Happy Gawai Dayak 2012

SELAMAT HARI GAWAI DAYAK 

FROM THE BROKEN SHIELD

The administrators of The Broken Shield would like to express their ‘Selamat Hari Gawai Dayak to all the readers, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang, Betuah Belimpah, Bulih Pengaya Bulih Pengaraja’. The administrators will be away at their Kampung Samabang, Punda Road, Simunjan until June 4, 2012. All are welcome to the kampung.

Larry Sng to be Ibans’ Hogansiau?

Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP) aims to replace Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) as the Dayak-based party by contesting against the six seats now held by PRS.

The six seats are Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang, Lubok Antu and Sri Aman

Its newly elected President Larry Sng blamed PRS for ‘bad’ politics in areas controlled by the party.  SWP tried to get rid of such ‘bad’ politics practised by PRS.

Larry Sng’s Deputy George Lagong who is his uncle blamed Dayak leaders who claimed to be championing for their people but instead were not living up to their promises.

The Dayak community had been left behind and had lost directions.

“They have been there for many years and did not perform up to expectations. They should give way to young blood to lead. I want voters to help change the situation by voting for SWP candidates,” Lagong said.

Lagong’s criticisms also hit at Dayak senior Ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Alfred jab Anak Numpang.

Only two months old, SWP claims to have a total membership of 10,000.

Who are these people? From what I gather the membership is made of Sng’s workers and those who are financially dependent on him.

Therefore Sarawak Workers’ Party should be changed to SNG’S WORKERS PARTY.

Secondly, do we agree that Larry Sng, a Chinese to be our Hogansiau in place of Jabu?

Sadly, some do including some prominent lawyers, teachers, and etc.

Meanwhile, the following is what See Chee How’s comment:

Sarawak Workers’ Party’s stand to ‘fight BN, but we are pro-BN’ is simply outrageous and one that is an insult to the political intelligence of the voters in the six constituencies it proposed to contest in the coming election, said Sarawak PKR Vice-Chairman See Chee How.

The six constituencies are Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang, Lubok Antu and Sri Aman.

“That political stand is simply outrageous. It is an insult to the political intelligence of the voters in those constituencies,” he said.

See, who is the Batu Lintang Assemblyman, said that it is the constitutional rights of Larry Sng and his SWP leaders and members to contest in the coming parliamentary election, but the voters in the Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau and Hulu Rajang should be cautioned that SWP is taking them for a ride.

The "fight BN but we are pro-BN’ political stand taken by SWP is simply outrageous," he warned, adding: “The coming general election should be taken very seriously as we have reached the watershed of Malaysian electoral history that all Malaysians eligible voters are to choose between the two political party alliance of BN and Pakatan Rakyat, to form the next government.

“It is a constitutional right to vote which comes with a moral and sacred duty and responsibility, to choose with all wisdom, the right members of parliament to govern the country for the next five years.

“It is morally wrong and politically incorrect to treat election as an avenue to settle personal feuds.

“I can understand the predicament of SWP,” said See, pointing out that the conception and inception of SWP has nothing to do with a political ideology, neither is it founded upon the struggle or aspiration of the people.

He said: “The SWP leaders are all ex-BN and have been with BN for a long time. They landed themselves in the awkward situation of political wilderness after losing the PRS internal squabbles.

“Their core leaders and supporters are those from PRS who depended upon and appealing to others with the BN’s politics of patronage.

“To pledge support for BN on the one hand while contest against PRS on the other hand is to maintain their support from the grassroots, but it is a political suicide for SWP leaders if the BN component parties give their full backing to PRS.

“It is quite inconceivable that any BN leaders supporting SWP will openly voice their backing to the new party. The SWP leaders can only hope that certain BN heavy weights may step forward to help resolve their principally personal feuds, for fear that Pakatan Rakyat may benefit from the BN internal squabbles by winning the seats.

