Wait, wait until when?

"Until when must we wait to move to the new settlement? If continuing on with the delay how are we going to go on with our life and sending our children to school? "

Some 204 families from four Bidayuh villages affected by the RM310 million Bengoh Dam - Kampung Taba Sait, Kampung Rejoi, Kampung Pain/Bojong and Kampung Semban – were complaint that they could no longer earning good income from the harvest of their cash crops like pepper and cocoa.

Making life even worst for them, now they could no longer carry out hill paddy cultivation like they used to do in the past.

As a result they now have to pock-out of their pockets to buy rice, something which they never do in the past as they have stock of paddy.

“We adhered to the authority instruction not to continue with farming activities on our NCR land fearing that it will pollute the water reservoir,” said chairman of the Liaisons Committee on the resettlement of residents affected by the Bengoh am, Itodio Peu Rayu (pic).

Peu did not deny that some of the villagers still continue with hull paddy cultivation but are doing in a very small scale.

He said due to the implementation of the Bengoh Dam, 90 percent of the crops such as rubber, cocoa, pepper and fruit trees owns by the residents of Kampung Taba Sait were destroyed.

"Thus, the delay or postponement of moving the affected residents to the new settlement have caused these people losing their income because other than not getting any harvest from their cash crops which was destroyed to give way to the dam they were also forced to restrict their farming activities," said Peu.

According to Peu, besides paying compensation for the submerged crops and fruit trees the compensation for other properties such as their house, land and crops which are not flooded by the dam water are still unpaid.
Peu said, due to the delay in moving the affected residents to the new settlement the government should pay monthly financial assistance to the affected residents.

"We were promised payment of disturbance allowances but so far no such payment has been made to us," he added.

A total of 204 families were supposed to move to the new settlement last year but was delayed due to housing problem.

The villages demanded that they be given free housing after they rejected the offer by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) to build the house for them for RM89,000 each unit.

Peu explained that they rejected SPNB’s offer because they did not want to commit to bank loan as it will only give them more problems.

“Since we were forced to move from our village it just fair that the government provide us with free housing at the new settlement area,” he added.

Meanwhile another villager urged Mambong Member of Parliament, who is also Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos to fulfil his promises to help them to get the free houses.

Dawos meanwhile had urged the affected villages to be patience, saying that he had discussed their plight to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Mohamad dan Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

He said the allocation for the housing project has already being approved but has yet to be released, adding that Shafie wanted to make a visit to the new settlement first to evaluate the cost of the housing project before releasing the fund.

Dawos however said he was unsure when will the affected villagers going to be moved to the new settlement, thus zeroing the chance of them moving out this year.

Dawos during the Sarawak General Election campaign has said that he will discuss with the Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak the requests of the affected residents.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.

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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.
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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.
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Pemilik tanah NCR hanya dibayar RM250 sekeluarga

