Sebanaku Sarawak

Blog SUPP menunjukkan kekecewaan atau kemarahan dengan Taib?

2012-01-29T19:57:00.002+08:00

Sila klik dibawah dan baca blog rasmi SUPP:-
Blog Rasmi Komponen BN Sarawak Parti SUPP

Yang Amar Berhormat Pehin Sri Taib mengambil masa hampir seratus minit di rumah Billionaire Sir Tiong Hiew King (Emperor Papua New Guinea) dan hampir sejam di rumah YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. 0 minit di Rumah Terbuka SUPP.

Siapakah mastermind penghancuran komponen Barisan Nasional parti SPDP?

2012-01-24T11:23:00.002+08:00

Nansian, Dr Tiki, Rosey dan Paulus keluar SPDP

Borneo Post January 7, 2012, Saturday

KUCHING: Empat bekas pemimpin SPDP yang dilucutkan jawatan dalam parti pada 25 November lepas mengumumkan keluar daripada parti berkuat kuasa hari ini dan akan menubuhkan Kelab Barisan Nasional Sarawak.
Mereka yang lebih popular dengan gelaran SPDP 5 mengambil keputusan tersebut setelah melihat tidak ada prospek ke arah penyelesaian krisis dengan pucuk pimpinan, Presiden Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.
Pengumuman keluar parti itu dilakukan menerusi kenyataan media semalam dan ditandatangani mereka yang terbabit, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, Rosey Yunus dan Paulus Palu Gumbang.
Nansian yang juga Menteri Muda Kerajaan Tempatan merupakan bekas naib presiden kanan SPDP dan juga ADUN Tasik Biru, Dr Tiki ialah pengerusi Majlis Latihan Khidmat Negara dan Ahli Parlimen Mas Gading merupakan bekas naib presiden, Rosey, Menteri Muda Pendidikan Awal Kanak-kanak dan Pembangunan Keluarga juga ADUN Bekenu merupakan bekas ahli Majlis Tertinggi parti manakala Paulus ialah ADUN Batu Danau dan merupakan bekas ketua penerangan.
Mereka memberitahu, keputusan keluar parti juga diambil berikutan tindakan Majlis Tertinggi SPDP pada 25 November 2011 memecat bekas Naib Presiden Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran daripada parti.
Entri, Menteri Muda Bekalan Air, merupakan seorang daripada anggota SPDP 5. Beliau dipecat kerana menentang kepimpinan Mawan.
Berikutan itu mereka menggelar mereka sebagai Kumpulan 5 atau G5.
“SPDP (Mawan) telah mengumumkan (pada 25 November 2011) memecat seorang daripada kami (G5), YB Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, justeru kami tidak ada pilihan lain melainkan keluar daripada SPDP,” kata kenyataan itu.
Pada mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi pertama SPDP selepas perhimpunan parti, SPDP 5 diketuai Entri, keluar meninggalkan mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi pada Januari 2010.
Mengenai surat keluar parti kepada pucuk pimpinan SPDP, Nansian berkata ia tidak diperlukan.

Awang Tengah denies meddling

by Peter Sibon, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on September 22, 2011, Thursday

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan

KUCHING: PBB senior vice-president says he has nothing to do with SPDP’s internal problems.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has denied accusations that he has meddled with the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party’s (SPDP) internal affairs.
The so-called ‘SPDP Five’ could face disciplinary action for failing to attend the party’s supreme council meetings over the last two years.
They are senior vice-president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik Biru assemblyman), vice-president Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi assemblyman), vice-president Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (Mas Gading Member of Parliament) and supreme council members: Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang.
“Why should I interfere (in the affairs of other component parties) as that could weaken the BN.”

news end.

Adakah apa-apa kebenaran dalam khabar angin bahawa YB Datuk Amar sudah 'membiayai' kelima-lima yb ini dengan RM 20,000 ke RM 50,000 sebulan setiap seorang selama lebih 2 tahun? Adakah ini semata-mata kerana YB Datuk Amar amat prihatin dengan kebajikan 5 yb ini atau kerana khabar angin bahawa ada guna 5 yb ini untuk Datuk Amar 'ambition' lebih besar? Apa pun Tok Guru dan Chief Strategistnya sudah memangku jawatan tertinggi di Sarawak...

Datuk Bandar Sibu dan Ahli Parlimen Lanang Tiong Thai King abaikan penyokong kuat BN

2012-01-18T11:14:00.002+08:00

Jangan abai penyokong kuat BN

by Abang Ismail Abang Su’ud. Posted on January 16, 2012, Monday

BELA SUMUA PENYOKONG BN: Masing (tengah) bersama Entulu (kiri) dan Joseph Salang (kanan) semasa bercakap dalam sidang media semalam.

Wakil rakyat mesti adil, khususnya yang bukan ahli parti komponen mereka
BINTULU: Penduduk yang menjadi penyokong kuat kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) tidak harus diabaikan oleh wakil-wakil rakyat BN yang mewakili mereka di sesuatu kawasan meskipun mereka dalam parti komponen BN yang berlainan.
Presiden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Tan Sri James Masing berkata, wakil rakyat BN mestilah berlaku adil ketika memberikan perkhidmatan kepada rakyat di kawasan masing-masing khususnya terhadap rakyat yang bukan ahli parti komponen mereka.
Beliau merujuk mengenai kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Dudong, Sibu (sebahagian kawasan Parlimen Lanang) yang merupakan kawasan Cina diwakili Ahli Parlimen Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP).
“Ada kalangan Dayak merasakan mereka seolah-olah diabaikan. Ini amat berbahaya (kepada BN) apabila (sesetengah kumpulan masyarakat) diabaikan,” ujarnya dalam sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi PRS di Hotel Kemena Plaza semalam.
Masing berkata, tindakan itu boleh memburukkan BN apabila penyokong BN daripada kaum Dayak boleh memusuhi BN apabila tiba pilihan raya.
“Jika anda tidak meminggirkan mereka, mereka yang merupakan penyokong kuat BN akan sentiasa gembira untuk membantu anda kerana masyarakat Dayak sangat sedia membalas budi,” katanya yang juga Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Sarawak.
Dalam pada itu Masing berkata, BN akan terus berhadapan cabaran besar membabitkan isu pembangunan infrastruktur di kawasan luar bandar.
Katanya, semua parti dalam BN seharusnya saling membantu dan bekerjasama yang mana wakil rakyat yang mewakili parti tertentu dalam komponen BN serta mewakili sesuatu kawasan itu perlu adil dengan semua kaum semasa melaksanakan tugasnya.
Mengenai mesyuarat itu katanya, pihaknya turun padang semalam merupakan satu usaha untuk mendekati ahli-ahli parti dari beberapa kawasan negeri ini supaya mereka tidak berasa terabai lebih lagi Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) kini semakin hampir.
“Sebelum ini kerap kali kami mengadakan mesyuarat di Ibu Pejabat PRS Kuching untuk ahli-ahli parti peringkat bahagian.
“Sekiranya mesyuarat kerap kali diadakan di Kuching, seolah-olah ahli-ahli parti di peringkat bahagian lain merasakan mereka tidak penting,” jelasnya.
Selain itu Masing turut meminta kerajaan persekutuan menunaikan janjinya kepada masyarakat Orang Ulu yang terjejas berikutan pelaksanaan Empangan Bakun yang bernilai RM7 bilion.
Katanya, kerajaan berjanji untuk membiayai separuh daripada kos pembinaan rumah panjang baharu di Skim Penempatan Semula Sungai Asap.
“Kerajaan negeri telah melaksanakan bahagiannya untuk membayar 50 peratus lagi kos berkenaan. Saya berharap pembayaran akan dapat dilakukan sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang,” ujarnya.
Mengenai program Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) katanya, satu cara pembayaran berkesan perlu difikirkan kerajaan bagi program BR1M khusus untuk rakyat di kawasan pedalaman.
“Bayaran menggunakan sistem baucar tidak begitu bersesuaian bagi mereka berbanding dengan bayaran tunai secara terus.
“Ia membebankan rakyat, terutama bagi yang tinggal di luar bandar di Long Busang, satu kawasan jauh di pedalaman Belaga yang terpaksa membelanjakan RM600 untuk kos pengangkutan ke bandar bagi mendapatkan wang tunai daripada baucar itu sekali gus wang bantuan itu habis hanya untuk belanja pengangkutan.
“Apakah kebaikannya apabila mereka mendapat RM500 dan menggunakan RM600 (untuk belanja pengangkutan)?
Akhirnya ia menjadi masalah yang membebankan rakyat,” katanya.
Timbalan Presiden PRS merangkap Timbalan Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, Naib Presiden PRS merangkap Timbalan Menteri Penerangan, Komunikasi, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan merangkap Ahli Parlimen Julau Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Naib Presiden PRS merangkap Ahli Parlimen Hulu Rajang Datuk Billy Abit Joo, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Tamin Joseph Mauh Ikeh, Ahli Parlimen Lubok Antu William Nyalau Badak, Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Mong Dagang, Ketua Pergerakan Wanita Senator Doris Sophia Brodie dan ahli Majlis Tertinggi PRS turut hadir dalam sidang media itu.

