THE HIDDEN CRIES OF BAKUN HYDRO

Salam 1Malaysia. People First, Performance Now. I support the idea of PM Dato Seri Najib - ideas for the whole of Malaysia. However, in Sarawak, the idea seems not as expected. I see instead is taking place. If Najib said, 1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now, but it's sadly for Sarawak, as it happened - 1Sarawak, Ethnic-Family First, Cronies Now.

Let us discuss the issue of Bakun hydro project. Bakun Hydro is the largest hydro project in Southeast Asia which is located right in central of Borneo Island. Residents who didn’t want to move during exodus operation from Sungai Balui to the new resettlement in Sungai Asap in 1998 giving way for the Bakun hydroelectric project have been labeled and criticized by specific people as “anti-government". These people are trying to champion and hit the boss up for a particular purpose to gain attention and rewards from the influential and powerful. Those people are belonging to Cronies preferred under 1Sarawak political system – Ethnic-Family First, Cronies Now.

At the moment there are around 450 to 600 people from 15 longhouses who didn’t want to move to the new settlement in Sungai Asap. The total number may be larger and the numbers given above are merely rough estimates. Residents that have objected moving to Sungai Asap are divided into two categories. The first category is the group that really couldn't move and rejected calls to move in 1998.

The second group is those who have moved to Sungai Asap, but returned to their original homes in Sungai Balui for many reasons. They also continue to live in Sungai Balui until now as the first category. The scenario shows that they agreed to move to Sungai Asap in 1998 was solely due to the sweet persuasion and appeal made by the authorities, but returned to Sungai Balui, which is their original intention. It’s also proved to us that the promises made by the authorities prior to the exodus operation have yet to be cashed by the state government. Issues and problems being raised to the authorities then and now were not taken in precedence even though some ministers have visited Sungai Asap. The main problems and issues are still not resolved. During recent by-election in Sibu, the prime gallery publisher (in Chinese) over RTM TV2 highlighted issues faced by residents in the new settlement in Sungai Asap. Surprisingly, it was being suddenly stopped broadcasting without reason. Once again the government took a very great mistake and this cause more dissatisfaction among the residents of Sungai Asap which caused the government getting more unaware of what problems faced by people from the grassroots. Calls out from the stage was simple but actions are difficult to become reality. Human voice is a dwarf in the trash, ignored by the authorities.

For the first category, they chose not to move to Sungai Asap for their very own reasons. What’s clear is, that they disgorged their dissatisfaction over the compensation paid by the government for lands, farms, houses and others to them.

In West Malaysia, the Malays or indigenous people involved in land development projects in which they are taken, were being paid amount of compensation in much larger and reasonable beside being defensible by UMNO politicians. In Sarawak, the indigenous and natives….. what they get ? As far as I’m concerned, they only get grievances and cries. No one is willing to listen to their grievances. Even if there were leaders who went to visit them, they only sow promises that were not been identified and people are waiting……….. and at last they get nothing. No one is really willing to help and assist. But, when playing the game of politics, these politicians always make expressions of interests and sweet to win support.

I take quotes from newspaper The Star on 2nd June 2010 under the title, “Bakun area cleared at last ". The Land Development Minister said, “The last 35 families affected by the Bakun hydroelectric dam project in the Upper Rajang River basin have finally agreed to be resettled . " Then the Minister further said, “The government would compensate the 35 families if they had land and crops in the dam area.”

Hah ! To pay the compensation…? Hoh ! There is much compensation in 1998 until today yet to be paid. Still too much compensation……. compensation and the right of indigenous people have yet to be given and paid accordingly. That minister better find out with Land and Survey Sarawak first. With your super power, orders the Land & Survey to pay immediately. Do not delay the compensation payment. Oi ! tau - taulah . This is close to the election. In 1998 bit, the same tactics trap being installed to win the indigenous, in order to accept their calls to move to the new resettlement.

I love to do fair comparison. In West Malaysia there is FELDA. In West Malaysia there is UMNO. UMNO helps FELDA quite well and successfully developed in the future of the Malays. What the PBB (United Bumiputera Party) and the PRS (Sarawak People’s Party) can do to advocate indigenous Sarawak. When PM Najib said, and was proud to introduce the concept of 1Malaysia, Sarawak political leaders didn’t want to lose and accept the concept of Najib with an open heart. Know what they say, “Ah ! We in Sarawak have practiced 1Malaysia concept long time ago. Only method and approach are not the same." Hah ! All are nonsense and false and purely political rhetoric. That is Sarawak politicians’ style. In actual fact, they have something hidden behind their agenda for not so motivated by PM’s concept of 1Malaysia or any politicians from the West.

