MoCS case: Police has started investigation

The police has started its investigation following the police reports lodged against the Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) and its leader Francis Siah by the ruling Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Salleh confirmed that the investigation has started but could not tell when it will be completed.

“There is no specific time frame to complete the investigation but the investigation is going on now,” he said.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 4 of the Sediction Act, adding that both Siah and other members of MoCS will be investigated.

Asked whether the police will issue the permit for MoCS proposed mass protest, involving 200,000 people, he said there was no way the permit will be issued for such public assembly.

Hence, he warned members of the public not to participate in the rally, adding it is illegal and the police will not hesitate to take action against those involved.

MoCS and Siah’s call for Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to step down by Aug 13, failing which the movement would mobilise a mass protest, has raised the ire of the PBB Youth wing.

The wing described Siah’s intention to organise a 200,000 strong rally as a public “threat” and wanted Siah to be put under “house arrest” and MoCS investigated.

Siah had said that he would not apologise nor retract his statement.

Siah said BN people had also asked Lim Guan Eng and Khalid Ibrahim to resign as Penang Chief Minister and Selangor Menteri Besar respectively but no action was taken against them.

He also asked PBB Youth to adopt a new political culture and not follow its party leaders or masters blindly, adding that if it feels that the party leaders had done wrong, it should have the courage to tell them.

The PBB Youth gave Siah seven days to apologise and retract his statement, failing which it would meet with Home Ministe Hishammuddin Hussein and advise the latter to put Siah under “house arrest”.

Sarawak DAP has described as “ridiculous” the number of police reports lodged against MoCS and Siah.

DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen had said that there was nothing wrong for MoCS to call for Taib to resign, adding that there was no law against it.

Chong said that DAP fully supported MoCS’ call for Taib to step down and will also take part in the demonstration if there is a police permit.
Read full article>>

No intention to take Redeems projects, says Nansian

Assistant Minister for Environment and Public Health Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie yesterday quashed allegations that he intents to take over the Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) projects.
“I had no intention at all to take over Redeems Bamboo Botanical Park and its other projects and properties,” stressed Nansian in his speech at the launching of Redeems Bamboo Botanical Park and Tagang System (rearing of fish in the protected rivers) at his homestay near Kampung Apar, Singai here yesterday.
Nansian who is Redeems’ president said he built his own homestay near to Redeems Bamboo Botanical Park and develops his own bamboo park was merely to compliment Redeems Bamboo Botanical Park so that visitors to the park can stay at the homestay to experience nature.
Read full article>>

DBNA to hold grand Gawai Dayak open house

The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) will hold a grand Gawai Dayak open house at its new multi-purpose complex on June 1.

According to DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, all the Bidayuh ethnic groups – from Biatah, Sadong, Bibukar, Jagoi, penyewa and Selako, among others – would gather to celebrate the harvest festival that night.

He said 500 invited guests will attend the festival and the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to be the guest of honour.

Pahon said the event would feature traditional performances and dances from each of the ethnic groups as well as a showcase of their traditional attires.

He said the gathering was to encourage interaction and foster a close bond among the Bidayuhs.

“We will also have an appreciation dinner and have invited other community leaders from the other races as well as non-governmental organisations,” he added.

Pahon, who is Tourism and Heritage Ministry permanent secretary, mooted the idea to have the first-ever Bidayuh-style Gawai open house to Bidayuh leader Datuk Seri Michael Manyin, who is Infrastruc­ture Development and Commu­nication Minister, a few months ago.
Read full article>>

Penduduk Kampung Semadang bangkit bantah kegiatan membalak

“Cukup dan berhentilah memberi masalah kepada kami kerana terlalu banyak sudah kerugian yang kami tanggungi sejak beberapa tahun yang lepas.”

Begitulah antara runtihan penduduk Kampung Semadang ketika menyatakan bantahan mereka terhadap usaha sebuah syarikat yang diberi lessen untuk membalak di kawasan hutan Kampung Semadang dan Kampung Danu.

