpaduan dan keharmonian masyarakat,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Menteri Tugas-Tugas Khas merangkap Pengerusi Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sara-wak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem berkata, seminar itu mendapat sambutan memuas-kan dari seluruh bahagian.

“Seramai lebih 300 peserta yang terdiri daripada sarjana, pegawai, profesional, ahli pertubuhan sukarela, rakan Facebook, penggiat media sosial, ahli perniagaan, pelajar dan mahasiswa (menyertai seminar).

“Satu ucap tama akan dibentang untuk menggariskan arah tuju seminar ini. Di samping itu, sebanyak 15 kertas kerja akan dibentangkan oleh sarjana-sarjana terdiri daripada anak Melayu Sarawak sendiri,” katanya sambil memberitahu, kertas kerja itu merangkumi bidang ekonomi, pendidikan, budaya, sejarah dan politik.

Tambah beliau, hasil bengkel nanti ialah resolusi yang akan dibentangkan pada Simposium Budaya Sarawak bulan ini, sebelum dipanjangkan kepada kerajaan negeri untuk dikaji dan dilaksanakan.

Seminar Budaya Melayu yang bertemakan ‘Bertaut Nilai, Berbentengkan Kemakmuran Saksama’ diadakan selama dua hari bermula semalam dan berakhir hari ini. - theborneopost

Kerajaan komited bela kebajikan Penan Murum

GEMBIRA: Liwan (dua kanan) dan Torstein (tengah) bersama penghuni Long Wat di penempatan baharu di Tegulang.

KUCHING: Seramai 89 ke-luarga dari Long Wat yang terjejas akibat Projek Hidroelektrik (HEP) Murum kini dipindahkan ke penempatan baharu di Tegulang kelmarin.

Hadir bagi membantu pemindahan mereka ke lokasi ialah Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Belaga Liwan Lagang dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Sarawak Energy Berhad Torstein Dale Sjotveit.

Penempatan baharu tersebut terletak di hulu Bakun dipilih oleh keluarga yang terjejas semasa proses Kajian Impak Sosial dan Alam Sekitar (SEIA) di samping mengambil mereka bekerja untuk membina penempatan tersebut.

Program penempatan tersebut turut disokong oleh Pegawai Daerah Belaga Abdul Halim Abdullah yang menghargai inisiatif proaktif para penduduk dan Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Kaum Penan Murum (MPDC) dalam me-lancarkan proses penempatan semula tersebut.

“Saya amat gembira melihat Sarawak Energy dan kerajaan negeri bersungguh-sungguh serta teliti dalam menjalankan penempatan semula ini.

“Kaum Penan Murum berhak mendapat sokongan dan saya yakin usaha penempatan semula ini telah mencapai kejayaan.

“Namun saya masih bekerjasama dengan penduduk di situ bagi menjamin janji-janji kerajaan ditepati,” ujar Liwan.

Sementara itu Torstein berkata, pihaknya sedar program penempatan semula tersebut merupakan langkah pertama bagi usaha seterusnya iaitu tanggungjawab sebagai jiran yang baik terhadap penduduk yang terjejas akibat projek tersebut.

“Dengan kerjasama kerajaan negeri, kami amat komited dalam menyokong penduduk Penan Murum dalam proses penempatan baharu mereka sehingga mereka mampu berdikari dari segi ekonomi,” jelas Torstein.

Pemindahan penduduk bermula dengan upacara keagamaan sebelum mereka meninggalkan kediaman lama di Long Wat di mana menurut bekas Penghulu Pao Tului, pemindahan tersebut bermakna mereka buat pertama kalinya akan menikmati kemudahan asas seperti bekalan air terawat, elektrik, dewan serba guna serta kemudahan moden yang lain.

Pau turut berkata para penduduk Long Wat juga amat teruja dengan pemindahan tersebut di mana mereka didapati sering melawat rumah masing-masing di samping menuai hasil tanaman mereka sebelum dibawa ke Tegulang.

Sementara itu Pengerusi MPDC Labang Paneh bersama keluarganya yang tiba di Tegulang kira-kira jam 3 petang merupakan antara keluarga yang pertama tiba di rumah baharu mereka termasuk bekas Pengerusinya Saran Joo yang tiba pada jam 7 malam.

