Time to boot out Sarawak Govermnent,says Tajem

SERIAN: An adviser to PKR and former deputy chief minister Datuk Daniel Tajem (pic below)warns the Iban community that they will lose their native customary rights lands if they continue to elect the State Barisan Nasional coalition in the coming State election.

“Many Ibans in other parts of Sarawak have already lost their lands and we will continue to loose our land, if the State Barisan continues to govern Sarawak.
“In Balai Ringin we are about to lose our lands, when four companies linked to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud have been given provisional lease (PL) to plant oil palm in our lands.

“A total of 741,000 hectares of our NCR lands have been earmarked for this purpose,” he said, adding that the land owners had protested, but to no avail.

In fact, he said, he and the land owners have written to UMNO to intervene and stop the State government from taking away people’s lands.

Tajem said: “Lands are our only assets. And if we lose our lands, we will lose everything. We will become landless people. We do not know where to go except to seek refuge and sleep under a bridge.

“Landless People who sleep under a bridge are a common sight in other countries. And this will happen to us, if we do not change the State government,” he said, when he opened the annual general meeting of PKR Sri Aman division on Saturday, 24 April 2010.

Seminar to discuss ‘konsep baru rumah panjang’ in Bintulu.

Dr John Anthony Brian center popularly known as blogger Dayak Baru proposing a seminar in Bintulu to discuss ‘Konsep Baru Rumah Panjang’.

Dayak Baru is proposing that the Dayak NGO – SDNU, SADIA, DAM, OUNA should organize a seminar on the “Konsep Baru Rumah Panjang” as proposed by the Ministry of Housing.

This seminar is in addition to the one that is being organize by Government’s NGOs. The participants to the Government sponsored seminar were screened and limited to Tuai Rumah and Community Leaders only.

We can be sure that the Tuai Rumah and Community Leaders asked a lot of important questions and by most account the government has not given a comprehensive response to the questions raised.

Proposal seminar detail
Venue: A hotel in Bintulu
Date : 8th May 2010
Time : 9 am -12pm (Introduction of the Konsep + a planetary paper)
1.30pm – 4pm ( Question and Answers)
4.30pm ( Summary)
Participants: All public members limited to 200 persons ( first come first serve basis)
Fee: $30 per head ( to cover venue cost)

Invitation: representative of Ministry of Housing / Majlis Adat Istiadat / AZAM / YB DUNs and MPs

In the next few days, we will publish further detail of the seminar on where and how to register your participation.

Kriteria pengiktirafan sebagai bumiputera di Malaysia

Research by Leslley Kalom

Bumiputra Status
MALAYSIA
DEWAN RAKYAT
Rabu, 17 Mac 2010
Mesyuarat dimulakan pada pukul 10.00 pagi
DOA
[Timbalan Yang di-Pertua (Datuk Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar)mempengerusikan Mesyuarat]

JAWAPAN-JAWAPAN LISAN BAGI PERTANYAAN-PERTANYAAN

1. Datuk Billy Abit Joo [Hulu Rajang] minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan samaada undang-undang mengenai syarat kelayakan/kriteria pengiktirafan sebagai bumiputera di Malaysia perlu diselaraskan misalnya dengan kriteria yang diterima pakai
di Sarawak.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri [Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin AbdulAziz]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, istilah bumiputera secara spesifiknya tidak ditakrifkan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan atau mana-mana undang-undang. Secara amnya,kerajaan sering merujuk istilah bumiputera sebagai warganegara Malaysia yang terdiridaripada tiga kategori iaitu:

(i) Orang Melayu yang ditakrifkan dalam Fasal (2), Perkara 160,
Perlembagaan Persekutuan;

(ii) Anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak, ditakrifkan dalam Fasal (6)
Perkara 161A, Perlembagaan Persekutuan; dan

(iii) Orang Asli seperti yang ditakrifkan dalam Fasal (2) Perkara 160,
Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Setakat ini, kriteria untuk memberi kelayakan kepada seseorang itu sebagai bumiputera adalah berdasarkan kepada tiga kategori ini. Bagi negeri Sarawak, Fasa (1)Perkara 44 negeri Sarawak dengan jelas menyatakan bahawa native dengan izin, has the same meaning as it has in the Federal Constitution for the purposes of the
application of Article 153 thereof to native of the state.

