by Sarawak Monitor
A lot of things have been said about Bruno Manser Fonds raising money on the pretext of helping the poor Penans. But until today there is no evidence to support the Penans are getting assistance from Bruno Manser Fonds.
The facilities like school, clinics and others that can been seen in Penan settlements have all been provided by the Government being led by Barisan Nasional Government. Not even a single toilet, let alone a clinic, school and other facilities are being built by the so-called Bruno Manser Fonds. The question is what has Bruno Manser Fonds done for the Penans?
The question is where are all the funds that they have been collected for the so-called victimized Penans over the years gone to?
The State Assemblyman for Telang Usan, Denis Ngau, in his speech during the debate on the speech of the Yang di Dertua Negeri, says a lot of things have been said about Bruno Manser Fond raising money on the pretext of helping the poor Penans. But until today the Penans are yet to know where are all the funds that have been collected in their names have gone to?
Dennis Ngau says not many people have met Bruno Manser. He met him in the 70s when he came to the visit their Kampung in the 70s. He can recall very well how he looked like. This guy called Bruno Manser, who claimed to be the champion of the Penans or the champion against exploitation of natives cannot be trusted. He does not appear to be a man with credibility.
All concerned Sarawakians should step up efforts to refute all the criticisms by foreign individuals and NGOs relating to Forest and Forest industry in the State. Indisputably, the industry has contributed immensely to Sarawak's development to what it is today.
The industry is still a major player and contributor to socio-economic development and a major revenue earner for the State's Gross Domestic Products. It would do the State well if all the elected representatives of the people including those from the opposition could browse through some of the literature on the timber industry and be acquainted with some of the facts and figures that underscore the growth and contributions of the industry.
The State Assemblman of Belawai, Datu Haji Len Talip, says after having spent more than 32 years dealing with Forest and Forest industry in the State, he should have the credibility to say that the Forest and Forest industry have contributed immensely to Sarawak's development to what it is today. Besides, as a teenager during his school holidays he worked in mangrove and peat swamp forests, sawmill, woodchip and plywood
He says the first phase of capital accumulation derived from the timber industry had seen many successful private sector timber operators plough back their investments to help develop the future of Sarawak. The timber companies, which have made money, are reinvesting in tree plantation and oil palm, which is a major contributor to the state economy. They are also reinvesting in property, infrastructure, education, social facilities and public amenities. They are playing their roles as partners of progress in facilitating the socio-economic growth and development in Sarawak.
Datu Haji Len says the State is adhering strictly to Sustainable Forest Management Policy, which is being acknowledged by ITTO and a host of credible and reputable international organizations and NGO's as a model worthy of emulation by tropical timber producers. The fact that Sarawak still has 84% of her land mass under forest cover comprising primary, secondary including State land and NCR and urban forests is testimony to the success of this policy.
He regrets that Sarawak still encounters a number of unfounded criticisms from some Western NGOs like Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF), Radio Free Sarawak and media as well as some politically aligned local NGOs.
For example, a British writer by the name of Claire Lee Castle, in her writings has been making stinging attacks on the timber industry. Obviously, she tries to reclaim the lost empire of Sarawakians. That is why she operates Radio Free Sarawak. She does not want us to be free. She is making Peter John Jaban @ Papa Orang Utan her stooge in the attacks against Sarawak. Obviously, Sarawak should develop a strong proactive program to deny them the pleasure of seeing Sarawak and Sarawakians remaining backward and primitive.
He proposes the setting up of Bumiputera Trust Fund with the primary objective to provide capital to Bumiputeras to venture into commerce and industry. Over the years, the socio-economic divides between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera as well as rural and urban population should be narrowed.
The equitable distribution of wealth remains the pre-requisite for sustained harmony and prosperity in our society. The source of funds could be drawn from the oil and gas, oil palm and hydro electricity sectors, which are mostly found in rural areas and the impacts are most felt directly.
He believes that the fight for the Bumiputera interests must be left to Bumiputras themselves. History has taught the people a very good lesson that if a group delegates the power to fight for their cause to others they will end up being losers. In this respect, the Bumiputras must ask themselves whether they can trust their brains to others, who do not know their welfare and interests.
Obviously, Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF), Radio Free Sarawak and others are interfering with the internal affairs with the common objective to destabilize the State and the country.
These people are not Sarawakians and do not have the mandate to speak for the people of Sarawak. They are self-appointed persons whose agenda is to damage our state and disrupt its peace and stability. They are envious of the development and economic progress made by the state.
They have persisted in making outrageous and false allegations against the State and government leaders. Their activities are tanamount to attack on our sovereignty and capabilities to conduct and manage our own affairs as an independent state.
Regrettably, there are also Sarawakians, who collaborate actively with them in London and even within the State under anonymous cover. They do so without any mandate from the people. Obviously, they become the mouth-pieces and stooges of foreign interests. Their treacherous activities deserve to be condemned by all Sarawakians.
They are traitors as their evil intention is to destroy Sarawak and perhaps re-colonize it.
It is high time that the people should stand up strongly against all foreign interferences. Appropriate actions must be taken against those who collaborate with foreigners to smear the reputation of Sarawak, the State government and its democratically elected leadership. Their treacherous activities, if left unchecked, can seriously undermine the peace, harmony and progress of the State.
The State Assemblyman for Tarat, Roland Sagah Wee Inn, in his speech to table a motion of Thanks to the Yang di Pertua Negeri for his opening speech at the Legislative Assembly, is happy that despite all odds and market forces, Barisan Nasional government has been able to lay out policies and carry out development programs for the people and the State.
The policies and programs are well planned and with safety nets in the event of changes by market forces and other disturbances. However, there are many other modern threats which the government needs to study and contend with. For example, even the minority groups are bent to overrun the government by undemocratic means. The government should look into all their activities.
Mr Sagah says some of the social networks and blogs are being used to spread false allegations, lies and propaganda against the government. They are being used to defame politicians and in some cases to threaten people using fictitious names. The government, through security agencies, should monitor all their activities to ensure that they will become threats to the people and the country.
