Latest news with #PeterJohn
Borneo Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Social activist: Redelineation process must be better and relevant, not just bigger
Peter John Jaban KOTA SAMARAHAN (July 9): The coming redelineation exercise by the Election Commission (EC) must improve actual representation, said social activist Peter John Jaban. In a statement yesterday, he said the redelineation exercise and allocation of seats among component coalition parties must carefully consider improving representation of Sarawakians and not compound issues from outdated political paradigms. 'Representation must reflect the challenges and aspirations currently faced by the people. The last such increase was conducted in 2014 when it was a very different political and social landscape—thankfully, we have a great deal more transparency in government a decade later. 'But if the people of Sarawak are expected to support 17 more elected representatives, paying both their wages and pensions, then this must work for the people. Not only must it support the long-term goal of our rights in the federal parliament under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) but it must also improve representation for the voters of Sarawak,' he said. The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Composition of Membership Bill 2025 was passed in the august house on Monday, increasing the total number to state seats to 99. Peter John said there has been a massive rural to urban migration. 'Some estimates suggest that Sarawak is now up to 65 per cent urbanised, and the majority of those migrants have been Dayak. We are no longer living in a time when most Dayaks stayed in their traditional ancestral communities—there has been massive rural to urban migration; sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. 'The voter landscape of both our rural and urban areas is increasingly complex, and can no longer support the simplistic, race-based system of a decade ago. We need a redelineation that can take into account both the multi-ethnic makeup of our urban constituencies while still ensuring the specific needs of the rural population are addressed,' he said. He said there were new issues affecting ordinary Sarawakians, such as the lack of infrastructure, urban deprivation and poverty, rural connectivity and livelihoods, loss of culture and community. 'These are the concerns that our new YBs (elected representatives) must address, and the redelineation must allow them to do so without political or racial bias. 'We are in a situation where the component parties of the ruling coalition also need better representation to provide a balancing voice in the DUN for the constituents,' he said. 'This cannot just come from a small handful of opposition representatives—one of whom (Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen) was ejected from yesterday's (Monday) sitting. 'Therefore, we hope the allocation of seats takes this into account and is not dominated by one single party. The people of Sarawak need choice among parties that understand their needs, and can provide checks and balances to each other for the good of the people,' he said. Peter John said while Sarawak enjoys great racial and religious harmony and social unity, people must learn to live together and serve each other's needs as the profile of the state changes. 'This redelineation should not just be bigger, it must also be better. It must look to the challenges and issues the people are facing, and give the DUN the best chance of addressing these. 'The people must be represented in the DUN—that is the only purpose of the house. So, let us hope for the multi-ethnic, responsive and relevant DUN that we all deserve for the next decade.' election commission lead Peter John Jaban redelineation
Borneo Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Redelineation process must be better and relevant, not just bigger'
Peter John Jaban KOTA SAMARAHAN (July 9): The coming redelineation exercise by the Election Commission (EC) must improve actual representation, said social activist Peter John Jaban. In a statement yesterday, he said the redelineation exercise and allocation of seats among component coalition parties must carefully consider improving representation of Sarawakians and not compound issues from outdated political paradigms. 'Representation must reflect the challenges and aspirations currently faced by the people. The last such increase was conducted in 2014 when it was a very different political and social landscape—thankfully, we have a great deal more transparency in government a decade later. 'But if the people of Sarawak are expected to support 17 more elected representatives, paying both their wages and pensions, then this must work for the people. Not only must it support the long-term goal of our rights in the federal parliament under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) but it must also improve representation for the voters of Sarawak,' he said. The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Composition of Membership Bill 2025 was passed in the august house on Monday, increasing the total number to state seats to 99. Peter John said there has been a massive rural to urban migration. 'Some estimates suggest that Sarawak is now up to 65 per cent urbanised, and the majority of those migrants have been Dayak. We are no longer living in a time when most Dayaks stayed in their traditional ancestral communities—there has been massive rural to urban migration; sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. 