Change We Must

With the possibility that Chinese Sarawakians, or at least 70% of Chinee Voters would reject SUPP, they are now singing a different tune. If only they had listened and not be subservient to Thief Minister, Abdul Taib, they would not be in such desperate situation.

The Chinese community should stand up and voice their needs, requests and grievances in order to be heard by the government.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan said this would be more useful and effective than just whining as the government might not be aware of the real problems affecting the people.

“If you do not dare to talk about them how would the government know? The people should be more vocal and speak out loud if they want their needs and grievances to be heard. It will not serve the purpose if they just whine,” said Dr Chan.

Borneopost

The question remains, can they be trusted. We do not think so? Whose interest did they represent in the first place. Not the ordinary chinese Sarawakians.

Certainly not the Dayaks! We just wonder what those Bidayuh and Iban discards from Pesaka wing of PBB is doing in SUPP.

It is high time, they realise SUPP do not actually represent their interest.

To those Bidayuhs and Ibans, they should either join SNAP and Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak or to face the possibility of being rejected in the 10th Sarawak State Election.

As the days draw closer, SUPP is shouting at their top of their voices to be heard by all that they are representing the interest of Chinese “only“.

The video recording into Teoh Beng Hock’s inquest on Aug 18 was not uploaded to the Attorney General Chambers website even after more than a week. Since day 1 of TBH’s inquest each and every of the proceedings video are uploaded for public viewing. This particular video was “delayed” (would you believe it) due to technical error, so claimed the AGC.

However, after intense public pressure the video is finally online. This is probably the most ridiculous and hilarious court proceeding in history.

Citizen journalist, Lim Boo Seng, compiled selected “funny” scenes from the more than 3hrs full video recording.

Just watch how Razak “take on” renowned Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand. Court comedy at its best !!

He should be voted out as soon as possible. We have not seen how much he has done for the good of his own community especially in recent times. But in the past three months, we have read in the main stream media, how he intimidate and blackmail the Dayak Community to continue supporting his UMNO-Barisan Nasional who have done little, except to enrich those who walk in the corridors of power.

Bidayuhs are no loss to Barisan Nasional if they decide to go for the opposition. This was the warning issued by a Sarawak Cabinet minister to the state’s second largest indigenous population.

Than what are Bidayuh’s waiting for? Just walk out. Resign from PBB, SUPP and SPDP and join the Pakatan fold. To the voters, get ready to show Manyin the broom if he ever step foot to campaign.

According to Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Micheal Manyin, the loss of the six state and three parliamentary seats held by Bidayuhs would not affect BN in any way.

“Even if the BN loses all the six (Bidayuh) seats in the coming state elections, it will not affect the party because there are 71 state constituencies. These seats are not vital for BN to retain its power,” he said.

There are some 160,000 Sarawakian Bidayuhs living predominantly in the Lundu, Bau, Penrissenin Padawan, Siburan and Serian.

Manying’s stinging warning to the community was capped with the threat of ‘no development’ in these constituencies if BN loses.

“If Bidayuhs don’t support BN and the coalition loses the seats, then the whole community will lose out on the development. BN will not continue its work here,” he told villagers at Kampung Taee near here over the weekend.

The money do not belong to UMNO-PBB-Barisan Nasional or Michael Manyin. If that is the case, than all Bidayuh’s should stop paying taxes to the government or even bother to contribute to KWSP. Join my “Non Tax Paying Citizens Club”. Why should you pay taxes that support leaders and ministers like Michael Manyin?

He also urged the villagers not to be conned into believing tales spun by the opposition, especially the PKR.

He said PKR had been against the government’s move to carry out perimeter survey on Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands.

It is PBB-PRS-Sarawak Barisan Nasional who are against. For umpteen years, SNAP and Dayak NGOs have made calls to the authorities to have all NCR Land Surveyed. It is only after the recent visit to Long Lama by PM Najib that RM20 million was allocated to PBB-PRS-Sarawak Barisan Nasional to survey the NCR Land. With that, every-one starts talking and Alfred Jabu quickly added that only “Matured NCR Land” will be surveyed!