Penduduk Kampung Semadang, 40 kilometer di Jalan Puncak Borneo pada mesyuarat Ahad lalu sebulat suara bersetuju akan bangkit untuk menentang sebarang usaha oleh mana-mana pihak yang berniat untuk membalak di kawasan hutan kampung itu.

Pada mesyuarat itu, yang turut dihadiri penghulu Rimong Sutur dan ketua kampung Samson Mangang, penduduk kampong berkenaan turut menyatakan rasa kesal mereka terhadap pihak berkuasa negeri kerana membawa masalah bertalu-talu kepada penduduk kampung itu.

Sementara itu, jawatankuasa bertindak yang diketuai oleh Joseph Ranges telah dibentuk pada mesyuarat itu bagi menangani isu pembalakan berkenaan dengan pihak berkuasa negeri termasuk Jabatan Hutan Sarawak.

“Banyak sudah yang telah kami korbankan untuk kesenangan orang lain, namun kami terus menjadi mangsa kerakusan pihak tertentu.

“Sebelum ini kami telah menyerahkan tanah NCR kami yang sangat luas untuk dijadikan kawasan penempatan baru untuk penduduk dari empat buah kampung yang terpaksa dipindah untuk memberi laluan kepada pembinaan projek Empangan Bengoh,” kata Ranges.

Beliau berkata, surat bantahan akan dihantar kepada Ketua Menteri untuk meminta beliau masuk campur bagi menghentikan sebarang usaha untuk membalak di kawasan hutan kampung berkenaan.

Katanya, surat yang sama juga akan dihantar kepada Ahli Parlimen kawasan Mambong, Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Bengoh Dr Jerip Susil untuk meminta kedua-dua wakil itu bertindak untuk meminta pihak berkuasa tidak meneruskan cadangan untuk membalak di kawasan hutan kampung berkenaan.

Sebelum ini penduduk Kampung Semadang menyerahkan tanah NCR masing-masing tanpa kerelaan hati mereka dan hanya dibayar pampasan sebanyak RM10,000 setiap hektar.

Sementara itu, Penghulu Rimong memaklumkan kepada penduduk kampong pada mesyuarat berkenaan yang beliau pernah ditemui wakil dari sebuah syarikat pembalakan terbabit.

“Bagaimanapun saya tidak pernah memberi sebarang kebenaran kepada syarikat berkenaan,” katanya.

Ketua kampung Samson Mangang juga menyatakan beliau pernah ditemui wakil syarikat terbabit sebanyak dua kali tetapi tidak pernah memberi sebarang kebenaran.

Sebelum itu wakil syarikat terbabit juga pernah mengadakan pertemuan dengan ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan kampung (JKKK) tetapi semua ahli enggan menandatangani surat sokongan/kebenaran yang disediakan syarikat berkenaan.
Bagaimanapun difahamkan pihak JKKK Kampung Danu telah menandatangani surat kebenaran berkenaan.

Tindakan dua ahli dalam JKKK kampung itu menandatangani surat sokongan itu bagaimanapun mendaoat bantahan daripada penduduk kampung berkenaan.

Mesyuarat kampung berkenaan baru-baru ini diadakan dalam suasana 'panas'apabila berlaku pertengkaran kerana penduduk yang marah dengan mengatakan mereka tidak pernah dibawa berbincang mengenai perkara itu.

Dalam pada itu, cadangan pembinaan jalan sambungan dari Kampung Semadang ke Kampung Danumungkin terpaksa dibatalkan berikutan keenggan pemilik tanah membenarkan pengambil alihan tanah mereka.

Ia juga usaha untuk menghalang usaha syarikat pembalakan menggunakan jalan raya berkenaan nanti untuk meneruskan rancangan mereka membalak di kawasan hutan antara Kampung Semadang dan Kampung Danu.
Read full article>>

"Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011" contest is a show of shortcomings

By ROBERT KENNETH

The hosting of the first “Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011” was indeed a beauty contest that created much excitement before the real show was held on Saturday night at Wei Thian restaurant in Siburan, but came under fire even few hours before the show.