“While the 'sandiwara' of the warring SWP and PRS continues, the people in the six constituencies do not benefit beyond the lavishing feasts organized by them.

“Ultimately, in all these six constituencies, the electoral contest is between BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

“The feud and squabbling within the parties under the UMNO-dominated BN has certainly worsened in the state.

“The BN and the BN Fan Club, the Chinese A Team and B Team, and the inter-party rivalry in certain constituencies have certainly casted a long shadow of doubt upon the capability of the Prime Minister  Najib Tun Razak and BN to govern this country beyond the next general election,” said the PKR leader.

Meanwhile, the  move by SWP to be a BN-friendly party has been rejected  by the State BN  when its Secretary General Stephen Rundi described  the decision to contest against PRS as ‘not the right move.’

It was weird, he said, for SWP to declare itself as a BN-friendly party, but at the same time decided to contest in the six constituencies held by PRS, one of the BN component parties.

“How can you call us friends when you are fighting with one of us?” he said.

Meanwhile, the newly elected SWP President Larry Sng has accused PRS of playing ‘bad’ politics in the six constituencies that the party represented and pledged to ‘clean’ those constituencies.

He asked the voters to send SWP candidates to Parliament so that they could represent the people better than PRS.

“PRS style of politics has not benefited the people and we are here to change it,” he was quoted as saying.

He said that government policies have been outlined for the benefit of the people and due to bad politics, planned projects had not been implemented.

Baru Bian’s Gawai Dayak Message 2012

As we return home to be reunited with our families to celebrate and give thanks to God for his blessings in another bountiful year, I would like to wish you all a happy and meaningful harvest festival.

Amidst the merrymaking and the feasting, however, I urge everyone to take a moment to think about the future of Sarawak and the generations to come. It is well-known that Sarawak is a land blessed with great wealth in the form of its forests and oil deposits. Sadly, this wealth has not been equitably distributed to the people of this land. Over the years, the bulk of this wealth has been plundered by those who were trusted to govern the state.

Politicians and the well-connected have been enriched at the expense of the people whose lives are deeply rooted to the land. The greed of these people knows no limits, as evidenced by the many cases of land grabbing taken to court and the revelations made by investigative journalists such as Sarawak Report. There is a profound saying by Mahatma Gandhi: Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed. It is time to curb the greed of the ruling elite - the rakyat must rise up to protect their rights and claim back the heritage that has been stolen from them.

Recently the people have shown that they are no longer willing to accept the injustices perpetrated by the current government. Hundreds of thousands came out to support the call for clean elections at Bersih 3, exercising their rights to peaceful assembly. The authorities injured many innocent citizens that day by violent means. Recently, a few notable people including Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin Ali have been charged under the new Peaceful Assembly Act. We must ask ourselves why the BN government does not support the call for free and fair elections and punishes those who call for the election process to be cleaned up.

This Gawai season, I call upon Sarawakians to rise up to the challenge of PRU13, to treat your votes as sacred and priceless. Your votes represent your future and the future of your children and grandchildren. I urge you to reflect on what you have achieved after so many years of BN rule. Why is it that so many are still without access to electricity, clean water, proper roads, healthcare, education, employment and advancement? Why is it that the BN government only goes to visit your villages to make promises during election year? How many of these promises have been fulfilled?

I am confident that like our brothers and sisters in Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawakians are no longer willing to accept the injustices that we have been subject to. We will no longer be taken for granted by the BN as their fixed deposit. Let us exercise our free will to vote for a new government that is competent, accountable and transparent. A new government of Pakatan Rakyat will restore justice and equality for everyone and work towards a just distribution of wealth for all Sarawakians. When that eventuality materializes, we can truly look towards celebrating bountiful harvests and ever improving prospects during the Gawai Dayak season.

