ON Nov 28, 2023, we, the representatives of nine residents' associations of villages in Marudi, Baram Tengah, Bakong and Niah attended a meeting organised by Sahabat Alam Malaysia in Marudi to discuss several development issues faced by the residents of our villages.
As a result, in conjunction with the celebration of Human Rights Day 2023, a memorandum will be sent to the Sarawak and federal governments. Some of the issues are as follows.
First, encroachments on our native customary rights land are still prevalent.
In Baram, oil palm plantations are continuously developed on our ancestral territories without consultation and consent.
This has practically destroyed our forests and farms, including our diverse crops.
Consequently, our sources of income, traditional medicines and cultural practices have all been badly impacted.
Second, as a result of these widespread plantation projects and, additionally, climate change, the frequency of flooding incidents has increased sharply in rural Sarawak, including in Long Bemang in Sungai Apoh and Long Panai in Sungai Tutoh.
Third, we urge the state government to reform the manner in which village heads are appointed.
They must be elected through an open-consensus process and should be selected based on merit and not through appointments by the state.
Fourth, our communities are still unable to access various basic services.
Today, the network of land transportation systems for those living in rural areas are still poorly maintained, making it a challenge for us to access other basic services, from education to healthcare.
Without good access roads, it has been difficult for rural communities to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Further, our villages have not received full coverage in terms of water supply, electricity and telecommunication services.
During the dry seasons, we would have to depend on water tanks with a limited capacity of 4,000 litres. These tanks would certainly be inadequate for a family if the drought continues for two or three weeks.
Furthermore, we would also have to spend a lot of money on electricity supply by using our own generators.
During emergency and natural disasters, the absence of a reliable telecommunication system can even cause the loss of lives. For youths and entrepreneurs, the lack of Internet service in rural areas has also affected their education and business opportunities.
After more than 60 years since the birth of Malaysia, our land tenure security is still lacking. Leadership processes in our villages have been badly affected due to a flawed appointment system employed by the state.
We still have not been able to receive the most basic of public services.
We urge the Sarawak and federal governments to take our grievances seriously and work towards resolving all the issues highlighted in the memorandum.
KAMPUNG LONG TEPEN RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Pelutan, Baram
SUNGAI BURI RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
RH LACHI ANAK BIKANG RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Suai, Niah
LOGAN ENTASAN RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Marudi
LONG PILAH RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Telang Usan, Miri
LONG MIRI RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Baram
RUMAH LABANG RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Nanga Seridan Tinjar Beluru, Miri
KAMPUNG LONG LUNYIM RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Sungai Pelutan
IBAN MARUDI RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, Baram