All voters from the Dayak Community should be aware that, it is because of the imminent threat of losing power, that PM Najib and UMNO-PBB-Barisan Nasional extended the grant of RM20 million to acede to the request of leaders in SNAP, PBDS (among them Datuk Daniel Tajem, Lawyer Anthony Sujang) to survey NCR Land boundaries. It was never done on the initiative of our Ministers in PBB or Michael Manyin and his gang!

Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, alleged that PKR had insinuated that the perimeter survey on NCR land was being carried out for his personal benefit.

“We are carrying out perimeter survey on NCR land for the benefit of the people. How do I benefit from this exercise?

“If the people have land titles, they can then mortgage it and venture into businesses,” he said adding that he was aware that PKR was actively instigating the local Bidayuh communities into believing that BN was not serving them.

Free Malaysia Today

The scripts have already been written.

In Sibu, SUPP was rumoured to have privately told you to refrain from campaigning in the predominant chinese areas. In Iban majority areas, you extended a miserly RM600.00 grant to each household to ease their miserly. This was not well taken by even your colleague in Sarawak Barisan Nasional and Sarawak State Cabinet, James Jemut Masing who went on to fork out another RM1,000.00.

Never in your reign have we seen anyone dare to stand up to you, except in P212 Sibu Parliamentary By-Election. That is because your bosses, PM Najib and DPM Muhyiddin were both there and the whole world knows, the challenge of Pakatan Rakyat to topple UMNO-Barisan Nasional is for real. Despite their presence, Sibu fell to Pakatan Rakyat. That shows the majority in Sarawak no longer believe you and know you have a evil heart without any sincerity!

Consider this, you came from the same background as those Ibans whom you have insulted by extending a grant of RM600.00. These Ibans have faithfully supported you in your 29 years rule of Sarawak. In this 29 years rule, you and your family have gone on to lead a live of much flamboyance, excesses and luxury, besides the billions you have stashed away in farway Europe, Middle Eastern Europe, Middle East and Australia.

Think for yourself! What have your Politics of Development done to one of your kind. You are a Melanau. That makes you one from the Dayak Community, even though you are a Muslim!

Your Politics of Development went on to develop you, your family and cronys as one of the richest in Malaysia, if not South East Asia, while those who faithfully support you continue to live in poverty. And continue to be labelled as “Hardcore Poor in Malaysia”, the status they were in before even the formation of Malaysia or Independence of Malaya.

You better go and not wait to be told, before you end up as the most hated man in Sarawak if not in Malaysia, where the imminent fall of UMNO-Barisan Nasional will be squarely blamed on you by Perkasa and UMNO!

Read Taib: If I’m not needed, I’ll go
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Sarawak PKR wanita chief Ibi anak Uding slammed Snowdan Lawan, the state assemblyman for Balai Ringin, for behaving like a gangster and attempting to sabotage her function at Kampung Ensebang Kuari, Balai Ringin yesterday.

Ibi had earlier applied for a police permit to organise the function in conjunction with the visit of PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim to the village.

She had also applied for the use of the village community hall and approval was given by tuai rumah (village chief) Saimi Ribol.

But on Saturday, Ibi was told by the longhouse chief that she could not use the hall as it would be used by Snowdan to organize a day-time concert with two Iban popular singers.

Ibi moved the function to an adjacent house. She had to borrow some 200 chairs from various people at the longhouse.

When Zaid was about to deliver a speech, Snowdan’s Iban singers began to sing. However, they were advised by the police to hold on first.

According to Ibi, Snowdan ordered some 50 village headmen to attend his concert, while some 300 people listened to Zaid’s speech.

“This behaviour is disgusting and the behaviour of a gangster,” alleged Ibi, who is a potential candidate to challenge Snowdan for the coming state election.

“He has failed to help the people of Balai Ringin constituency since he was elected in 2006.