Berhubung dengan kedudukan bumiputera Sarawak, perenggan (6)(a) Perkara 161A, Perlembagaan Persekutuan memperuntukkan bahawa ‘anak negeri’ bagi maksud negeri Sarawak ialah seseorang yang merupakan warganegara dan sama ada yang tergolong dalam salah satu daripada ras dengan izin race, yang dinyatakan dalam fasal (7) sebagai ras asli bagi Negeri itu atau yang berketurunan campuran yang berasal semata-mata daripada ras-ras itu. Fasal (7) Perkara 161A memperuntukkan bahawa ras-ras yang dikira sebagai ras asli bagi negeri Sarawak bagi maksud takrif anak negeri
dalam fasal (6) ialah Bukitan, Bisayah, Dusun, Dayak Laut, Dayak Darat, Kadayan,Kalabit, Kayan, Kenyah (termasuk Sabup dan Sipeng), Kajang (termasuk Sekapan,Kejaman, Lahanan, Punan, Tanjong dan Kanowit), kemudian Lugat, Lisum, Melayu,Melano, Murut, Penan, Sian, Tagal, Tabun dan Ukit.

Oleh yang demikian, seseorang yang termasuk di bawah ras-ras tersebut adalah termasuk di bawah maksud anak negeri bagi negeri Sarawak dan dengan itu pada lazimnya dianggap sebagai seorang yang berstatus bumiputera. Mana-mana orang yang tidak tergolong dalam takrif anak negeri adalah tidak layak diambil kira sebagai kaum bumiputera Sarawak. Memandangkan kerajaan sering merujuk istilah bumiputera sebagai warganegara Malaysia yang terdiri daripada tiga kategori sebagaimana yang disebut sebelum ini, maka tiada keperluan bagi menambahkan apa-apa kriteria atau kelayakan tambahan bagi maksud penyelarasan terhadap kelayakan status bumiputera.

Pemakaian status bumiputera telah pun diselaraskan dan digolongkan dalam kategori yang berkenaan sebagaimana diperuntukkan dalam perlembagaan persekutuan.Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang terpakai di seluruh Malaysia dengan jelas
menyebutkan kategori orang yang berkelayakan dalam perkara itu adalah muktamad serta dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan sebagai undang-undang yang utama.

Sebagai makluman juga, tafsiran Fasal (6)(a) Perkara 161A, Perlembagaan Persekutuan tidak menghendaki pihak ibu atau bapa atau kedua-duanya digolongkan sebagai anak negeri Sarawak bagi maksud memberi kelayakan kepada anak kelahiran pasangan tersebut. Atas sebab tersebut, pemakaian serta pengiktirafan status
bumiputera di Malaysia adalah selaras menurut tafsiran Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Things fall apart

By Sim Kwang Yang

Celebrating the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, 1963, in Singapore (Source: Wikimedia.org)TO Sabahans and Sarawakians, 16 Sept is the date of their independence from British colonial rule back in 1963. It was on this auspicious day that Sabah and Sarawak helped to form the new Federation of Malaysia, together with the Malayan Federation and Singapore � on more or less equal footing. To them, Malaysia is going to be 45 years old this year.

The muted voices from these two outlying provinces have never gained much credence in the sprawling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur. There, in the centre of power, the Malay nationalist narrative rules supreme. It has been written into history textbooks, and taught in schools at all levels all over the country.

It is essentially a grand narrative scripted by Umno. It goes something like this:

The Malay people finally fulfilled their destiny of founding a Malay nation-state, the Federation of Malaya, on 31 Aug 1957. In 1963, the former British colonies of the North Borneo Territory (later renamed Sabah) and Sarawak joined the union and formed Malaysia as additional two states in the newly extended federation.