"SAYA disuruh turunkan cap jari pada kertas kosong oleh seorang penghulu dan baru malam tadi (18 Feb) kami diberitahu bahawa tindakan itu telah menyebabkan sebuah syarikat pembalakan mendapat konsesi untuk membalak di kawasan tanah kami,” kata Eseng Anak Kaseng, 61.
Menurut Eseng, beliau disuruh untuk menurunkan cap jarinya pada kertas tersebut yang menyenaraikan beberapa nama orang lain oleh seorang penghulu pada tahun lalu.
“Saya nampak pada kertas berkenaan ada beberapa nama orang lain turut disenaraikan dan selepas diterangkan oleh penghulu terbabit bahawa ia sebagai mengesahkan penerimaan wang saguhati RM250, saya pun menurunkan cap jari saya pada kertas berkenaan,” kata Eseng yang mengaku beliau buta huruf.
Eseng berkata, beliau sebenarnya tidak tahu apa yang beliau tandatangani dan hanya diberitahu sebagai mengesahkan telah menerima wang saguhati RM250.
Hari ini beliau dan 30 yang lain membuat laporan polis berhubung perkara tersebut di Balai Polis Sungai Maong di sini, dengan ditemani penguam mereka, See Chee How.
Seorang lagi pengadu, Kalong Anak Langking, 49, dalam laporan polisnya menyatakan: “Pada malam 18 Februari 2011 saya telah menerima dokumen bertajuk “1st and 2nd Defendents’ Affidavit In Opposing No. 2” daripada Numpang Anak Suntai, yang mana adalah kenyataan sumpah seseorang yang bernama Lau Pong Hui.
“Saya merujuk kepada “Deed Of Settlement And Undertaking” yang dikepilkan di dalam dokumen itu pada muka surat No. 8 sampai muka surat No.39.
“Sebelum malam 18 Februari 2011, saya tidak pernah melihat “Deed of Settlement And Undertaking” ini.
“Saya mengesahkan bahawa ianya tandatangan saya di muka surat 28. Penghulu Merum Anak Babu yang menelefon dan suruh saya pergi ke Pasar Sebuyau. Sampai di sana, dua orang pekerja kompeni yang saya tidak tahu nama mereka membawa saya pergi ke pejabat kompeni kayu balak dan mereka suruh saya menurunkan tandatangan saya di atas lima keping muka surat.
“Tujuannya sebagai yang diberitahu kepada saya bukan menjual menoa (tanah adat), bukan memberi keizinan untuk membalak, cuma menerima saguhati kampung berjumlah RM250.00 daripada kompeni.
“Kandungan dokumen ini telah dibaca dan diterangkan kepada saya pagi ini (19 Februari).
“Saya memang tidak setuju dan saya tidak pernah memberi keizinan kuasa kepada Penghulu Merum untuk membuat “Deed of Settlement And Undertaking” seperti yang dikepilkan.”
Mereka membuat laporan berkenaan untuk membolehkan pihak polis membuat siasatan ke atas kes itu.
Penduduk terbabit mendakwa syarikat pembalakan berkenaan telah melakukan kerja membalak di kawasan tanah mereka yang seluas lebih 3,500 hektar dari kawasan Sungai Sebangan dan Sungai Sebuyau.
Katanya, syarikat terbabit telah memulakan aktiviti membalak di kawasan berkenaan sejak 11 Jun tahun lalu.
Numpang ketika bercakap kepada pemberita di Balai Polis Sungai Maong semalam berkata, tujuan mereka membuat laporan polis itu adalah untuk membolehkan pihak polis membuat siasatan berhubung kemungkinan berlaku penipuan dalam kes tersebut.
Katanya, selepas ini peguam yang mewakili pemilik-pemilik tanah terbabit akan mengambil tindakan yang perlu dengan harapan untuk membatalkan ‘perjanjian’ berkenaan.
Menurut Numpang, lebih 100 daripada 300 pemilik tanah terbabit telah menandatangani perjanjian “Deed of Settlement And Undertaking” itu.
Peguam mereka, See Chee How berkata, pemilik tanah terbabit mendakwa telah menandatangan kertas yang mengandungi nama mereka, tetapi dokumen lima muka surat itu tidak mempunyai sebarang “cover letter”.
Chee How berharap pihak polis akan membuat siasatan setelah menerima laporan daripada pemilik-pemilik tanah terbabit semalam.
Beliau berkata, Mahkamah Tinggi Kuching juga mengeluarkan perintah injunksi kepada syarikat pembalakan terbabit untuk memberhentikan segala aktiviti pembalakan di kawasan yang dimaksudkan.
“Kita berharap perintah injunksi ini akan berkekalan,” kata Chee How ketika ditemui semalam.
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Hidroelektrik hanya menguntungkan kumpulan tertentu di Sarawak

KUCHING: Ahli Parlimen Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen tidak mahu sebarang empangan hidroelektrik dibina lagi di Sarawak.

