Keruah Usit

The Sarawak chief minister’s comparison of Penan to ‘animals’ is a time-honoured political ploy.

This is being read as retaliation for the recent public humiliation the Sarawak chief minister suffered in Oxford.

A perceived lack of urgency in following up leads in sexual violence cases is eroding confidence in the force.

PBB Youth head Fadillah Yusof insinuated that Penan girls begin sexual relations at 14.

Ah Hing claimed Bibi as his latest wife, and made her bear three children - in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The fact-finding mission was to 'allow the suppressed voices of the survivors of sexual exploitation to be heard', says an activist.

Among the common features of their stories are violence, abduction, exploitation or abandonment once the Penan woman became pregnant.

Another seven survivors of sexual exploitation in Baram come forward, bringing the total number of victims to 15. [VIDEO INSIDE]

Demagogues of all stripes in Sarawak have encouraged divisive ethnic politics since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Raziah Mahmud, CM Taib's sister, sits on the board of a company involved in forcibly dismantling natives' blockades.

There will be jobs for the boys, but not the boys from rural schools in Sarawak.

COMMENT Widespread moral decay in today's society indicates that we are losing our moral compass.

We can learn to reject such high-handed behaviour in our own midst.

COMMENT Ten years after activist Bruno Manser vanished, human rights abuses against the Penans and destructive logging practices still go on.

COMMENT He just has to tackle corruption and deliver better roads, schools, health services, electricity and clean water.

Every poll in Sarawak in living memory has been dogged by reports of vote-buying.

The shadow of Bakun hangs over the upcoming Sibu contest, though the incumbent BN remains a clear favourite to win.

COMMENT Voters in Bandar Sibu's May 16 by-election are likely to priotise issues of material development and livelihood.

Local gangs or secret societies retain a powerful influence in Sibu society, on both sides of the political divide.

The Penan have asked logging giant Samling to stop working on their lands, but their pleas were ignored.

Iban communities are battling against loggers out to intimidate them, and allege they are getting scant help from the police.

'Our one-party state cannot shape inclusive and equitable economic policy because it cannot relinquish its addiction to the politics of racial discrimination...'

Public rallies in Thailand and other Asian countries have had little impact on investor confidence, giving lie to an often-cited Malaysian claim.