The implication is clear: the Malayan Federation is the parent body of Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak are mere extensions of the territory claimed by the Malay nation. The meek subservient voice of these two North Borneo states must be subsumed by the monopoly on national discourse emanating from Kuala Lumpur. That is why Malaysian Independence Day is celebrated annually on 31 Aug.

This is far more than a squabble over a mere date to commemorate Independence. The contradiction is symbolic of the regional divide between East and West Malaysia that has festered for all the decades since Merdeka. So far, this potentially explosive alienation has not exploded into a national crisis, simply because the voices from the East have never been given a platform by the Barisan Nasional (BN)-controlled national media.

Separate but equal

By N Shashi Kala and Ooi Ying NeeTHE establishment of Malaysia was much like a marriage. Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak entered into matrimony on 16 Sept 1963. Indonesia and the Philippines spoke out against the union instead of forever holding their peace.

Despite the opposition, the four regions pledged unity as a single, sovereign federation, promising to be faithful and equal partners in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow.

And they lived happily ever after.

Or didn’t.

Fast forward 45 years after the union. Singapore has, since 1965, seceded from Malaysia. The relationship between Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak is no longer sacrosanct, a marriage rocked with broken promises. The East Malaysian states have “descended” in ranks to become no more than a wronged spouse in an unfortunate union, with West Malaysia enjoying political supremacy and socio-economic advantage.

“Sarawak and Sabah feel that we have been sidelined. There is still that uneasy feeling [that begs us to question], ‘Are we really part of the three regions (i.e. Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak)?’” says Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing.

How Sarawak Was Conned Into The Formation Of Malaysia

By Dr Ooi Keat Gin

WHEN I first arrived at Kuching airport in May 1983, I was ushered into the row for foreigners at the immigration checkpoint where my Malaysian passport was examined and stamped “Social Visit”, with an expiry date. I felt like an “alien” despite knowing full well that Sarawak was part of the Federation of Malaysia. My feelings of alienness were, however, short-lived, quickly overcome by the friendliness and warmth of the locals I encountered.

Control over immigration was one of the numerous safeguards incorporated into the constitutional arrangements made when Sarawak, together with Sabah (then called North Borneo) and Singapore, joined the wider federation of Malaysia in 1963.

Again, here we have the unfortunate concept that Sarawak joined “the wider federation of Malaysia” instead of helping to form Malaysia. It was not Sarawak’s idea of course, but if Sarawak had not been conned into supporting or supposedly supporting it, there would have not been a “Malaysia” and Sarawak would have become an independent nation.

Unfortunately these safeguards have proven to be ineffective against Malayan interference with Sarawak affairs and control over its oil and gas resources to its detriment. The Malayans (especially the ruling elite Malays) couldn’t be bothered whether Sarawak remains poor and underdeveloped as long as they get what they want and whatever development supports what they want out of Sarawak.

The fact is that Malaya, together with its local bully boy, Taib Mahmud and the state BN, has become a burden upon Sarawak and an impediment to its continuing proper economic progress.

SUHAKAM blames Land and Survey Department for land disputes

The Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) has put the blame on the Land and Survey Department for the constant occurrences of land disputes between the natives and the government in Sarawak.

Siva Subramaniam, head of SUHAKAM complaints working group said that the department simply issued land leases or titles to companies without conducting ground survey.

“Instead, the department gives approvals by merely sitting in the office,” he said at a dialogue with Kampung Stenggang.

He suggested that the staff of the department should conduct ground survey first before issuing land leases or titles to companies.

“It is improper and impractical for the department to approve land applications without checking. It is unbelievable, but unfortunately the present normal practice of the department is that it will give approvals based on the aerial photographs of the land acquired, and most of the time the information would be different from the actual land status,” he pointed out.

Of course the staff could not be wholly blamed because they executed their duties according to the existing procedures and regulations.

Partly to be blame, said Subramaniam, are the State lawmakers, the State assemblymen as they failed to rectify the Land Code.

“They should do something to prevent more land disputes from occurring. This is actually the root to the land issue problems that we are facing now.