Beliau yang juga setiausaha Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP)Sarawak menyifatkan pembinaan empangan tersebut merosakkan alam sekitar dan biodiversiti di negeri, selain hanya menguntungkan kumpulan tertentu sahaja.

Tambahan pula, katanya, empangan-empangan tersebut juga bukannya untuk mengurangkan tarif elektrik untuk perniagaan tempatan, kilang-kilang, pengguna domestik, tetapi "membekalkan elektrik dengan kadar sangat murah kepada loji peleburan".

"Pembinaan empangan hidroelektrik seumpamanya  memusnahkan hutan rimba dan habitat penduduk pribumi.

"Pengguna yang disasarkan ialah loji peleburan, yang juga merupakan industri yang paling mencemarkan alam sekitar. Kita tidak memerlukan itu," katanya dalam satu kenyataan, semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian sebagai respons kepada kenyataan Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Kedua, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, yang dipetik berkata negeri ini memerlukan empangan hidroelektrik Bakun dan Murum bagi membekalkan elektrik kepada sebuah loji peleburan aluminium milik kumpulan tertentu.

Chong yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kota Sentosa mendakwa konsortium itu sedang berunding dengan Syarikat SESCo Berhad bagi membekalkan kuasa elektrik pada kadar RM0.08 per kilo watt sejam (kwh) bagi loji yang dicadangkan.

Setakat ini, perniagaan tempatan, kilang dan pengguna domestik membayar kira-kira RM0.30 bagi bekalan elektrik, katanya.

"Apa yang menjadikan konsortium itu sangat istimewa sehingga membolehkan mereka menikmati kadar yang sangat rendah?

"Kenyataan Awang Tengah jelas menunjukkan bahawa bekalan elektrik yang murah dijana daripada empangan-empangan ini tidak akan memanfaatkan perniagaan tempatan, pihak industri dan juga pengguna domestik," tegasnya.

Chong berkata, untuk menjana kuasa hidroelektrik menelan modal permulaan yang sangat tinggi untuk membina empangan walaupun ia merupakan kaedah menjana elektrik yang paling murah.

Sebagai contoh, katanya, kerajaan membelanjakan berbilion ringgit unhtuki membina Empangan Bakun dan akan terus membayar faedah pinjaman untuk modal perbelanjaan bagi tempoh yang lama.

"Baru-baru ini kerajaan negeri bercakap mengenai membeli Empangan Bakun daripada kerajaan persekutuan.

"Peruntukan untuk pembelian itu akan dikeluarkan oleh penduduk Sarawak, dan semua penduduk Sarawak akan terus membayar kos kewangan untuk pembelian itu," katanya.

Justeru, beliau menyeru kerajaan negeri menghentikan rancangan untuk membina lebih banyak empangan elektrik di negeri jika projek seumpamanya membebankan rakyat dan hanya menguntungkan kumpulan tertentu.

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Gadis dari Mukah yang ditahan pihak berkuasa Indonesia selamat pulang

KUCHING: Seorang gadis bawah umur, Steffanie Liana anak Langka, 15, dari Mukah

selamat pulang ke Sarawak pagi ini selepas menempuh pelbagai pengalaman pahit

ketika ditahan oleh pihak berkuasa Indonesia kerana memasuki negara tersebut

secara tidak sah.

Steffanie atau nama Islamnya Liana Abdullah berasal dari Rumah Nangkai Nanga

Maga Mukah dikatakan mengikut "suaminya" Tohri Jadi Jaya, 22, ke Lombok Timur 26

Mac lalu selepas mereka dikahwinkan secara Islam oleh seorang rakan Tohri di

rumah panjang tempat Liana tinggal 10 Oktober tahun lalu.

Selepas hidup bersama Steffanie bersetuju dengan pelawaan Tohri untuk ke Lombok atas sebab untuk memperkenalkannya dengan keluarga Tohri di sana.

Bagaimanapun, apabila sampai di sana dia berhadapan dengan pelbagai

kesukaran hidup.

