See Chee How demands apology from Jabu

KUCHING:  The state Disaster Relief committee had failed to respond to calls for search and rescue (SAR) operations when the helicopter crash on July 20, 2012 as there was nobody to coordinate the operations, claimed See Chee How vice-Chairman of Sarawak PKR.

In the crash Peter Mayau, an engineer, Siti Khuzaimah Annuar (surveyor) and Henry Loh (architect) were killed. They were on the way to Nanga Merit, Kapit, to inspect a school project when the helicopter crashed at the mouth of Sungai Lingga, Sri Aman.

The pilot, Rico Steger was the sole survivor.

See, who is the Batu Lintang Assemblyman said: “The bodies of the three victims were recovered by civilian volunteers – fishermen and villagers of Sebuyau.

“The disaster relief committee had not done anything,” he said in replying to remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, who is the chairman of the State Disaster Relief, committee.

Jabu had told reporters that he could not be bothered with the criticisms of the Opposition leaders who also wanted him to resign as the Chairman of the Relief committee.

“I will not resign as the chairman of the committee as demanded by the Opposition,” Jabu had told reporters.

“It is up to them to say what they want to say.  The bottom line is I am always in contact with our disaster relief headquarters’. I can’t satisfy everybody, but this does not mean I am not in touch with the situations.

“As for the recent helicopter crash, I have sent my condolences to all the families of the three victims. Only God Almighty knows what I am doing,” he had said.

Unhappy with the reply, the PKR leader said: “Jabu was very evasive with his answers when pressed by the reporters for an explanation.

“I think he should personally apologise to the families of the three victims.

“He just said that he has done lot things. He does not want to say that he had done nothing to help in the SAR operations.

“I think he is being irresponsible, because we talk about people’s lives. Just say that you have not done anything and apologise to the family members and promise that you will do better in the future.

“The chairman of the State disaster Relief committee has an important job and carried out heavy responsibilities,” See said, pointing out that when things go wrong, the people expect him to come out and do something.

The Batu Lintang Assemblyman said:  “It was unbecoming of Jabu to say ‘let the opposition say whatever they want to say.

“I think this is bad enough. I hope he can be more responsible in answering question by us. We want to know where he was on the day the incident occurred.

“Did the committee initiate the SAR Operations? Were there any boats, helicopters or planes being deployed?  And who was in charge? Had the committee met after the crash?

“These questions need answers, but Jabu avoided them.

“It is obvious that he has failed to do anything,” he said, and asked the State Cabinet to remove Jabu and replace with someone who is much younger and more committed.

“If they cannot find anyone suitable, I am prepared to offer myself. Even if the State Cabinets finds someone, I am prepared to volunteer to help,” he said.

Calls grow louder for Jabu to resign

Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu has been Layar's assemblyman for 38 years yet longhouses in his constituencies are without piped water and roads.

KUCHING: Frustrated voters in the Layar constituency, the homebase of Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, are demanding that he step down following his failure to solve the acute water shortage affecting more than 1,940 families.

The calls for his resignation have become louder as water shortage has hit 80% of the longhouses in his constituency.

Up to June 27, more than 1,940 families have been without water due to a prolonged drought that has affected other areas in the state.

Layar constituency, which Jabu has represented for more than 38 years, was the worst hit.

And it’s not the first time. Drought and water shortage is a seasonal presence in Sarawak.

Despite knowing it will happen Jabu has not done anything to mitigate the problem.

Said Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian: “The people are starting to ask Jabu what has he been doing all these years.

“He knows very well that the water shortage is always there. The people have been experiencing it repeatedly. It is not an unusual drought.”

No piped water to longhouses

Bian, who is also the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, said the fact that Jabu had held office for 38 years and did nothing to mitigate the situation is a “valid” reason for people to call for his resignation.

“Jabu has failed the people in his constituency. He has not heard the request and cry of the people for the last 38 years.

“It is a valid reason for the people not only to question his leadership quality, but also to call on him to step down as their elected representative,” he said, adding that Jabu has not only failed the people of Layang and Betong but also the rest of Sarawak.

Betong division, where Layar sits, is allegedly the worst hit by the water shortage.

Although the Betong town itself is unscathed, longhouses in the outlying areas are badly affected. Until today, numerous longhouses near Betong are without piped water.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Jabu proposed to build a temporary dam on the upper reaches of a river in the Betong Division to raise its water level and ease drought-stricken villages in the division.

He said the dam would impound the water that flowed from upstream to alleviate the water shortage problems experienced by the villagers ever since the dry season started.

“I have discussed with the Betong Public Works Department divisional engineer to take steps to build a low weir by pushing in gravels from the river base to build a temporary dam, probably rising up to two metres,” he said.

He said that as a long-term measure, a new water treatment plant and roads were being constructed in Krian.

The government, he said, was also upgrading the present one near Betong Town.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/05/calls-grow-louder-for-jabu-to-resign/#ixzz20DcQj6MP

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.

Dayak union rejects Masing, Jabu

The 100,000-strong Dayak union has justified its decision to elect SPDP president William Mawan as its new president.

KUCHING: Fed up with Senior Minister James Masing’s disinterest in their affairs, the 100,000- strong members of Sarawak Dayak National Union recently rejected his presidency and elected instead his arch political rival William Mawan.

According to the union’s deputy president John Anthony Brian, Masing, who is also State Land Development Minister, had never responded to the union’s invitation to be its patron of its functions nor has he contributed to SDNU’s coffers.

