PBDS sets out to help become ‘voice' of NCR landowners
SIBU (April 30): Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has offered itself as the main channel for Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners in Sarawak, in an effort to resolve the ongoing polemic surrounding the recognition and surveying of such assets.
PBDS vice-president Dr Bayang Teron stressed that PBDS was committed to 'being the voice of the Dayak people' in fighting for their NCR land rights, which had been increasingly constrained by the existing policies and legal frameworks.
'PBDS calls upon all NCR landowners to come to our office with complete information and documentation regarding their lands.
'We will collect this data as a strong foundation to advocate for their rights through official negotiations with the Sarawak government,' he said in a statement yesterday.
The call was made following a statement by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who previously stated that NCR land currently involved in court disputes would not be surveyed by the government, while those without any disputes could undergo surveying.
Commenting further, Bayang said the statement highlighted the need for a new, more inclusive and transparent mechanism to address NCR land issues so that the people would not be continuously marginalised and denied of their rights due to technicalities or lack of official documentation.
'PBDS will not remain silent.
'We will go to the grassroots to hold dialogues with the landowners, collect names and bring all this information to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led state government under the leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, towards seeking the best solution.'
Bayang said under the leadership of party president Major (Rtd) Moses Ripai, PBDS was taking a strategic and holistic approach in addressing people's issues, particularly concerning customary land ownership, which had been the lifeblood of the Dayak community for generations.
He also called upon Dayak representatives within the GPS government to be 'braver and more responsible' in championing this issue openly.
'This (matter) not only involves legal rights, but also the identity, heritage and dignity of the Dayak people.
'This is not merely an issue of land ownership; it is an issue of the survival of the Dayak ethnic group.
'The relationship between the Dayak community and other ethnic groups in Sarawak largely depends on justice in matters of customary land ownership.'
Bayang also stressed that solving the NCR land issue would require genuine political commitment, administrative transparency, and a willingness to listen to the voices from the grassroots.
'PBDS will continue to play its role as a catalyst for the dialogue between the people and the government in the pursuit of social justice and the long-term well-being of the people of Sarawak.' Dr Bayang Teron lead ncr land Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Incentives, rebates and more: Different leadership, but same approach
Photo shows a shopkeeper and his wife watching the live broadcast of the special announcement by Anwar via tablet. — Bernama photo KUCHING (July 27): The announcement of 'interesting offerings' for Malaysians by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is regarded as 'a welcoming break from being paraded with many less-desirable national narratives'. In pointing this out, socio-political activist Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan highlighted Anwar's statement about the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) having recorded a growth of about 4.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year. 'That is a remarkable performance in view of the fact that the world economy is competitive, and that the new US tariff is yet to have it full impact upon Malaysia,' said the fellow of Academy of Sciences Malaysia and adjunct professor of Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), in a statement. The academician also said the health of the economy affected everyone, 'from the super-rich to the downright poor'. However, he said help and assistance were usually targeted. Moreover, those who were aware of them would have access, but those who did not know about them, more often would be left out, he added. 'How many Dayak communities in the interior and far-flung corners of Sarawak are aware of how the RM100,000 Sejati Madani grant would benefit them? 'Without knowledge of what, where and how to apply for this, they would be left out. 'In this respect, the role of their elected representatives becomes important,' he said. 'How many Dayak longhouses have been adopted under the 'Kampung Angkat Madani'?' 'How many rural schools in Sarawak and in the interior have been adopted as 'Sekolah Angkat Madani'?' 'The rural and interior inhabitants might not benefit from the Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara) aid of RM100 because to travel to shops in town that dispense these goods, might cost them more than the amount itself,' he said. Jayum also noted that the toll fares were maintained. 'Sabah and Sarawak do not have tolls, so this toll-fee freeze does not benefit the people of these two regions. 'The mentality of the government and their leaders remain through different periods and during different leaderships,' he said. 'Cash incentives, rebates, and price freezes on certain concessions are popular approaches to gain support, but these actions are not sustainable in the long run,' he pointed out. 'How much, and for how long, can the government provide these handouts?' Jayum said that the more sustainable actions and those that would endear PM Anwar and his ruling party to the people would be for them to keep their election promises. 'There is a high expectation that the Madani Government under Anwar would be more inclusive because he rose to the position of Prime Minister through non-partisan support,' he added. anwar ibrahim jayum jawan lead Sara aid
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
RM100 aid meaningful for vulnerable groups, says PBB man
