On today’s show, we meet Gereng Jadung of Kampung Long Luar, Matalun in Murum. This Penan community, displaced by the dam, was promised RM600 of rations plus RM250 in cash from the day they moved in. But now, it is two years later and disappointment reigns, driving the community to make a complaint to the press. Food is delivered but way below the value of RM600 a month, never the same type and often staples are left out, such as rice and cooking oil. To top it off, some of the food is even expired. Gereng alleges that two of the contractors tasked to deliver the goods, Joseph Madai and Sui Along, both from Long Luar themselves, have swindled the community of their relief. SEB are also claiming that it costs them RM29,500 per month to deliver the goods! Give us the cash then, says Gereng!
The Auditor-General’s report has made a horrifying statement on Sarawak’s schools that 25% of them have major defects and apparently we are the only state to have been singled out in this way. But YB Fatima has gone further, saying that, in reality, it is more even than that! Jisin Nyud, President of STU, confirms that this is indeed the sorry state of affairs, especially in the rural areas. The State is simply not allocated enough budget to make them good. Raise the budget and we can raise the standards, he says. So YB Baru Bian follows up: this is why we must demand greater autonomy in education. 11 out of the 12 schools in his constituency are in just this poor condition, he says. He knows because he has seen them himself. With RM20 billion in the coffers, the State Government should take courage and take control. After all, it is the next logical step after his decision on English in the civil service. Otherwise, how can Sarawak reach developed status by 2020? We must wait and see whether Adenan dares, says Baru.
We end with Ajah anak Lungan from Lubok Jelutong, Mukah who has been in court this week, supported by activist Matek anak Geram. Matek tells us how the case has progressed after Himma Shipping Sdn Bhd wrecked Ajah’s land and yet Ajah ended up charged with criminial intimidation. The court told the police to release him and yet he is still facing charges. Ajah himself describes how the case has dragged on for 15 years and so far, 8 members of his family have faced arrest.
Tune in for all this and more, plus our Borneo Bulletin. Semoa kita tau bejako!
Orang tengah bolot bantuan Penan!
Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) kembali bersiaran untuk hari ini! Program dimulakan dengan kes pemberian tidak amanah oleh pihak yang berkenaan dimana penduduk Penan dipindahkan dari Empangan Murum. Gereng Jadung dari Kampung Long Luar, Matelun, Murum telah membuat kenyataan media semalam mewakili penduduk beliau yang menunut kerajaan untuk memberikan bantuan tanpa melalui orang tengah. Kerajaan memberikan Pendapatan Sokongan Sementara selama lima tahun setiap bulan sebanyak RM850 kepada setiap keluarga di sana. Dua kontraktor dilantik iaitu Joseph Madai dan Sui Along hanya memberi tunai RM250 dan RM600 dalam bentuk barangan keperluan dapur (laporan penduduk, barangan makanan banyak yang tamat tempoh). Gereng mendakwa kedua-dua mereka telah menyeleweng dengan dana kaum Penan.
Seterusnya, Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2014 mendapati banyak sekolah di Sarawak mempunyai masalah kecacatan atau bahaya untuk diguna. Pengerusi Kesatuan Guru-guru Sarawak (STU), Jisin Nyud menjelaskan bahawa kenyataan Audit itu memang tepat sekali, banyak sekolah diluar bandar memerlukan pembaikan segera dan masalahnya Jabatan Pendidikan negeri Kekurangan Bajet untuk membaik pulih sebanyak 1452 sekolah seluruh Sarawak malah yang lebih teruk peruntukan setiap tahun berkurangan dan penyaluran bajet biasanya agak lambat. Apa yang Kerajaan dapat lakukan ketika ini ialah memilih sekolah yang betul-betul teruk terlebih dahulu.
Sejak kebelakangan ini, isu bahasa Inggeris mendapat liputan dari pelbagai pihak. Ada pihak menyokong, ada pihak yang membantah. Bagi menyelesaikan kemelut itu, Yb Baru Bian mengemukakan cadangan kepada kerajaan negeri, kawal semula atau ambil alih autonomi pendidikan. Adenan boleh mengemukakannya kepada Kerajaan Pusat, jelas Baru.
Akhir sekali, Matek Geram dari SADIA HQ memperincikan apa yang berlaku ke atas Ajah Anak Lunga yang ditangkap pihak berkuasa kerana mempertahankan tanah beliau yang diceroboh oleh Himma Shipping Sdn. Bhd yang melakukan aktiviti pengorekan pasir sejak 15 tahun yang lalu. 12 Disember ini merupakan sebutan semula kes dimana beliau disabitkan di bawah Akta Ugutan Jenayah 506 yang akan berlangsung di Mukah. Ajah Lunga pula menceritakan apa yang berlaku dan menjelaskan bahawa tanah yang beliau duduki sekarang sudah lama didiami.