Topik Pada Hari Ini
> John Bara, Penduduk Uma Akeh Ulu Baram - Memperkasa Komuniti Tempatan: Keperluan Ketelusan dalam Program Subsidi
> Mark Bujang, Pakar Pemetaan Tanah - Pemetaan Komuniti untuk Perlindungan Tanah Orang Asal
> Nasir Dollah, Naib Pengerusi JKOAK - Air Bersih, Rumah Batu: Pembangunan Penting untuk Kesejahteraan Orang Asli
> Thomas Jalong, Aktivis dari Ulu Baram - Perjalanan Berisiko: Jambatan-Jambatan Rosak di Baram dan Risiko yang Belum Ditangani
On Today Show
> John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh Ulu Baram – Empowering Local Communities: The Need for Transparency in Subsidy Programs
> Mark Bujang, land mapping expertise – Community Mapping for Indigenous Land Protection
> Nasir Dollah, Deputy Chairman of JKOAK – Clean Water, Safe Homes: Essential Investments for Orang Asli Well-being
> Thomas Jalong, activist from Ulu Baram – A Perilous Journey: Baram's Damaged Bridges and Unaddressed Risks
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John Bara, Resident of Uma Akeh Ulu Baram
*Empowering Local Communities: The Need for Transparency in Subsidy Programs*
John Bara, a government supporter, expressed his contentment when PMX announced a civilian budget of RM393.8 billion. However, he had doubts about certain aspects of the budget. Firstly, he questioned the allocation of substantial subsidies to rural residents, particularly the RM225 million designated for financing the transportation costs of essential food items to rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak. He believed that this allocation might not be executed smoothly and proposed the establishment of a community watch team to monitor and report any potential misappropriation of this subsidy. Additionally, he suggested that retail stores participating in this program should display signboards to help consumers identify stores selling subsidized goods with government-regulated prices.
Secondly, John Bara expressed concern that the government did not appear to be genuinely focused on assisting farmers and rice growers in rural areas, specifically in Baram, where there are rice planting projects in Long Atun and a paddy field scheme in Ulu Tinjar, managed by the local community. He stressed the need for support in the form of machinery, multi-grain rice seeds, advanced agricultural technology, and, most importantly, improved road infrastructure to access the rice growing areas. John emphasized that substantial investment in agricultural infrastructure projects was crucial for Sarawak to become self-sufficient in rice production.
Regarding Sarawak Premier Abang Johari's speech at the UN special convention, in which he mentioned that by 2030 there would be no more rural areas in Sarawak due to improved infrastructure, John advised the Premier to prioritize action before making grand statements. He believed that the government should substantiate its plans with tangible results on the ground.
John Bara also mentioned that his wife's village in Long Loyang had never received government-subsidized goods and expressed hope that during Madani's administration, they would benefit from more affordable subsidized goods.
