On Today Show
— Gereng Jadum, Resident of Penan Murum – Penan Workers Fight Back: Compensation Delays and Employment Fraud in Murum
— Jeffery Baudi, Resident Representative of SFI Housing Park – Sabah Activist's Solo Run Stalled by Authorities, But Campaign Presses On
— Jimi Arifin of Pos Pasik, Gua Musang Kelantan – River Pollution and Cultural Loss: Pos Pasik's Struggle Against Environmental Threats
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Gereng Jadum, Penduduk Penan Murum – Pekerja Penan Berjuang Kembali: Kelewatan Pampasan dan Penipuan Pekerjaan di Murum
— Jeffery Baudi, Wakil Penduduk Taman Perumahan SFI – Larian Solo Aktivis Sabah Tergendala Oleh Pihak Berkuasa, Tetapi Kempen Tetap Diteruskan
— Jimi Arifin dari Pos Pasik, Gua Musang Kelantan – Pencemaran Sungai dan Kehilangan Budaya: Perjuangan Pos Pasik Terhadap Ancaman Alam Sekitar
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Gereng Jadum, Resident of Penan Murum
*Penan Workers Fight Back: Compensation Delays and Employment Fraud in Murum*
Gereng is also a spokesperson for the local Murum workers who were laid off by the Danum Sinar plantation company. The situation went viral on social media a few weeks ago when 126 local workers, all from the Penan Murum community, were suddenly fired by the Danum Sinar oil palm plantation in Murum. In response, the workers set up a blockade. Despite the intervention of the police, the labor department, and Penan lawyers, the blockade was dismantled with the promise from Danum Sinar to pay compensation to the laid-off workers.
However, according to Gereng, the payment has been delayed because Danum Sinar is falsifying employment documents. He claims that the lawyer appointed by the Penan workers informed them that the employment entry forms for the 126 Penan workers had been altered. The documents were redesigned to show a shorter employment period and were modified and signed by Danum Sinar itself, not by the workers. Gereng believes this was done to reduce the amount of compensation the workers are entitled to. "In reality, we have been working here for more than seven years," said Gereng Jadum. "We are giving the management of Danum Sinar three more chances. After that, if compensation is not paid, we will re-establish the blockade."
Regarding the recommendation from Sarawak Premier Johari Openg to establish a special committee involving the plantation, construction, and manufacturing sectors to expedite the issuance of work permits for foreign workers, Gereng expressed his concerns. He stated that the labor law clearly requires companies to prioritize hiring local workers first. Only if no local workers are interested can foreign workers be employed, and they must have valid work permits. In the case of Danum Sinar, the foreign workers do not have work permits. "This issue is not isolated to Murum," Gereng said. "I have been told by others that employing foreign workers without permits is happening all over Sarawak. By employing undocumented foreign workers, employers neglect the welfare of the workers, and their salaries are uncertain. Often, wages are paid too low, and the workers are completely exploited."
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