“If the land policy is not going to be reviewed, I am worried that the indigenous people will gradually lose their native customary rights over their land.

“The problem here is the natives may have the rights over the land but every time if there is a dispute when other parties are being issued titles for the same plots of land, the natives will still lose their case because they don’t have the documents to prove that is their land,” he said.

Dr.Jeffrey Kitingan/Cigma-HRP Consensus on the Third Force

Wed, 14th April 2010, Kuala Lumpur

In a 3 hour meeting today night at the HRP office, the Common Interest Group, Malaysia (Cigma) and the Human Rights Party (HRP) reached a consensus of the need for a third force in Malaysian politics.

The East Malaysian delegation led by Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan said ‘the minorities in Malaysia including Sabahans, Sarawakians, Indians and Orang Asli, have common interests as they have been marginalised and there is a need to work together’. He was accompanied by activists Nicholas Bawin of Sarawak, Daniel John Jambun of Sabah, Granda Aing, Kanul Ginpol, and Saidil Simoy.

Among the issues discussed were the presence of 1.7 million foreigners in Sabah which amounts to about 55% of Sabah’s population and who drain resources, Project IC, the disasterous rotation of CMs, the issues relating to Orang Asli in the peninsula which Cigma is championing, the plunder of Sarawak’s resources, the rising of Dayak consciousness and Dayak nationalism, the neglect of the 20 Point and 18 Point Agreements with Sabah and Sarawak, the need for review of the Malaysia Agreement as Britain is also a signatory to the Agreements, as well as the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election where the Orang Asli form a critical 2,000 votes.

The Human Rights Party led by it’s protem Sec-Gen P. Uthayakumar thanked and briefed the delegates about the discrimination and marginalisation of the Indians including the non issuance of birth certificates and identity cards without which education employment and business is not possible.

From DEB to NEM,what has Bumiputra Sabah&Sarawak benefits from it?

Taken from Malaysian Mirror

Will Dayaks benefit from NEM?

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s New Economic Model (NEM) receives all-round support from leaders of the state Barisan Nasional when he introduced it last month, but the majority of the Dayaks and Dayak leaders have shown little interest.

Whether there is such a thing as NEM or not, they do not feel it. Nor are they excited about it. They think that it is something alien meant only for West Malaysians.

Secondly, they know that past economic policies such as New Economic Policy 1970-1990, National Development Policy 1990-2000, National Vision Policy and VISION 2020 have not been very helpful to them towards improving their livelihood; instead they have remained as there were, and in some cases their living conditions have worsened.

Not helpful

Studies conducted by Prof Jayum Jawan, Associate Professor Madeline Berma, Prof Dimbab Ngidang and others, showed that the Ibans had not benefited from those economic polices.

Dr Richard Leete of the UN Development programme in his paper, “The Paradox of Poverty Studies” presented at a seminar organised by the Sarawak Graduates Association said that studies showed that the Iban community was the poorest in the state with a poverty rate hovering at 10.5%.

According to him, the average poverty rate in Sarawak was 5.8%, while it was 5.2% for the Malays, It was 6.8% for the Orang Ulu who included the Kayans, Kenyahs, Kelabit and Lun Bawang. The rate for the Chinese stood at 1%.

While the rural areas have received unfair distribution of development projects resulting in them remaining below the poverty level (the poverty level has been defined as RM720 earning per month), Dayak businessmen in cities and towns have been struggling to make a living; many have been declared bankrupt for lack of business opportunities.  

The lack of opportunities was the focus of the Bumiputra Minorities Congress jointly organised by the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry in February 2005 in Kuala Lumpur.

Left behind

In her paper entitled “Bumiputra Minorities Participation in Commerce and Industry: Progress, Opportunities and Challenges” presented at the seminar, Associate Prof Burma said that at present the participation of the minorities in the economic sector in Sabah and Sarawak was less than 1% based on the stock equity in the corporate sector.

“Even though the minority bumiputras are part of this country, their participation in the economic sector is far behind and could even be said to be 30 years behind that of the majority bumiputras, who are mostly from the Malay community,” she said.