SELAMAT HARI GAWAI DAYAK, GAYU GURU GERAI NYAMAI

Baru Bian

State Assemblyman

N70 Ba’ Kelalan /

Chairman

PKR Sarawak 

Drama at the State Assembly

Let’s look how Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu performs at the Dewan during his winding up speech on May 23, 2012. This is part of his unedited speech and his argument against the Opposition. (What the Opposition members said could not be heard because of their microphones were switched by the Speaker)

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In Sarawak, even in this Dewan, the majority of the Barisan Nasional government but the minority who always attempt to be noisy to make up for their small number, who like Ahli Yang Berhormat from DAP is notoriously known to suppress and oppress the opportunity of NCR land owners from participating and benefiting from Barisan Nasional government poverty eradication programme through NCR joint venture for oil palm plantation.

Tuan Speaker, I have heard and followed very closely the speeches made by Ahli-ahli Yang  Berhormat from DAP at this Dewan and analyzing from the trend of the past year, past many years including this sitting, Ahli-Ahli Pembangkang especially from DAP never can agree even though how good the programme for the people for the sake of the rakyat that had been implemented by the department.

To make up for their number because Barisan Nasional Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri represent 77.5% more than 2/3 majority here. To make for this small number, I observed that, I think I am right to say that over the years DAP want to make up for the small number, they made loud noise even to the extent that they are habitual liar in this Dewan, Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek who has got record, they go on two occasions, where he offended Yang Berhormat, then Datuk Peter Chin and Datuk Amar Dr. George Chan and then Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Wong Soon Kai, they have twice, also there is a record, to prove this record because they suppressed and oppressed the dignity of this Dewan.

Tuan Speaker, I read here with concern Ahli Yang Berhormat from DAP cannot hide their oppressive and suppressive attitude towards the NCR landowners especially to those in the interior the where majority of them happened to be Dayak communities. This is clearly reflected by the remark made by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok who is in speech, said quote page 73 of Hansard dated 16th May, 2012, I read, said; “Labelling  and usage on insecticide and we decide should be written in three languages, that is  Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese”. What is his concern for excluding this labelling using any of the Dayak language?

Tuan Speaker (Asfia Awang Nassar): Are you taking, Ahli Yang Berhormat?

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang): This, I go on. Let me explain. They can clarify later on. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok has conveniently forgotten to include the element of Dayak or Iban language to be used in this label of weedicides and insecticide. Thus suppressing and oppressing the opportunity of the entire Dayak community from understanding the danger and hazard related to the such … (Inaudible) in so doing, in so doing, you keep quiet first. In so doing DAP Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok has completely suppressed and oppressed and deny the opportunity of the Dayak who represent more than 50 percent of total population of Sarawak. The majority of them are farmers of understanding of the hazard related to insecticide. As a consequence of this Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok cannot run away from the fact that he has that very selfish attitude in deny the usage of Iban or Dayak language on the label warning the farmers and uses of weedicides and insecticide. Such oppressive and suppressive attitude against opportunities had become the political culture of DAP and this certainly have offended NCR landowners resulting in DAP being rejected and dejected by the Government.

Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud our beloved Chief Minister care for the Rakyat including giving full respect in due honour for reburial to our heroes. The twenty one Iban trackers in Sarawak Rangers who were killed by communist terrorist led by Chin Peng during the emergency. The reburial operation “Mai Pulai” of 21 Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers was appreciated with a full honour in ceremony by Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister on 27th July.

Tuan Speaker, some of the Dayak farmers even commented, understandably Y.B. for Repok is a DAP Medical Doctor. It his remark suggested that the Chinese farmers can understand the hazard of weedicides  and insecticide but not the Dayak farmers because it does not support the usage of Dayak language on the label indicating hazard of weedicides and insecticide. The Dayak farmers may fall sick as a result of using this weedicides and not understanding fully the hazard of insecticide because there is the absence of Dayak language to give guide to proper usage or precaution.  Some of them say; “The people get sick, this could mean more business for DAP Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok” who being a doctor as patronize his clinic. This is the comment that I have heard outside.

Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, please be sensitive to all these. We have, it stands to record the Dayak communities support for the Government by forgiving the communist terrorist who terrorised, who terrorised RASCOM for a good number of years killing people. Sit down (Jabu to Chong).

Tuan Speaker, the truth hurts. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek who habitually twice, they got record in this Dewan who be a liar. And are the truth hurts more. We the Dayak communities support the government to forgive the communist terrorist who terrorised in RASCOM areas killing Penghulu Imban, Penghulu Andok, Johnny Mastafa, Herman Wong, Christopher Jantan and all the boarders scout  and RANGERS. So, be reasonable. The Dayaks suffered because I know, I worked in RASCOM for two years.

Tuan Speaker: Are you giving way? Clarification to the... (Interruption)

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang):  No. Let me continue. The truth hurts. The truth hurts and let me state here. When Chin Peng, the communist leaders apply to return to Malaysia, DAP never object Chin Peng application.

So, Tuan Speaker, the Handsard says: labelling and usage on insecticide, is the speech by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok, Handsard page 73, 16th May, I am not imputing improper motives, it is written here. Can’t you read? Can’t you read? Can you read this? Can you read this? Can you read this? Can? You sit down. You sit down.

Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, let me continue. The floor is mine. Please Tuan Speaker. Sit down. Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, can I continue? I know the tactics of DAP they make loud noise, Tuan Speaker.

Tuan Speaker: He is quoting. He is quoting. I am listening. I will rule when he transgress.

Proceed, proceed. Order.  I have heard you. I have heard you. I have heard you on Point

of Order 32(6). Ya. The Minister proceed. That’s my ruling.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, this is a comment I heard from people, this is a comment I heard from people. You sit down. Okay, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, sit down, sit down. This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard. Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption)

This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard. Tuan Speaker ... (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Alright, okay, okay. Proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard ... (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order ... (Inaudible) proceed, proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I am subject to your ruling as Speaker ... (Inaudible) Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) nobody can alter what is being said in the Hansard here. I have got the conscious, I have got conscious ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Okay, sit down, sit down.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): My conscious is one of those who even ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) you sit down I tell you ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Let the Minister continue.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): You sit down ... (Interruption) (Inaudible).

Tuan Speaker: Order, order.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): No, you sit down. Let me explain ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) you sit down, this is my turn. You are not the Minister ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) nobody can alter these, what it said in the Hansard. You say, labelling and usage of ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) sit down

...(Interruption) ...(Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Sit down, sit down. I have given my ruling, I have given my

ruling. Okay, proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) it says here labelling and usage of insecticides and weedicides should be written in three languages, that is Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese. As an Iban, as a Dayak, I feel offended because, what is the reason why the Dayak Language is excluded ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) okay, okay ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) why, how can I agree ...(Interruption) (Inaudible) Tuan

Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Ahli Yang Berhormat move to the next point Ahli Yang Berhormat.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Okay ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Member for Repok please sit down ... (Interruption)

(Inaudible) order, order. Move to the next point.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak

Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Don’t say that, if you come to a point, you all react, let him.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I wish to thank your goodself and your Deputy Speaker for the very fair and firm manner in conducting the proceeding throughout the sitting of these First Meeting of the Second Session of Seventeenth Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak. Thank you for your very excellent job, well done in spite of the various attempts by Ahli-Ahli Yang berhormat from DAP wanting to turn this Dewan into a market place. I am very grateful and appreciative to all the members of the civil service under the very capable and dedicated State Secretary, Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Haji Morshidi Abdul Ghani and also under the Federal Secretary, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Yahya  Besimin by doing excellent job implementing government policies, supervising and monitoring all the development project where the rakyat throughout Sarawak derive benefit.

