Latest news with #Dayak
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- 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
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
Humanitarian mission backs Long Tepen Penans in land rights struggle
George ( left) hands over the donation to the representatives of the Penan community in Long Tepen. MIRI (July 24): The Penan communities from Tinjar and Belaga, along with members of the Dayak community, have extended humanitarian aid to the Penan folks of Long Tepen, Baram, who are currently engaged in a peaceful blockade to defend their ancestral land rights. The solidarity initiative involved the delivery of essential food items and moral support to the community, which has maintained its presence at the protest site. Led by Gilbert Magok, the contributions included mineral water, rice, coffee, sugar, and instant noodles, all of which were handed over to the Long Tepen residents. A community representative, who wished to be identified as George, told The Borneo Post that the initiative stemmed purely from a place of concern for their fellow indigenous brethren and bore no connection to political groups or external agendas. 'It is a purely humanitarian nature, and this donation serves as a moral support and a sign of solidarity for our tribe to continue being strong in fighting for our customary land rights,' George said. He said the effort was part of what the community called a 'Dayak peace trust', which took place on Sunday, July 20. 'My tribe and I completed what we call the Dayak peace trust,' he said, highlighting how the collective effort brought together indigenous communities from across the region. Support came from the Penans in Tinjar Lapok and Urun Belaga, alongside members of the Sarawak Dayak community, and the Padawan Bidayuh tribes. 'The donation was intended to ease the daily challenges faced by those stationed at the blockade location, where Long Tepen residents continue their peaceful demonstration to protect their ancestral lands,' George said. He reiterated that the mission is entirely non-political, focusing instead on strengthening inter-tribal unity in the face of shared challenges. The Long Tepen community has been engaged in a blockade against logging activities by a company operating in the area. Two men, aged 52 and 57, were reportedly arrested on June 30 by the police for allegedly obstructing Sarawak Forest Department officials from carrying out their duties. The duo was remanded for four days before being released on bail, pending further instructions from the Sarawak Attorney General's Chambers. ancestral land rights humanitarian aid Long Tepen Penan
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Health
- Focus Malaysia
Sarawakian NGO: Need to clear health confusion of Malaysians associating palm oil with high cholesterol
A NATIONAL survey commissioned by Pertubuhan Transformasi Dayak (TRADA) has confirmed that Malaysians strongly support sustainably produced palm oil while placing high trust in the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme. The findings further highlighted a persistent health misconception that should be addressed, particularly among younger Malaysians who will shape the future of the industry. Conducted in 2024 by independent research firm, Green Zebras (GZ), the survey engaged 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 50 across Peninsular and East Malaysia. The results showed 62% of Malaysians believe palm oil is produced in an environmentally-friendly manner. Among those who were aware of the MSPO certification, 96% agreed that independent certification is essential. Additionally, 99% believe MSPO supports fair labour practices, while 75% believe that the government is prioritising sustainability. In welcomed the findings, TRADA president Joseph Janting noted the growing public trust in sustainable palm oil with Malaysia's leadership in responsible production. 'This survey shows that Malaysians understand the importance of sustainability and that MSPO plays a key role in building trust. It is encouraging to see continued public support for strengthening industry standards,' he contended. However, Janting expressed concern over lingering health misconceptions. While 54% consider palm oil to be healthy, 37% still associate it with high cholesterol. 'It is surprising that although most Malaysians use palm oil in their everyday cooking, many are still unsure whether it is good for their health. This shows that more needs to be done to help people understand the real facts,' he justified. Janting went on to stress the importance of involving youth in public education efforts, particularly in regions like Sarawak where many young people are directly connected to agricultural communities. For the unanimated, TRADA's key focus has been on preparing and assisting the Dayak community in facing the modern challenges. 'Young Malaysians, especially those in East Malaysia, have a personal stake in the future of the palm oil industry,' enthused Janting. 'They're the next generation of consumers, communicators and producers. It is crucial that they are equipped with accurate, science-based knowledge so they can speak with confidence about what this industry truly represents,' he added. – July 24, 2025
Borneo Post
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘A tiger at home, a frog in public': Women still underrepresented in leadership, says political analyst
Jayum stresses that women constitute about half the voting population in most constituencies, making their support pivotal to any election outcome. KUCHING (July 20): Women's contributions to families, communities, and politics remain undervalued in leadership and governance structures, particularly within the Dayak community, said socio-political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan. Despite playing crucial roles in various spheres of life, women continue to face limited representation in national and state-level decision-making, he told thesundaypost . 'While women form nearly half of Malaysia's population and electorate, their representation in national and state-level governance continues to lag significantly behind men,' said Jayum, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Borneo Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). He cited data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), noting that as of early 2024, Malaysia's estimated citizen population stood at around 31 million – 53 per cent male and 47 per cent female, excluding roughly three million foreigners. 'Women are essential in family life and society at large, yet their value is often not reflected in decision-making processes or political leadership. 