Why are they scared of the truth?

On 1 March 2010, a special seminar on land was held for members of PBB delegates who were in Kuching attending the PBB general assembly.

Initially every one was encouraged to talk or raise questions. Encouraged by the atmosphere, one of the Iban delegates described the taking away of NCR land by big companies as “PL disease” (provisional lease).

Among those listening to the grouses by the delegates were Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, (most powerful) Second Minister of Planning and Resources Management Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

After the delegate described the taking away of NCR land as “PL disease”, the ministers and the organisers of the seminar did not allow the seminar participants to talk or raise questions on problems affecting the NCR land. They were only to listen to explanation from the government.

Many delegates from Kanowit, Selangau, Simanggang, Lubok Antu, Lundu, Simunjan, Bintulu and Niah wanting to know more about the “disease” were fumed with anger as they knew they were not told the truth about NCR land issues through JV.

Certainly delegates and land owners from Kanowit wanted to know why they have not been paid a single cent as dividend even though their lands have been planted with oil palm through a JV about 10 years ago.

While Jabu seemed to be quiet (according to delegates who talked to The Broken Shield), only Awang Tengah tried to explain the “PL disease” blaming the contractors appointed by the provisional lease (PL) holders for encroaching into some native customary right lands.

Have the NCR land owners been told the truth about the evil of joint venture schemes? – The Broken Shield

Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com

PBB Supreme Executive Council 2010-2013

PBB Supreme Executive Council 2010-2013

President - Abdul Taib Mahmud
Deputy President 1 - Alfred Jabu Numpang
Deputy President 11 - Abang Johari Tun Openg
Senior Vice-President 1 - Awang Tengah Ali Hassan
Senior Vice-President 11 - Douglas Uggah Embas
Vice-Presidents - Dr. Muhd Leo Toyad
- Michael Manyin Jawong
- Abdul Wahab Aziz
- Lihan Jok
- Empiang Jabu
- Fadillah Yusof

Supreme Executive Council Members (Bumiputra) – contested

- Talib Zulpilip
- Julaihi Narawi
- Aidan Wing
- Dr. Abdul Rahman Ismail
- Mohamad Ali Mahmud
- Idris Buang
- Murni Suhaili
- Abdul Karim Hamzah
- Dr. Abang Rauf Abang Zen
- Ahmad Lai Bujang
- Dr. Wahbi Junaidi

Supreme Executive Council Members (Pesaka) – uncontested

- Gramong Juna
- James Dawos Mamit
- Roland Sagah Wee Inn
- Frederick Bayoi Manggie
- Henry Sum Agung
- Alexander Nanta Linggi
- Benedick Bujang Tembak
- Watson Bangau
- Mujah Lihan

Looking at the list of PBB Supreme Executive Council members, I am attracted to the Pesaka list of members. It appears to me that since 1973 when Pesaka merged with Bumiputra to become Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), there has never ever been any election to this wing. (Tell me if I am wrong).

The non-contest in the Pesaka wing for the year 2010 to 2013 is a big contrast with the Bumiputra wing where there were contests for the 11 supreme council posts. And the most qualified people with the best brains have being elected.

For the Pesaka wing, members were appointed and more often than not cronies and family members are appointed as members of the supreme council to represent the Dayaks in the party. Many are mediocre. And how can Pesaka progress?

Why were there no contests? Is the Pesaka leadership scared of new faces? Or are there not enough qualified people to be members? These questions beg some answers. – The Broken Shield

Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com

Should the contractors to be blamed?

Second Minister of Planning and Resources Management Awang Tengah Ali Hassan was quoted by The Borneo Post today (Tuesday, 2 March) as saying that contractors appointed by the provisional lease (PL) holders to be blamed for encroaching into some native customary right (NCR) lands.

He said that even though it was obvious that they could not enter NCL, they just bulldozed their way into the area.

He explained that land claimed as customary land would be omitted when the authorities issued PLs.

“This condition must be adhered to, and normally it is the contractors appointed by the PL holders who bulldoze, and this creates problems.

“They just bulldoze even land which come native customary rights,” he told reporters after officiating at a seminar on land and economy for Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) delegates at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here on 1 March.

Tengah was asked to comment on what a delegate termed as “PL disease” during the question and answer session in the seminar.

“I urge Penghulus to ensure that the appointed contractors would ensure that land which are being claimed as NCR land would be omitted unless they (land owners) ask for the contractors for assistance,” he said.

He said that PL holders had been reminded to ensure that their appointed contractors carried out their tasks in an ethical manner.

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu was among those present.

Awang Tengah now seems to be very sympathetic towards the NCR land owners. Could be that the State election is coming and NCR land problems will be major issues in the campaigns.

But I still remember when he answered a question in Council Negeri a couple of years ago that “All untitled lands including NCR lands belong to the Government.”

He has been warning Penghulus and Tuai Rumah not to endorse any NCR land claim by the land owners otherwise they will face troubles.

Now if it is true that contractors are to be blamed for bulldozing NCR land, destroying fruit trees, cash crops, longhouses and farm houses, why are staffs of Land and Survey Department supported by the Police helping the contractors to destroy the fruit trees, cash crops and longhouses?

Why are NCR land owners being detained for defending their NCR lands? Why are the State Government and the Land and Survey Department being sued by the NCR land owners? And so far why are the NCR land owners winning their court cases against the State Government and the Land and Survey? And why is the State Government using the tax payers’ money to pay millions of ringgit worth of compensations to the land owners and to the lawyers? Why? and Why? And there are so many “whys”?

Awang Tengah is not telling the truth. In countries in Europe, South Korea and Japan, Awang should be asked to resign. Should the contractors alone be blamed? – The Broken Shield

Source: www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com