“In order to attract a crowd, he has to resort to use Iban singers, and he has to bribe them to support him,” she said, pointing out that type of support was superficial.

“Now the people know who Snowdan really is,” Ibi added.

Ibi thanked the police for maintaining peace and order.

Free Malaysia Today

A new battle-cry, ‘Aram Berubah’, is set to echo throughout Sarawak in preparation for the forthcoming state elections. “Aram Berubah” is ‘Let’s Change’ in the Iban language.

Embracing the phrase last night, former law minister and PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim flagged the new cry as he launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who he described as a “white elephant” monster.

His call for change “Aram Berubah” stirred the more than 300 diners at a PKR function organised by the Lubok Antu division.

“Changing Taib with another of the Barisan Nasional is not good enough. It is no different. We must change Taib and his government and replace with Pakatan Rakyat chief minister and government.” he said.

“This is our mission for the coming election, and the people must understand this,” he said, pointing out that Sarawakians must come forward in order to create a new political culture.

Zaid also stressed that the Pakatan Rakyat must be well prepared to face this monster, the “white elephant” which is very powerful and very rich.

“He is being supported by the government machinery including the police and the election commission.

“So it is important that we have proper planning and logistical support to fight him and his government and be ready for BN’s cheating and money” he added.

Be the agents of change
At the same event, Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian urged his fellow members to be ‘agents of change’.

“We cannot expect other people to change; it must begin with ourselves and for me, I am the agent of change.

“We do not have radio and television Malaysia (RTM) such as TV1, TV2 and TV3 or any other channel to pass our message for change to the people.

“But let us be the agents of change ourselves by visiting all the longhouses and villages and tell them about Pakatan Rakyat and its mission,” he said.

“Tell them that with their support this is the best time to change Taib’s government,” he said.

Another PKR leader vice president Jeffrey Kitingan, said in his speech that the state BN had begun “to feel the heat” of their (PKR) ceramah.

“They are in a state of confusion and feel threatened,” he said relating an incident at a function at Kampung Ensebang Kuari, Balai Ringin early in the day.

While the function was organised for visiting Zaid, the BN had organised a next door concert in a deliberate attempt to sabotage the PKR function and counter the impact of Zaid’s visit.

“They are frightened of us so much so they want to sabotage our function,” said Kitingan, pointing out that despite the attempted sabotage, the function went on smoothly.

Kitingan believed that with the support of the people, the rural areas which the BN claimed as their ‘fixed deposit’ are slowly slipping from their grips.

“It will be a loose deposit and what remains later on will only be the receipt,” he said to the laughter of the audience.

Free Malaysia Today

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim

Is it not time now that the citizens of Sabah and Sarawak change the subservient politics which has characterised the way these two states have conducted themselves? To do that, we need active, strong and well coordinated and united Opposition political parties in Sabah and Sarawak to complement the strength of the Opposition parties in Peninsular. Until we have such a strong and united Opposition in Sabah and Sarawak, Federal power will continue to elude us.

How do you make yourself a cohesive political force that can alter the course of our nation’s history? How can you bring about the changes in local politics and assume power after many years of BN abuse? These are the challenges you are faced with but which I believe you can overcome. I am not an expert in local politics but will venture a few suggestions.

For umpteen years (well at least for the past 30 years, when i first voted at about the time when DAP set foot on Sarawak), Sarawakians especially in the Urban areas (most notably in Padungan) have been voting against Tun Abdul Rhman Yaakub and subsequently Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in State Elections. Meaning they are voicing their disatisfaction with the Nepotism, Collusion, Cronyism, Corruption and abuses by the Chief Executive via the ballot boxes. However, to ensure continuity in development funds and hoping to get some assistance as far as chinese education is concerned, Urban Sarawak Voters prefer to give their votes to Barisan Nasional. This is however not a fixed trend and Sarawakians tend to alternate between voting for the Opposition for State Seats and Barisan Nasional for Parliamentary Seats and vice versa. From this we can say “It is not only Melayu Muda Lupa, Sarawakians, especially the Urban Voters also Muda Lupa”. Like a “Yoyo” or “Roller Coaster”, they change their voting style when they discover the person they voted did not deliver and the experiment goes on till 2006.