'This contradicts the frequently-quoted proverb: 'the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world',' he added. Jayum stressed that women constitute about half the voting population in most constituencies, making their support pivotal to any election outcome. 'Any political candidate who wins an election must acknowledge that women voters were equally responsible for their victory,' he said. He likened the gap between women's influence in the home and their limited public visibility to a Dayak saying: 'Di rumah baka remaong, di tanah baka raong' (a tiger at home, a frog in public). According to Jayum, entrenched cultural norms and patriarchal values continue to marginalise women from leadership roles, despite their vital contributions. 'While some communities have acknowledged women's roles in politics and governance since the 1960s, others still lag behind,' he said. He acknowledged that major parties such as Umno and MCA had previously promoted women to senior positions, naming figures like Tun Fatimah Hashim, Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, and Tan Sri Dr Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. 'Tun Fatimah, for instance, made history as the first Malay woman minister and was part of the only husband-wife duo ever appointed to the Malaysian Cabinet,' he said. Rafidah Aziz, widely dubbed Malaysia's 'Iron Lady', was praised for her strong leadership style, likened to Britain's Margaret Thatcher. Umno, Jayum added, continues to elevate women to ministerial positions, such as current Information Chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. MCA, he noted, also appointed Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen as a full minister. However, he pointed out that no Indian women from MIC have reached such positions. 'DAP has had two women federal ministers to date -Theresa Kok and Hannah Yeoh – while PKR currently has two women ministers in the Madani Cabinet: Fahdlina Sidek and Zaleha Mustafa. 'GPS, only having Nancy Shukri of PBB holding a full ministerial position,' he said. Overall, the Madani Cabinet comprises five female ministers from four parties – DAP (1), Umno (1), PKR (2), and PBB (1). Other coalition partners — PDP, PRS, Amanah, and GRS — have no female ministers. At the Sarawak state level, PBB is the sole GPS component with a woman in the Cabinet – Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development. Of the 82 state assembly members, only five are women — four from PBB and one from DAP. In Parliament, six women MPs represent Sarawak – four Malay/Melanau Muslims (PBB), one Chinese (DAP), and one Iban (PRS). Jayum said while parties like PBB, Umno, and PKR show better female representation, Dayak-majority parties lag behind. Since Malaysia's formation in 1963, no Dayak woman has ever held a full ministerial post at the state or federal level, he added. He cited PRS MP Doris Brodie, who won the Sri Aman seat in 2022, as a missed opportunity. Despite her experience – including two terms in the Senate and serving as Deputy Senate President – she was passed over for the two ministerial slots allocated to PRS, Jayum said. 'This is disappointing, especially given her experience. The decision to side-line Doris reflects the continuing gender imbalance in political appointments, particularly among the Dayak community,' he said. He urged all communities to do more to recognise and elevate women in leadership, noting that national progress depends on equal participation from all members of society. Dayak jayum jawan leadership women
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Harness Sarawak Day positives but be wary of the negatives
SARAWAK Day on July 22 was gazetted as a state public holiday in 2016. It is often erroneously hyped up as Sarawak's Independence Day but, of course, it is no such thing. It only marked the attainment of Sarawak's self-government on that day in 1963, but the last colonial governor did not leave the Astana in Kuching till the eve of Malaysia Day on Sept 16, 1963. At best, the day marks the setting up of Sarawak's home-grown government as the prelude to Merdeka, when the first Sarawak-born governor was sworn in, also on Sept 16, 1963. Regrettably, Malaysia Day was not accorded official significance until recent years. Still, Sarawak Day should never take precedence over the day the state attained real independence. But many, not least the Sarawak government of 2016 under then-chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and now under Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, have their own reasons for asserting the significance of Sarawak Day. It coincided with the state's push for greater autonomy in the federation. There is, however, always some latent risk that, once mounted, the greater-autonomy tiger may yet prove tricky for state authorities to control. In the near-decade since Sarawak Day began to be officially commemorated, there has been the usual parade attended by state officials and its people to mark the day. For some years, a small group of politically conscious locals led by former state assemblyman Dominique Ng would also gather at Padang Merdeka in Kuching on this day to raise the Sarawak flag. This year promised to be different. A group led by prominent activist Peter John Jaban had planned a rather elaborate celebration that would combine civic and state pride in Kuching on July 22. The plan was abruptly stopped, with Jaban blaming it on onerous conditions imposed by city authorities little more than a week before the event itself. Abang Johari and Adenan have always dismissed the idea that Sarawak Day marks an assertion of state rights with real independence the ultimate goal. There is no basis to doubt their stance. What is less clear is whether forces have been inadvertently unleashed that will make it more difficult for the state government to contain public expectations of the autonomy agenda and what this may lead to. Unless adroitly and sensitively handled, the public fervour that Sarawak Day engenders may take on a life of its own. In the last state election, there was a political party that stood on the platform of Sarawak independence. Thankfully, it has not gained much traction thus far. Voon Lee Shang and other politicians leading the independence-leaning Parti Bumi Kenyalang were recently admonished by some Dayak politicians and told to stop leveraging the Dayak "struggle" for political gain. These are all political noises at the periphery. How state leaders handle these matters can either reinforce or blunt whatever political grievances — real or perceived — from being exploited. Sarawak Day is one prime example of how things political may be properly harnessed or irresponsibly exploited by various state political actors.
