Friday, June 18, 2010

The Tragedy Of Love

As further discussion post of All About Eve, I merely concluded Eve is somebody to love; famous phrase from Leighton Meester album. It is true then when I reach, really flirting my heart and soul at the very first time. The story of Shakespearians of Pericles, Prince of Tyre who burning the torch of love to Thaisa at the very first day they met at Pentapolis. The sixth knights, Pericles audaciously appealed with his motto In hac spe vivo which meant, a pretty moral. He came with no triumph. He came with dejected from the state of Tyre.

Similar thrust, she told me as hints at the early stage; trust and sincerity. It is imply of compulsion of pretty moral, King Simonides, father of Thaisa derived from Pericles pledge during the reception. Many of my friends and colleagues look for me and asks who is with you? I vehemently claim, it will comes with no time while my facebook is heavily scrutinizes by magnifying eyes. At one point of thinking, I never put myself in this position; emotion and love agendas. I am afraid to torn down the wall of secrecy and low self esteem. I am afraid of rejection. Rejection is failing me, that is why love and romantic relationship will never attach in my heart and soul until to date.

Well, if one knows whole story of me particularly the aftermath of the love tragedy at Pearl International Hotel last week, of course, the pleasures of the affairs is the result of the 'fast and furious' formula, I thinks the chemistry between us, to wit; I quote

The moment I post this writing, I am very fortunate that nascent and warm healthier relationship remains with courage of demanding each understanding with the blessing by Lord, although skepticism shrouded in many way of continuing the relationship. I am gaining my speed and confidence after the official 'YES' from her. It is motivating and encouraging feeling as life previously owed it to myself. I foresee hardship and commitment of post effect, the tragedy of love entails some risk to succeed. I acknowledge her responsibility as student and campus leadership in Universiti Sains Malaysia. I acknowledge her history and social backgrounds which cannot be the liability or burden of me. I acknowledge the matter of the fact of could not date with her every single day and most of the time, except exchanging SMS's and phone calls. It does not matter all. I cares the supremacy of act of love while triumphs the values and fundamentals of respecting each other with trust and sincerity.
I still remember, I had to demystify my feeling and thoughts on her through first live phone conversation almost two hours in the middle of the night. She laughed at me while I was tried to elaborate certain things and I could not; distortion of self feeling!
She knows my activism in democratic governance and human rights working areas. She knows my employment with the affiliated political opposition which she conceded as risky. She knows my increasingly vociferous as the topic of national interest is concern and debated. Prominent Indonesian writer, Pramoedya Ananta Toer said "to help all children of Humanity", we would to adopt his advice. I am proud of what she is doing for the university and herself. She is engineering and reconstructing her most favorite part of leadership themes within Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Anyway, in general, we unanimously agreed to accept each others with pride and honor. I am counting days. Counting days for hopes. Hopes. No. I am not desperate man finding the sublime of love. No. I am not throwing panacea for my solutions. Nonsense! Let me tell you something. I befriend and encounter with many girls, however, frankly, I only seems attract to some girl I prefer as ambitious and actually aware of her priority in life. I will not have my say in her features look like. I sense the values of humanist shares bonding us together despite she may disagree on the premise. More than one success story, I think complication of matters will occur. She likely insinuating ala Maroon 5 Wake Up Call song "So who are the hell are you to say 'we' " At this particular of time, I am very grateful the girl I love is alluring me with the quality of God representation. Balancing my excessive beliefs of impotent God and redeems through her natures of Genesis. She is my salt in Luke 14:34. The environment I want to create to fit us in. I lose my saltiness; therefore I want to re salt myself with her love. My dear Ivie, I realize I am untested man in love. I am not the man in the fable of Ida and Isidor Straus in the doomed Titanic, the co owner of Macy's department store who chose to die in each other arms rather than separate due to a lack of rescue boats for both men and women. I bear Pericles's promise to Simonides denying traitor ship

"By the Gods, I have not,

Never did thought of mine levy offence;

Nor never did my actions yet commence

A deed might gain her love or your displeasure." (Pericles Prince of Tyre, Act 2, Scene 5)

I would like to say this again. This is not the illusion of seeking intimacy or even tries to search as many opportunities as I want to meet romantic partners. This is my pledge of our commitment. No more and no less.

(Día-C es el amor a expresar sus sentimientos a través de la escritura y que quiero dedicar esto a usted, Ivie)



Saturday, June 12, 2010

The Ghost Of UUCA II

The combat mission against our one of many enemy of liberty, UUCA is still continuing despite resistance and systematic denial the government of the day. It is challenging and healthy combat, after all. Enemy likely is not easily defeated with just throng of dissent patriots. There are ghosts in duty to create fears, to the students but insufficiently demoralized the movements. It is OK. But, we are pretty sure that this government is not going to stay on their feet at Putrajaya for another term IF they consistently abandon our demands. By then, they will be given KO punch! They need our votes anyway. We will votes for the government protects us from intrusion.
All we want is freedom. We want responsibility. We want our life's back. Why they must be hobbling ours the way of life?

Previous commentary, I adamantly said, UUCA is no longer relevant in campus governance. It is outmoded. It is specious approach by the government. Overall, I think, regulation is real but none is positive result. Missing the bullets, Malaysia is one of the members in human rights council, but seems futile and inept championing the principles. Really a record list in Guinness World's Book of Record. Cool!