I know the civil service, even during the weekend through their dedication, they care for the people they visit the rural areas. Yesterday, people who never know about the Penan, they do not know where these Penan lives, where these kampong were is subjecting in this Dewan conveniently to become armchair general. We know, as I have said, we got programme for the Penan come 26th October, 2012 – 2015, through government programme. The Penans were poor at Long Beruang; they are able to tap their rubber now, their rubber has grown above my height. It started last year, three years ago.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): And they will be able to enjoy at least RM2500 per family per month through government programme, whereas now they cannot earn hardly about RM300-400. This is how we care. The Penan of Long Beruang, the Penan of Long Lamai, the Penan of Long Jakitan, the Penan in Sela’an, the Penan of Selungu, Penan in Magoh, Penan in Bario, Penan in Belaga, Penan in Ulu Kakus and Penan in Ulu Limbang will benefit from these. We have got reasons because the community project, the Penan Community Project which I started more than three years ago is an example for Penan Community Project for which six will be build this year and one next year in all the rural areas. Well, yesterday there is a gathering, heard it is a gathering conveniently under is the roof. If you really care about the Penan, you go over and experience walking on foot and also the problems that they faced there but the opposition just for political ploy “melepas batuk saja di palak tangga”. Under the comfort of this Dewan also they care for the Penan. But the Government has establish even the Assistant Minister looking after Penan affair were establish the Pulung Tau, National Park to cater for the Penan to use, so there it is. Well, that is what the opposition is doing. I wish also to give thanks to all the hard working staff, the Secretary of this Dewan and his assistant, the Stenographers and all who have consciously working very hard round the clock to prepare the Hansard and related Dewan papers. Well done and thank you.

I also wish to state here, the opposition dia punya influences are coming down. DAP, Tengku Aziz lari daripada DAP and also Raja Petra Kamarudin used to support the opposition, sekarang tidak lagi. And also Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim now refuse to visit Lubok Antu, refuse to visit Rumah Christoper Edada because the people will know what he promised during the visit last time, he cannot fulfil and that is the reason why. We visited Rumah Embuas, Bukit Song on the same day I visited Rumah Junsung, kilometre  48 on the same day. The crowd attending Anwar Ibrahim and including his kuncu-kuncu from Miri, not come to 200. In the crowd that was attended by Yang Berhormat Ahmad Lai the member of Parliament, Yang Berhormat Rossie and Yang Berhormat Ripin and Yang Berhormat Dennis Ngau at Rumah Johnson the crowd exceeds 2500. This is, well, finally, Tuan Speaker, I also wish to convey Selamat Menyambut Hari Ibu (Mother’s Day), Selamat Menyambut Hari Guru (Teacher’s Day), all the mothers and teachers deserve our thanks and praises. We must realize through the very caring mother’s, of course, supported by our fathers and through our very caring teachers all of us has grown to be caring. If you are not caring, it is your own making or parents. And I wish also in anticipation for our Father’s Day, I wish in advance to congratulate all the fathers in advance and also I wish Selamat Berpuasa to the Malay friends who will be observing Bulan Ramadhan culminating into Hari Raya ...(Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Let the Minister speak.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Be silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Gawai is coming ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Silent, silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Gawai is coming ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Let the Minister speak, be silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I cannot be deterred. I cannot be deterred by the oppositions because this is ready their habit and culture to distract. Selamat Hari Gawai,Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai and including next year for Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Chai.

Terima kasih. Selamat Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai. Selamat Gawai. Lantang Senang rakyat semua dalam Sarawak nyerangkung anak telesak pandai belajar ba universiti lalu nyukung Barisan Nasional. Terima kasih.

Tuan Speaker: Ahli Yang Berhormat, sitting is adjourned until 2:30 p.m.

Majority of rural folks earn below RM850

For decades now, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu has been in charge of modernising agriculture and improving rural development, but nothing much has changed.

KUCHING: Krian assemblyman Ali Biju has questioned the state government’s programme to modernise agriculture and eradicate poverty in rural areas.

Debating the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng’s address in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting, Biju said:

“The state government has been developing large-scale plantations for commercial crop.