Ariffin Mohamad MIRI (July 26): The RM100 Sara cash aid may seem modest, but it can make a meaningful difference for Malaysia's most vulnerable groups, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Piasau branch chairman Ariffin Mohamad. While some critics have dismissed the federal government's RM100 one-off assistance as inadequate, Ariffin, who is also Deputy Miri Mayor, argued that 'every ringgit counts' for families struggling with the rising cost of living. 'I believe that with any one-off assistance like this, we simply cannot please everyone. RM100 may seem like nothing to some, but for others, especially those struggling to make ends meet, such as senior citizens, single mothers, daily wage earners, or those who've lost their jobs, it can go a long way in easing their burden,' he said. Ariffin also praised the direct crediting of the aid via MyKad, calling it an efficient and inclusive approach. 'I view this as a short-term relief measure by the Federal Government to inject immediate assistance to the people. 'The decision to credit the aid directly through MyKad without requiring applications is a practical and efficient way to ensure wide and fast distribution, especially to those in rural areas or without digital access,' he added. However, he stressed the need for clear public communication to ensure all eligible recipients understand how to use the aid and are aware of the usage deadline. The RM100 initiative is part of the Madani Government's broader cost-of-living relief package, which also includes fuel price reductions and a freeze on toll rate hikes. Still, some rural representatives in Sarawak have urged Putrajaya to tailor such rollouts to local contexts, noting that the needs and challenges in Sarawak differ from those in Peninsular Malaysia. While acknowledging the value of short-term aid, Ariffin emphasised the importance of long-term planning tailored to Sarawak's unique development needs. 'As at the state level, I believe GPS has always stayed true to its struggle — to protect Sarawak's rights, to fight for greater autonomy, and to ensure that Sarawakians are not left behind in national policies,' he said. He highlighted Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) focus on sustainable growth through initiatives such as the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), rural infrastructure development, improved internet access via the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy, and state-led enterprises like Petros and the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund. 'Over the years, GPS has focused on strengthening Sarawak's economy through these various initiatives to ensure Sarawak's wealth is managed for long-term benefit,' he said. Looking ahead, he stressed the need to strike a balance between immediate support and sustainable policy reforms. 'That is why for me, beyond short-term aid like this, what truly matters is continuing to push for policies that are fair to and reflect the real needs of our people — not just for today, but for generations to come,' said Ariffin. Ariffin Mohamad lead SARA vulnerable groups
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
5 simple questions on the ‘Turun Anwar' campaign
I very much hope the authorities will not hinder the 'Turun Anwar' rally — set for this Saturday, July 26 — as I am curious to see who will attend. Will electoral reform group Bersih mobilise? I am very sure Perikatan Nasional will mobilise its supporters. That means thousands of PAS supporters will likely turn up in support of their own leaders whom, they think, can do no wrong. Will Muda turn up in full force with its founder Syed Sadiq Syed Abdul Rahman and acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz? Will Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family make an appearance? What about the family of the late Daim Zainuddin, Mahathir's closest confidant? Will they also show up? Who will attend? I am on pins and needles. Of course, I expect the immature Sabah students — the self-declared future leaders of our country known for their portrait-burning antics — to turn up. No matter who attends, there are five questions I would like to ask the rally goers. First, should Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim be the real target of the rally? In a democracy, as I assume the rally goers know fully well, Anwar will only be forced to step down if Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) — Sarawak's ruling coalition — and Umno were to pull out of the unity government. That would signal the collapse of the current government and trigger an election. Alternatively, if GPS and Umno decide to throw their support behind PN, then we will have a new 'functioning' government. But, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Which reminds me of a funny story. A man in a desert once asked a genie he released from a bottle for one wish — to be wealthy. The genie obliged and heaped treasures on him, only for him to die of thirst a few days later because it never occurred to the man that he should have wished for water. Those unaffiliated to PN who are intending to attend the 'Turun Anwar' rally should perhaps think through what they are asking for. Second question: if Anwar were to step down, who do you see stepping up to replace him? The rally organisers are not calling for the unity government to be removed. But is there an obvious successor within the unity government? Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli? But didn't he just resign? That means he is unlikely to be a candidate for the top job. Nurul Izzah Anwar? She is not even an MP. A politician friend of mine suggested Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Wan Azizah, we remember, opted for Mahathir to be the prime minister in 2018. So, who else is left? We do have deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof. But will MPs from West Malaysia support one from GPS, which has only a few seats in Parliament, for the top post? I do not think so. So we are left with the other deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Which puts us back at square one. Congratulations, 'Turun Anwar' rally goers. My third question. Will those who take over from Anwar be able to resolve issues surrounding the death of former political aide Teoh Beng Hock, Pastor Raymond Koh's disappearance, the potential house arrest of former prime minister Najib Razak or the current stand-off on judicial appointments. Will the likes of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali, Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, or Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz be able to resolve these issues? How would they go about it? I am really interested to know. The fourth question here is, shouldn't the rally goers also get the people to reject GPS, Umno, DAP, Amanah and PKR? After all, they are all part of the 'failed' government. Perhaps, they can invite Rafizi and former minister Khairy Jamaluddin to tear apart PKR and Umno respectively, someone from Sarawak to do the same to GPS and Ramasamy to disavow DAP. Then, and only then, can we get rid of Anwar and bury his political career once and for all. My final question: shouldn't the rally organiser deploy their forces to the homes of the MPs and urge them to table a no-confidence motion on Anwar? After all, Anwar has said he will allow such a vote to take place in Parliament. So what are they waiting for? Lobby the 152 MPs at their homes, their offices and on their social media platforms. It isn't that difficult to do. To the organisers of the rally, don't bother shouting useless slogans that are bereft of political strategy. Do it right or just stay home and drop your next podcast. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