The draconian act does not help at all. It does not help the university. And it also helpless in rejuvenating the very philosophical issues of knowledge. University is losing its tool of credible mankind institution as it had once ago. Students once speaks their mind vehemently now clueless due to shrouded by darkness of thoughts. Students fall asleep after the spells out. Wake up man! We can't afford to be in captive mind for some time. Reality, just keep your eyes on them. They are regurgitated type of students of everywhere presents breeding. Rote learning pretty engrossing across nationwide university. Learning? What is learning if the rule by law oppresses us to think transcending time and ages? What is learning if the rule by law oppresses us from discerning government policies? Take this once; New Economic Model suggests we should look at fresh perspective of education system. Best clue, rote learning superseded by critical thinking. New and high skilled workers needed to spearhead the nation into developed status by 2020. Can we meet there IF the nation traps under the old guard system? Can we breakthrough the wall? Ambitious?

Economic disaster is another topic in defeating the tyranny. What's next? Well, the act is still there. What can we do except continue to be outspoken and insistence. We repudiate the entire reasons of those who want to retain the act with sublimes and great conclusions. Want abolish, not simply amendment. Not what we want. Read my lips, please abolish the act! Restore academic freedom!





Misleading State of Economy

Malaysia's economy performance is heavily criticizes by the public recently. There is ineptness and plodding effort to stimulates the growth and provides prosperity reaching to all Malaysians.

Malaysians is afraid of their social security network where there is inadequate. I see preponderant of employees who demanding minimum wage to be put in place. Laughing stock from specious Putrajaya Ministers who strongly believe by raising the wages or salary of private and public sectors, then Malaysia will meet high income nation status even quicker. Human Resources Minister, Datuk Subramaniam for the instance, announced in April 2010 that local security guards minimum salary would increase by between RM300 and RM400 per month by 1 July 2010. This would raise their salaries to between RM1,100 and RM 1,450 per month. Minimum wage does not work and it create very little impact to our productivity. It is seen mechanism to address poverty and social fabrics rather advancing form of economic

I see Malaysians entangling to improve their lifestyles as quality of life is threaten by profligacy of the government. Unnecessary spending for new palace worth RM800 million and military defense hardware which costing another billions of taxpayers money. Reported in UBS investment findings earlier this year, money leaves the country on an unprecedented scale. Says UBS "Question: Which Asian country had the biggest FX losses in 2009? The answer is Malaysia.

Massive amount of money to rewards the failure of Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ). Very little adherence of the rule of law. High profiles personality escapes from being penalized while certain figures nabbed to drawn the conclusion that there is strident action against the corruption and cronyism.

Where is the confidence to our economy when blistering report from Hong Kong based Political Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) on Malaysia who criticizes Najib's strategy of 'trying to be all things to all people, but in the end he might satisfy no one’? PERC raised Malaysia risk index from 5.24 in December to 5.4 in January out of possible maximum score 10 for highest level of risk. Most damaging, PERC said it is 'probable' that no other Asian country is suffering from as much bad international press as Malaysia'

The systematic and expediency approach to trim the subsidies; the welfare of unfortunates and low income families under threats. One must heeds of Chief Executive Officer of Performance Delivery and Management Unit (PEMANDU), Idris Jala bold remarks in Subsidy Cut Day "If the government continues at the rate of 12% (debt growth) per annum, Malaysia could go bankrupt in 2019 with total debts amounting to RM1,158 billion"

Malaysians suffers from the worst outcomes of government. According to NEAC, a hefty 40% Malaysian household still earn less than RM1,500 a month while 77.2% are Bumiputera and many are located in Sabah and Sarawak. The burden of Malaysians is unbearable!

At the peak of financial crises emerged at the year of 2008/2009, governments around the world have promoted to Keynesian to save their economy from great failures. The great lesson of Keynesian is the pumping of taxpayers fund into the market; which amounts billions of dollar after loses of billions of dollar from the thin air. It is say, the more money pumps in the system, the more secure as the governments primarily taking over the precedence the private role within empty spaces. It is the fervent believe government has the consciences to lead the economy after the market crash. Another scenes from Keynes is where too big to fails were grabbed the headlines until to date. Reward the failure while punish the success. It is argues the practice of activist government rescuing too big to fail will secures million of jobs and bankruptcy. His intention is apparently to maintain full employment. No saving, but national deficits grow as money is removes to be injected in under perform economy.

Malaysia is not the exception from Keynesian phenomenon. We had injected RM 67 billion taxpayers money into our economy, translating and creating more jobs, infrastructures projects, incentives for corporations and subsidies to low income groups, petroleum and necessary items with the objective is to expand and stimulate our growth. Keynes has results our more bigger role of government and administration. In his book The General Theory of Unemployment, Interest and Money (1935), John Maynard Keynes wrote "There is room...to promote investment and , at the same time, to promote consumption, not merely to the level which with the existing propensity to consume would correspond to the increased investment, but to a higher level still"

Economists assures like minded of Keynes can affects long and short term of economic growth. University of Chicago economist, John Cochrane (2009) adds that;

"First, if money is not going to be printed, it has to come from somewhere. If the governments borrows a dollar from you, that is dollar that you do not spend, or that you do not lend to a company to spend on new investment. Every dollar of increased government spending must correspond to one less dollar of private spending. Jobs created by stimulus spending are offset by jobs loss from the decline in private spending. We can build roads instead of factories but fiscal stimulus can’t help us to build more of both. This forms crowding out is just accounting and doesn’t rest on any perceptions or behavioral assumptions.