She pointed out that the government had prepared a complete policy for the economic growth, but the problem now was that it was not seriously implemented and monitored.

In a Dayak symposium held in Sibu on Jan 31 last year, it was noted that the government had not done much to develop rural areas.

The so-called “development” targeted were actually exploitation of natural resources on Dayak land such as timber concessions and native customary rights lands for the planting of oil palm.

Another Suai,Niah tragedy in the making??

Mark Bujang, Borneo Resources Institute (BRIMAS) executive director

ULU BALINGIAN – Gangsters seems to be running the show on the current native customary land dispute between a logging company, Bitani Maju Sdn. Bhd. and the Iban communties of Sungai Tepus, Ulu Balingian.

A group of gangsters in 10 cars have been intimidating the natives ever since the natives have set up a blockade on the 12 March against the said logging company said Mark Bujang of Borneo Resources Institute.

A total of three police reports have been made against the company, but until today no action is taken against the company or the gangsters that are currently roaming the area.

The blockade has since been dismantled by the police however, the natives still continued with their protests.

The Iban communities of Sungai Tepus, Ulu Balingian are protesting against the illegal logging activities conducted by Bitani Maju Sdn. Bhd. in their native customary land territory.

“Surprisingly, it is the police that are guarding the company workers carrying out their illegal logging operations,” Mark Bujang said.

Last Saturday, two of the longhouse members from Rumah Osay were assaulted by a group of gangsters while they were on their way home from Selangau bazaar. One of them managed to flee but another was badly beaten up by the gangsters.

According to Banyau Ak Timbang, the person who managed to flee from the gangsters, “I was riding together with Oren Ak Linggang from Selangau bazaar and as we were about to approach our longhouse junction when a car approached us. I noticed Penghulu Thomas Jawa Ak Latu was in the car and the driver of the car forced us to stop.”

“The other occupants of the car came out and we do not recognise them at all. We got into a heated argument with them and then suddenly they started attacking us”, said Banyau.

Banyau said he managed to escape from his attackers but Oren was left behind.

According to Banggau Ak Panggai, Chaiman of their Joint Action Committee called Gerubat, “I told Oren to lodge a police report about the attack at the Balingian Police Station the next day. However, instead of taking down his report, the police arrested Oren.”

“The gangsters seems to be controlling the police and also our community leaders”, claimed Banggau.

“Our communities are leaving in fear at the moment as the police cannot guarantee our safety. We do not want any untoward incident to happen, so we appeal to the police to take action and stop the gangsters from harassing us any further,” said Banggau.

New White Rajah

By John Doe 

Salam Sejahtera, fellow Dignitaries of the Council, members of the New Parliament. As we convene for the First Inaugural Parliamentary Meeting for the Sovereign State of New Borneo, I’d like to first thank the Country of Malaysia for officially allowing our country to secure peaceful independence. Without which, today would not be possible.

I’d also like to congratulate all the peoples of Borneo for waiting so patiently till today for your kindness, and for having reinstated me, John Doe, as your New White Rajah. I feel deeply honored that that I was chosen to help lead your country into independence, and hope that during my short tenure of 5 years, I will be able to live up to the expectations of my ancestor, James Brooke.

For the Record, the Brooke Family was NOT a Colonizing Family. Anyone in Borneo will testify that the people insisted that the Brooke Family continued to stay, despite my family wanting to return to England. Fort Magherita shall be my official residence. And all UMNO offices shall be converted into a Dump-Site, out of severe “respect” for the Malaysian Government.

I would like to stress that I will only be serving this non-renewable-term of 5 years, after-which this position must be taken over by a local person. As first order of the day, let us peruse key points of the Constitution of New Borneo. The official name is to be called New Borneo. This is the original name of the island (unlike the Tanah Melayu crap). It comprises of 2 sovereign states of Sabah and Sarawak. I put forward the proposal to change the name from “Division 1”, “Division 2” and so on to a more inclusive name. Divisiveness is an UMNO trait, which we do not want to carry into this brand new country. Legislators, please note.