“However, Bumiputera participation in agri-business does not even reach 20% and the majority of rural communities are having income below the poverty line index of RM850 per month.

“As such, an aggressive socio-economic transformation plan is required in rural areas.

“This transformation requires complete overhaul of agricultural practices and construction of basic infrastructures.”

Citing the situation in the Krian constituency, Biju said the most effective way to improve socio-economic conditions in rural communities is to develop smallholdings of commercial crop, especially oil palm and high-yield rubber.

“Smallholdings do not only eradicate poverty rate among rural farmers but also reduce dependency on foreign workers in plantation, provide job opportunities, minimise rural-urban migration, develop rural entrepreneur, empower rural communities and provide a sense of pride to farmers through self-reliance.

“It also helps to preserve native culture and customary practices on their land.

“Smallholdings of four hectares of proper commercial farms can create tremendous socio-economic change for rural households,” Biju said.

He urged the government of the day to come out with specific programme to assist and cultivate at least four hectares per family of commercial crops, either oil palm or rubbers.

No assistance for smallholders

He said that throughout the Krian constituency, there are many genuine poor rural farmers interested in oil palm planting.

“However, a lot of their applications for assistance to MPOB [Malaysian Palm Oil Board] office are not entertained or not processed without any reason.

“I would like to thank State Agricultural Modernisation Minister [Alfred Jabu Numpang] in his oral reply that the government will provide assistance through MPOB irrespective of their political affiliation since poverty eradication is applicable to all poor farmers.

“So far, the government has not allocated sufficient budget to cater for the needs of oil palm smallholders. I would like to know how much has been allocated to oil palm smallholders.

“How many applications have been received and approved by MPOB?” Biju asked.

He also questioned the financial capability of the government to plant 200,000ha by 2021 of high- yield rubber trees as planned by Pemandu (Performance Management and Delivery Unit).

“I would like to express my concern on the availability of federal fund to finance such an ambitious undertaking.

“Such undertaking costs about RM13,500 per ha to plant rubber trees so the government has to set a budget of RM2.7 billion over the next 10 years or RM270 million per year.

“Looking at the budget to plant rubber for 2012 of about RM70 million, it means we are way behind our target already,” he said.

Rubber smallholders

A lot of smallholders, through their own efforts, plant commercial crops like oil palm and rubber without waiting for assistance from agricultural department.

“They are facing many obstacles, especially relating to terracing and construction of farm roads leading to their farms.

“I urge the agricultural department to come out with a specific scheme to assist those genuine farmers.

“Rubber smallholders are also facing problem with the quality of seedlings provided through the agricultural department.

“Many of the seedlings cannot grow properly or simply die after planting. Replacement seedlings should be supplied immediately to replace dead seedlings.

“Farmers must be advised and given technical training assistance so that they can produce their own seedlings with quality ‘bud eyes’ taken from reputable suppliers of high-yield rubber clones,” he added. -----The Free Malaysia Today

‘Shut up… you lawyer buruk’

A ranting Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, caused an uproar in the Sarawak State Assembly today, leaving Speaker Asfia Awang Nassar helpless.

KUCHING: An uproar in the State Legislative Assembly sitting earlier today saw Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu go into a fit of rage screaming “shut up, shut up… you are lawyer buruk” at opposition leader and Bukit Assek assemblyman Wong Ho Leng.

For 10 minutes, the August House was a virtual ‘fish market’ as Jabu went on a verbal rampage attacking the opposition, accusing them of suppressing and oppressing natives.

The sudden outburst, which shocked the assembly, came about when Wong stood up to object to Jabu’s accusation of DAP, whilst answering a supplementary question from Joseph Mauh (Tamin), on what programmes the government had to help the poor and the needy apart from the ‘E-Kasih’.

Towards the end of his explanation Jabu said: “I would like to remind especially DAP who have been suppressing and oppressing the opportunities of poverty eradication. You throw away your selfish ideas …”

At this point Wong stood up to seek clarification and was told by Jabu to “shut up you, shut up, shut up, shut up, you sit down…I know better than you. You are lawyer buruk.”