"Second, investment is 'spending' every bit as much as is consumption. Keynesian fiscal stimulus advocates want money spent on consumption, not saved. They evaluate past stimulus programs by whether people who got stimulus money spent it on consumption goods rather than save it. But the economy overall does not care if you buy a car, or if you lend money to a company that buys a forklift"

Prime Minister Najib has announced two major strategic economic reform for the first 6 month of this year. There are documents of New Economic Model (NEM) and 10th Malaysian Plan. NEM profound the flaw of Malaysia’s economy is very deplorable. It also clarifies what the government could do to ameliorate the pain of the economy. On top of the report, National Economic Advisory Council is suggesting political will which is very crucial to acknowledge the imminent risk and initiates quick rapid effort to regain the confidence and its losing competitiveness at world stage. Below is several critical highlights of the report;

"Malaysia's economy engine is slowing. Since the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998, Malaysia's position as an economic leader in the region has steadily eroded. Growth has been lower than other crisis affected countries, while investment has not recovered. Private investors have taken a back seat. Since the Asian crisis, aggregate investment as a share of GDP in Malaysia has continued to decline, with private investment remaining stagnant due to several factors. In some industries, heavy government and government linked company (GLC) presence has discouraged private investment"

"Malaysia's place within the Global Competitiveness Index dropped to 24th in the 2010 report from 21st previously, indicating that the country is osing its attractiveness as an investment destination"

"Productivity is growing but far too slowly...lose the pole position"

"We are not developing talent and what we have is leaving...reaching critical stage"

"The gap between rich and poor is widening"

"Malaysia is stuck in a middle income trap"

"Ethnic based economic policies worked but implementation issues also created problems"

"Controlled pricing system and subsidies result in resource misallocations"

Therefore, NEAC pointed out we must act now before our position deteriorates any further ! The key of the recommendations is to ensuring Malaysia can become more competitive ahead of the other nations. The 10 golden rules of competitiveness listed by World Competitiveness Yearbook are

1. Create a stable and predictable legislative environment.

2. Work on flexible and resilient economic structure

3. Invest in traditional and technological infrastructure

4. Promote private savings and domestic investment

5. Develop aggressiveness on the international market as well as attractiveness for foreign direct investment

6. Focus on quality, speed and transparency in government and administration.

7. Maintain a relationship between wage levels, productivity and taxation

8. Preserve the social fabric by reducing wage disparity and strengthening middle class

9. Invest heavily in education and life long training of the labor force

10. Balance the economies of proximity and globalization to ensure substantial wealth creation, while preserving the value systems that citizen’s desire.

Nevertheless, full potential of these recommendations are not taking account into the framework of 10th Malaysian Plan particularly the continuity essences of New Economic Policy. It was merely what James Chin of Monash University wrote, New Economic Policy is Never Ending Policy. Pressure from Malays Perkasa to ensures NEM and 10th Malaysian Plan does not omits their interest. They still want 30% Bumiputera equity within the both strategic national plans. Najib caught in dilemma where his political and economic reform as reflected in his 1Malaysia's concept been distorted by Perkasa, UMNO patronages and Godfather Mahathir. Race based model rather affirmative action based on market seems to oblige by Najib to garners losing ground support for Barisan Nasional.

Indeed, Ooi Kee Beng book on The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time (Chapter Six), that Tun Dr Ismail, the main architect of NEP saw the implementation and its special privileges for the Malay as handicap and it should be temporary. Moreover, I quote "...this handicap will enable them to be good players, as in golf and in time the handicap will be removed. The Malays must not think of these privileges as permanent: for then, they will not put their efforts to the tasks. In fact, it is an insult for Malays to be getting these privileges"

During the launching of NEM, Prime Minister Najib said "There will be a renewed affirmative action policy in the NEM, with a focus on raising income levels of all disadvantages groups...The New Economic Policy (NEP) has been a milestone of our society for decades...Its original objectives are still relevant but it is time to review its implementation"

That was the launching, however, his position shifted when he deliberated NEM in Malay Consultative Council recently. A council lead by Perkasa, constitutes of 76 Malay non governmental organization has urged Najib to protect Malay interest in NEM. Najib quoted “It is impossible that I, the son of NEP's founder will betrayed his father's fight. It is impossible. In my heart, I want to see the Malays to rise and prosper"

Prominent political economist of University Malaya, Professor Terence Gomez meanwhile cited NEM as paltry amount of investment in research and development and serious deterioration in the quality of education from primary right up to tertiary level. He claims there also needs to be an improvement to the public delivery system as a whole in a public sector seen to be inefficient and highly bloated.

