On Today Show
— Gabriel Atong, Resident of Punan Ba, Belaga – Grassroots Struggles: Abuse of Power in Village Leadership Appointments
— Michael Kong Feng Nian, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth Kuching chief – Strengthening Democracy: Inclusion of Opposition in Sarawak Committees
— Arveent Kathirtchelvan, PSM of Gombak Selangor – Forgotten Families: The Housing Crisis in Gombak's Kampung Sri Makmur


Topik Pada Hari Ini
- Gabriel Atong, Penduduk Punan Ba, Belaga - Perjuangan Akar Rumput: Penyalahgunaan Kuasa dalam Penamaan Pemimpin Kampung
- Michael Kong Feng Nian, Ketua Pemuda Parti Tindakan Demokratik Sosialis Kuching - Memperkukuh Demokrasi: Penyertaan Pembangkang dalam Jawatankuasa Sarawak
- Arveent Kathirtchelvan, PSM Gombak Selangor - Keluarga Terlupakan: Krisis Perumahan di Kampung Sri Makmur, Gombak

-------------------

Gabriel Atong, Resident of Punan Ba, Belaga
*Grassroots Struggles: Abuse of Power in Village Leadership Appointments*
The Borneo Post today reported the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Tiong King Sing, who is also the president of the PDP Party (GPS), warned that there should be no political interference in the appointment of village leaders and community leaders, or they will face a MACC investigation. Tiong said that he received many complaints that certain individuals interfered in the appointment of village heads. There are certain triggers that veto the decisions of longhouse residents.
Tiong also informed that he had discussed the issue with the deputy premier of Sarawak, and they agreed that no political party should interfere in the appointment of village heads or tribal heads. Due to the interference of certain people, 83 letters appointing village heads in Sibu have not yet been handed over. If this situation continues, the people below will suffer because of the struggle for political power. According to Tiong, anyone who has the ability, is trusted, and has the support of the people can be appointed as village head.
Gabriel very much agrees with Tiong's suggestion, even though he is from GPS. But Gabriel pointed out that a member of the Tiong party, Marudi Peguang Manggil assemblyman, some time ago, in a video clip that went viral, threatened not to re-appoint the village chief who fought or did not vote for him in the election.
"I don't just agree with the SPRM investigation because of political interference and abuse of power. In fact, I want any village head who breaks trust and misuses village money to be investigated by MACC. We at the grassroots have been satisfied with reporting cases of abuse of power and misappropriation of village money. But because the heads of these villages are supported by YB/GPS assemblymen, they are immune from investigation and action by the police."
Meanwhile, Sarawak Justice Chairman Roland Engan gave a brief response to Tiong's statement by suggesting three things:
1. The process of appointing village heads and community heads should be returned to the villagers or longhouses themselves.
2. The panel appointing village heads and community leaders should not have politicians (YB area) as it is now.
3. The 2004 Clan Head and Community Leader Ordinance should be repealed immediately.
Rumah Panjang Punan Ba was split in two because one side did not agree with their village chief, who cooperated and handed over the Punan Ba NCR land to Samling for logging and oil palm plantation. They are led by Gabriel Atong, who is trying to build his own longhouse, but there is still no letter of appointment of the village head from the District Office.

Ver todos los episodios