The heated exchange went on for at least 10 minutes with Speaker Asfia Awang Nassar having a hard time trying to bring the house into order.

Jabu ignoring Asfia’s order went on to say: “Let it be recorded here. Every time I say, “DAP suppressed and oppressed the opportunity of NCR land owners from participating in poverty eradication program,” DAP walked out because the truth hurts …”

Venting Jabu

Jabu also took swipes at another DAP Assemblyman Wong Hua Seh (Repok), accusing him of “suppressing and oppressing” the native language.

His attack on Hua Seh came about because the latter had asked that pesticides and insecticides be labeled in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese.

To which Jabu vented: “Tuan Speaker, poverty eradication is priority and I would like to repeat (that) I am the Minister of Rural Development, I am coming from one of the Dayak communities and I know that the Dayak communities are still at the disadvantaged, living in rural areas….”

All this while, the house only heard what Jabu said and the replies from the opposition were not heard as their microphones were switched off.

The drama only stopped when the speaker threatened to adjourn the meeting and told Jabu to wind up his answer.

RM2,500 per rural family by 2020

Meanwhile, Jabu said the Sarawak government’s rural transformation programme (RTP) would ensure that poor families eventually earn no less than RM2,500 per month.

Explaining the RTP to Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh, Jabu said the government programme involved farmers and school leavers and encouraged these groups to be involved in high yielding rubber planting or in small holding oil palm development.

“A family who has got four acres of high yielding rubber and a family who has got a four acres of small holding oil palm can easily get nothing less than RM2,500 per family per month income under the government programme.

“This is the approach for us to eradicate poverty right throughout the year to the year 2020, thereby giving opportunities right throughout Sarawak including the Penans for which we have initiated program for the Penans,” he said.

Jabu was answering a supplementary question posed by Mauh on what programmes the government had to help the poor and the needy apart from the ‘E-Kasih’.

He said the government was also focused one ensuring that the head of the families prioritized education.

Touching on the Penan community, he said villagers participating in the RPT programme in Long Bruan and Ulu Baram would greatly benefit.

“I promise you by the year 2016, the Penans who participated in this programme in Long Bruan and Ulu Baram will enjoy benefits.

Balai Ringin native landowners protest

14 May 2012

KUCHING: About 65 native landowners from Balai Ringin today staged a protest in front of the land and survey headquarters, Petrajaya, Across River, Kuching, after the Director of Lands and Surveys failed to  return to them their native customary rights (NCR) lands that were seized   right under their nose.

The natives first brought their case to the Director of lands and surveys in January this year asking him to cancel the provisional leases on their land.

On March 17, the same group again tried to meet the director. Again the director refused to talk to them. Instead he sent a junior officer to deal with them.

This morning was the third time they wanted to see the director. Again the director refused to meet them.  A junior officer was sent to talk to them saying that their problems are yet to be solved.

Unhappy and angry the natives comprising men and women refused to go home and made their camps in front of the land and survey headquarters.

One of the leaders, Augustine Bagat said that they would not stop protesting in front of the headquarters as long as their problems are not settled.

“While one group of 30 people goes home, another group of 30 comes in to replace them. We will eat and sleep in the camps.

“We will do it (the protest) for the next few days,” he said.

According to Augustine, three companies – Memajujaya, United Team Trade and Tetangga Arkab – were given the PLs to plant oil palm in their NCR land.

One of the companies is allegedly owned by the former Kedup assemblyman, Frederick Bayoi Manggie.

His company is said to have been awarded 5,500 acres of land, the bulk of it is NCR land.

“Or lands have been bulldozed and fruit trees, rubber gardens and farms destroyed,” said Augustine, adding that the government had refused to talk with them.

The Kota Sentosa Assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen who met with the protesters said that he would raise the matter in the current sitting of the Dewan Undangan Negeri.