Based on the sales of 90 dinner tables, the guests attended the show was estimated to be more than 900 people.

But it was a disappointing to some audients who complained that the highlights of the evening - “Dayung Iyang Biatah” beauty contest took place too late in the evening kept them waiting.

Many also said the speech by the guest-of-honour Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit was lengthy and boring.

Others complained that the stage was narrow causing limited space for the contestants to perform the catwalk.

Due to limited space, the group playing the gongs had to placed at the back of the stage.

“The gongs player should have performed on stage to showcase our culture to the quests,” said Peter Komoi, one of the guests.

The PA system and the lighting was also not up to the mark while the MCs could have done a better job if they had been able to give detail synopsis of the cultural dances performed on stage and read with the right timing.

The presence of the three Bidayuh artists – Bintang RTM 2005 champion Felicia Gek, AF7 Finalist Claudia Geres and RTM2 “Pilih Kasih 2” reality show champion Livonia Ricky Guing - however saved the event.

“It would have been more entertaining should the organiser had invited Livonia to do the monologue on stage rather than sing as her talents is in acting not singing,” said Roger Pongus, one of the guests at the show.

Nevertheless, Livonia should be praised because despite her few years of experience she has successfully choreographed the contestants.

Many also said the venue wasn’t suitable for such event and they suggested better venue for next year.

“The organiser should also create a Gawai festival environment to portray the Bidayuh Biatah culture and heritage,” said Roger.

State level Kumang Gawai 1992, Tresa Jidang, who is also an experience choreographer said there were too many shortcomings in the organisation of the beauty contest.

She said the ten finalists did not have enough time to train and had only one rehearsal before the competition.

“The contestants were new and they needs the right team of people to train them before the competition,” said Tresa, who is one of the judges for the beauty contest.


Tresa said although she was not invited by the organiser to train the contestants but out of her concern in wanting to help her fellow Bidayuh she came to see the rehearsal.

“I pity Livonia who struggled alone to train the contestants. She is an actor and although she had won a beauty pageant, she does not have experience in choreography,” said Tresa.

She said the organizer could have engaged an experience choreographer for the contestants so that when come to the real show they could perform well on stage.

“As I was not appointed as their choreographer I was just there to see and give some tips to the contestants,” said Teresa.

She said nobody told the contestants what costume to wear and it could be seen some contestants were wearing mixed Bidayuh and the Ornag Ulu costumes.

“That was a Bidayuh beauty contest and the contestants should be wearing full Bidayuh costumes and not of the Orang Ulu.

“The stage was two small and also too low for such event while the judges was put in front of the stage when they should be on the side of the stage,” Teresa said.

Dr Dawos in his speech said the event must continue on a bigger scale next year.

The event if properly planned and organized could be a very popular cultural event.

Meanwhile the event’s organising committee chairman Dr Benedict Poris accepted there were shortcomings
“This was the first time we organized this sort of event and I believe we can improve on the weaknesses,” said Dr Benedict.

Sylvia Thomas, 19, of Kampung Semadang defeated nine other finalists to win the first “Dayung Iyang Biatah Gawai 2011’ beauty title.

She went home with M3,000 cash prize, a trophy, a certificate and hampers sponsored by Nestle.

Priscilla Hyginus, 23, was the first runner-up and second runner-up was Angelicia De Rozario, 23, both of Kampung Simpok.

The seven consolation prize are Karen Christabel, 21, Alvina Grifti, 25, Grancyllie Dollin, 22, Wina Uding, 21, Debbie David, 19, Racheal Emmilia, 18, and Cynthia Jingom, 20,

There were 52 entries received but only ten were selected from the preliminary round to compete in the final.

The contestants were judged base on their beauty which will carry 50 marks, costumes (20%), intelligence (20%) and pose/personality (10%).

The anaugural event, theme “Unity Through Culture” is jointly by the Bidayuh (Biatah) Community Association, Biparuh Association, Penyewa Association and the Bisapug Association in conjunction with this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration.