In 2006 and in a rare show of gross disatisfaction, both seats (that is State and Parliament for the constituency of Padungan) went to the opposition. In that year, Sarawak also wrote the script for Tsunami 0308 when SUPP lost almost all Urban Seats they contested.

In short, Sarawakians are disgusted with how they are treated and the feeling is there is collusion between the Federal and State Government to marginalise Sarawakians and their inability to stop the plundering of the states wealth and vast natural resources. In fact it got much worst in the past 20 years and started with Tun Dr Mahathir’s reign. Well at least Padungan Voters decided in 2006, enough is enough.

The same can not be said of the rural voters. To them there is only know one government and that is the “Dacing”. However with regular activities by Pakatan Rakyat Sarawak, they are now more aware. Will this translate into votes? This is hard to tell. One thing is sure, they have endured much hardship since the formation of Malaysia and are beginning to know they have been short changed and resent Barisan Nasional. However after close to half a century of hardship, we have to understand their fear. To many any government, whether it is Pakatan Rakyat or “Dacing” is the same.

Deep down, we have a feeling, for them to feel and see the difference between a Pakatan Rakyat government and Barisan Nasional, they want to see something tangible. Mere talking through Ceramahs will not do. The scenario is not the same as West Malaysia. In West Malaysia, Urban migration have ensured the rural voters are updated regularly via phone conversations and the regular “Balik Kampungs”.

Firstly, the Dayaks who form the majority in Sarawak must really want change. They must feel in their veins that they no longer wish to endure the indignity and the economic hardship they continue to suffer under the rule of BN. They must recognise that they can play a bigger role, in fact a leadership role in the future of Sarawak. They can if they have the will to uplift the sordid conditions in which their people live. They must reject the politics of money where handouts are given each time the BN wants their vote. Take their money and reject them, like the people of Sibu did. They must want to rule and determine their own future and not leave their destiny in the hands of political warlords who are also proxies of Federal leaders. How can the Dayaks, the Chinese, the Melanaus and the Malays not see the need to work together for their common good; to stop the plunder of Native Customary Rights lands, the wastage and corruption as exemplified by the Bakun Dam project? There are educated and politically committed Dayaks and other bumiputras who should be able to galvanise a united force against BN, but they must do that now. We used to have Temenggong Jugah, Stephen Kalong Ningkan, and Tawi Sli and others as leaders but where are the Dayaks now?

Secondly, the Opposition groups in Sabah and Sarawak must learn to trust one another and to have a new political culture of consensus building. They must value on unity and accept ethnic diversity and have genuine interest to help the people. This means the politics of dominance by one group over another must be rejected. This means rich towkays must not be allowed to control the course of politics. If you have suffered by the dominance and abuse of Federal power and if you have suffered in the hands of authoritarian leaders, then you must not make the same mistake by selecting leaders who will do the same under a different name. You must learn to trust one another rather than resorting to the easy way out of cavorting with Federal leaders, or getting blessings of leaders in Kuala Lumpur. You cannot raise and speak for your people if you are afraid to speak and stand up for yourself.

Change is not about changing leaders. What matters is about changing to the right kind of leadership. We live in a complex multi ethnic and multi religious country. We live in a Malaysia today that has shown visible signs of being schizophrenic; racist, prejudiced and fascistic in its behaviour. We have to show a leadership that is different from BN, a leadership that will put a stop to this madness. a leadership that wants to change the course of the nation where we can and should treat all Malaysians as equals, where we practice real democracy, and where the rule of just laws are available to all citizens. We want a government that respect the rights and the dignity of its people.

Sabah and Sarawak now have the golden opportunity to restore political power in their own hands for the first time since 1963. It is meaningless to talk of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and to lament how unfairly you have been treated in the last 47 years unless you exercise political leverage at the federal level. The next election is one golden opportunity to work together in securing such leverage.