In other words, will the government has prepares for the worst or the better. We are discussing for a better nationhood. We want prosperity and benefiting wealth of the nation. Does the government have the courage to communicate the truth and the only truth to all Malaysians? I believe it is the revival of Hayek’s to be the top reference of all. Our economy is highly planning and centralizes and I wonder whether it’s taking the reflection of totalitarian. Renowned American philosopher Ayn Rand once wrote 'political freedom cannot exist without economic freedom"



Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Israel, State Of War

I was in International Relations lecture when the atrocities of the little tiny state of Israel upon Palestinian been propagated incredibly. My lecturer and friends of idealist have the tendency to presumes, Israel is inhumane and barbaric nation on planet Earth. Israel violates international laws in many ways so long of its existence at Middle East region. Even, I was defined by their teaching to pass the paper with, no such auspicious essays to take any allegiance towards Israel.

My lecturer told me, Israel is ultimately strong and influential because of the United States of America undisputed position as world's superpower. They are small in population, but they think very big and ambitious. They are driven by high sentiments of Jewish rich history, cultures and nationalism to succeed. They are bearing the nadir of Holocaust which President Ahmedinejad denies, they are struggling to walk and stay into their homeland which promised by God before Palestinians, and they are suffering prior to relentless isolation of international community.

The world has forgotten the thrust of war against terrorism. International community again denies the very real threats of human rights at most members of Human Rights Council. No one is questioning Iran, Burma, China, Libya and associates pertaining their reputation as mass human rights abusers at their backyards.

Today, democracies only constitute 40% of UNHRC memberships. Newly elected unopposed seven authoritarians regimes including Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Russia. Most deplorable of UNHRC is 80% of its resolution took the stands condemning Israel, hence former President Bush refused to join the initiatives. But now, President Obama want to participate and he is joining this egregious initiatives.

What happened when China brutalized the dissidents in Tibet not too long time ago? Sudan's strident policies which restricting its peoples movement and expressions especially women as requirement of Islamic laws? What about Aung San Syu Kyi who remains imprisoned? Where is the critical action against all of them? Why should we entertaining solely the plights of Gaza and Palestinian? Does these events waging similar repercussions with the scenarios in Israeli- Palestinian conflicts? One death of Palestinians has expunged 100,000 Africans deaths under dictatorial governments.

The incident of Flotilla captures the attention of the international community compares to any others. Eyes and mind reasoning, while pointing fingers at Jewish as villains of the story. According to them, Jewish and Nethayahu are bad guys anyway. According to them as well, Hamas and Palestinians are benign and formidable forces, extolling its leaders as heroes.

I was not there to tell you the whole of story. In fact, I'm reaching every single news over the incident and analyses the truth. I'm reaching to every video released by Israeli and others to produce better judgment. I saw in the video where Israeli forces boarded the ship without provocation of weapons. Oh my God, it was very different from what I saw in mainstream media, where several scenes taken to vindicate the Israeli triggered the fire which killed dozens of peace activists.

Peace activists were prepared to battered Israeli forces with metal, stick and grenades. They throw Israeli forces out of the ship. Some of the activists turned into extremists and therefore stabbed few times at one of the Israeli forces before the chaotic on ship ended with all peace activist arrested. At the end of the video, I heard the notorious song from the activists on board. They sang anti Israel with it goes like this "Khaybar, Khaybar, Khaybar O Jews, the army of Muhammad will return"








However, lives lost from both sides during the raids. I'm wondering whether peace activists intended to deliver the aids to Gaza or meeting martyrdom.

The whole world expresses their outrage over the incident, some demonstrates in front of American Embassies and Israel Embassies to be seen as defender of Palestinians and Gaza. Essays from demagogue world leaders across the globe are queuing up condemning Israel. I saw, some of us commended Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdogan due to his stern and harsh reactions over, to since 1949 recognized diplomatic relations, Israel. The issue of humanitarian aids raises where 1.5 million peoples of Gaza are in very desperate accessing food, medical and education. Hamas is taking them as hostages, while manipulating them for their political and religion purposes. They want to kill Jews as many as they could. It is stated in their oaths of Hamas. Hamas once said, Gaza will be the graveyard for Israeli army. Now, this is again, a serious threat to the existence of Israel. While missiles and rockets raining down to Israel and kills its peoples, Hamas with Iranian government backed has been recognized as terrorist organization won the election in 2006 purging Mahmoud Abbas.

The world is lax of this purely evidence of Israel is under attacks by perilous Hamas. Instead, the world engrosses by Hamas, who primarily depicts as victims at all cost. We strengthen Hamas with sympathy and mercy behalf of people of Gaza. International community is blinded through; supporting the peoples of Gaza via Hamas. Hamas serves the interest of killing Jews fulfilling the vision of Islamic rules from Iran; wipe off Israel from the map, they serves no reasons to Gaza.

The flow of international support into the borders of Gaza is massive and tones of various supply reaches to its peoples. Israel does allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. There is no hunger and starvation in Gaza. The UN Food and Agriculture has set 1,800 calories per person per day as the minimum amount of food necessary to prevent hunger





The blockade of Gaza is very historical to study. Legal point of view, there is nothing wrongs the blockade of Gaza. As far as I am concern, the blockade was acknowledged by Quartets and United Nations (UN) few years back. According to international law, Israel has the rights to stop shipments of good to Gaza and I quotes Gershon Baskin arguments which leverage his sense of the blockade; Part III, Section 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (on occupied territory). It states

"A power granting free passage to consignments on their way to territory occupied by an adverse party to the conflict shall have the right to search the consignments, to regulate their passage according to prescribed times and routes, and to be reasonably satisfied...that these consignments are to be used for the relief of the needy population"

Sea blockade is not something new. There was blockade of Gaza since 1949 for couples of ugliness, in between Egyptian military occupation on Gaza from 1949- 1967 and Israel's later on occupied the territory. It has been a very depth timelines to clarify significant events in its history. The Flotilla ship incident recently was pathetic whereby ignorance continue to be the excuse of avoiding Ashdod port. They should be avoided the violence clash if the regulation to unloaded the aids at Ashdod port been complied, for delivery to Gaza.