Apart from the beauty contest, the function also showcased the Bidayuh Biatah cultural dances.

The “Rejang Sadis’ dance was\performed by Kampung Git cultural troupe, the ‘Rejang Rami’ dance by the Kampung Sg. Duuh cultural troupe and original ‘Rejang Bauh’ dance was performed by two elders from the Kampung Simpok.
Read full article>>

Sylvia Thomas 'Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011'

A trainee teacher with the Institut Perguruan Batu Lintang, Sylvia Thomas, 19, (contestant No.5)

defeated nine other finalists to win the first “Dayung Iyang Biatah Gawai 2011’ beauty title.

This lass from Kampung Semadang along Jalan Puncak Borneo brought home RM3,000 cash prize, a trophy, a certificate and hampers sponsored by Nestle.

The penal of three judges - lawyer Aini Solep, former Kumang Gawai Teresa Gindang and Jimas Alexander were impressed not only with Slyvia’s natural beauty but also her intelligence in answering a question asked during the competition, as well as the costumes she wore and her pose/personality.

The first runner-up title went to Priscilla Hyginus, 23, of Kampung Simpok, Padawan, a project executive with a private firm in Kuching. She received RM2,000 cash prize, a trophy, certificate and hampers.

Second runner-up also went to another contestant from Kampung Simpok, Angelicia De Rozario, 23, a first year student at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

Angelicia received RM1,000 cash, a trophy, a certificate and hampers.

The seven consolation prize winners who received RM300 cash prize each are Karen Christabel, 21, Alvina Grifti, 25, Grancyllie Dollin, 22, Wina Uding, 21, Debbie David, 19, Racheal Emmilia, 18, and Cynthia Jingom, 20,

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit crowned the champion - “Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011” while State Assemblyman for Tarat Roland Sagah crownd the first and second runner-up winners.

A total of 52 participants entered the beauty contest but only ten were selected to compete in the final held on May 7 at Wei Thian Restaurant in Siburan.

The contestants were judged base on their beauty which will carry 50 marks, costumes (20%), intelligence (20%) and pose/personality (10%).

The anaugural event, theme “Unity Through Culture” is jointly organised by the Bidayuh (Biatah) Community Association, Biparuh Association, Penyewa Association and the Bisapug Association in conjunction with this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration.

Some 900 guests attended the event which was also a pre-Gawai dinner.

Apart from the beauty contest, the event also showcase the Bidayuh Biatah cultural dances “Rejang Sadis’ performed by Kampung Git cultural troupe, ‘Rejang Rami’ from Kampung Sg. Duuh cultural troupe and original ‘Rejang Bauh’ performed by two elders from the Kampung Simpok.

Before the beauty contest started guests were entertained by three Bidayuh artists - champion of a reality show ‘Pilih Kasih 2’ Livonia Ricky Guing, AF7 finalist Claudia Geres and Bintang RTM 2005 champion Felicia Gek who sung three songs each.

Read full article>>

Awas muslihat Awang Hitam jadikan gadis Malaysia keldai dadah

PENINGKATAN bilangan wanita Malaysia yang ditahan di luar negara kerana menjadi mangsa Awang Hitam dalam aktiviti pengedaran dadah sudah sampai ke tahap yang sangat membimbangkan.

“Awas jangan mudah terpedaya dengan jani-janji manis atau diperalatkan oleh Awang Hitam yang semakin ligat menjadikan gadis Malaysia sebagai orang suruhan mereka dalam kegiatan pengedaran dadah,” katanya Timbalan Menteri Luar, Datuk Richard Riot Jaem.

Menurut Riot, pada tahun ini sahaja, iaitu dari Januari hingga akhir Mac seramai 11 rakyat Malaysia ditahan di luar negara kerana didapati membawa dadah, dan dipercayai diperalatkan oleh orang Awang Hitam terbabit.

Katanya, golongan yang menjadi mangsa adalah gadis muda di pusat pengajian tinggi serta gologan ibu tunggal.

