SOCIAL activist Peter John Jaban has renewed his call for a thorough investigation by the various authorities into how Syrian-born Ragad Kurdi Taib is able to obtain an identity card (IC) and native-title lands when so many genuine natives are forced to apply for native status despite having both or at least one native parent.
He wants the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the National Registration Department (JPN) to conduct a transparent investigation into “double standards” which have enabled the second wife of Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud to be successful in her application for the aforementioned privileges.
“The vast majority of our civil service work hard to provide the people with services, only to find themselves tainted by the actions of a few who prefer the wealthy and connected over ordinary people,” berated Jaban in a media statement.
“This cannot continue. Did Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi really pass the Melanau Customs Council test? If Ragad really did pass her test, we challenge her to deliver a speech in the Melanau or Malay language.”
For context, Jaban is among several Sarawakians who have filed police reports against Ragad and her son Nizar for causing affront to the genuine natives of Sarawak due to their sheer disregard and open contempt for the undeserved honour bestowed on them by their host country.
“We have seen this far too often. Some of our civil servants will bow to wealth and privilege, no matter how that is gained while others are forced into it by their superiors,” lamented Jaban.
“They bend the rules to accommodate people in power while genuine natives are ignored or told to come back later.”
Jaban who is also the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) deputy president claimed that no ordinary Sarawakian “could have received the Sarawakian citizenship at that speed, let alone native status”.
“The government must investigate the circumstances in which it was granted and indeed whether the decision followed proper procedure regarding language and links to a community,” he pointed out.
Jaban also claimed that the action of Ragad and her son could amount to sedition as it can clearly lead to a misunderstanding among the people and civil unrest.
“Ragad and her sons also pose a threat to the stability and security of the nation. This is the second report filed against the family and more will follow if the matter is not addressed openly,” he asserted.
Fellow social activist Robert Saweng who accompanied Jaban to lodge his second police report is confident that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail would take proactive measures in this matter given it runs parallel to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s policy of stemming abuse of power and corruption.
“We are seeing a new era for our government services. This issue first popped up some years ago but should not be allowed to stand given recent developments. But if this is allowed to continue, they (the authorities) should not be surprised if those people without any citizenship come out from the village to pursue equal rights for all,” cautioned the native from Kapit. – July 6, 2023