Hamas is unreliable government of Gaza. They smuggling weapons at its borders feeding its activities of hatred. They also uses growing inflow of humanitarian aids for smuggling and sometimes tunnels at Rafah borders. That is why, international community and United States of America must exerts its leverages upon Hamas to halting rockets and missiles attack to Israel, condemns Tehran and Damascus particularly Hezbollah for their support to Hamas and tough inspections every humanitarian aids across the borders.

Projecting the threats of Hamas of launching about 10,000 rockets and mortars rounds at Israel since 2001 is the critical survival of Israel's daily lives. I would like to reemphasize the fact of Israel has the rights of self defense from any external threats just like any sovereign nations. It is daunting task of the nation of Israel, standing side by side with rogues regimes while the only democracy state in the Middle East will prevails. Israel's enemy is the America's enemies. Israel is alone and strong in the region. Moreover, Israel is very strategic assets of the United States of America in the region advancing democracy and freedom. And therefore, America must not abandoning his friends, Israel or put them in risks of destruction mode. Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non negotiable. Nethanyahu in his address during Israel's 62nd Independence Day said "A nation that wishes to stand tall must place all its trust in itself only" A bless from God to Israel is vital for mankind to celebrates. The scriptures profound Israelis is descendent of Abrahams. It is God's word for Israel in

"The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offsprings forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." (Genesis 13:14, 15,16, 17)

The perseverance of Israel in confronting greatest conflict on planet Earth and their humiliation including anti Israel from the international community can best describes

"I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth and an object of cursing and horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them" (Jeremiah 29:18)

As I grows up as conservative Catholic Christian, my teachers explained me the Israel, the chosen one and the land of God's promised in the Bible has underpins the beliefs

"and say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel...They will be my people and I will be their God" (Ezekiel 37:21,22,23)


Luka Besar Kenyalang


Semua orang tahu Sarawak adalah sebuah negeri yang besar, kaya hasil mahsul, kaya kepelbagaian etnik suku kaum dan kaya sejarah peradabannya. Ini sama sekali tidak boleh dipertikaikan lagi. Pada masa yang sama, saya seringkali ’diserang’ dengan seribu satu pertanyaan berhubung hakikat dan realiti yang dilalui oleh warga Kenyalang, menurut pemerhatian mereka, Sarawak diakui memiliki segala-galanya, namun kekangan politik serta kedudukan ekonomi yang sebaliknya terus mencengkam minda warganya. Kerosakan politik dan kekayaan ekonomi negeri ini akan saya sentuh dalam bahagian seterusnya. Yang pasti, warga Sarawak amat susah hati, bimbang dengan beban tanggungan yang tidak terhingga dek runtuhnya institusi pemerintahan awam yang bersandarkan rakyat, yang sekarang bertunjangkan kepada kepentingan segelintir yang berpengaruh besar dan kaya.

Saya lebih suka menggunakan perkataan ’warga Sarawak’ atau ’warga Kenyalang’ berbanding ’orang Sarawak’ kerana konotasi tersebut yang buruk dan busuk membayangi ketamadunan Sarawak yang keterbelakang. Ini persepsi yang kerap saya fikirkan. Warga Sarawak atau Kenyalang, pada pandangan saya, lebih segar dan bermaruah bunyinya. Tidak kurang juga, pujian demi pujian ditaburkan kerana perpaduan kaum dan agama yang dipertahankan. Adakalanya, Sarawak dijadikan model teladan kepada Melayu, Cina dan India di Semenanjung yang sering bertelingkah, bertelagah dalam beberapa isu seperti agama dan hak keistimewaan.
Politik Kesepaduan Warga Sarawak.

Saya yakin bahawa sistem pendidikan yang didorong oleh campur tangan politik lemah dan tidak mencakupi keseluruhan agenda hubungan antara kaum, sebab mengapa rahsia tamadun warga Sarawak jarang diketahui. Ini bukan sahaja menjejaskan kefahaman warga Semenanjung terhadap Sarawak, akan tetapi, dikalangan warga Dayak sendiri khususnya, tidak mengerti budaya dan sejarah perjuangan suku kaumnya. Parah apabila, pengetahuan dan kesedaran cetek ini diadunkan dengan fahaman pecah dan perintah oleh regim Taib Mahmud sepanjang 30 tahun pemerintahannya. Lihat sajalah, berapa besar komponen politik Dayak, awalnya bangga dengan kejaguhan kepimpinan Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (Pesaka) oleh Jugah Barieng dan Parti Kebangsaan Sarawak (SNAP) yang dikendalikan oleh Stephen Kalong Ningkan. Suatu ketika dahulu, identiti Dayak cukup digeruni dan dihormati di Sarawak, namun ianya tidak berkekalan lama apabila pada tahun 1966, keturunan Melayu Melanau mula mengambil alih secara perlahan-lahan. Akibat kuasa dan tamak, Dayak akhirnya tumpas. Darurat telah diisyhtiharkan.