Pada masa yang sama, Penghulu Long Malim Asan Along turut kelihatan di Tegulang bagi memberi sokongan kepada ahli keluarga Long Wat.

Menurut Asan, penduduk Long Malim kini sedang me-nunggu untuk dipindahkan ke Tegulang yang dijangka akan berlaku pada hujung bulan Oktober. - theborneopost

Peserta projek pembangunan NCR tidak puas hati

BINTULU: Para peserta projek pembangunan tanah Hak Adat Bumiputera (NCR) di kawasan Sungai Tanyil, Sungai Mejau dan Sungai Sangan Tatau melahirkan rasa tidak puas hati dengan keputusan Lembaga Pembangunan dan Perlindungan Tanah (LCDA) melantik kontraktor lain bagi kerja-kerja pengambilan kayu di tanah milik mereka.

Menurut Tuai Rumah Gerosen Jubin, sebelum ini LCDA telah memberi kebenaran kepada Ikrar Pelita Sdn Bhd melakukan kerja-kerja pembersihan tapak ladang dan pengambilan kayu di tanah milik penduduk, namun perkara sebaliknya berlaku pada masa sekarang kerana kontraktor lain dilantik bagi menjalankan kerja-kerja berkenaan.

Beliau yang juga merupakan pengerusi protem Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Kawasan (ADC) Sungai Tanyil/Mejau/Sangan berkata, apa yang penduduk mahukan, segala kerja pembersihan dan pengambilan kayu di tanah milik penduduk hingga kerja-kerja penanaman kelapa sawit hendaklah dilakukan oleh Ikrar Pelita dan bukan kontraktor lain.

“Semua ini bagi memudahkan segala urusan kerana dikendalikan oleh satu pihak sahaja dan bukannya dikendalikan oleh banyak pihak bagi mengelak berlakunya pertikaian sama ada antara pemilik tanah atau pemaju,” katanya pada mesyuarat antara pemilik tanah dan ADC di Pejabat Daerah Tatau, di sini.

Sambil menyifatkan bantahan berkenaan bukan bertujuan menghalang projek pembangunan tanah NCR, Gerosen berkata semuanya bagi menjaga kebajikan pemaju dan pemilik tanah yang mana pihak luar tidak patut ambil alih dalam urusan pembangunan tanah yang diamanahkan kepada Ikrar Pelita ini.

Katanya, penduduk di kawasan Sangan menyambut baik usaha pembangunan tanah NCR milik penduduk dengan perladangan kelapa sawit berskala besar kerana memberi manfaat besar kepada peserta terlibat.

“Cuma apa yang kami (ADC) dan peserta inginkan ialah segala kerja pembersihan dan pengambilan kayu hinggalah ke peringkat penanaman kelapa sawit dijalankan oleh Ikrar Pelita dan bukannya pihak lain,” ujarnya.

Semua ini katanya, bagi memudahkan urusan pembangunan tanah di kawasan terbabit tanpa mendapat penglibatan banyak pihak yang akhirnya menjurus kepada pertelingkahan.

Hadir sama Pegawai Tadbir Pejabat Daerah Tatau Peleadzman Ahip.- theborneopost

SUPP - Fate to be known month end

KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) President Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui disclosed yesterday that he would make known the fate of the party at the end of this month. 

“Regarding the party’s problem with the Registrar of Societies, let us wait until the end of this month when we will be having our meeting at SUPP headquarters. 

“I believe I can shed some light on the matter then. Before this, I have no plans to make any announcement,” he told reporters after an obeisance ceremony by party members for the late Datuk Chan Siaw Hee at SUPP headquarters here yesterday morning.

On the formation of new political parties in the State, Chin believed SUPP members would not be affected and would still be loyal to the party.

He said yesterday’s simple yet sincere obeisance ceremony for Datuk Chan Siaw Hee was for party members especially those in Kuching to express their love for the last founder of SUPP. 

“It is our way to say goodbye to our beloved comrade,” said Chin. - NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE

‘Some new political parties will wither’

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Datuk Mong Dagang

Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi

SIBU: Some of the five new political parties in the state will die a ‘natural death’ a few years from now.

PBB Supreme Council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he believed this would happen because Sarawakians are intelligent and know which party is good for them.

The five new parties are Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).

“Personally, I don’t see the need for so many parties to vie for so few seats in Sarawak. But being a democratic country, we cannot stop anyone from setting up political parties. This is a fundamental right enshrine::alaysian constitution,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim said not all parties will get the people’s support.