“Saya bukan berkata yang semua Awang Hitam itu jahat tapi hakikatnya semua kes yang membabitkan wanita Malaysia ada kaitan dengan pengaruh orang-orang berkenaan

Riot berkata, beliau juga membuat kenyataan itu kerana tidak mahu wanita-wanita muda negara ini terperangkap dengan orang berkulit hitam itu.

“Biasanya mereka berkawan dengan gadis tempatan untuk beberapa seketika dan membuat janji-janji manis untuk membawa mereka melancong ke luar negara.

“Tapi niat mereka adalah untuk menjadikan gadis kita sebagai keldai dadah, iaitu mempergunakan mereka untuk mengedar dadah.

“Aabila sampai di luar negara, wanita kita ditangkap kerana tanpa mereka sedari bahawa sebenarnya di dalam beg yang mereka bawa diisi dengan dadah,” kata Riot.

Menurut Riot lagi, biasanya, yang menjadi mangsa adalah pelajar-pelajar wanita di institusi pengajian tinggi swasta.

Mengulas kes seorang gadis Iban dari Betong yang ditahan di China pada 11 Mac lalu kerana menelan 100 pil dadah, Riot berkata, pelajar berkenaan kini ditahan di pusat tahanan di Guangzhou, China sementara menunggu perbicaraan kesnya.

“Jumlah dadah yang ditelan wanita itu agak banyak dan peluang untuk dia dilepaskan daripada hukuman adalah tipis,” katanya.

Riot berkata, beliau telah berhubung dengan kosul Malaysia di Guangzhou, China dan berkata gadis berusia 22 tahun itu kini ditahan di sebuah pusat tahanan sementara menungggu perbicaraan kesnya.

“Saya dimaklumkan oleh konsul Malaysia di Guanzhou yang kes pengedaran dadah yang sebanyak itu biasanya membawa hukuman mati,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, pihak konsul Malaysia sedang berusaha untuk membantu gadis Iban yang menjadi mangsa keldai hitam itu.

Riot menjelaskan bahawa gadis Iban itu mengenali leleki berkulit hitam itu menerusi facebook sehingga terpengaruh dengan pujuk rayu dan janji-jani manis lelaki berkenaan.

Katanya, kes ini agak berbeza kerana gadis terbabit bersetuju secara sukarela menelan pil-pil dadah berkenaan dengan hanya berpandu kepada arahan yang diberi lelaki Negero terbabit menerusi laman social facebook.

“Lelaki Negero terbabit tidak bersama mangsa semasa mangsa menelan pil dadah itu. Saya kurang faham kerana gadis terbabit boleh terpengaruh dengan kemahuan lelaki terbabit,” tambah Riot.

Pada September tahun lalu, seorang pelajar wanita di sebuah politeknik di Matang turut ditahan di China kerana didapati membawa dadah.

Riot berkata dari tahun 1991 hingga Mac 2011 seramai 1,880 rakyat Malaysia ditahan dan sedang menjalani hukuman penjara di luar negara, sambil beliau mernyifatkan angka berkenaan sebagai menakutkan.
Read full article>>

Pemburu haram ceroboh kawasan hutan Kampung Semadang

KUCHING: Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) Kampung Semadang, kira-kira 40 kilometer di Jalan Puncak Borneo kini terpaksa menggunakan khidmat pasukan Rela untuk berkawal di sekitar Jalan Semadang-Skio yang sedang dalam pembinaan berikutan kehadiran orang luar untuk memburu di kawasan hutan dan menangkap ikan di sungai di kawasan kampung berkenaan.

Kehadiran orang luar terbabit menakutkan penduduk kampung berkenaan terutama golongan wanita yang takut keluar ke kebun untuk menoreh

getah atau ke kebun masing-masing.

Ketua kampungnya, Samson Mangang berkata, walaupun nasihat sudah diberi tapi orang luar terbabit masih tetap datang untuk memburu dan menangkap ikan di sungai-sungai yang terdapat di sepanjang Jalan Semadang-Skio.