Back to Bakun hydro issues, sometime ago, the residents (people who objected to move to the new resettlement) from Sungai Balui have received letters from the Land and Survey Department, asking them to move to safe areas and not allowed to live in the dam reservoir area, because in the near future their current home will be engulfed by water. Now, the Bakun hydroelectric project has been completed.

Nah ! This is the time, the Honourable Ministers and the Dayak leaders must show their real champion and highlights the problems and give protection to the natives who inhabit the Sungai Balui . As far as I know, I’ve never seen a rank of minister of the federal nor the state government making a visit and see for themselves as what UMNO leaders did to the Malay in the Peninsula. Is there any Dayak leaders and bumiputera willing to do that? Even if the compensation were being paid, is the amount appropriate and fair? Before they move out to a safe place, the government should pay them compensation in advance. They did not ask more of rice than soup. What they are asking the government to pay, are merely the houses and gardens which they have gained over the years, because they need money to build new houses in later places.

If concept of 1Malaysia - People First , Performance Now were being truly practiced, then listen to the grievances and cries of indigenous people who have suffered much pain during the implementation of the mega project . Construction of the project was noted in the eyes of the world, whereas human voices as they dwarf were never being taken cared of. The government shouldn’t overlook at those people because they are part of Malaysia citizens, although they come from various political ideologies. Over the years, they never disturbed and threaten the construction of the hydropower project.

Many times, the PM has uttered and promised to look after the welfares of the poor. Thus, like the other citizens of Malaysia, they are very excited wanting to see and feel by themselves the truth of PM’s expression. The residents who live in the Sungai Balui are depending on rice crop cultivated on a small scale for survival and hardly send their children to school.

It is unfortunate for the people who are still living far inland and their welfares are not taken into account by the government. How can the government expect the high-income Malaysians, while the way of agriculture carried out are using traditional methods. How can the government and PM Najib want to see earnings from U.S. $ 7,000.00 to U.S. $ 15,000.00 if 1Sarawak, Ethnic-Family First, Cronies Now being continuously practiced. Young people who work with the logging camps will lose income once the timber industries engulfed by water. All these must be taken into account by the government.

Their only hope is, the government must listen to these people’s problems from the grassroots and not trying to politicize the issue. The Malay proverb says, “Sambil menyelam meminum air atau harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi." These are the elements being practiced in 1Sarawak concept system. When is the time for 1Malaysia concept to be practiced in Sarawak ? I believe the same scenarios are happening throughout Sarawak. My fellow Sarawakians out there, let us together think about that. Show your super power in the next election.

Related Links:  http://dohtuyoc.blogspot.com/

RINTIHAN DARI HIDRO BAKUN

Salam 1Malaysia. Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan. Aku sokong gagasan PM Dato Seri Najib - gagasan untuk seluruh Malaysia. Tapi, di Sarawak gagasan tersebut nampaknya tak seperti yang diharapkan. Aku lihat sebaliknya sedang berlaku. Kalau Najib kata, 1Malaysia, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan. Di Sarawak ia berlaku seperti - 1Sarawak, Kaum-Keluarga Didahulukan, Kuncu-Kroni Diutamakan.

Jom kita bincang isu projek hidro Bakun. Projek hidro yang terbesar di Asia Tenggara terletak betul-betul di tengah pulau Borneo. Penduduk yang tak nak pindah masa perpindahan penduduk dari Sungai Balui ke Sungai Asap pada tahun 1998 untuk beri laluan kepada projek hidro Bakun telah dilabel dan dikecam hebat oleh orang-orang tertentu sebagai “anti-kerajaan.” Ramai yang cuba champion dan tonjol diri untuk hentam orang tertentu bertujuan untuk raih perhatian dan mendapat habuan dari pihak yang berpengaruh dan berkuasa. Mereka inilah yang tergolong dalam kuncu dan kroni diutamakan dalam sistem politik 1Sarawak, Kaum-Keluarga Didahulukan, Kuncu-Kroni Diutamakan.

Pada ketika ini terdapat sekitar 450 hingga 600 orang daripada 15 buah rumah panjang yang tak mahu pindah ke penempatan baru di Sungai Asap. Jumlah bilangan tersebut mungkin lebih besar dan angka di atas adalah anggaran kasar saja. Mereka yang tak pindah seperti di atas boleh dibahagikan kepada dua kategori. Kategori pertama, ialah kumpulan yang sememangnya langsung tidak berpindah dan menolak gesaan kerajaan Sarawak untuk berpindah pada tahun 1998.