NST CEO who published humiliating frontpage "Taib under MACC investigation" is made Petra Energy CEO

2012-01-12T19:49:00.004+08:00

Anthony Bujang is Petra Energy's new CEO

Published: 2012/01/11

KUALA LUMPUR: Integrated oil and gas brown field services provider Petra Energy Bhd has appointed Datuk Anthony Fridauz Bujang its new chief executive officer.

In a statement today, Petra Energy said Anthony who is formerly Chief Executive Officer of the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP), was well experienced in banking, communications and the oil & gas industry.

The company also announced the appointment of Florentius Henry Toyad as Director of Operations, Mohamad Zaidee Abang Hipni as Chief Financial Officer, Saperi Rambli as Senior General Manager (Corporate Communications, Branding and Services), Mohamed Azahari Jantan as Head of Contract and Commercial, Mohamad
Subky Bustari as General Manager (Group Operations Planning), Abdullah Hashim as Senior Manager (Internal Audit) and Lee Hung Sang as Technical Operations Manager.- BERNAMA

Who is the controlling shareholder of Petra Energy Berhad who has rewarded the former Chief Editor for humiliating taib on the frontpage headline of national newspaper?

The taib humiliating NST frontpage headlinearticle was:-

MACC investigates Taib Mahmud over timber corruption allegations

2011/06/09

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that it is currently investigating Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud over allegation of timber corruption.

Its commissioner, Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the commission was in the process of gathering more information regarding the matter.

"As I said earlier, we are investigating Taib Mahmud and whatever our action is, we cannot reveal at this moment," he told reporters at Sime Darby Bhd's signing and handing over corporate integrity pledge to the MACC, here today.

Abu Kassim was responding to a question on whether the MACC was looking at carrying out a similar action by the Swiss Anti Corruption Agency, which recently froze the assets of Taib Mahmud over the allegation of timber corruption.

According to a foreign news report, the Swiss Federation president Micheline Calmy-Rey was reported to be aware of the allegations and had forwarded the information about Taib’s assets in Switzerland to its regulatory body FINMA (the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) for investigation.
End

The article was also published in thestar but not in the frontpage (back pages).
http://www.umnosarawak.blogspot.com/2012/01/anthony-bujang-is-petra-energys-new-ceo.html

Strategic adviser to CM aspirant made acting TYT

2012-01-01T16:15:00.001+08:00

Perancangan CM aspirant semakin berjaya?

Asfia is acting Head of State

Borneo Post December 30, 2011, Friday

CONGRATULATIONS: Asfia being congratulated after he was sworn-in as acting Head of State. — Bernama photo

KUCHING: Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, 64, has been appointed as the acting Head of State for the period Dec 27 to Feb 10 next year.
Asfia took his oath of office before Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Kuching High Court Judge Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang at a ceremony held at the Lapau, State Legislative Assembly Building, Petra Jaya, here yesterday morning.
Earlier, Jabu read the appointment letter from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong before Asfia signed the document.
Yang DiPertua Negeri Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin is currently on leave.
Asfia is also the Speaker of State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Also present were Asfia’s wife Datin Amar Fatimah Mohd Iskandar and other family members, Jabu’s wife Dato Sri Empiang, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing and Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan.

Siapakah dalang akhbar semenanjung untuk memperlekeh taib?

2011-12-24T16:10:00.000+08:00

umnosarawak.blogspot.com

Taib hits the roof at ‘daring’ reporter

Joseph Tawie | December 21, 2011

It appears the chief minister is not entirely unaffected by the allegations of corruption against him.

KUCHING: Is Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, whose US$1.46 billion wealth made global media headlines, beginning to feel the heat at home?
Already stacked against him are a series of local and international reports of alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Topping the list is the most recent and globally published report submitted by a group of international and Malaysian non-governmental organisations on the alleged corruption committed by him.
The allegations, it appears, are affecting him after all if his violent reaction to a reporter’s question last weekend was any indication.
Taib was officiating at a function at the Kuching Waterfront last Saturday when a reporter asked for his comment regarding the report submitted by the group of international NGOs.
Turning on the reporter, an angry Taib demanded to know the identity of the reporter who had “dared” to ask him that question.
“Who is the reporter (who dared to ask)?” Taib was overheard asking while his bodyguards identified the reporter and allegedly pushed the newsman.
Luckily for him the other journalists quickly rushed to help him.
Reporters barred
When they saw Taib was so angry, the reporters left and boycotted the function.
“It is obvious that the chief minister is haunted by allegations of alleged corruption against him,” said a senior reporter.
Last Thursday, Taib refused to see pressmen after his weekly Cabinet meeting.
For the past 30 years, it had been a traditional practice for Taib or other Cabinet ministers to meet and brief the press of government projects or programmes.
But this time, Taib not only refused to see the reporters but also barred them from entering the Wisma Baba Malaysia building that houses the ministerial complex.

Kenapa Siew Ka Wei dan Mohamed Al Amin Majid 'publish' berita Naib Presiden PKR?

2011-12-18T20:40:00.000+08:00

Take Taib Mahmud to task

KUALA LUMPUR: CALL FOR ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF SARAWAK CHIEF MINISTER

Thursday, December 15th, 2011 The Malay Mail

STOP THE PLUNDER: Taib Mahmud and his family's dealings must be looked into

I REFER to the widely-publicised letter dated Dec 13 from NGOs based in six different countries demanding the arrest and prosecution of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and 13 of his family members for massive fraud, theft, corruption, illegal appropriation of land and abuses of public office.
For years, concerned individuals, organisations and the political opposition have called upon the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to stop Taib’s alleged plunder of Sarawak’s wealth and natural resources.
But successive BN government’s have taken no action against Taib and his empire. The facts revealed in this letter are staggering. Taib’s family stake in just 14 companies amounts to over RM4.6 billion.
Taib’s family had been identified as having interests in 332 Malaysian and 85 foreign companies. The Taib empire’s alleged illegal activities are being looked into by Australia, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Taib family’s companies have been reportedly given huge timber concessions and large state construction projects without public tender and are said to hold monopolies on cement and timber exports.
Sarawak’s wealth and assets worth hundreds of millions are allegedly being smuggled out of the country in lavish property holdings held by Taib’s children in Canada, England and the US. The BN has betrayed the people of Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia. In exchange for their “fixed-deposit” of votes, which the BN desperately needs to hold on to power, they allowed Taib to run Sarawak like his personal fiefdom.
Despite the colossal scale of the Taib family’s wealth and corruption, they remain untouchable. The magnitude of the amounts involved dwarf the ongoing National Feedlot Corporation corruption scandal.
Immense damage has also been done to our nation’s international reputation by the government’s refusal to stop the plunder and prosecute Taib and his family. We demand:
i) immediate formation of a Royal Commission of Enquiry into the entire Taib business empire;
ii) immediate arrest and prosecution of Taib Mahmud and 13 other family members;
iii) immediate resignation of Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister and of all his family members sitting on the boards of State-owned enterprises or bodies;
iv) formation of a multi-agency taskforce to recover illegally obtained assets and property in Malaysia and throughout the world; and
v) the government’s cooperatation with international law enforcement agencies and foreign States to bring Taib and his family to justice.
N. SURENDRAN
Keadilan vice-president

Should SUPP Democracy or Rimbunan Hijau political machinations be adhered to?