“We may say it will split the people further or it will split the Bumiputras or Dayaks further, but we forgot one thing … the people have the final say.

“Don’t underestimate the intelligence and maturity of Sarawakian voters,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

He added that getting the party registered was easy, but sustaining and keeping it afloat would be difficult.

Meanwhile, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said whether the emergence of these new parties was healthy or otherwise depended on a number of factors.

The key factors are the ideology, agenda and practices of the party concerned.

Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang said the Barisan Nasional (BN) would continue to be relevant to the people as it had a proven track record in bringing development to the people.

But he opined that the new parties should not be taken lightly because fence sitters, mostly youths, might be tempted to give these parties a try. Mong, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research and Marketing), however, admitted he was puzzled by the emergence of so many new parties now, and not before the May 5 general election.

He noted that these new comers were Bumiputera-based, and believed it would affect rural-based BN parties in some ways.

“In politics, I won’t take things for granted.” - theborneopost

‘Teras and PBDS Baru just want publicity’

KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) does not think that two of five newly registered political parties are really sincere when declaring their pro-Barisan Nasional (BN) stance.

It (PRS) knows because of the bad experience with Sarawak Workers Party (SWP).

SWP, registered prior to the last general election, immediately declared itself BN-friendly but then insisted in contesting in all PRS six parliamentary seats.

Had SWP won all the seats it would have replaced PRS in the BN fold.

The party (SWP) however lost in all seats and now had no other option but to join forces with the state Democratic Action Party.

PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing, when contacted yesterday, implied that SWP together with the newly registered Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) were probably a confused lot.

He believed that they were leaning towards the opposition and what they were doing now was to get all the publicity and ground support they could get.

“Opposition parties which declare themselves Barisan Nasional (BN)-friendly do not actually know what they want. They only want to be noticed for the little publicity they could get,” he said.

Engkilili assemblyman, Dr Johnical Rayong, who heads SUPP Engkilili division, meanwhile said Teras and PBDS Baru wanted to be known as BN-friendly because BN was more saleable to the people compared to any of the opposition parties like PKR and DAP.

“Most supporters and sympathisers of Teras and PBDS Baru are former BN supporters. We know most of them and they still have the BN mentality and mindset.

“Secondly, they know that only the BN government can help the people in terms of human and infrastructure development.”

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi is more straightforward. He said the groups behind the new parties in Sarawak were either a rejected lot or not accepted by any of the state BN component parties. Dr Rundi, who is also state BN secretary, however said BN would welcome and was opened to any genuine and sincere supporters or members of the coalition into the BN family.

State PKR liaison officer, Baru Bian, meanwhile said the promoters and sponsors of Teras and PBDS Baru were opportunists.

“When they say they are BN-friendly they are in fact not serious. They are opportunists. They should be joining PRS, SPDP, PBB or SUPP rather than starting new parties,” said Baru, who is also Ba Kelalan assemblyman.

Baru’s colleague in the state PKR, See Chee How, said the sudden emergence of new political parties spoke of the onerous struggle of the opposition parties in Sarawak but was also a testimony of leadership infighting in the state BN.

“These pseudo BN party hopefuls are not born yesterday. They are former members of the BN family who appreciate the BN government machinery and enormous financial resources to triumph all previous elections in Sarawak,” said the Batu Lintang assemblyman and state PKR vice-chairman.

“The immediate reaction of PBDS Baru and Teras to be BN friendly is testimony of their peculiar political realism. It also exposes the leadership infighting within the BN component parties, that leaders in these new parties are seeing themselves as better alternatives to existing leaders in the BN,” See added.

Apart from Teras and PBDS Baru, the other new parties are Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB), Peace Party and Parti Bumi Kenyalang. - theborneopost

Wong awaits ROS decision on SUPP before making next move

KUCHING: The answer to whether Senior Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would lead his faction to form a new political party or join other existing Barisan Nasional (BN) parties would only be known once the fate of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is sealed.

Wong, who is SUPP Sibu chairman and Bawang Assan assemblyman, indicated that he and five other SUPP state assemblymen were still waiting for the decision of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) before deciding on their next course of action.

The future of the state’s oldest political party is on the line following complaints lodged with ROS by several branches over allegations of irregularities during the run-up to the party’s triennial delegates conference here in December 2011. SUPP is 54 years old this year.

