On Today Show
— Dennis Along, Resident of Long Terawan, Mulu – Dennis Demands Accountability for Environmental Destruction Tied to GPS Leaders
— Paul Nungang from Long Kaliman, Baram – Pressure Mounts on Logging Firms to Contribute to Baram’s Infrastructure Repair
— Meor Razak, SAM research & field officer – NGOs Push Back Against State Government’s Logging Policies Affecting Ulu Muda Dam
Topik Pada Hari Ini
— Dennis Along, Penduduk Long Terawan, Mulu – Dennis Menuntut Pertanggungjawaban untuk Kerosakan Alam Sekitar yang Dikaitkan dengan Pemimpin GPS
— Paul Nungang dari Long Kaliman, Baram – Tekanan Meningkat kepada Syarikat Penebangan untuk Menyumbang kepada Pembaikan Infrastruktur Baram
— Meor Razak, Pegawai Penyelidikan & Lapangan SAM – NGO Menentang Dasar Penebangan Negeri yang Mempengaruhi Empangan Ulu Muda
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Dennis Along, Resident of Long Terawan, Mulu
*Dennis Demands Accountability for Environmental Destruction Tied to GPS Leaders*
At the World Herpetology Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Monday, Sarawak Premier Johari Openg announced that Sarawak is considering implementing harsher punishments for environmental criminals, including fines and imprisonment. According to Johari, Sarawak's Attorney General is conducting a study to improve the national park law and the environmental ordinance, which have significant weaknesses. The Attorney General will make recommendations, which will then be brought to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for approval.
Dennis, a Sarawakian environmental activist, expressed his support for Johari's proposal. However, he pointed out that the primary culprits behind the environmental destruction in Sarawak, from Kuching to the interior regions, are allegedly the cronies of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). Dennis mentioned Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Huang Tiong Sii, whose logging company is involved in deforestation activities in the land areas of Baram and Belaga residents. Despite some residents blocking these activities, the companies, MM Golden and UU Green, which are wholly owned by Huang and his family, have continued logging operations forcefully and secretly.
Dennis hopes that stricter law enforcement will result in fines and imprisonment for Huang and his family. He also mentioned that Huang might have to resign from his deputy minister position due to a conflict of interest, as per the conditions set by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Dennis highlighted another example of environmental exploitation in Mulu, where the family of former Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud owns significant land within Mulu National Park. Raziah Mahmud, Taib Mahmud's sister, runs hotel and tourism businesses in the area, while Taib Mahmud's son, Abu Bekir, through Titanium and Radian Lagoon, owns 4,400 hectares of land in Mulu. Recently, the Sarawak government, through the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), plans to gazette 4,300 hectares of the NCR Long Terawan land to create the Tutoh-Apoh National Park.
Dennis announced his intention to lodge an objection at the SFC office in Miri, armed with all the evidence he mentioned. He urged Premier Johari Openg to take decisive action against the family of former Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, rather than targeting ordinary citizens.
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