2011-12-16T11:12:00.000+08:00

Chin: Respect majority’s decision

Joseph Tawie | December 14, 2011

The mood within Sarawak United Peoples' Party is far from reconciliatory as a defiant former deputy secreatry general Wong Soon Koh choses to wait for ROS decision.

KUCHING: Newly elected Sarawak United People’s Party president Peter Chin has advised Wong Soon Koh, the party’s former deputy secretary general and his team, to respect the decision of the majority.
“We think we are in the majority because of the attendances. So if you are in the minority, you have to accept the majority decision, and that is basic,” said Chin, who is the Energy, Green Technology and Water minister.

He was asked to comment on Wong’s statement that he and his team would not accept any posts offered by Chin. Wong claimed that the party’s recently held triennial delegates conference (TDC) was illegal.
Wong’s seven-member team comprising MP for Lanang Tiong Thai King, assemblymen Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Ranum Mina (Opar), Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Francis Harden (Simanggang) and Johnichal Rayong (Engkilili) had all boycotted the TDC and forfeited their right to contest in the party polls.
Referring to Wong’s claims that Chin’s election as president was unconstitutional, the new president said: “Fair enough, if they think that my election was unconstitutional and they don’t want to join me than that is their stand.
“I cannot go further than saying (they must) respect the decision of the majority.
“(As) for us we have complied with the conditions of legal meetings. The quorum was there, and the most important thing is that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) told me that the minority must accept the majority decisions.
“That must be the principle.”
Chin said he had met with the ROS after Wong and his team had lodged several reports alleging irregularities with branch level party polls.
“I saw the ROS after they (Wong and his team) have made the complaints, and he told me that the minority should accept the majority decision,” he said.
No decision until ROS completes probe
Asked whether there was a likelihood that ROS would deregister the party, Chin said: “ROS (the registrar) has to do his duty which is to investigate complaints.
“We have to leave it to him,” he added.
On the seven vacant posts reserved for Wong and his team, Chin said that Central Committee would make a collective decision on the matter.
“We will make a collective decision under my stewardship.
“Party comes first,” he said.
Last Monday, Wong and his seven-member team who boycotted the TDC pending the ROS investigation, said in a joint statement that the next outcome of the probe would determine their next move.

Sebanaku Poll close to actual results

2011-12-15T11:40:00.005+08:00

Peter Chin Fah Kui 59%
Wong Soon Koh 30%
Tiong Thai King 11%

YB Dato Sri Manyin applauds Riot’s election as SUPP deputy chief

2011-12-14T11:04:00.000+08:00

Borneo Post December 13, 2011, Tuesday

SERIAN: PBB vice president Dato Sri Michael Manyin yesterday congratulated Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot for being elected as deputy president of fellow BN component party SUPP.
Manyin, who is assemblyman for Tebedu, which is one of two seats under Serian, said it was a great achievement considering that a fellow Bidayuh had been elected as the number two in a Chinese-based party.
“Congratulations. Good. This is good news for the Bidayuh community. That’s the first time the post is being held by a non-Chinese,” he said to reporters after presentation of land titles to Salcra participants at Kampung Bunan Gega.
On Sunday, Riot, who is also Deputy Foreign Minister and five-term Serian MP, made history after the SUPP’s central committee (CC) delegates elected him as the first non-Chinese deputy president of the party.
Riot has been a member of SUPP since May 1, 1993, having joined the party three years after he won Serian on an Independent ticket.
“Even though SUPP is a Chinese-based party, the Dayaks will be looked after, not that we were not looked after, but we are now looked upon as equal partners in SUPP.”
Manyin, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications, and Riot are both from Kampung Pichin, near Serian.

Ibupejabat SUPP terbakar atau dibakar?

2011-12-13T18:28:00.000+08:00

KUCHING: A fire at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters early this morning caused extensive damage to the party’s meeting room, which is located at the back of the building.
Eyewitnesses called the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) at 3.51am after seeing smoke and firefighters managed to put out the fire by 5.10am.
As of 12pm, Bomba had yet to establish the cause of the fire.
New SUPP secretary-general Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian was among the first to arrive at the scene.
When contacted, former secretary-general Datuk Sim Kheng Hui told reporters he believed the fire was not accidental, but would leave it to the police to investigate.
Newly-elected SUPP president Datuk Seri Peter Chin is expected to visit the headquarters around 6pm today to inspect the extent of the damage.
SUPP held its Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) over the weekend.
A faction led by Wong had boycotted the TDC citing irregularities and procedural impropriety at branch-level elections.
The Registrar of Societies (ROS) is investigating.

Wong disappointed Riot breaks promise

2011-12-11T12:57:00.000+08:00

Borneo Post December 10, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: SUPP deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is disappointed that assistant secretary-general Datuk Richard Riot has failed to keep his promise to not participate in the party’s Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC).
The Second Finance Minister stressed that Riot had spoken to him on the phone that he would boycott the conference.
However, Riot, who is Deputy Foreign Minister, was present at the central committee (CC) conference held at the SUPP headquarters here yesterday.
“When Datuk Richard Riot spoke with Dr Jerip Susil at 1.20pm on Dec 8 he said he supported our stand not to participate in the TDC and to not accept any party posts even if offered.
“Later, at 1.26pm, I personally spoke with Datuk Richard Riot who confirmed what he told Dr Jerip,” Wong told a news conference here yesterday.
On Thursday, Riot’s name was included in a press statement announcing that Wong and his camp would not participate in the party’s TDC.
However, Riot had issued a separate statement, saying that he did not agree with Wong and his camp’s stand.
“We respect Datuk Richard Riot’s right to change his mind and to attend the TDC. We must, however, clarify that our press statement was issued only after consulting Datuk Richard Riot and obtaining his consent,” said Wong.
ends//KUCHING: SUPP deputy secretary-general Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is disappointed that assistant secretary-general Datuk Richard Riot has failed to keep his promise to not participate in the party’s Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC).
The Second Finance Minister stressed that Riot had spoken to him on the phone that
he would boycott the conference.
However, Riot, who is Deputy Foreign Minister, was present at the central committee (CC) conference held at the SUPP headquarters here yesterday.
“When Datuk Richard Riot spoke with Dr Jerip Susil at 1.20pm on Dec 8 he said he supported our stand not to participate in the TDC and to not accept any party posts even if offered.
“Later, at 1.26pm, I personally spoke with Datuk Richard Riot who confirmed what he told Dr Jerip,” Wong told a news conference here yesterday.
On Thursday, Riot’s name was included in a press statement announcing that Wong and his camp would not participate in the party’s TDC.
However, Riot had issued a separate statement, saying that he did not agree with Wong and his camp’s stand.
“We respect Datuk Richard Riot’s right to change his mind and to attend the TDC. We must, however, clarify that our press statement was issued only after consulting Datuk Richard Riot and obtaining his consent,” said Wong.