Menurut Samson, minggu lepas pasukan Rela yang bertugas berjaya menahan sebuah kereta yang dinaiki beberapa remaja yang membawa bersama mereka dua laras senapang patah.

“Anggota Rela yang bertugas menahan mereka dan memeriksa di dalam kereta mereka dan mendapati mereka membawa dua laras senapang patah.

“Mereka juga didapati tidak memiliki lesen kebenaran membawa senjata api. Mereka terbabit sudah diberi amaran untuk tidak lagi datang untuk melakukan kegiatan memburu dan menangkap ikan di situ,” katanya.

Samson berkata, sebelum ini juga pernah berlaku seorang pekerja sebuah syarikat kontraktor pembinaan jalan di situ diserang dan dirompak sekumpulan lelaki.

Manakala seorang penduduk kampung bekenaan pernah diugut sekumpulan lelaki apabila penduduk berkenaan menegur mereka semasa ditemui berada di kawasan hutan di kampung berkenaan untuk memburu.

Samson berkata, tindakan menugaskan anggota Rela untuk berkawal termasuk pada waktu malam adalah untuk menghalang orang luar datang memburu dan menangkap ikan.

Di samping itu, katanya, ia juga sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga bagi mengelak sebarang kejadian tidak diingin termasuk kes jenayah seperti kecurian dan rompakan.

“Saya ingin menasihatkan penduduk dari kampung lain supaya menghormati ketenteraman penduduk kampung kami dengan tidak datang untuk memburu d kawasan hutan kampung kami atau melakukan aktiviti menangkap ikan di sungai-sungai yang terdapat di dalam kawasan kampung kami,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya tidak akan beragak-agak untuk mengambil tndakan undang-undang terhadap mana-mana pihak atau individu yang mengingkari arahan.

Kampung Semadang kini menjadi perhatian umum berikutan pembangunan kawasan penempatan baru bagi menempatkan penduduk dari empat buah kampung yang diarah untuk berpindah berikutan pembinaan empangan Bengoh.
Read full article>>

Ketua masyarakat mahu Taib lantik Dr Jerip anggotai kabinet

KUCHING: Ketua-ketua masyarakat Kaum Bidayuh berharap Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud akan memberi peluang kepada Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) kawasan Bengoh Dr Jerip Susil untuk menganggotai Kabinet Negeri

Pemanca Austin Dimin berkata, memandangkan masyarakat Bidayuh telah memberi sokongan penuh kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya negeri 16 April lalu, jadi sewajarnya seorang lagi anak Bidayuh diberi peluang menjadi anngota Kabinet Negeri.

Pada pilihan raya lalu, BN berjaya mengekalkan kesemua enam kerusi Bidayuh, iaitu Opar, Tasik Biru, Bengoh, Tarat, Tebedu dan Kedup.

Buat masa ini, kaum Bidayuh hanya mempunyai seorang wakil sebagai menteri penuh, iaitu Datuk Sri Michael Manyin dan seorang pembantu menteri, iaitu Datuk Peter Nansian.

Austin membuat gesaan itu, semasa berucap pada majlis makan malam anjuran Kelab Ketua-Ketua Masyarakat Kaum Bidayuh bagi meraikan kemenangan Dr Jerip pada pilihan raya negeri lepas di sebuah restoran di sini, mmalam semalam.

Sementara itu, Austin menggesa ketua masyarakat kaum Bidayuh agar meneruskan kerjasama erat dengan kerajaan dan wakil rakyat untuk kebaikan dan kemajuan masyarakat yang diwakili masing-masing.

Sementara itu, Dr Jerip melahirkan rasa gembira beliau dengan kerjasama yang diberi ketua-ketua masyarakat di kawasan pilihan rayanya dan berharap akan terus mendapat sokongan dan kerjasama sedemikian bagi membolehkan beliau terus membawa pembangunan ke kawasan itu.

Dr Jerip berjaya mengekalkan kerusi Bengoh dengan majority yang lebih besar, iaitu 3, 646 undi.
Read full article>>