Steffanie tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) pada 1 pagi

dan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (KIA) jam 9 pagi dengan ditemani

oleh Pengerusi Biro Aduan Komuniti Pemuda UMNO Datuk Muhd Khairun Aseh sebelum

meneruskan penerbangan ke Sibu petang ini.

Katanya, dia berkahwin dengan Tohri, pemandu jengkaut di sebuah ladang di

Mukah hanya selepas tiga hari berkenalan dan perkahwinan tersebut mendapat restu

daripada neneknya.

Steffanie yang kini mengandung lima bulan bagaimanapun berkata dia masih lagi

sayangkan suaminya namun buat masa sekarang dia hanya mahu tinggal bersama

keluarga di kampung dan terpulang kepada suaminya untuk datang ke Sarawak

selepas ini.

Sementara itu, Muhd Khairun berkata. Liana yang tidak mempunyai dokumen

peribadi yang lengkap berjaya dibawa balik ke Malaysia dengan kerjasama Jabatan

Imigresen Indonesia dan Kedutaan Malaysia yang mengeluarkan Pas Perakuan Cemas.

Katanya, pada 27 Mac lalu ibu Liana, Dimah anak Ingai telah membuat laporan

polis di Sibu mengatakan anaknya dilarikan ke Indonesia.

Berikutan itu pihaknya dengan kerjasama Pemuda Parti Rakyat Sarawak telah

berhubung dengan Interpol dan Polis Republik Indonesia (POLRI) untuk mengesan

Liana.

"Dengan kerjasama Interpol dan POLRI kami berjaya mengesan Liana sebelum

membawanya ke Jakarta untuk dibawa balik ke Malaysia," katanya.

Menurut Muhd Khairun, mengikut Akta Imigresen Indonesia, Liana boleh

dipenjara enam bulan dan denda kerana memasuki negara tersebut secara haram.

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Wan Junaidi mahu tindakan tegas untuk bela nasib dua beradik

KUCHING: Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar mahu pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap pihak yang bertanggungjawab menjadikan dua adik beradik pekerja paksaan tanpa dibayar walaupun sesen gajinya.

"Masyarakt antarabangsa akan mengeji kita jika kita tidak membendung masalah ini daripada berleluasa di negara ini," kata beliau yang diminta mengulas dakwaan dua adik beradik yang mendakwa mereka dipaksa bekerja di sebuah kilang membuat roti di Puchong, Selangor selama 15 tahun tanpa dibayar upah.

Dua adik-beradik terbabit, Simon Bangan, 31, dan Radin Bangan, 30, dari kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian sebelum ini bekerja di kilang roti berkenaan selepas dijanjikan pendapatan lumayan sebanyak RM2,000 seorang oleh seorang ejen pekerjaan.

Simon dan Radin memberitahu bahawa mereka telah dijanjikan upah bulanan sebanyak RM2,000 oleh seorang ejen yang bertanggungjawab membawa mereka ke bekerja di kilang yang terletak di Puchong, Selangor tanpa kebenaran ibu bapa mereka.

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yang meluahkan rasa simpati beliau terhadap mangsa yang diperlakukan sebegitu rupa berkata: "Kejadian seperti ini amat memalukan kerana perbuatan yang tidak bertamadun seperti ini boleh menjejaskan imej negara kita di mata dunia.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mahu pihak berkuasa bertindak membawa mereka yang bertanggungjawab memperlakukan dua adik beradik itu sedemikian rupa dihadapkan ke muka pengadilan.

Sambil menyifatkan perbuatan itu tidak berperikemanusiaan, beliau mahu mereka yang bertanggungjawab itu dikenakan hukuman setimpal dengan perbuatan yang dilakukan.

Wan Junaidi berkata, perkara seperti itu seharusnya diberi perhatian sepenuhnya bagi mengelakkan penganiayaan terhadap kedua adik-beradik itu berulang di masa depan.