Bukan niat untuk mengagungkan-agungkan kebangkitan Dayak untuk memerintah tanahnya sendiri, sebaliknya ini adalah sebagai reaksi balas Dayak yang sekian lama kecewa dengan kepimpinan Taib Mahmud (PBB) yang tegar mengamalkan rasuah serta nepotisme. Mereka sudah hilang kepercayaan terhadap sistem sedia ada. Rakan-rakan Dayak selalu berpendapat, faedah besar dan perhatian rapi mampu diperolehi sekiranya warga Dayak menjawat Ketua Menteri Sarawak. Untuk makluman, Dayak adalah kaum majoriti di Sarawak. Harus diingat, kenyataan ini tidak boleh disamakan seperti Ibrahim Ali yang mengapi-apikan perkauman yang mampu mencetuskan keganasan, mengancam kaum lain secara sistematik dan sebagainya. Oleh sebab itu, saya bersedia mempertahankan hujah bahawa andai Dayak kembali menerajui tampuk negeri suatu hari nanti, persoalan yang harus dibangkitkan adalah, adakah beliau akan berlaku adil kepada semua? Melawan rasuah dan nepotisme? Menegakkan demokrasi dan urustadbir yang cekap dan amanah?

Harus diingat, isu-isu nasional dan pusat sering diambil kira dalam menilai situasi negeri oleh kebanyakan warga Sarawak. Pada pandangan saya, ini merupakan satu kesilapan yang besar dan salah faham berlaku tanpa ada pembetulan. Apabila saya bercakap mengenai demokrasi, negara hukum, ketelusan, integriti dan politik kepartian, ada sahaja tanggapan mengatakan bahawa ianya tidak berkaitan langsung dengan situasi kehidupan seharian mereka. Ada pula mendakwa ini merupakan sebahagian daripada propaganda semenanjung untuk mencampuri urusan domestik negeri Sarawak. Apabila saya berbicara soal agenda perubahan Kerajaan Selangor sepanjang 2 tahun pentadbirannya, dan mencadangkan agar ianya diteladani, idea ini diketepikan mudah tanpa berfikir.

Mereka lupa bahawa undang-undang nasional digubal di Dewan Rakyat, bukan di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), dasar-dasar bermula di Putrajaya, bukan bermula di Petrajaya. Rasuah berbillion ringgit melibatkan skandal kapal selam, PKFZ, enjin jet hilang, subsidi, politik wang; semua wang pembayar cukai di Malaysia, tiada yang terkecuali. Warga Sarawak turut mempunyai undi dan suara untuk didengar oleh Putrajaya dan Parlimen. UMNO mungkin tidak bertapak di Sarawak, akan tetapi pengaruh yang dikenakan terhadap kepimpinan Barisan Nasional negeri cukup signifikan. Warga Sarawak tidak berdaya untuk menghalang strategi halus Taib Mahmud untuk menghentikan kemasukan Melayu ke Sarawak, kemasukan 1.2 juta pekerja asing untuk SCORE, kemasukan hampir 6,000 guru Semenanjung dengan harapan menafikan kuasa pemerintahan Dayak Sarawak. Andai Tun Jugah dan Stephen Kalong Ningkan masih hidup, sudah tentu beliau berasa kecewa dengan perkembangan ini. Saya melihat mungkin ini sebab Ningkan berkeras enggan melepaskan jawatan Ketua Menteri sehingga tercetusnya Darurat pada tahun 1966 melihatkan keadaan ini akan berlaku sekiranya Rahman dan Taib mengetuai kerajaan negeri.
Kepimpinan Dayak Sarawak

Soal Dayak dengan populasi seramai 1.3 juta orang, menjadi tuan punya negeri tidak boleh menjadi ukuran utama. Pada hari ini, Dayak juga amat berkuasa dalam kerajaan Barisan Nasional Sarawak. Nama-nama besar seperti Alfred Jabu, James Masing, Richard Riot, James Dawos dan ramai berupaya mencorakkan jatuh bangun Dayak Sarawak. Seperti mana Melayu, yang kaya, korup dan berkuasa diangkat, manakala yang miskin dan busuk diabaikan. Pemimpin Dayak yang berperangai sedemikian akan ditolak mentah-mentah oleh warga Sarawak. Wujudnya para pemimpin Dayak ini, maka terus berpecahlah bangsanya mengikut aliran politik semasa, bukan lagi berdasarkan persamaan budaya, bahasa dan kepentingan generasi akan datang. Aktivis Dayak terkenal, Dr John Brian Anthony pernah menulis “One country will be collapsed if their own army unable to protect their country from attacking by their enemy”

Lantas, menurutnya lagi, warga Sarawak harus mula berani mempersoalkan mengapa kesepaduan warga Sarawak penting dalam pengurusan politik ekonomi negeri? Adakah budaya dan tradisi warga Sarawak selama ini mengekang perkembangan pemikiran, pemodenan dan identiti? Apakah ada wujudnya pihak ketiga yang mempunyai niat buruk terhadap kesepaduan warga Sarawak? Andai terbukti ada, mengapa berlakunya perkara demikian? Pada tahun lepas, kerajaan Sarawak telah mencetuskan kemarahan Dayak apabila mencadangkan mengugurkan terma ‘Dayak’ dalam mana-mana borang rasmi kerajaan sekaligus mencabar ketetapan Perlembagaan Negeri Sarawak.