“The delaying tactics by the land and survey is not helping the natives. This is the time when the people are standing up for their rights that the government has taken away their land. They are going to say here until the problem is resolved.

“We   call on all those who face similar problems to come and visit them in order to show solidarity with them,” said Chong.

He said that this is not the only group that has suffered. Throughout Sarawak there are hundreds of thousands of natives whose lands have been taken away from them.

He said: “This is very unfair on the part of the state government which just keeps and only turns a blind eye to their problem.

“Actually the government is working in cohorts to take away NCR lands from the natives,’ he said, pointing out that the problems are created by the system.

“Only through change of policy that these problems could be solved,” he added.

Sng’s intention snubbed

KUCHING:  Sng Chee Hua’s intention to make  Sarawak Workers Party as the best alternative to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has made PRS leaders amused and made them  laughing as they know he is making fun of the Dayak community.

“He is not serious because he has no cause to fight for the Dayak community,” said Wilson Nyabong, PRS Information Chief.

Nyabong, who is also political secretary to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, was reacting to remarks made Sng who wanted to turn SWP as the best alternative to PRS to look after the interest of the Dayak community.

Sng’s remark has stirred some reactions and comments from PRS members even though they know that Sng is playing with the emotions and pride of the Dayak community.

SWP which was registered recently is headed by Dr. Ong Lark Sai with George Lagong, the Pelagus Assemblyman as his deputy. Both Ong and Lagong are related to Sng.

“We know who Sng is. He and SWP have no cause to fight for the Dayak community and SWP just cannot replace PRS as an alternative party to look after the interest of the Dayak community,” said Nyabong.

“We know that he has been using Dayaks and Dayak-based political parties to popularise and enrich himself by getting business for himself especially in the days of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak,” he alleged.

Even when he was still in PRS, Sng was also given contracts to build or repairs schools in the state and also given a land in Kapit to plant banana.

“And those who know him will not want to contest and to be used by him to divide the Dayaks,” Nyabong stressed, pointing out that Sng has been dropping names of Prime Minister and Chief Minister to convince the Dayaks to support him and his party.

Commenting on the same issue, PRS former supreme council member, Joseph Allen said that Sng was day dreaming of trying to make SWP as the best alternative to PRS.

“His statement made me laugh. He has no agenda to fight for the Dayaks,” he said, calling on him not to insult the intelligence of the Dayak community.

“Nowadays there are many Dayak graduates and professionals, and why would we want Sng, a non-Dayak to lead us?

“His real motive is to divide the Dayaks and to embarrass James Masing (PRS President) who had expelled him from PRS in May 2006,” Allen said.

“For those who know Sng well, they  will keep a distance away from him what more to say becoming his candidates for the coming election,” he said, advising those Dayaks not be agents to divide the Dayak community.

Sng has said that the newly registered party would contest only in PRS-held constituencies of Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Hulu Rajang, Lubok Antu and Sri Aman.

Lately Sng and other top SWP leaders have been going around in Kanowit, Julau and Selangau identifying candidates to contest against candidates put up by PRS in the three parliamentary seats.

His meetings were well attended by the longhouse folk.

In Julau, he has shortlisted two candidates namely Josephine Mawat and her son Collin Bala to contest against Joseph Salang, who is Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture.

Contesting against Joseph Entulu, PRS Deputy President in Selangau could likely be Sng himself.

As for Kanowit, a lecturer and Iban singer, Ellison Ludan and a former Deputy Public Prosecutor Thomas Akin have expressed interest to contest the seat against Aaron Dagang.

George Lagong, the Pelagus assemblyman, who is also the SWP protem Deputy President, is earmarked to contest in Hulu Rajang.

Sng is yet to find candidates for Lubok Antu and Sri Aman.

“What worries me is that some Dayaks are prepared to be used by Sng to split and divide the Dayaks.

“They know who Sng is, and yet they are prepared to be his tool to cause disunity,” Allen added.