"Bayangkan sepanjang tempoh 15 tahun tidak pernah keluar untuk melihat perubahan dunia dan bertapa seksanya mereka di tempat itu dan diperhambakan untuk bekerja setiap hari tanpa cuti.

Katanya, amat menyedihkan kerana masih ada segelintir masyarakat di negara ini mengamalkan bersikap tidak bertamadun sambil berkata mangsa berhak menerima pampasan yang sewajarnya dengan tempoh perkhidmatan mereka di kilang terbabit.

Mereka mendakwa dipaksa bekerja dari jam 8 pagi sehingga 5 petang, dan berhenti rehat untuk makan malam dan kemudiannya meneruskan kerja sehingga jam 10 malam.

Katanya, mereka juga dipaksa bekerja semasa cuti umum dan selama tempoh 15 tahun kami tidak pernah bercuti walaupun sehari.

Dua beradik itu kembali ke Kuching pada 12 Februari lepas, iaitu sebelum sambutan Tahun Baru Cina.

Tambang kapal terbang mereka telah dibayar oleh majikan dan apabila mereka meminta gaji, mereka hanya diberi 'ang pau' bernilai RM500.

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Two brothers force to work like slaves

KUCHING: Two brothers - Iban from Kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian claimed that they we forced to work like slaves in a dumpling factory in Puchong Selangor for 15 years without receiving their pay.

Radin Bagan, 31, and his younger sibling Simon, 30, are now back in Kuching to be reunited with their family in their village.

Yesterday afternoon accompanied by State Assemblyman for Padungan Dominque Ng, their father and an uncle lodged a police report at the Central Police Station here.

Radin and Simon claimed that they accepted the job at the alleged factory after being promised lucrative RM2,000 monthly salary each by an agent in Kuching.

They claimed both never being paid their salaries since working in the alleged factory for 15 years.

They were never allowed to go out from their hostel located within the factory premises for shopping and sightseeing although they were provided with proper meal.

Their working hours at the factory is from 8 am to 5pm, and will take their meal break before continuing their works until 10 pm.

They also worked during public holidays, claiming that they never take any leave during the 15 years.

However the two never attempted to run away unlike their other workers.

According to Radin, there are seven workers working in the factory – three Chinese, two Bidayuh plus he and his brother.

Their father Bangan Jelian, 60, went to look his two children in 2007 but didn’t have the opportunity to see them.

Radin and Simon were sent home in February this year with only RM500 ‘ang pau’ each. Their employer booked the air tickets for them.

They had also reported the case to the Labour Department but the hearing was due today in Selangor.

Ng said he would be assisting the two and asked the Labour Department there to postpone the case and bring the case to be heard in Sarawak as the abduction took place in Serian.

Ng called on the police to carry out a proper investigation and charged the agent who took them away and the owner of the factory for criminal charges.

He had also approached Selangor PR government to assist them after contacting YB Elizabeth Wong and YB Dr. Xavier Jayakumar.

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Dua beradik dakwa 'diperhampa' selama 15 tahun

KUCHING : Dua beradik berketurunan Iban dari Kampung Antayan Kropok, Serian dan dua Bidayuh dari Sarawak dipercayai dipaksa bekerja tanpa menerima sebarang gaji di sebuah kedai membuat roti (kuih pau) di Puchong, Selangor.

Nasib mereka yang bagaikan hamba itu didedahkan dua adik beradik itu pada sidang akhbar bersama Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Padungan, Dominique Ng semalam.

Radin Bangan dan adiknya Simon mendakwa mereka dijadikan ‘hamba’ selama 15 tahun semasa bekerja di sebuah kilang roti di Puchong, Selangor tanpa dibayar walaupun sesen gaji.

Radin dan Simon berkata, mereka dibawa bekerja di kilang tersebut selepas dijanjikan pendapatan lumayan RM2,000 seorang oleh seorang ejen pekerjaan dari Kuching.

Mereka mendakwa setiap kali mereka meminta upah, bos mereka akan mempersoalkan kenapa mereka perlu meminta banyak wang.

