Latest news with #PeterJohnJaban
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Reinstate direct Kuching-Pontianak flight to revive tourism, trade, S'wak activist tells govt
Peter (front) in a group photo with the Sarawak delegation in West Kalimantan. MIRI (June 6): Social activist Peter John Jaban has called on the government to urgently reinstate the direct flight between Kuching and Pontianak, emphasising that improved air connectivity is crucial to facilitate cross-border travel and strengthen ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan. He raised the issue following a recent overland trip to West Kalimantan, which he led alongside a delegation of 50 Sarawakian business leaders. While the mission was successful, the group faced nearly four hours of delays at Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) checkpoints due to long queues and complicated paperwork. 'This journey underscored the urgent need for a direct flight. The land route simply cannot substitute for air travel in terms of speed, comfort, and efficiency. 'A direct connection is vital, not only for convenience but for maintaining bilateral ties,' he said in a statement. Peter expressed hope that both Indonesian and Malaysian authorities would prioritise and expedite the reinstatement of the Kuching-Pontianak air service, which has been suspended since March 2024. He pointed out that communities on both sides of the border have been adversely affected, as the suspension impacts livelihoods directly. 'This is not just a flight route, it is a lifeline. Its suspension has disrupted cross-border tourism, hindered medical and educational travel, and slowed down vital cultural and economic exchanges that have long flourished between our people,' he said. Before the flight suspension, thousands of travellers relied on the direct connection each month. Peter said without it, passengers are forced to transit through Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur, resulting in longer, more costly, and physically exhausting journeys, especially for those seeking medical care in Sarawak. 'Quick access via air is not a luxury; it is a necessity,' he stressed, citing Sarawak's rising status as a medical tourism hub, particularly for Indonesian patients seeking affordable, quality treatment. He also argued that reinstating the flight is critical for small businesses, local tour operators, and the hospitality sector as the region strives to recover from economic challenges. Furthermore, Peter highlighted that restoring this air link would support broader regional integration under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework, serving as a vital bridge for cross-border development. In this regard, he also urged AirAsia and other airlines to demonstrate their commitment to regional growth and connectivity. 'This is not merely a logistical issue, it is a matter of fairness, development, and cooperation. 'The people of Kalimantan and Sarawak deserve better connectivity and the opportunity to thrive together,' said Peter. direct flight kalimantan Kuching Peter John Jaban
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Activist slams ‘misleading' claims over Baram forest project collapse
Peter John Jaban MIRI (May 24): Sarawak land rights activist Peter John Jaban has criticised the state government's narrative blaming civil society groups for the termination of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) project, calling it 'misleading'. He was responding to Deputy Minister Len Latif's clarification during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, where it was claimed that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) and SAVE Rivers failed to meet project conditions by not taking into account the interest of indigenous groups apart from the Penan. 'These claims are misleading and ignore the actual reasons behind the project's collapse. 'The truth is that the project was derailed by a lack of transparency, top-down interference, and an abrupt shift away from the conservation and indigenous-led vision that was originally agreed upon,' he said in a statement. The UBFA initiative – known locally as the Baram Peace Park – was championed by the indigenous communities to protect over 79,000 hectares of primary forest, with the broader goal of ensuring sustainable livelihoods and forest stewardship across 283,500 hectares. Backed by international donors including the Japanese government and the City of Basel, the project emphasised Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and community leadership. Peter claimed that after securing international funding, the Sarawak Forest Department and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) changed the project's direction and excluded core conservation areas, prioritising commercial forest exploitation without adequate community consultation. He said the government's narrative was now an attempt to 'deflect from reality' and that this project was compromised from the top. He also pointed to the controversial logging activities commencing in the area shortly after the expiration of previous concessions, as a new concession was granted to Borneoland Timber Resources Sdn Bhd. 'On the other hand, civil society groups had consistently advocated for transparency, FPIC and the inclusion of indigenous perspectives, while being scapegoated by the authorities.' The activist called on both the Sarawak government and ITTO to return to the principles of true indigenous leadership, conservation over profit, and full transparency. 'If Sarawak is serious about sustainable development, it must start by listening to the people who have protected these forests for generations,' he said. lead misleading Peter John UBFA Upper Baram Forest Area
Daily Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Support for Sabah in protecting native customary rights
Published on: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 20, 2025 Text Size: Peter said that Indigenous peoples must receive fair benefits from any projects impacting their lands. - FMT pic. Kota Kinabalu: Indigenous communities in Sarawak have voiced strong support for their counterparts in Sabah, echoing calls for greater recognition of native customary rights (NCR) and stronger protections for Indigenous heritage. 'We, the Indigenous people of Sarawak, stand in solidarity with the Indigenous communities of Sabah in demanding a transparent and inclusive process to recognize and enforce NCR land boundaries,' said Peter John Jaban, a Humans and Land Rights defender, in a statement. Advertisement Peter, who is also a member of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), urged for concrete measures to safeguard Indigenous languages, traditions and heritage, as well as ensuring that development projects are only carried out with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of affected communities. He said that Indigenous peoples must receive fair benefits from any projects impacting their lands. The challenges faced by Sabah's Indigenous communities, land encroachment, displacement due to large-scale development and the erosion of cultural identity are all too familiar to Sarawak's native populations. Systemic issues such as inadequate access to basic services, limited political representation and exclusion from decision-making processes further compound these struggles. Advertisement Citing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Peter emphasised the legal and moral obligation of governments to uphold Indigenous rights. Key provisions include Article 32 Indigenous peoples must give FPIC before any development projects proceed on their lands, Article 10 Protection against forced removal from territories and Article 19 Governments must consult Indigenous communities before passing laws affecting them. The groups are calling for transparent NCR land boundary recognition to prevent disputes and displacement, stronger legal protections for Indigenous languages, traditions and sacred sites. Additionally, they also called for effective FPIC implementation to ensure communities have a say in development projects and inclusive governance where Indigenous voices are heard at all policy levels. 'The future of Sarawak's and Sabah's Indigenous peoples and Malaysia's rich cultural heritage depends on upholding justice, equity and human rights,' Peter said. 'We urge authorities to take immediate action,' he added. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sarawak activist urges respect for MA63, state rights
Published on: Friday, May 09, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025 Text Size: KUCHING: Sarawakian activist Peter John Jaban ( pic ) has issued a strong rebuke against the continued exploitation of Sarawak's rights and resources, warning that true national cohesion cannot be achieved without respect, equity, and dignity for all, Dayak Daily reported. In a statement on Thursday, he called on federal leaders to stop hiding behind 'unity' rhetoric as a shield for federal overreach, and demanded the full return of Sarawak's oil and gas rights as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Peter criticised opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin's recent remarks, which urged that Sarawak's demands over oil and gas be addressed 'in a spirit of unity and fairness', while emphasising that 'Petronas is meant for the country'. He stressed that Sarawak is not a mere component state but a founding partner of Malaysia, and that its rights under MA63 are not to be negotiated in the spirit of unity but to be respected as binding legal obligations. Peter asserted that Sarawak's patience should not be mistaken for submission, and that the state will not compromise on its rights, resources, or future. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