Gentleman and honourable are BN Leadership hallmarks

2011-12-11T01:28:00.001+08:00

Najib mahu calon-calon SUPP berdamai selepas bertanding

10/12/2011 9:58pm

KUCHING 10 Dis. – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mahu calon Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) yang bertanding dalam pemilihan parti itu supaya mengamalkan sikap suka berdamai, berhati mulia dan inklusif dalam tindakan mereka sebaik ia berakhir.
Semasa memberikan nasihat itu, Perdana Menteri yang juga Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) berkata, mereka mesti merapatkan semula barisan bagi mendapatkan semula keyakinan rakyat kerana pertukaran pucuk pimpinan tidak dapat dielakkan dari semasa ke semasa dalam mana-mana parti.
"Mereka yang menang bukan menang kesemuanya dan mereka yang kalah bukan hilang semuanya kerana musuh mereka adalah pembangkang dan bukan anggota dan rakan dalam SUPP,” katanya semasa merasmikan Persidangan Perwakilan Tiga Tahun Sekali SUPP yang ke-22 di sini.
Setiausaha Penyelaras parti, Datuk Seri Peter Chin, yang pada awalnya dicalonkan bertanding menentang Timbalan Setiausaha Agung, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh bagi jawatan Presiden, dijangka menang tanpa bertanding apabila pencalonan ditutup tengah hari ini.
Soon Koh tidak hadir pada persidangan. – Bernama

Menjelang TDC SUPP 2011

2011-12-09T01:57:00.000+08:00

Sih kecewa ada pihak cuba halang TDC ikut jadual

Posted on December 8, 2011, Thursday

SEMANGAT SA’ATI: Sih (tengah) bersama dua calon yang akan bertanding untuk jawatan Pengerusi Pemuda SUPP; Timbalan Pengerusi Pemuda Lawrence Kong (kiri) dan Setiausaha Agung Pemuda Tan Kai pada mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusat Pemuda.

KUCHING: Ketua Pemuda Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) Sih Hua Tong mendakwa beliau mendengar beberapa kelompok kecil dalam parti tersebut sedang dalam proses memohon injunksi mahkamah untuk menghalang Persidangan Perwakilan Tiga Tahun Sekali (TDC) yang dijadualkan pada hujung minggu ini.
Sih berkata, tindakan sedemikian bertentangan dengan peraturan dan perlembagaan parti.
“Saya begitu sedih dan kecewa, dan saya tidak faham kenapa ada orang tertentu yang ingin sekali menghalang TDC ini diadakan mengikut jadual,” ujarnya sebelum menghadiri mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusat Pemuda SUPP.
Sih berkata, tindakan yang tidak wajar ini telah menimbulkan kemarahan ramai ahli dan penyokong parti.
“Saya tidak faham kenapa ada puak tertentu yang tidak peduli langsung tentang kelangsungan parti.
Apakah motif mereka sebenarnya? Saya tidak tahu dan saya tidak dapat membuat tekaan dan memahami tindakan itu kerana mereka masih mahu bertanding merebut jawatan dalam parti.
“Mereka kata, mereka masih mahu memberi khidmat kepada parti namun mereka mengambil tindakan yang bertentangan dengan kehendak sendiri.
Mereka kata, mereka sayang parti, mereka mahu merebut jawatan tetapi mereka pula yang mengambil pelbagai langkah untuk membatalkan pendaftaran atau cuba membekukan parti,” tegasnya.
Justeru, Sih menggesa puak-puak yang bertelagah supaya menyerahkan nasib parti kepada wakil-wakil delegasi TDC.

Wawasan Pembangunan

2011-12-08T22:10:00.000+08:00

Challenge Peter Chin for self-praise? RH funded Wong Soon Koh ask Peter Chin to 'utter words' to Prime Minister

2011-12-06T06:10:00.000+08:00

War of words between SUPP presidential hopefuls escalates

Monday, 05 December 2011 Sarawak tribune

SIBU:
Meanwhile, at a press conference here yesterday, Wong said he had the best working relationship with the state Barisan Nasional leadership under Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“All these years, whatever problems, particularly those faced by the urban communities, had been brought to the attention of the state government.

“I have been able to obtain state land with Taib’s approval for the building of Chinese and mission schools, churches, temples, burial grounds and Chinese association buildings.

“The Chief Minister has been very gracious in helping us solve even bread-and-butter issues,” he added.

He challenged Chin to ask Taib if he (Wong) had indeed, done this and how often.

- Bernama

A cause for concern

by Raymond Tan, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 5, 2011, Monday

Wong Soon Koh alleges Federal Minister Peter Chin of being anti-BN

SIBU: SUPP presidential aspirant Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said he is concerned with the anti-Barisan Nasional (BN) attitude displayed by the Chin-Teng camp.
Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, he said party treasurer Datuk David Teng had admitted to uttering “SUPP has been cornered and bullied” by other BN component parties.
Wong, who is SUPP deputy secretary-general, charged that the Chin-Teng camp had, in their ceramahs, said “SUPP has been stripped of its pants” in Mandarin – meaning the party had been stripped completely bare and humiliated.
He added that the camp claimed it was now time to take a 180-degree retaliating turn in their presidentia l election campaign.
Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said he hoped the Chin-Teng camp was not stirring anti-BN sentiments among their supporters.
Wong is in a tussle with organising secretary Datuk Seri Peter Chin, who is also Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, for the party’s presidency during the party’s triennial delegates’ conference (TDC), which is slated to be held in Kuching from Dec 9-11.
Party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan is stepping down following his loss in Piasau during the 10th state election last April.
SUPP fielded 19 candidates in the April 16 polls, but only six managed to scrap through. Wong also posed a few questions for the Chin-Teng camp to enlighten the party on their future plans.
“If the camp puts SUPP in such a resentful state within the BN, why a reorganising secretary Peter Chin and current president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan inviting the chief minister and the prime minister to launch SUPP TGM this month?”
Wong said the situation had left him with numerous doubts, and he challenged the two leaders to answer.

Wong further asked: “Has Peter Chin been bullied and ill-treated at the federal level? If so, why has he remained silent and has never uttered a word to the prime minister?”

He added that if Chin had been so resentful, he should have resigned or quit BN.
Instead, Wong said, Chin had been described as a leader with the highest political integrity during their campaign.
He claimed that Teng had also said the leadership in SUPP, particularly the six assemblymen led by him (Wong), had their leadership roles in the BN reduced to just “Yes-men”.

Persatuan-persatuan mula digerakkan untuk agenda politik Rimbunan Hijau

2011-12-02T16:37:00.000+08:00

Sekarang pemilihan presiden SUPP semakin hangat. Sir Tiong Hiew King ‘Ayu’ lazimnya berada di luar Negara (Papua New Guinea, China, New Zealand dan Australia) 80% dalam setahun. Tidak pernah ‘Ayu’ berada di Sarawak lebih dari 2 minggu. Tetapi sejak Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Peter Chin mengumumkan tidak akan membiarkan Wong Soon Koh/Tiong Thai King/Hii King Chiong mengambil alih SUPP , Ayu tidak keluar Negara.

Ayu telah menabalkan dirinya sebagai PERMANENT chairman Sarawak foochow association. Sebelum ayu tiada jawatan yang ‘permanent’ dalam Sarawak foochow association. Apabila foochow association menjemputnya masuk persatuan mereka Ayu hanya ‘sudi’ masuk persatuan jika dia ditabalkan sebagai ‘permanent’ chairman yang tidak boleh dipertandingkan (seperti jawatan penasihat/dictator anwar Ibrahim dalam pkr). Sekarang ayu mengadakan banyak ‘perjumpaan’ dengan persatuan-persatuan cina untuk ‘meyakinkan’ mereka untuk mengalahkan YB Dato Sri Peter Chin. YB Dato Sri Peter Chin adalah penghalang Rimbunan Hijau untuk mengambil kuasa politik kaum cina secara ‘direct’.

Rimbunan Hijau menambah Mineral monopoli kepada Pembalakan Monopoli di PNG

Peter Chin 'gauk' atau tauke-tauke belakang Wong Soon Koh 'gauk'?

2011-11-26T22:24:00.000+08:00

Wong describes Chin as ‘fierce’, demands him to explain his change of mind

By YU JI
thestar.com.my

KUCHING: The gloves are off, the knives are out.

SUPP deputy secretary-general Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, a party president hopeful, has described fellow candidate Datuk Seri Peter Chin as “fierce”.

Wong, who was speaking to reporters after the closing of the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday, reiterated that he was assured numerous times that Chin would not contest.
“Let him come to us, tell us. In the first place, why did Chin change his mind?” Wong said.
“I would say that he became so fierce; the way he launched his transformation plan. He looks like a person (who is) very committed to his conviction.”

Wong also said he would not approach Chin when asked on the possibility of a compromise. “I’m waiting for Chin to see me.”