Mereka juga mendakwa tidak pernah keluar dari asrama pekerja kilang tersebut yang menempatkan tujuh pekerja termasuk mereka berdua, tetapi mengaku diberi makan dan minum yang mencukupi selain tempat tinggal yang selesa .

Katanya, mereka dipaksa bekerja dari jam 8 pagi sehingga 5 petang, dan berhenti rehat untuk makan malam dan kemudiannya meneruskan kerja sehingga jam 10 malam.

Malah semasa cuti umum dan selama tempoh 15 tahun mereka tidak pernah bercuti walaupun sehari.

Bagaimanapun, mereka berkata tidak pernah bertindak melarikan diri dari asrama pekerja yang didiami seperti rakan-rakan mereka yang lain.

Jelas mereka, hanya terdapat tujuh orang pekerja di kilang terbabit, iaitu tiga Cina, dua Bidayuh dan mereka dua beradik.

Mereka menarik nafas lega apabila berpeluang meraikan perayaan Gawai Dayak bersama keluarga mereka di kampung pada 1 Jun ini.

Ayah kepada dua beradik itu, Bangan Jelian, 60, berkata pernah cuba untuk pergi berjumpa dengan anak-anaknya dalam tahun 2007, namun gagal menjumpai mereka.

Katanya, beliau hanya dibenarkan bercakap kepada pengurus kilang terbabit.

Bangan, bagaimanapun diberitahu agar tidak terlalu risau dan kemudiannya diarah beredar dari kilang tersebut.

Dua beradik itu kembali ke Kuching pada 12 Februari lepas, iaitu sebelum sambutan Tahun Baru Cina.

Tambang kapal terbang mereka telah dibayar oleh majikan dan apabila mereka meminta gaji, mereka hanya diberi 'ang pau' bernilai RM500.

Semalam, ditemani Dominique Ng, mereka membuat laporan polis di Balai Polis Sentral di sini.

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Molesting pupils: Teacher arrested and remanded

A teacher alleged molested five pupils in a primary school in Sungai Bunyan, Dalat was arrested and produced in the Majistret Court in Sibu today.

The court ordered the teacher to be remanded to facilitate police investigation into the case.

The Science teacher who had been teaching Science in the school for the last ten years was alleged to have molested a Primary Five and four Primary Six pupils in the lab of the school.

The teacher is married and stayed at the school’s quarters with his pregnant wife.

It was alleged that one of the pupils was raped but medical reports showed that none of the students were raped but molested.

The victims who were all staying in hostels reported the matter to a teacher who alerted the children’s parents. The report on the alleged molest was lodged at the Sibu Central Police Station by the five pupil accompanied by the school’s headmaster.

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Review the Sarawak Land Code 1958: SUHAKAM

THE law makers, especially the Dayak representatives in the State Legislative Council should fight hard to protect the rights of the natives over the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, said outgoing SUHAKAM Sarawak chairman, Dr Mohd Hirman Ritom Abdullah.
He said SUHAKAM has studied the Sarawak Land Code for the past ten years and discovered that there is urgent need for the Sarawak State Government to take the relevant steps to review the current Sarawak Land Code 1958 to ensure that it serves to promote and continually protect the rights of the indigenous groups to their customary land.