Kuasa Ketiga

Dayak Sarawak khususnya, tidak memiliki sumber kewangan, dana dan pengaruh yang kukuh sebagaimana Melayu di Semenanjung, akan tetapi, saya ingin menegaskan bahawa penyusunan semula kuasa lobi (majoriti) secara sistematik dalam proses pembuatan keputusan politik yang mempengaruhi masa depan bangsa amatlah penting. Kuasa akar umbi yang rapi dan dipimpin oleh Dayak yang berkaliber dipercayai berupaya mengatasi rasa bimbang dan rendah diri apabila berdepan dengan pihak ketiga yang juga mungkin terdiri daripada Dayak Sarawak.
Kekayaan Sarawak, Kemiskinan warganya

Diawal wacana ini, disebut mengenai kekecewaan yang tidak tertanggung oleh warga Sarawak berhubung pengurusan ekonomi negeri yang lemah dan berlakunya insiden-insiden rasuah berleluasa. Disebut juga kekuatan pengaruh kronisme dalam pengagihan projek-projek pembangunan yang dipersoalkan sepertimana yang dikenalpasti dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara. Masa depan gergasi Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE) pula kini entah ke mana Projek Empangan Bakun terus berteka teki samaada wajar diselamatkan oleh wang pembayar cukai apabila konglomerat nasional Sime Darby, pemegang kepentingan utama projek ini mengalami kos lebihan tertanggung berjumlah RM 1.7 billion baru-baru ini.


Di Sarawak, SCORE merupakan nama besar yang sering dikagumi dan dibanggakan oleh warga Sarawak apatah lagi ia merupakan projek yang bakal memberikan kesan langsung terhadap pembangunan fizikal disekitarnya. Mereka dimaklumkan bahawa keperluan tenaga kerja yang besar dan gaji lumayan ditawarkan kepada warga tempatan dalam pelbagai bidang termasuklah tenaga, perindustrian, minyak dan gas. Setiap kali kenyataan ini dibuat oleh Menteri Sarawak, secara tidak langsung, persaingan memuncak untuk memasuki latihan dan sekolah vokasional demi impian untuk bekerja dalam bidang yang ditawarkan dalam projek SCORE. Walaupun begitu, kerisauan tetap ada.

Mereka amat prihatin dan mengambil serius terhadap isu ini kerana kekurangan kelengkapan prasarana yang ketara; bekalan elektrik, air bersih serta komunikasi masih menjejaskan kehidupan seharian. Anak-anak mudanya pula dahagakan peluang pekerjaan sehinggakan ada yang berhijrah ke Semenanjung untuk sesuap nasi. Barangkali laporan akhbar massa The Star pada awal bulan Mac 2010 telah membuka mata semua mengenai kepayahan 400 anak-anak muda Sarawak dan Sabah yang tidak mempunyai tempat tinggal di sekitar Kuala Lumpur semata-mata hendak mencari peluang pekerjaan.


Realiti.
Statistik daripada laporan program Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor 2010 umpamanya, Sarawak mendahului semua negeri dari segi jumlah pelaburan modal pada 2008 dan 2009, pencapaian tersebut berlaku kerana pelaburan tunggal untuk projek aluminium di Bintulu yang bernilai USD 2 billion (kira-kira RM 7 billion). Sumber daripada Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia (MIDA) dalam tempoh Januari – Disember 2009 pula mencatatkan sebanyak 20,753 peluang pekerjaan berpotensi untuk dibuka kepada warga Sarawak. Pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pesat tidak bermakna apabila hakikatnya cukup pahit untuk ditelan. Apa makna pertumbuhan angka ekonomi yang besar tanpa pengagihan hasil kekayaan yang menyeluruh? Justeru itu, saya amatlah tidak bersetuju apabila mengatakan negeri Sarawak adalah negeri ketiga termiskin di Malaysia sedangkan kaya dengan hasil mahsul, balak, minyak dan gas. Miskin, menurut pandangan saya adalah Dayak Sarawak, iaitu penghuni asal bumi Kenyalang.
Soal tumbuh atau tidak seharusnya lagi menjadi pokok perbincangan hari ini. Memetik The Asian Renaissance, yang dikarang oleh Anwar Ibrahim (1997), perdebatan sebaliknya harus tertumpu kepada apakah bentuk pertumbuhan yang benar-benar dikehendaki. Falsafah pertumbuhan yang dimaksudkan adalah integrasi dalam pembangunan manusianya sepertimana tertulis dalam Laporan Pembangunan Manusia pada tahun 1996. Tidak berteraskan kepada arus pertumbuhan yang memperkayakan segelintir sementara kemiskinan menjalar luas, pertumbuhan yang tidak berupaya memberikan kesan peluang pekerjaan, tidak menghakupayakan rakyat yang melenyapkan suara-suara kritikan dan menghakis identiti kebudayaan satu-satu bangsa.
Bahkan inilah yang menjadi tumpuan apabila Model Ekonomi Baru diperkenalkan. Dayak gelisah menantikan manfaat yang bakal diberikan oleh kerajaan. Hairannya, pimpinan Dayak Sarawak dilihat kurang menunjukkan minat yang mendalam terhadap pengumuman kerajaan ini. Mereka bersifat pasif dalam beberapa isu yang dibangkitkan kecuali beberapa komentar pembaharuan struktur subsidi oleh Taib Mahmud baru-baru ini. Saya juga berpendapat bahawa Model Ekonomi Baru ini dianggap sebagai pelan ekonomi untuk Semenanjung sahaja.