So far, almost all SUPP branches have conducted branch-level elections, which began this month. The only remaining branch yet to do so is Batu Kawa. Its branch election is scheduled for Sunday.
“If there is a fair contest, a fair election process, then I’m sure the Prime Minister will be happy to see democracy at work. There is no need for him to intervene if everything is (conducted) in a very fair manner,” Wong said. End.

Sebanaku

Wong Soon Koh menuduh Peter Chin 'fierce' tetapi apa yang 'fierce'nya? Apakah salah Peter Chin mahu bertanding? Bukankah SUPP sepatutnya parti demokratik? Adakah kerana Peter Chin tidak mahu memberi Wong Soon Koh jawatan presiden percuma dan membiarkan tauke-tauke Foochow merampas kuasa politik cina dengan senang maka Peter Chin dituduh 'fierce'?

Adakah Rimbunan Hijau, Majlis Perbandaran Sibu (juga dikuasai Rimbunan Hijau) dan Delta Group amat baik dan pemurah kepada usahawan-usahawan bumiputera atau adakah mereka bertindak rakus dan ganas selama ini?

Pemilihan SUPP : Apakah disebalik tabir?

2011-11-22T18:38:00.004+08:00

Sejak Pilihanraya kecil Sibu 2010 semakin menyerlah rancangan segelintir tauke-tauke besar Foochow untuk menguasai kuasa politik Sarawak. Sebagaimana sedia maklum Foochow sudah memegang kuasa dominan ekonomi Sarawak dengan menguasai 80% industri-industri sumber alam dan 70% industri perkhidmatan. Pada Pilihanraya kecil Sibu 2010 konglomerat besar Rimbunan Hijau Berhad (milik Sir Tiong Hiew King dan Tiong Thai King) dan Delta Group Sdn Bhd (milik Hii King Chiong dan Hii Hium Ung) telah menyokong calon DAP Wong Ho Leng untuk menentang calon Barisan Nasional. Untuk beberapa tahun Rimbunan Hijau telah membayar banyak ’Yuran Guaman’ kepada firma guaman Wong Ho Leng.

Datuk Bandar Sibu Tiong Thai King yang dilantik Barisan Nasional telah memberi banyak kebenaran kepada calon DAP Wong Ho Leng untuk menggunakan Dewan-dewan kerajaan untuk ceramah di kota Sibu. Ceramah-ceramah tersebut dijadikan landasan oleh DAP untuk menghumban pemfitnahan dan pembohongan kepada orang ramai terhadap kerajaan Barisan Nasional (yang meletakkan Rimbunan Hijau Tiong Thai King sebagai Datuk Bandar).

Secara hakikatnya DAP Sarawak sudah dikuasai oleh tauke-tauke besar Foochow menerusi ’imbuhan’ mereka selama beberapa tahun yang lepas (memang sudah berdekad lama tetapi sekarang memuncak kerana ada perancangan). Sekarang tauke-tauke Foochow mahu menguasai parti cina komponen Barisan Nasional untuk memegang kuasa politik kaum cina Sarawak secara seluruhnya (pembangkang dan parti komponen BN).

Harus diingatkan bahawa tauke-tauke segelintir Foochow sudah menguasai ekonomi Sarawak menerusi pembalakan (haram dan sah), kelapa sawit (mengambil tanah kampung dan meningkatkan kemarahan rakyat terhadap kerajaan) dan penyeludupan. Dengan tunai berpuluh billion yang dipegang mereka bukan sahaja politik Sarawak boleh diganggu-gugat tetapi politik dan keselamatan negara juga boleh terancam.

Sir Tiong Hiew King juga menguasai beberapa suratkhabar seperti akhbar Sin Chew Jit Poh yang terbukti sungguh kritikal terhadap pentadbiran kerajaan Barisan Nasional.

Perancanganan politik elit Foochow (tidak termasuk 'masses' Foochow) ini sekarang menyokong Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh untuk mengambil jawatan Presiden SUPP Sarawak. Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh adalah seorang yang baik dan berjasa kepada masyarakat Cina tetapi dikhuatirkan terlalu terpengaruh oleh syarikat-syarikat besar ini.

Bulan November ini telah menyaksikan tauke-tauke besar Foochow memberi banyak imbuhan politik wang untuk memastikan kemenangan calon-calon ’pilihan mereka’ dalam parti SUPP.

Sarawak sekarang diambang perubahan dimana kuasa ekonomi segelintir tauke-tauke besar sedang digunakan untuk mengambil alih kuasa politik seluruh kaum cina. Dengan itu lebih 30% kuasa politik Sarawak di tangan segelintir tauke-tauke besar ini. Adakah tampuk politik kaum bumiputera Sarawak sasaran mereka yang seterusnya?

Majlis Perbandaran Sibu terima rasuah dari kedai-kedai?

2011-11-14T10:17:00.000+08:00

Jangan pilih bulu keluar kompaun

Borneo Post November 4, 2011, Friday

SIBU: Anggota penguat kuasa Majlis Perbandaran Sibu (MPS) tidak harus pilih bulu ketika mengeluarkan kompaun terhadap pemilik motosikal yang diletakkan di kawasan kaki lima kedai di sekitar bandar ini.
Seorang wartawan sebuah akhbar yang enggan namanya disiarkan menjelaskan, anggota terbabit harus mengeluarkan kompaun terhadap semua motosikal yang diletakkan di kaki lima dan bukannya kaki lima kedai tertentu.
“Tindakan pilih bulu dalam mengeluarkan kompaun itu tidak adil bagi mereka yang kena saman,” ujar beliau.
Sebelum itu, motosikal wartawan terbabit yang diletakkan di kaki lima bangunan Wisma See Hua, Jalan Tuanku Osman telah dikenakan kompaun oleh pegawai penguat kuasa MPS, pagi semalam.
Namun apa yang menjadi persoalan wartawan berkenaan, mengapa deretan motosikal yang diletakkan di kaki lima kedai di Jalan Bindang bersebelahan dengan Jalan Tuanku Osman tidak dikenakan kompaun.
“Kami sedar meletakkan motosikal di kaki lima adalah satu kesalahan… tetapi yang menjadi persoalannya mengapa deretan motosikal di Jalan Bindang dan tempat-tempat lain di sekitar bandar tidak dikenakan kompaun,” katanya.
Justeru ujar beliau, pihak penguat kuasa MPS perlu lebih telus dalam perkara berkenaan, lebih-lebih lagi dalam usaha mereka menguatkuasakan peraturan yang ada.

Leo says stop speculation on Abu Bekir candidature in Mukah

2011-11-08T11:48:00.001+08:00

Enhance unity, stop speculating — Dr Leo

Borneo Post October 24, 2011, Monday

UNITED: Dr Leo (sixth right) in a group photo with PBB Mukah grassroots leaders and members last Saturday. Also in the picture are councillor Kenil (right), Raymund (third right), councillor Hadiah (fourth left) and Jaidah (left).

MUKAH: Mukah MP Dato Sri Dr Muhammed Leo Toyad last Saturday called on grassroots leaders and members of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in Mukah not to indulge too much in speculations and politicking about the party’s candidacy in Mukah as it could undermine the party’s strength and credibility.
Instead, Dr. Leo called on them to enhance their unity and work harder to win the hearts and minds of the people so that Mukah will remain a safe seat in the 13th general election.
Dr. Leo said this when he spoke to PBB grassroots leaders and members from Balingian and Dalat divisions here at a dinner last Saturday.
The dinner was also attended by vice-chairman Akit Sebli, secretary councillor Abdul Yakub Arbi, Wanita chief Jaidah Bujang, deputy chairman of PBB Dalat councillor Kenil Jeraiee, Dalat Wanita chief councillor Hadiah Jeraee, PBB Youth exco member Raymund Tanin, sub-branches heads councillor Adeni Bohari (Ranting Kampung Penakub Hilir), councillor Anderson Kalong Pandong (Ranting Bukit Engkerbai) and Mawang Ngabok (Ranting Kemesu, Ulu Kenyana).
“ I am still the elected representative here and I am going to defend the seat (Mukah) unless I am told otherwise (by BN top leadership),” said Dr Leo adding that he was very sure BN-PBB will defend the Mukah seat.