He said such review should include the following:
a. The recognition of Customary Rights to land of law and the right of the natives to land by virtue of Customary Law is consistent with those rights;
b. The recognition of the methods of native occupation that arise out of native customs and traditions is proof of ownership to land and therefore not to be dictated by the Sarawak Land Code 1958 which impose burden to establish ownership of lands via documentary evidence;
c. The constitutional protection on the native rights cannot be taken away except in accordance to the law and upon payment of just compensation;
d. It is a fiduciary obligation of the government officials to consult and obtain consent from the native communities prior to taking action that may infringe their native title rights.
“As such our YBs should speak up to tell the government to make amendment to the existing Land Code,” he added.
Dr Herman was responding to question on why the Land and Survey Department officers did not consult the village’s head and the villagers before acquiring their land.
Land issue especially with regard to the provisional lease (PL) to private companies for the so called oil palm plantations is now hot topic in Sarawak, especially with State election approaching.
The issue was also hotly debated during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Convention in March 2010. The delegates had expressed their dissatisfaction over the manner the LP was issued to private companies.
Herman take as an example requires under the Land Code 1958 which stated that the NCR right over a piece of land is only recognize if the person who open up the land before 1957 for farming has continuously cultivating the land.
‘Such requirement is not practical because in the past the Bidayuh practiced shifting cultivation which requires them to open up land for planting of padi, and than move to another piece of land for the same purpose, and have to wait for another 10 years or more for the forest to mature before they farm it again.
The reason for the Bidayuh in the past to open up new land for padi planting because new land are fertile.
On the claims of the villagers of Kampung Stenggang over the disputed piece of land and the leasing of the said land to a private company for oil palm plantation, Dr Hirman said SUHAKAM next course of action is to establish that the people of Kampung Stenggang claims over the land.
We will receive complaints and claims, investigate their claims and look at the investigation materials, later compile a report and submit it to the Land and Survey Department and the Ministry of Planning and Resources Management.
A villager present at the dialogue session also pointed out that the Land Code 1958 is not friendly to the NCR land owners.
He said the NCR land owners have no mean to protect their rights through legal process as it will cost them so much money for the legal fees.
At the dialogue session a land officer from the Land and Survey Department Bujang Reduan Mohammad has repeatedly saying that if the land owners are unhappy they can always bring the matter to court.
Even ministers and officers of Land and Survey Deprtment those days in their speeches at land issue functions are fond of telling the land owners this “if you are unhappy and thinks that the land belongs to you, you can bring the case to the court or if you are not satisfied with the amount of compensation you can always bring to court and…...”
Those words seem to frighten the land owners who knew they did not have the money to challenge or bring their case to the court of law.
Meanwhile SUHAKAM Head of Complaints and Investigation Section from Kuala Lumpur Dato N. Siva Subramaniam said the law, the agencies and the rich investors has caused the NCR land owners becoming their victims.
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Stenggang folks wanted Salcra to develop their NCR land

KUCHING: The villagers of Kampung Stenggang in Bau district were surprised to why their 1,986 hectares NCR land are being provisionally leased to two private companies for the palm oil plantation, and not to Salcra.

Chairman of Kampung Stenggang Oil Palm Estate Committee Wilfred Sabang said the villagers has actually invited the Sarawak Land Custody and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to develop that piece of land for the proposed phase two of the Kampung Stenggang Oil Palm Estate.

He said Salcra has agreed in principal whereby between 400 to 500 land owners has agreed to give their land to Salcra to develop the proposed oil palm plantation.

Salcra has already developed 2,000 hectares of the village’s land for oil palm and has started harvesting the fruit since 2007.

Wilfred said they had invited Salcra to develop the land in 2008 and they were anxiously waiting for the approval.

“Because of that we are very surprise to know that the Land and Survey Department has provisionally leased the land to two private companies, which we objected. We want Salcra to develop the land because we are guaranteed the returns and land titles,” he added.

Meanwhile the village’s former headman Nyapeng Anak Noyef who narrated the history of the disputed land during the dialogue with Suhakam officers and the Land and Survey staff said the land was opened up during the era of a Bidayuh worrior named Panglima Kulow (in the 20s), which they have the NCR right on it.

“For over that long period of time the land has always been ours and why today the government tell us that it is State land?” he asked.

Nyapeng also expressed disappointment saying the Land and Survey Department officers has never discussed the matter with them, adding that they just simply give the land to the two private companies to develop.

“In our custom (Bidayuh) when you enter other people territories you must knock on their door and seek permission and not just trespassing,” he said.

An officer from the Land and Survey Department immediately apologized.

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