Sedangkan kumpulan kedua ialah mereka yang telah berpindah ke Sungai Asap tetapi kembali semula ke tempat asal mereka di Sungai Balui atas banyak sebab. Mereka juga terus mendiami Sungai Balui sehingga sekarang seperti juga kategori pertama tadi. Senario kategori kedua di atas membuktikan mereka bersetuju pindah ke Sungai Asap pada tahun 1998 adalah semata-mata kerana pujukan dan rayuan manis pihak berkuasa, tetapi kembali semula ke Sungai Balui kerana hampa. Ini sekali gus membuktikan janji yang ditabur sebelum perpindahan dahulu belum lagi ditunaikan oleh kerajaan negeri. Isu-isu dan masalah semasa yang dibangkitkan kepada pihak berkuasa juga tidak diambil berat walaupun beberapa orang menteri telah pergi ke Sungai Asap tetapi masalah utama yang menjadi isu rakyat tidak juga dapat diselesaikan. Sewaktu pilihanraya kecil Sibu yang lalu di mana Penerbit Galeri Perdana bahagian Mandarin RTM TV2 menerbitkan masalah yang dihadapi oleh rakyat di penempatan baru di Sungai Asap, tiba-tiba saja dihentikan siarannya tanpa alasan. Sekali lagi kerajaan tidak peka dengan masalah yang dihadapi oleh rakyat di akar umbi. Melaung dari pentas ucapan adalah mudah tetapi merealisasikannya dengan tindakkan adalah payah. Suara-suara insan yang kerdil itu masuk tong sampah pihak berkuasa tanpa diendahkan.

Bagi kategori pertama, mereka tak mahu pindah kerana masing-masing ada alasan tersendiri. Apa yang nyata ialah mereka memzahirkan rasa tidak puas hati mereka ke atas pampasan yang dibayar oleh kerajaan terhadap tanah, kebun, rumah dan lain-lainnya kepada mereka.

Di Semenanjung, bila bumiputera Melayu atau Orang Asli terlibat dalam projek pembangunan di mana tanah mereka diambil, jumlah pampasan amat jauh besar dan berpatutan dan dibela oleh orang-orang UMNO. Di Sarawak, apa yang bumiputera dan peribuminya dapat ? Setahu aku, yang mereka dapat hanyalah rintihan dan keluhan. Tak ada siapa yang sudi mendengar keluhan mereka. Kalau adapun, para pemimpin yang pergi menjenguk mereka kebiasaanya hanya menabur janji yang belum pasti dan rakyat akan tunggu-tunggu ibarat menunggu tak kunjung tiba. Tak ada siapa yang betul-betul sudi membela dan membantu. Tapi apabila bermain politik, terutama menjelang pilihanraya, orang-orang politik ini mengeluarkan ungkapan-ungkapan menarik dan manis-manis belaka untuk meraih sokongan. Mereka ini bagaikan munsang berbulu ayam.

Aku ambil petikan dari surat akhbar The Star pada 2hb Jun 2010 di bawah tajuk “Bakun area cleared at last”. Menteri Pembangunan Tanah atau dalam bahasa Inggerisnya Land Development Minister tersebut berkata, “The last 35 families affected by the Bakun hydroelectric dam project in the upper Rajang River basin have finally agreed to be resettled.” Selanjutnya menteri berkenaan berkata lagi, “the government would compensate the 35 families if they had land and crops in the dam area.”

Hah !! Nak bayar pampasan kononnya. Sedangkan banyak pampasan pada tahun 1998 sehingga ke hari ini belum lagi selesai. Masih terlalu banyak pampasan-pampasan dan hak mutlak rakyat peribumi belum lagi diberi dan dibayar sewajarnya. Aku suruh menteri berkenaan check dengan Land And Survey Sarawak dahulu. Suruh bayaran dibuat dengan segera. Buat apa tangguh-tangguh. Oi ! tau-taulah. Ini dekat pilihanraya. Pada tahun 1998 dulu, taktik yang sama juga dipasang untuk memerangkap rakyat peribumi supaya mereka mahu pindah ke penempatan baru.

Aku suka buat bandingan. Di Semenanjung ada FELDA.. Di Semenanjung ada UMNO. UMNO dan FELDA cukup baik dan berjaya membawa orang Melayu maju ke depan. Tapi apa yang PBB dan PRS dapat buat untuk bela bumiputera Sarawak. Bila PM Najib kata dan bangga kerana perkenal konsep 1Malaysia, pemimpin politik Sarawak tidak mahu kalah dan tak nak terima konsep Najib dengan hati yang terbuka. Tau apa mereka kata. “Ah ! Kami kat Sarawak dah lama amal konsep 1Malaysia. Kaedah dan cara aja tak sama.” Hah ! Aku dah nak mabuk dengar semua tu. Semua tu dusta dan reutorik politik belaka. Itulah gaya style politik orang Sarawak. Mereka pantang melihat orang Semenanjung tonjol lebih daripada mereka.