Dr Leo also commended the good teamwork among PBB and BN grassroots leaders and members.
“I think we have a very good team in Mukah, Dalat and Balingian who work as a team in serving the people. That is the greatest thing I have seen in my over 30 years in politics. We are all committed in serving the people,” said Dr Leo.
Meanwhile, four grassroots leaders – councillor Adeni Bohari, councillor Anderson Kalong, councillor Hadiah and Mawang called on PBB and BN top leadership to nominate Dr Leo to defend Mukah seat for BN-PBB in this coming election.
They agreed that Dr Leo has the capability in bringing greater development to improve the well-being of the people in Mukah.
They also promised to work hard to ensure that Dr Leo remain victorious in the coming election.
“Moreover, Dr Leo is a winnable candidate for BN-PBB in Mukah parliament,” said the four grassroots leaders to local reporters at the gathering.

Kebanyakan kontrak Petronas untuk syarikat semenanjung sahaja?

2011-11-02T15:47:00.000+08:00

Petronas will make Mokhzani and Shahril over RM840m richer

Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz | October 27, 2011

In Malaysia's elite business circles, the big boys don't understand the conventional wisdom of 'competition'.

COMMENT

Competition in Malaysian business lexicon means NO competition for the big boys. The feeding frenzy and free-for-all fight is actually only among the smaller boys.
It’s the smaller boys who fight it out for a smaller portion of the business.

Petronas, it appears, has departed from its current practice of handing out jobs to only licensed players in certain segments such as oil and gas equipment makers and offshore support vessel operators.
Licensed players are those who are registered with Petronas and have fulfilled certain strict requirements as demanded by the oil company.
According to a report, state-owned Petronas will now award contracts to unlicensed energy services companies to encourage greater competition in the oil and gas industry.
Trust me, this is a new practice.
So what is the purpose of the relaxed rules?
According to the report – intoned with its usual strictly business and professional disposition – “the measures will attract more foreign investment to develop Malaysia as a regional energy hub”.
Pre-empting any anticipated protests from pressure groups and other economic pressure groups, Petronas went on to quickly add that such moves would “expose local energy services companies such as Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd, Kencana Petroleum and Ramunia Holdings Bhd to competition”.
No wisdom
Conventional wisdom notes that “competition is good” for trade. But then we are talking about Petronas.
There is no such thing as conventional wisdom as far as Petronas is concerned when it comes to competition.
In so tender tones, Petronas further added in the report that the “change would not apply” to the Bumiputera vendor programme, where companies controlled by ethnic Malays are given preference under a policy aimed at redistributing national wealth.
See, there is no such thing as conventional wisdom.
The big boys such as Kencana and Sapura are not exposed to competition. They are given super preferential treatment.
Who did Petronas select to partner with Petrofac to develop the not easily defined marginal oil fields? They chose Kencana and Sapura.
Everyone in the industry knows that Kencana and Sapura are big at group levels only. They are not ground level people.
‘Banker’s dilemma’
Kencana and Sapura’s operations are mostly handled by their subsidiaries working with sub-contractors.
Almost all of these subsidiaries are running inefficiently and incurring delays and so forth.
That’s translated into additional costs to Petronas in terms of time, delayed costs and even additional direct costs.
How does Petronas handle those contractors operating through subsidiaries belonging to Kencana and Sapura?
They practise what in banking circle is known as banker’s dilemma. If one owes the banks small amount, they will come to you with brass knuckles.
If one owes them super large amounts, the defaults of which can cause banks to keel over, they will treat you as the guest relation officers (GROs) do the well-heeled customers.
They will treat you with extraordinary hospitality. Sit on your laps, let you fondle strategic places and so forth.
‘Good money chasing bad money’
So in order to prevent Kencana and Sapura from keeling over and dragging with them Petronas to the bottom of the sea, the national oil conglomerate awards Kencana and Sapura with more contracts.
It’s good money chasing after bad money.
Lend more so that the borrower can secure more business. So that these people make more money and remain solvent and can help finish the Petronas projects.
Petronas has even resorted to paying sub-contractors directly, bypassing Kencana and Sapura.
Our much heralded captains of the oil and gas industry, Mokhzani Mahathir and Shahril Shamsudin, are big figures at group levels.
And what will they gain when Sapura and Kencana team up and then develop the marginal oil fields?
Read this: Mokhzani stands to gain RM400 million while Shahril stands to gain RM440 million.
The writer is a former Umno state assemblyman and a FMT columnist. This is an excerpt from his blog sakmongkolak47.

Masing not DCM because of wisdom and thorough thinking?

2011-10-29T01:35:00.000+08:00

Declare Deepavali a public holiday in S’wak, KL urged

Borneo Post October 27, 2011, Thursday

KUCHING: The small Indian population in Sarawak should not be used as an excuse by the federal government to exclude the state from the Deepavali holiday, said Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing yesterday.

“Sarawak is not Malaysia, and if you talk about Malaysia you have got to look at the whole of Malaysia. So, Sarawak, being part of Malaysia, should be entitled to have a Deepavali break even though the number of Indians here may not be that many,” he said.
Masing said that the small population should not be the issue. The issue is that there are Indians residing in the state and “who are loyal Malaysians, and I think they also deserve a break”.
Speaking to newsmen after attending Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ graduation ceremony here yesterday, Masing said the fact that Deepavali was not a public holiday for Sarawak actually surprised him.
He said this was because under the 1Malaysia concept it should be “one Malaysia, one break and one holiday, and not like what was happening now”.
Masing added that it was the decision of the federal government whether to make Deepavali a public holiday for Sarawak or not.
“It is for the federal government to make a declaration. We cannot declare it as a public holiday ourselves,” he explained.
Masing opined that if events such as Deepavali were not declared a public holiday, then the 1Malaysia concept doesn’t hold water.
“By right this kind of things should be done automatically by the federal leadership … there is no need to wait for the state to push for it.”
Masing, however, pointed out that under statutory requirement only a certain number of days for holidays were permitted annually and as such if Deepavali were to be declared a public holiday for Sarawak then the government had cancel one holiday to replace it.

End

Point 1 Tiada pemipin MIC atau PPP pernah memperjuangkan keperluan Dayak atau Sarawak di kerajaan persekutuan
Point 2 Kalau Deepavali jadi cuti umum di Sarawak maka Gawai atau Good Friday perlu dibatalkan untuk ganti hari kerja yang hilang. Inikah yang dimahukan oleh Yang Berhormat Tan Sri James Jemut Masing?
Point 3 Setiap press statement oleh menteri adalah di anggap polisi kerajaan negeri kerana beliau adalah ahli kabinet Sarawak. Adakah press statement oleh Yang Berhormat Tan Sri James Jemut Masing ini polisi kerajaan negeri atau belum dirujuk?

Does this press statement by Right Honourable Tan Sri James Jemut Masing displays wisdom and maturity befitting a Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak?

Leo Toyad tutup pintu untuk Abu Bekir di Mukah?

2011-10-23T08:28:00.002+08:00

Up to party, Mukah MP says about his renomination

Borneo Post September 12, 2011, Monday

MIRI: Incumbent Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad laughed it off when reporters asked if he would defend his Mukah seat in the coming parliamentary election.
He said it all depended on his party – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) to decide.
“You shouldn’t ask me this question … it all depends on the party’s decision if I stay or not,” he replied in jest.
Nevertheless, he said he was ready to serve the constituency for another term if given the chance.
“Well, I have no wish to step down.
“I am still able to work and at the moment also I am still working to develop my constituency, so I am ready to defend my seat”, he said, stressing again that his renomination was subject to the party’s decision.
Admitting that as much as he wanted to, he could not comment further as the matter was for the party to decide.