The question is how much does the Sabah and Sarawak leaders value this leverage? I am a Malaysian – not an East Malaysian or West Malaysian. To me, a backward Kelantan is as painful a sight as a Sabah and Sarawak left behind by other states. I want to see Sabah and Sarawak develop and grow into mature democracies and become economically developed states. I also believe only Sarawakians know what’s best for Sarawak, and only Sabahans know what’s good for Sabah. I do not subscribe to the view that Sabah and Sarawak should be subservient to Federal control other than in areas clearly stipulated in the Constitution. The spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 must be honoured and respected.

The State election is around the corner. You will have the golden opportunity to declare the message – WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. Make this your rallying cry: Datuk Patinggi Taib and Datuk Panglima Musa Aman – WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. Send them packing and usher in the new dawn. The choice is yours – whether you want to be making history by propagating change or whether you will be judged by history as those who were afraid to change.

Read full article @ Zaid Untuk Rakyat

MP for Machang and Sec General of Parti KEADILAN Rakyat, YB Saifuddin Nasution

Pakatan Rakyat wants to gain a foothold in Sarawak to “save the state from corrupted leaders”. It is gearing up for the fight in the coming state polls, confident that it can do better this time around.

Not wasting time, Pakatan will hold a one-day meeting next Thursday in Kuala Lumpur to draw up its battle plan to capture the Land of the Hornbills.

Said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution: “Leaders of Pakatan will meet and discuss only one agenda – the preparation for the coming Sarawak election.”

“We expect to discuss the list of candidates, seat allocation, manifesto, logistics, strategy and various other issues,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He said he was satisfied with PKR election preparation, adding: “We are ready now to enter the fight.”

On seat allocation, Saifuddin said the overlapping of claims was only minimal and hoped the matter could be thrashed out at the Kuala Lumpur meeting.

“Unlike previous elections, this coming election will see one-to-one fight against the Barisan Nasional in the 71 constituencies,” he said.

“We are confident we can do better this time,” he said.

PKR’s head of strategy bureau, Tian Chua, who was present, said the people of Sarawak should vote wisely because their choice was important.

“Pakatan Rakyat is coming to Sarawak not only to try gain a foothold, but also to save the state from corrupted leaders who have been in power for so long,” he said.

“Now the BN is in crisis… this is the best time for the people of Sarawak to make a change.

“Pakatan is here to provide a vehicle for people of Sarawak who want to see change in the state,” he stressed.

On the selection of candidates, Chua said that the criteria of selection would be stringent as they did not want ‘political frogs”.

“Only loyal and winnable candidates will be selected,” he added.

Joseph Tawie @ Free Malaysia Today

The End for B-End Sarawak!

Why only now?

Sarawakians should frown upon and be vary of their game plan, failing which, SUPP and their leaders will betray them again after the much anticipated 10th State Election.

Sarawak is abuzz with rumours that the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is pulling out of the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Several Chinese newspapers here have played up speculations after after SUPP secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui declined to confirm or deny rumours that the long-standing BN partner was pulling out of the coalition.

Rumours began swirling last week following a secret meeting among SUPP’s top leaders and elected representatives in Kuala Lumpur.

The rendezvous was to have been a prelude to a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak from whom SUPP is seeking help to settle problems affecting the party, one of which is that the party and the Chinese community have been ignored, bullied or marginalized allegedly by Chief Minister Abdul Taib’s government.

But SUPP leaders however failed to meet with the Prime Minister. Another meeting is expected to be arranged soon.

It is understood that during the KL meeting each one of the leaders, including ministers and deputy and assistant ministers, were asked to sign an undertaking to “sink and swim” with the party with whatever decision the leadership makes.

A few of them, including one minister, refused to sign the undertaking and this has prompted many to think that the oldest party in Sarawak is facing a major split.

“This is the worst crisis that the 50-year old party is facing,” said a party leader who was among those present at the meeting.

Free Malaysia Today

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