“We often invited him, but he failed to respond to our invitation to be a patron of a Gawai Dayak function, not to mention donating funds to SDNU.

“He just refused to respond to the union’s functions. So how could the union members want him to be their president?” asked Brian, adding that members themselves were clueless as to what Masing was thinking.

Brian was responding to Masing’s statement that a full-time politician should not be elected as SDNU president.

This, however, did not stop members from voting in Mawan, who is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president.

Mawan was elected unopposed as president of the 66-year-old union, which is one of the most influential Dayak NGOs in the state. Kapit MP, Alexander Nanta Linggi, was elected deputy president.

Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, is rumoured to be miffed by the turn of events. But the union feels that Mawan’s election is justified.

‘Interfering wife of a leader’

Mawan is not only committed to the cause of the Dayaks, but has never failed to attend its functions, Brian said, adding that he even donated some funds to the union.

“We had a discussion among our members and decided to approach Mawan to be our president, and he accepted our invitation.

“We have willingly accepted a new leader to take over the union, especially someone like Mawan. We believe Mawan can help solve some of the problems like restarting the stalled the Rumah Dayak project as well as some other projects which the union has proposed to build on its own land.

“Our projects had also been cancelled even after agreements were signed just because a wife of a senior Dayak minister had complained to the State Planning Authority not to entertain our proposals,” Brian said.

Although he did not name the person, it was learnt that the “wife” is Empiang Jabu. Empiang is the wife of Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang. She is also the president of Sarawak Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS).

On why SDNU had not approached Jabu to helm the union, Brian said that Jabu had always been critical of the union since the time it was headed by Daniel Tajem, former president of the defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak in the early 1980s.

“Jabu is not the right person. He has been criticising nearly all Dayak non-governmental organisations.

“So instead of uniting the Dayaks, especially the Ibans, Jabu keeps them away from the union,” said Brian.

‘Dayak unity elusive’

Meanwhile, Masing said that it was not wise for active politicians to head the union because their inherent enemies would tend to follow them wherever they went.

“Because of this, unity is an elusive dream,” he said.

He said that he had been approached to head the union, but had to reject it.

However, Masing gave an assurance that he would assist the union behind the scene if needed.

In his acceptance speech, Mawan called on members to cast aside past problems and political affiliations so that the union could move forward.

“Unity must prevail and past issues should never be allowed to become distractions. Now is the time to uphold the spirit of working together and moving forward,” he said.

Source: Free Malaysia Today

More for Jabu, Fadillah Yusof and Billy Abit

KUCHING: Sarawak Youth Keadilan has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) against Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and PBB Youth chief Fadillah Yusof and MP for Hulu Rajang Billy Abit Joo for allegedly enriching themselves at the expense of the people.

Led by its youth chief Ahmad Najib, the PKR youth urged the MACC to carry out an immediate investigation against the three public figures following allegations made by Sarawak Report.

“The allegations are very serious, and the MACC must conduct an immediate investigation,” Ahamd said.

According to Ahamd, the MACC might contact him in the next few days for his statement to be taken.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Report alleged that Jabu, Fadillah and Billy have extravagant wealth which contrasts so painfully with the poverty of their constituents.

“It is indeed remarkable that so much of the plunder that has been carried out by BN YBs has been against their own people in their own constituencies.

“It seems a BN YB likes nothing better than to champion the ‘development’ of their constituency, through land grabs, logging and plantations, so that they can exploit their political influence to steal as much of the profit as possible.

“What BN YBs never do is work to make sure that a fair share of those profits goes back to their own native communities, who have lost their lands and their living to the so-called ‘development’.

 “These BN YBs think that they can keep the communities obedient, as long as they pay small salaries and kickbacks to the local longhouse chiefs, threaten with penalties and job losses if they allow their people to vote against BN.

“This was the point of Wargana Consortium, which Awang Tengah alleged was owned by the people of Bakun, but which turns out to be owned by MP Billy Abit Joo and his business cronies, along with one share each for local headmen,” said Sarawak Report.

Likewise Jabu has amassed a vast series of plantations, which he has put into the hands of his family, much of which is native customary land, allegedly snatched from his local people in his local region of Betong.

The Report listed a number of companies allegedly owned by Jabu and his family members which include Durafarm, KACC construction which contracts worth more than RM500,000, Durayield, Sarako (timber company), Jarenang Sdn Bhd (which was awarded 36,000 hectares of timber), Obyu Holdings, Utahol (plantation), Herba Aromatics (plantation),  Tintingmas (construction) Sdn Bhd, Javel engineering.

Fadillah’s family members have also some shares in those companies.

 “Has anyone explained to these greedy BN YBs that it is a highly corrupt conflict of interest for elected MPs to be involved in any way in companies that are receiving state contracts and lands that have been taken from their own constituencies?” asked Sarawak Report.

Likewise,  Billy Abit Joo has not just contented himself with massive timber concessions and stealing control of his local people’s ‘cooperative’, Wargana Consortium he too has set up a company, Sarabrand Sdn Bhd to take on more state contracts, despite the corrupted conflict of interest this represents.

Sarabrand Sdn Bhd has received a goodly amount of contracts worth RM35 million handed out by the state under the guise of ‘bringing development to the people’.

“No wonder Billy Abit Joo says he wants to hang on as the MP for the Bakun area.  He must surely have his eye on all those future possible contracts, that will, of course, be branded as ‘helping his people benefit’ from the dam,” said Sarawak Report.