Berbalik pada isu hidro Bakun. Baru-baru ini, para penduduk yang tak pindah dari Sungai Balui telah menerima surat dari Jabatan Tanah dan Survei, Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak, meminta mereka pindah ke kawasan yang selamat dan tidak dibenarkan mendiami kawasan takungan empangan itu, kerana kononnya dalam masa terdekat ini tempat mereka itu akan ditenggalami oleh air kerana projek hidro Bakun telah siap sepenuhnya.

Nah ! Sepatutnya inilah masanya Yang Berhormat dan menteri-menteri Bumiputera dan Dayak tunjuk champion dan tonjolkan diri dengan menghulurkan belaan kepada peribumi Sarawak yang mendiami Sungai Balui. Setahu aku belum pernah pun yang berpangkat menteri baik dari persekutuan mahupun dari kerajaan negeri datang menjenguk dan melihat sendiri keadaan mereka sama seperti apa yang dilakukan oleh pemimpim-pemimpin UMNO terhadap bumiputera Melayu di Semenanjung. Apakah ada pemimipin bumiputera dan dayak sudi melakukan itu ? Kalaupun betul pampasan nak diberi, apakah ianya setimpal dan adil ? Sebelum kerajaan meminta mereka berpindah ke tempat yang selamat, pihak kerajaan harus membayar mereka pampasan terlebih dahulu. Mereka tidak minta lebih kuah dari nasi. Apa yang mereka pinta ialah supaya kerajaan membayar pampasan rumah yang mereka diami dan kebun yang mereka usahakan selama ini, kerana mereka memerlukan wang untuk membina rumah yang baru di tempat mereka pindah itu nanti.

Kalau konsep 1Malaysia - Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan betul-betul diamalkan, maka dengarlah rintihan dan tangisan penduduk peribumi yang telah mengalami banyak kepedihan sepanjang perlaksanaan projek mega itu. Pembinaan projek itu begitu gah di mata dunia tetapi suara-suara insan kerdil seperti mereka tidak pernah diambil penduli. Jangan kerajaan (kerajaan negeri) terlepas pandang terhadap mereka, kerana mereka juga adalah sebahagian daripada raykat Malaysia, walau di mana dan apa kefahaman politik mereka pegang kerana selama ini mereka tidak pernah menyusah, menggangu dan menggugat pembinaan projek hidro tersebut.

Apa yang mereka pinta supaya kebajikkan mereka dijaga kerana ungkapan itulah yang sering dilaung-laungkan oleh PM. Maka dari itu mereka ingin melihat dan merasai sendiri kebenaran ungkapan itu. Mereka yang tinggal di hulu sungai ini hanya bergantung hidup pada hasil tanaman padi bukit yang diusahakan secara kecil-kecilan dan hasil buruan untuk meneruskan kehidupan mahupun buat pembelanjaan anak-anak yang masih bersekolah.

Adalah malang bagi rakyat yang masih tinggal jauh di pedalaman yang kebajikkan mereka tidak diambil kira oleh kerajaan. Bagaimana mungkin kerajaan inginkan rakyatnya berpendapatan tinggi sedangkan cara pertanian yang dijalankan masih menggunakan cara tradisional. Bagaimana mungkin kerajaan dan PM Najib nak melihat pendapatan per perkita dari US$7000 ke US$15000 kalau 1Sarawak, Kaum-Keluarga Didahulukan, Kuncu-Kroni Diutamakan terus menjadi amalan. Anak-anak muda yang berkerja dengan kem pembalakkan juga akan hilang sumber pendapatan kerana kem tempat mereka bekerja juga akan ditenggalami air. Semua ini harus diambil kira oleh kerajaan.

Harapan mereka ialah agar kerajaan dengar masalah rakyatnya tanpa ada pihak yang cuba mempolitikkan masalah semasa. Janganlah bersikap “Sambil menyelam meminum air atau harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi," iaitu salah satu unsur yang berakar-umbi dalam sistem 1Sarawak. Bila lagi konsep 1Malaysia diamalkan ? Aku berpesan kepada rakan-rakan penduduk Sarawak di luar sana. Gunakan kuasa mengundi anda untuk memilih kerajaan yang baru pada pilihan raya Sarawak yang akan datang. Jangan sial-sialkan kuasa yang ada pada anda. Ingat itu !