Semua warga Sarawak mengetahui dasar-dasar politik ekonomi yang digagaskan oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional semenjak Dasar Ekonomi Baru, Dasar Pembangunan Nasional dan Wawasan 2020 jauh sekali untuk difahami, dilaksanakan apatah lagi membantu mengeluarkan mereka dari kemiskinan. Persoalannya kini, apakah Model Ekonomi Baru dan Rancangan Malaysia ke 10 akan datang menawarkan sesuatu yang realistik kepada Sarawak?

Dalam seminar anjuran Sarawak Graduates Association (SGA) yang pernah dihadiri oleh saya pada tahun 2005, Dr Richard Leete dari UNDP telah membentangkan kertas kerja yang bertajuk ‘The Paradox of Poverty Studies’ membayangkan kaum Iban merupakan warga Sarawak yang paling miskin dengan kadar 10.5%. Sementara kadar purata kemiskinan negeri pula adalah 5.8% dimana Melayu merekodkan 5.2%, orang Ulu termasuklah Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit dan Lun Bawang dengan kadar 6.8% manakala kaum Cina dengan kadar 1%. Ini sekaligus membuktikan bahawa dasar-dasar tadi tidaklah membawa harapan besar kepada warga Sarawak. Tambahan pula, kemajuan luar bandar Sarawak sepanjang tempoh bersama Malaysia amatlah perlahan. Adakah proses tersebut bermakna sengaja melengah-lengahkan pembangunan semata-mata ingin meraih undi sewaktu pilihanraya atau menyekat kemasukan informasi- informasi yang dikhuatiri bakal menenggelamkan pengaruh Barisan Nasional negeri?
Kebimbangan yang disuarakan oleh Joseph Tawie adalah eksploitasi keterlaluan Model Ekonomi Baru apabila sumber asli seperti tanah dan projek pembangunan besar-besaran; ancaman dan mimpi ngeri warga Sarawak yang kini menderita akibat pernindasan sistematik berterusan oleh pemerintah. Semakin banyak hutan dirogol, semakin banyak gunung dan bukit ditarah, semakin banyak tanah dirompak oleh kroni-kroni pemerintah, semakin ramai Dayak menjadi mangsa pembangunan, semakin banyak kes tertangguh di mahkamah. Dan semakin hilanglah kepercayaan warga Sarawak terhadap kerajaan Barisan Nasional pada hari ini.
Apa tidaknya, Dayak sedang melihat ancaman pendekatan baru Model Ekonomi Baru yang menekankan industri kelapa sawit sebagai penjana pendapatan lumayan kerajaan. Sudah tentu, tanah adat Dayak akan menjadi pertaruhan besar ketika sudah wujud usaha untuk meneroka 1 juta hektar kawasan penanaman kelapa sawit baru menjelang akhir tahun ini. Sekarang, apa perlu Dayak lakukan untuk menanganinya? Dayak berada dalam keadaan dilema dimana, sekiranya menentang pembangunan, maka akan dianggap pembangkang dan konservatif, sekiranya Dayak menerima pembangunan bulat-bulat, maka tanah adat akan hilang akibat dirompak oleh pemerintah kerana pada pandangan Taib Mahmud “Land without development is poverty trap”
Tambahan pula, baru-baru ini, kerajaan negeri Sarawak dilaporkan akan menerima hasil negeri untuk tahun 2010 berjumlah RM 3.5 billion. Kita menggesa agar kerajaan negeri menjelaskan kepada warga Sarawak mengenai butirannya; berapakah hasil keuntungan minyak dan gas? Berapakah keuntungan pelaburan kerajaan negeri? Berapakah hasil kutipan cukai langsung dan tidak langsung, dan jumlah peruntukkan dari kerajaan pusat untuk tujuan pembangunan? Kemudiannya, apakah butiran perbelanjaannya, kemana wang berbillion ini dibelanjakan? Apakah kerajaan berbelanja melebihi hasil yang diperoleh? Kebanyakan Dayak menceburkan diri dalam bidang pertanian, apakah butiran peruntukkannya? Mengapa syer-syer dalam kumpulan perniagaan dan perindustrian negeri kecil?

Itu sebab kekuatan politik akar umbi yang kuat termasuk badan bukan kerajaan cukup kritikal dalam mengimbangi sistem kuasa politik dominan Barisan Nasional negeri pada hari ini. Saya secara peribadi yakin, kesedaran dan kebangkitan warga Sarawak sedang berlaku dalam keadaan sebagaimana yang digambarkan oleh seorang sahabat Iban sejurus kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat dalam Pilihanraya kecil Sibu lalu, permukaan sungai Rejang yang tenang, pada dasarnya amatlah deras tekanannya. Momentumnya harus ditingkatkan dari semasa ke semasa dan sekiranya ia dijalankan secara konsisten, maka kepercayaan terhadap Pakatan Rakyat sebagai kerajaan alternatif akan semakin menebal.