To another question from the reporters, Dr Toyad who is also Sarawak Federal Melanau Association president disclosed that he had been the member of parliament for Mukah for over 30 years now.
If he wins in the next election, it would be his eighth term.
He had been deputy minister of education and minister of tourism.
Dr Toyad was met by the reporters at the Hari Raya gathering at Wisma Melanau Miri here on Saturday night.
The annual event was organised by Miri Melanau Association to celebrate the festive occasion, apart from bolstering closer rapport between members of the Melanau community and the public.
Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, Miri Melanau Association president Alexander Maiyor and organising chairman Abdullah Jaini were also present.
At the function, Dr Toyad and Ahmad Lai donated RM5,000 each to the association.
Later, Dr Toyad handed over monetary assistance to 40 widows, orphans and senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Lai, who also spoke that night, called on the Melanaus here to give their fullest support to Dr Toyad in the coming parliamentary election.
“This is to ensure his victory so that he will continue to help the community prosper along with other communities in Sarawak.”
Maiyor, in his welcoming speech, assured the association would continue to support Dr Toyad, particularly in the election.
“We will rally behind the candidate and fully support him so he will continue to be the leader in Mukah and serve the people,” he pledged.

Bajet 2012 : Kerajaan terlampau besar dan membazir adalah masalah terpenting

2011-10-17T01:11:00.000+08:00

Deflate the bloated civil service

Selena Tay | October 12, 2011

It is time the government addresses the issue of the overbloated civil service.

COMMENT

The 2012 Budget has failed to address the serious issues of soaring prices, rising inflation, minimum wage, corruption, cronyism, wastages and leakages in government departments but make no bones about it.
Malaysia’s civil service has got to go on record as being the most overbloated in the world. As at 2010, it numbers about 1.2 million employees on the government payroll out of a population of 28 million. What gives?
The civil service has been expanding rapidly since the 1990s and its growth has been accelerated especially fast since 2007. In 1990, the government had 773,997 employees, by the year 2000 there were 894,788 staff members and by 2010 about 1.2 million.
One of the key objectives of privatisation under the then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was to increase the efficiency of the delivery system and to reduce the civil service staff members to just above 500,000. Therefore, it could be said that the privatisation exercises were a complete and dismal failure in creating a lean and efficient civil service as the number now is more than twice its targetted size of 500,000.
The overbloated civil service has for the most part to do with the government’s policy of making our civil service the job saviour for the unemployable graduates, at least 70% of whom were Bumiputeras.
This will result in a poor quality workforce but worse than that it also depletes the government’s treasury. The Budget will be negatively impacted for the present and future years if the government does not restructure the civil service. Their pay rise itself will be a waste of public funds if there is a lack of efficiency and productivity.
‘Iron rice bowl’

In fact the civil service is none other than an “iron rice bowl” for no one can recall the government sacking any of its under-performing staff. Civil service staff, for example teachers who are racists are merely transferred to another school where they can still remain safely and securely employed even if they have done a disservice to the nation by inculcating young minds with racists tendencies.
This simply means that their paychecks are safely guaranteed by the government for the rest of their lives. This spurs them on to vote for Barisan Nasional come what may. Thus, their loyalty is secured as their morality and conscience go down the drain.
In 2005, the government’s emoluments expenses to maintain the civil service is RM25.6 billion and in 2008 it was RM41 billion (an increase of 60.2%). The civil service, therefore, is a heavy burden on emoluments as a percentage of Malaysia’s financial budget.
From taking up 23.3% of the nation’s operating budget in 2006, it has been nothing but a yearly increase as it grew to 25.5% in 2007, 28.1% in 2008, 24.6% in 2009 and 33.1% in 2010 in spite of the yearly massive increase in operating expenditure from 101.2 billion in 2006 to RM154.2 billion three years later in 2009.
If you take pensions into account, emoluments and pensions as a percentage of the government’s operating expenditure, the increase is from 29.8% in 2006 to 41.6% in 2010. Despite the fact that the annual budget is always increasing, the emoluments and pensions percentage proportion of the Budget is also ballooning!
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) shows Malaysia having the highest ratio of civil servants to the population in the Asia-Pacific region at 4.68% with Indonesia having 1.79%, Philippines 1.81%, South Korea 1.85% and Thailand 2.06%. Therefore the overbloated civil service is a major contributory factor to the financial burden of the government.
In 2007, the government created 2,000 jobs in the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to give jobs to unemployed graduates as “price monitors”. Their job was to jot down the prices of goods at wet markets, supermarkets and hypermarts. What is the purpose of this job is anyone’s guess.
Hugely inflated PM’s Department

In March 2009, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who at that time was already the finance minister announced that the government will recruit 63,000 staff. However, the worst civil service department is none than than the Prime Minister’s Department in terms of unwieldy numbers.
In 2001, there were 9,673 staff, in 2003 there were 21,045 and in 2009 it was 25,332. But it was in 2010 that the figure rose tremendously to 43,544 which is an increase of 71.9%. Compare that to the Executive Office of the United States President at the White House where there are only about 2,000 employees.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Abdul Aziz, the increase was due to the “creation of new agencies” within the department as well as the addition of posts in a few existing agencies.
In the Prime Minister’s Department, besides the personal officers of the prime minister and his deputy, there are five full ministers, five deputy ministers, ministerial advisers and 45 other agencies.
Some of these agencies such as MACC, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Election Commission, Human Rights Commission and Public Complaints Bureau should have been placed under the jurisdiction of Parliament. Placing them under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Department makes the PM’s Department like a “rojak”.
For instance, the Land and Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which should fall under the Ministry of Transport is also under the Prime Minister’s Department.
It is time the government take serious steps to address the issue of the overbloated civil service. Otherwise the rakyat’s suspicions that the civil service is created to be the BN government’s vote bank is not far from the truth.
Selena Tay is a firm supporter of Pakatan Rakyat, being a DAP member, and a FMT columnist.

4 + 1 candidates for CM - freemalaysiatoday.com

2011-10-11T11:59:00.000+08:00

It has been established that there are contenders to succeed YAB Pehin Sri as CM. PBB Deputy President II and Sarawak Minister Housing and Tourism Minister Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg, PBB Deputy President I and Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu anak Numpang, PBB Senior Vice President Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Awang Tengah and Yang Berhormat Dato Norah Tun Rahman are the present contenders. With these latest revelation by freemalaysiatoday.com its 4+1.

Taib may have found ‘true successor’

Joseph Tawie | October 10, 2011freemalaysiatoday.com

Little known former state forestry director Len Talif Salleh, who holds many of Taib Mahmud's deepest secrets, is now a serious contender for the Sarawak's chief minister's post.

KUCHING: Many believe that the leading contenders to succeed ageing Chief MInister Taib Mahmud are his Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party information chief, Adenan Satem, senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and its deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg. But others, however, think that the trio are only for show.
According to these soothsayers, when the time comes – in two or three years – for Taib to step down, it will be Len Talif Salleh who will step into his shoes.

They said although it was obvious that Taib is grooming Adenan, 68, by giving him important portfolios in the new state cabinet, it was now increasingly likely that Len Talif, who is from within Taib’s family circle, may now join the list of contenders.
Len Talif retired in March to contest in the April 16 state election.
Following his success, Len Talif was appointed as assistant tourism minister, assistant minister in the chief minister’s office, and assistant resource planning and environment minister.
He is not only a Melanau, but also a close relative of Taib.
As a civil servant, Len Talif was well-known and most feared in the civil service as he was not only appointed to several key posts, but also held many of Taib’s secrets.
But politically not many even in Sarawak know who Len Talif was until and when he delivered his maiden speech at the recent sitting of the State Legislative Assembly.
Elected on a Barisan Nasional-PBB ticket in Belawai, Len Talif’s aggressive style in delivering his speech caught the attention of his fellow BN state representatives as well as the opposition leader Wong Ho Leng and his band of 14 other opposition-elected representatives.