The official flower is the Rafflesia, and the official mascot will be the Orang Utan. Would Malaysia kindly note that you will have to remove your mascot, because there are NO known Orang Utans there on the Peninsular, other than the uncouth practice of delinquent and uneducated UMNO members who call each other such names. And you have merely borrowed our icon for your advertising purposes, when we remained under your colony. “Yes, You’re Welcome”.

The new National Anthem is to be determined by the people. And it must not be a copy of “Terang Bulan” or “Mamula Moon”; which Negaraku is copied from. And the New National Anthem must not sound like some Military March as if Hitler was in-charge or something. Make sure it sounds better, and more romantic than “America the Beautiful”.

Remembering Dad (Stephen Kalong Ningkan)

Taken from Malaysian Mirror

PAUL SIR WRITES: Diana Ningkan, daughter of Stephen Kalong Ningkan, contacted me last week, asking whether I could write an article in memory of his late father on the 13th anniversary of his passing on March 31.

She said she still missed her dad so much even after all these years and would appreciate a little public recognition of his services to the state and nation again. This was Daddy’s girl.

It would be good as a history lesson for the younger generation too, she said, as her father had played a prominent role in the early years of Sarawak’s independence and the formation of Malaysia.

Indeed, there is something which history could never take away from Stephen Kalong Ningkan. It will always be recorded that this great Iban warrior from Betong was the first Chief Minister of Sarawak.

Diana said she wanted me to write because I was a family friend and that “my father used to favour you when he was alive.” Probably she meant that since I knew her dad so well and was close to him in the final years of his life, I was a suitable candidate to pen a tribute to him.

But then I thought that the best person to invoke wonderful memories of a departed loved one would be a family member. Who else would know a man better than his wife or children.

So I suggested to Diana to write the article herself with the title “Remembering Dad” for publication in this column in the Borneo Post today.

Diana got down to work immediately and sent me this article the next day.

This is Stephen Kalong Ningkan as his daughter, Diana, saw and remembered him.

REMEMBERING DAD, TAN SRI DATUK AMAR STEPHEN KALONG NINGKAN ((20th August 1920 – 31st March 1997)

“Loving And Kind In All His Ways
Upright And Just To The End Of His Days
Sincere And True In Heart And Mind
A Beautiful Memory Left Behind”

Stephen Kalong Ningkan was undeniably a born leader, full of charisma with the charms of a man who could entice the deadliest of foe to be his friend. Strong-willed and full of determination and most of all courage, none would have been so brave as to take on the Federal Government of his time to court over what he deemed as injustice – not to him alone but to the people of Sarawak. The premature termination of his post as chief minister of Sarawak in 1966 did not break his spirit but instead he marched on, though wounded, to lead his beloved Sarawak National Party (SNAP).

It was not easy to have a great man like Stephen Kalong Ningkan as a father for he was seldom around when we were growing up. He was more like an elusive figure whom you fear but also deeply admire and respect.

Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Chief Minister of Sarawak 1963-1966

Dad was a visionary who foresaw the unification of the numerous races in Sarawak through the formation of SNAP. The power he exudes was immense and seldom was those who got to know him personally not affected by his magnetic personality and then far-fetched ideas. His downfall was partly due to  this way-off mental attitude that was far too advanced for many of his time.

Dad had a colourful life from an early age with a ‘mixed family’ to match. A son of a farmer born in Buloh Antu, Betong, Saribas (home of the late Orang Kaya Nanang), he had a diverse background – both fascinating and strange to those who have known him and his family.

Dad was only six years old in 1926 when his grandfather Mok Bak Seng took him to China for a few years. His grandfather was born in Namhoi, Kwangtung Province, China in 1870 and wanted him to learn the culture and the way of life there. His grandfather believed he had better opportunities in Sarawak then living in China and thus they both returned and stayed a while in Bau. This man whom Dad admired died on 20th October 1963, a few months after Dad took office as the first Chief Minister of Sarawak.