The allegations split the party into two – one faction led by Wong and the other by party president Tan Sri Peter Chin. ROS had recently sent show-cause letters to the party which it had replied, but thus far ROS had not announced its decision on the party’s explanation on why it should not be deregistered.

“We are waiting for ROS decision. Once a decision has been made, we will sit down and discuss our next move. When the time comes, we will make our decision whether to join any existing parties or form a new one. We haven’t decided on the matter,” Wong told reporters when met at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Ramah-Tamah Aidilfitri event at its headquarters here yesterday.

The five other state assemblymen linked to Wong are Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili). Harden, Lee and Dr Jerip are assistant ministers.

Speculation arose among political pundits last week when news broke out that a new political party called United People’s Party (UPP) would be registered to replace SUPP in the event that the latter was de-registered by ROS.

If this holds true, the state’s political scene would relive an incident in 2004 when the registration of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) was approved by the ROS and duly accepted into the Barisan Nasional on the very day Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) was de-registered.

Wong has dismissed talks that UPP is associated with his faction. Describing the linkage as “outrageous”, he said the talks were mere speculation and that he has no knowledge of them.

When asked on the approval of five new political parties in the state, he said: “Malaysia is a democratic country. Whoever wants to form a political party, if they meet all the requirements, ROS has no choice but to approve them.

“To approve five at one go, I think it is one too many. In Sarawak, it can become a little bit crowded but no harm about it. Let democracy be practised to the fullest extent.”

The five new political entities in the state are Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).- theborneopost

Teras to likely invite G5 members to its fold

KUCHING: Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) is likely to extend an open arm to the five former SPDP leaders dubbed the Group of Five (G5) after it was revealed that the party was formed by supporters of the BN Club.

Its pro tem secretary-general, Banyi Beriak, said the party is leaning towards the Barisan Nasional (BN) considering the affiliation of its founding members.

Declaring itself a multi-racial party, Teras welcomes those who are not members of any political organisation to join their cause.

Teras is one of five new political parties in the state including Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Peace Party and Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) that were approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

On Aug 24, ROS director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman announced that the department had approved 20 out of 30 applications for new political parties.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the ROS for the approval of the party’s application. Teras is a multi-racial party open to all Malaysians who reside in Sarawak. Partyless people are most welcome,” Banyi, who is former SPDP executive secretary, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

The party is strongly linked to group of five former SPDP leaders sacked by the party for gross insubordination. This however, has previously been denied by the G5 spokesperson Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian.

Nansian, who is also Assistant Minister for Community Services, is one of the BN Club proponents. The group has repeatedly pledged their allegiance to the BN and that the setting up of the BN Club was meant to garner public support to the BN.

The G5 comprises Nansian, former Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus, Marudi assemblyman Datuk Sylvester Entri and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau). Rosey is also Assistant Minister of Early Childhood, Education and Family Development while Entri is Assistant Minister of Agriculture.

Banyi said the party’s pro-tem central executive committee (CEC) was expected to call for a meeting soon to chart future direction of Teras. - theborneopost

Masing fears new parties may cause confusion

James Masing

KUCHING: The admission of another five parties into the Sarawak political scene may cause confusion and lead to instability in the state, says Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.

Commenting on the approval of five new parties in the state, he believed the decision made by Registar of Societies was on based on the principle that Malaysia is a liberal society which recognised freedom of associations.

“But I need to point out that such freedom must be exercised with restraint and the need to maintain political stability in mind.

“As it stands, Sarawak is getting crowded with so many political parties which may cause confusion amongst the people and hence instability,” he said yesterday.

Singling out PBDS Baru, he said this new party which aims to replace the old PBDS is now entering a very crowded and difficult political arena.

“I wish them all the best. May the best win,” he said, alluding to the point that Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) of which he is the president – had taken over the role of the now defunct PBDS.

Meanwhile, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president Datuk Richard Riot concurred with Masing that the approval of the new political parties reflected the practice of democracy in the country.

He said as far as he was concerned, SUPP should not feel threatened by the five new parties as it still had its core supporters.

“It doesn’t matter if there are 100 parties, well that’s democracy. SUPP will still remain relevant in serving the people in Sarawak,” said Riot, who is also Human Resources Minister in the federal cabinet. - theborneopost