'The voter landscape of both our rural and urban areas is increasingly complex, and can no longer support the simplistic, race-based system of a decade ago. We need a redelineation that can take into account both the multi-ethnic makeup of our urban constituencies while still ensuring the specific needs of the rural population are addressed,' he said. He said there were new issues affecting ordinary Sarawakians, such as the lack of infrastructure, urban deprivation and poverty, rural connectivity and livelihoods, loss of culture and community. 'These are the concerns that our new YBs (elected representatives) must address, and the redelineation must allow them to do so without political or racial bias. 'We are in a situation where the component parties of the ruling coalition also need better representation to provide a balancing voice in the DUN for the constituents,' he said. 'This cannot just come from a small handful of opposition representatives—one of whom (Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen) was ejected from yesterday's (Monday) sitting. 'Therefore, we hope the allocation of seats takes this into account and is not dominated by one single party. The people of Sarawak need choice among parties that understand their needs, and can provide checks and balances to each other for the good of the people,' he said. Peter John said while Sarawak enjoys great racial and religious harmony and social unity, people must learn to live together and serve each other's needs as the profile of the state changes. 'This redelineation should not just be bigger, it must also be better. It must look to the challenges and issues the people are facing, and give the DUN the best chance of addressing these. 'The people must be represented in the DUN—that is the only purpose of the house. So, let us hope for the multi-ethnic, responsive and relevant DUN that we all deserve for the next decade.' election commission lead Peter John Jaban redelineation
Borneo Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
July 7 DUN sitting a crucial step to reclaim Sarawak's MA63 rights, says activist
Peter describes the session as an ideal platform for Abang Johari to officially declare Sarawak's full autonomy. KUCHING (June 26): The upcoming special session of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), scheduled for July 7, presents a timely and critical opportunity for Sarawak to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said activist Peter John Jaban. The Deputy President of the Global Human Rights Federation described the session as an ideal platform for Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to officially declare Sarawak's full autonomy. 'They may as well do that, especially since it has been widely speculated that the July 7 session will focus on electoral reform,' he stated in a press release yesterday. 'The MA63 Cabinet Special Committee has been in place since 2018. 'Despite some progress at the federal level – particularly through constitutional amendments to Articles 1(2), 160(2), 161A(6), and 161A(7) proposed by Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (now Sarawak Governor) – deliberations have dragged on far too long in Putrajaya,' he said. Peter John praised the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts under the Premier's leadership to restore the state's priorities in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the petroleum sector. 'Now is the time to enact legislation to formally reinstate the areas of autonomy promised to Sarawak, as exemplified by the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros),' he emphasised. He also reiterated the importance of rectifying the historical reduction of parliamentary seats allocated to Sarawak and Sabah and reaffirmed that the Borneo states' veto power enshrined in MA63 is non-negotiable. 'We fully support any efforts by the Sarawak Government and the Election Commission to rectify the urban-rural voter imbalance and to eliminate any form of biased redelineation,' he said. Peter John urged the Premier to seize this opportunity, highlighting the progress already made to position Sarawak on a self-reliant path. 'We support the Premier's initiatives to generate revenue, establish financial institutions, build a strong education and health ecosystem, and connect Sarawak through its own airline. 'In fact, we are all accustomed to calling him 'Premier' now. He has proven the potential, authority, and direction of Sarawak's institutions,' he added. 'However, now is the time to fully reclaim our rights under MA63 as discussions have been going on for too long,' he noted. He further asserted that with a bill in the DUN declaring unilateral autonomy, the state's civil service could begin implementing the necessary administrative frameworks. 'There remains much to be done – strengthening immigration controls, abolishing the cabotage policy, 'Borneonising' our institutions, and more. But we cannot advance while caught in endless deliberations,' he reiterated. Peter John concluded by cautioning that the July 7 sitting must be impactful and not diverted by minor outcomes. 'Sarawak has long fought for autonomy with great patience. This is the time for the final push. 'The Premier has shown the way – get on with the job without much talk and it is now the time to create the right framework so that all parties in Sarawak can follow suit.' DUN sitting lead MA63 Peter John
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Forgotten Rajesh Khanna had to sit on his own luggage because nobody offered him a seat: ‘The man who sat on thrones…'
