On Today Show
— John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh, Hulu Baram – Communities Condemns ADUN Allowance Increase as Disproportionate
— Thomas Jalong, environmental activist from Ulu Baram – Indigenous Presence Must Not Be Ignored in Sarawak's Carbon Forest Projects
— Mr. Paul Wan from Long Lama – Sarawak Needs to Prioritize the Poor, Not Raise Politicians' Allowances
— Jugah Muyang, Former MP for Lubok Antu – ADUN Allowance Raise Supported, But People’s Welfare Should Come First

Topik Pada Hari Ini
— John Bara, Penduduk Uma Akeh, Hulu Baram – Komuniti Mengutuk Kenaikan Elaun ADUN sebagai Tidak Seimbang
— Thomas Jalong, aktivis alam sekitar dari Ulu Baram – Kehadiran Orang Asli Tidak Boleh Diabaikan dalam Projek Hutan Karbon Sarawak
— Encik Paul Wan dari Long Lama – Sarawak Perlu Mengutamakan Golongan Miskin, Bukan Menaikkan Elaun Ahli Politik
— Jugah Muyang, Bekas MP untuk Lubok Antu – Kenaikan Elaun ADUN Disokong, Tetapi Kesejahteraan Rakyat Harus Diletakkan di Hadapan

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John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh, Hulu Baram
*Communities Condemns ADUN Allowance Increase as Disproportionate*
John Bara, a resident of Uma Akeh, Hulu Baram, expressed his shock and disapproval over the daily allowance increase for ADUN as announced by the Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari Openg. He finds it particularly unfair to the poor. The Premier has announced a 900% increase in the daily allowance for ADUN attending the State Assembly sitting. According to Johari Openg, the projected revenue for 2024 is substantial, around RM13.3 billion.
John Bara argues that even though the Sarawak government's revenue has increased, welfare aid for the poor should be prioritized. Currently, the Department of Social Welfare provides some assistance to the poor in Sarawak, but many applications are still being rejected. Those who do receive assistance find the amounts to be very small. Moreover, some individuals are waiting up to three months for the aid to be credited to their accounts.
Upon checking the Sarawak Department of Social Welfare website, John Bara found that the general state aid ranges from RM200 to 300 per month, aid for the elderly is RM500 per month, allowance for disabled workers is RM450 per month, care aid for bedridden disabled individuals is RM500 per month, and aid for underprivileged children or parents who are disabled, elderly, and unable to work ranges from RM150 to 1000 per month. John Bara believes that aid for the poor should be increased as they are the ones who need it the most, not the already wealthy ADUN.
He pointed out that the salary of the Premier of Sarawak is RM39K per month, the Deputy Premier RM35K, Senior Minister RM30K, Minister RM27K, Junior Minister RM21K, ADUN RM15K, and Political Secretary RM9K per month. These figures do not include other monthly allowances. In contrast, the allowance for civil servants in Malaysia is only RM25 per day compared to RM450 per day for ADUN Sarawak. John Bara concludes that this discrepancy is very unfair.

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