Rajesh Khanna witnessed unprecedented success as a leading man in the 1960s and 1970s, but the decline of his career was as abrupt as its ascent. Often described as 'India's first superstar', Rajesh Khanna had a famous fall from grace towards the end of his life, and spent most of his time alone at home, in the company of alcohol. His close friend, journalist Ali Peter John, wrote extensively about his interactions with the superstar over the years. In an article, he wrote about Rajesh's growing insecurities about his declining fame; at his lowest, he would spend his birthdays alone, receiving only a couple of bouquets in comparison to the thousands that would be sent to him during his peak. 'His afternoons, evenings and nights were the times when the only company he had was his memories of the glorious past and the misery of the present and the fear of an uncertain future,' Peter John wrote, recalling, 'The worst moments of his silence to which (he) was a witness.' He reflected on a journey that they took together to Kolkata, to attend a function organised in the superstar's honour. 'He said he had not been to a public function for a long time and had felt nervous about whether there would be an audience to welcome him or not,' Peter John continued, adding that he suggested that they share a couple of drinks to calm their nerves. Also read – Rumoured to be haunted, Rajesh Khanna's 'cursed' sea-facing bungalow Aashirwad was purchased for just Rs 3.5 lakh; it was sold for Rs 90 crore Rajesh said, 'Nahi Ali, sharab abhi nahi, function mein peekar jaana theek nahi hai, woh bhi aurton ke function mein (No Ali, I shouldn't drink now, it's not right to drink before an event, especially one where women will be present).' Rajesh's philosophical spiral continued during the event, as he noticed the adulation he was receiving, the adulation that was missing in his regular life. He leaned over to Peter John and whispered in his ear, 'Ali, kya aisa lagta nahi ki main abhi bhi superstar hoon (Ali, doesn't it seem like I am still a superstar)?' The reality hit when he and Peter John returned to Mumbai. The journalist added, 'The function was over and we drove back and I could see the revival of a new Rajesh Khanna which lasted till we came back to Mumbai and the reality of his being nowhere and no one hit him in his face when no one at the airport was even willing to offer him a seat and he finally had to sit on his own bag. Who could have imagined that a time would come when the greatest ever superstar would be reduced to this kind of a situation. The man who once sat on all kinds of thrones was now waiting for someone to offer him a seat, which no one was willing to offer him and he had no other way but to ask his bag for help.' Rajesh Khanna died of cancer in 2012. Peter John recalled that he wasn't allowed to pay his final respects to the superstar, and was barred from entering the prayer meet that had been organised for him at a Bandra hotel. Hundreds of thousands came out to bid him farewell.
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak activist: MA63 not up for debate, it's a constitutional duty
Peter John Jaban KUCHING (May 10): Former two-time Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been reminded that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is not a subject for debate, but a constitutional obligation that must be enforced. Responding to Dr Mahathir's recent remarks suggesting Sarawak's pursuit of greater autonomy should go through Parliament, social activist Peter John Jaban emphasised that MA63 is a foundational international agreement that should be upheld, not negotiated. 'Our Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his ministers are not naïve or foolish. They fully understand the limitations of seeking justice through Parliament,' Peter John said in a statement today. 'On the contrary, they are fully informed of the structural imbalance within Parliament, where Sarawak and Sabah combined hold only 25 per cent of the total 222 seats,' he added. Peter John said the call to bring MA63 into Parliament must be met with hard facts. 'As it stands, Sabah has 25 seats and Sarawak has 31. This structural imbalance means that we do not have the parliamentary strength to assert or protect our rights effectively,' he stressed. Peter John said bringing MA63 to Parliament under these conditions would be counterproductive. 'To ask Sarawak to argue for its rights in a house where its voice has already been weakened by design is not democracy — it is dilution,' he said. 'During Dr Mahathir's time as prime minister, the erosion of MA63 accelerated and so it is ironic to now suggest Parliament as the path forward, when that very institution has historically failed to protect our rights partly due to the structural imbalance in representation.' Much of the erosion of MA63 provisions took place during Tun Dr Mahathir's own tenure as prime minister, he claimed. Peter John added that Sarawak's leadership is committed and strategic in reclaiming what is rightfully theirs through legal, administrative, and direct engagement with the federal government. 'Sarawak's rights are not up for debate. They are due for enforcement. MA63 is not about parliamentary opinion, it is about the restoration of what was legally agreed upon,' he said. Sarawakians, he added, are disappointed by Dr Mahathir's view that Sarawak's autonomy push and demand for control over its oil and gas resources should be debated in Parliament instead of being resolved through direct action. 'The matter of MA63 is not for debate. It is for enforcement,' he concluded. Tun Mahathir was recently quoted as saying that Sarawak's push for autonomy and control over its oil and gas should be debated in Parliament, not discussed behind closed doors.