Newcomer to politics
From the onset, Len Taliff, a newcomer to politics, had caught the eye of the opposition because of his style.
He clashed with the opposition members during the maiden speech.
“You shut up. This is my floor,” he said to an opposition member who wished to seek clarification when he (Len Talif) accused DAP of being racists.
Despite constant reminders by the Speaker, Asfia Awang Nassar, to Len Taliff to discontinue his speech as the time given to him had been used up, the latter continued his tirade against the opposition.
The Speaker could do nothing.
Had he been one of the opposition speakers, his microphone would have been switched off. That is the kind of character Len Talif is.
Saving Adenan
In another instance, Len Talif showed his potential when Adenan, Minster with Special Functions, could not answer a question from the opposition regarding timber certification from the European Union (EU) which sought to ban timber from Sarawak if it did not comply with conditions imposed in the certification.
Len Talif stood up and told the assembly that the EU was not a body that issued the timber certification.
His instant answer saved Adenan. This prompted Adenan to say that he would recommend to Taib to have him appointed as assistant minister.
Of course, Len Talif knows about the certification. After all, he was the former director of forests.
Besides holding the post of director of forests, Len Talif had been in charge of several important government departments and agencies.
Among the positions he held simultaneously were chief executive officer of Sarawak Forests Corporation, (SFC), the general manager of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), the deputy permanent secretary to the planning and resource management ministry and chairman of Tanjung Manis Integrated Port.
He was also given four other special tasks.
All these departments, corporations and ministry are extremely important because these agencies are the ones that are involved in multi-billion ringgit worth of projects, resources such as land and forest products including timber.
Right connections
Described as a man with “super human ability” by his peers, Len Talif joined the Forestry Department soon after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1979.
His right connections saw him rise rapidly in the department, sometimes overtaking some of the senior officers.
Usually civil servants would not challenge a minister.
But this is not the case with Len Talif. He has challenged and rebuked Ministers.
In one instant, he ticked off State Land Development Minister James Masing for his remarks on the logjam along the Rajang River last year.
Masing had blamed excessive logging and timber operations in Ulu Baleh for the logjam.
Timber, logs, timber parts and other debris that had accumulated over the years were pushed into the rivers by heavy rains causing massive logjam from the the Rajang River tributaries.
Tonnes of fish and marine life perished, while thousands of residents along the rivers were cut off from river communications.
But Len Talif chided the minister for his remarks. He blamed the change of weather as the culprit for causing the logjam.
He said it had nothing to do with logging and timber operations in those areas.
Of course, everyone knew that the excessive timber operations were the cause, but Len Talif dared to lie and challenge the minister, because he has the support of the chief minister.
Masing from there on has held his tongue.

Taib’s support
Another character of Len Talif worth noting is that just before he retired as director of forests, he was alleged to have approved several timber licences in water catchment and native customary right (NCR) land areas.
Many of these licences are questionable, as legal suits are being filed by NCR landowners to challenge the issuance of licences in those areas.
The question of issuing timber licences before the state election was raised by a Sarawak PKR assemblyman See Chee How in the recent state assembly sitting.
But the Speaker disallowed any discussion on the issue.
But the questions that have been nagging the minds of the people are: why did Taib bring him to politics? Why did Taib make him an assistant minister holding important portfolios other than to train him to take over the leadership?
Could he be the man who will succeed Taib?

New candidate for CM

2011-10-05T03:10:00.002+08:00

A KL Datuk known as Ab Jl has been informing the KL business community and federal civil servants that like america, sarawak will also have a change in leadership symbol. America had its first President of african descent. According to dtk abd jl sarawak will have its first lady CM.

Before we dismiss outright this 'information' spread by dtk ab jl in KL, we should study the facts.

Fact one, it was the supposed lady candidate father who 'gave' the CM post to Pehin Sri. Therefore it is not too far fetch to assume that Pehin Sri would do a 'return (as per what is spread by dtk ab jl).

Fact two, the lady candidate is business partner and very close to son of Pehin Sri. dtk ab jl tells everyone that Pehin Sri son is always at lady candidate house. dtk ab jl tells everyone that lady candidate is generous enough to give her parliamentary seat to son of Pehin Sri. In return lady candidate will be given a state seat and cmship.

Fact three, lady candidate has been very successful in getting federal projects in sarawak. Her detractors claim that she is profiting the projects for herself but even if that is true the fact remains that she IS BRINGING federal projects to sarawak. That in itself is an achievement and is an important criteria for any chief minister.

YB Datuk Amar Tan Sri Adenan Satem has already informed CM and other leaders that he is not interested. Therefore now it is between YB Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Openg, YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, YB Datuk Amar Awang Tengah and the new lady candidate.

Even though dtk ab jl is lobbying projects using the lady candidate's potential to be CM the 3 facts cannot be ignored. New entrant must not be seen in a negative light. This is a healthy development for sarawak politics because it shows that the electorate are willing to give woman leaders a chance. Whichever of the four is chosen we all know it will be for the best for Sarawak.

New Update:-
From sebanaku commenter who wrote."

Anonymous said...: Logical, heard that she is also close to Najib by marriage....; October 5, 2011 4:23 PM; "; Therefore there is a fourth FACT or POINT. Lady candidate is related to PM. So besides being FIRST cousin to CM, lady candidate is also related to PM. The connection doesn't get any more powerful than that. This new fact from sebanaku reader/commenter would catapult lady candidate from new/fourth candidate to third or 2nd place.

Karim Hamzah rising star of sarawak politics

2011-09-28T23:32:00.001+08:00

Yang Berhormat Abdul Karim Bin Rahman Hamzah looks to be the rising star of sarawak politics. He has been given not one but 2 portfolios. Under the tutelage of PBB Deputy President and contender for CM Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Openg in the Housing Ministry. Karim firmly plants his support for johari in the now 4 cornered race for the next CM (next article will reveal the new lady contender for CM lobbying hard with putrajaya).

Karim has leapfrogged both YB Abdul Rahman Junaidi and YB Roland Sagah. YB Roland Sagah was elected in 1996 (before Karim) and YB Abdul Rahman Junaidi was elected in 2001 same as Karim. Such promotion shows that he is highly favoured and is the rising star of sarawak politics.

Karim is also now more than assured of moving YB Datuk Fadilah Yusuf out as PBB Youth Chief. His second portfolio of Youth signals that karim has leadership blessing to replace fadilah yusuf as PBB Youth Chief. Fadilah Yusuf refused to defend Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud when Pehin Sri was attacked by UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaludin after the sarawak state election. Everyone in the party leadership and grassroots were disappointed with fadilah yusuf as it is expected that a party youth chief must defend his party president.

Bernama
KUCHING: The state cabinet reshuffle that will take effect on Friday will see a new ministry being created, five ministries renamed and seven new faces including a woman to be appointed as assistant ministers.
Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said the new ministry would be named the Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry, to be headed by Fatimah Abdullah and assisted by two new assistant ministers who are also new faces, Rosey Yunus and Robert Lawson Chuat Vincent.
“The other new faces as assistant ministers are Julaihi Narawi, Abdul Karim Hamzah, Len Talif Salleh, Dr Jerip Susil and Liwan Lagang,” he said, adding that the seven would be sworn in on Friday.
Julaihi will be appointed as Industrial Development Assistant Minister (Investment and Promotion) and Rural Development Assistant Minister, and Abdul Karim as Housing Assistant Minister and Social Development Assistant Minister (Youth Development).
Len Talif will be appointed as Resource Planning and Environment Assistant Minister (Environment) and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Technical Education Promotion), Dr Jerip as Local Government and Community Development Assistant Minister (Public Health), and Liwan as Social Development Assistant Minister (Culture and Heritage).
“All the full ministers will be retained and some of their ministries renamed,” Taib said.
The five ministries renamed include the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry, which is now known as Social Development Ministry and headed by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president William Mawan Ikom and Environment and Public Health Ministry, now known as Local Government and Community Development Ministry, headed by Sarawak United People’s Party deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh.
‘Not a big issue’
The Planning and Resource Management Ministry will be known as Resource Planning and Environment Ministry, Housing and Urban Development Ministry as Housing Ministry, and Tourism and Heritage Ministry as Tourism Ministry, with both the ministries under the purview of Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president.
Taib, who retains his portfolios in the Finance Ministry and Resource Planning and Environment Ministry, said there was no urgent need for the appointment of a second Deputy Chief Minister.
He said the one Deputy Chief Minister post now held by another PBB deputy president, Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is also Rural Development Minister, should not be a big issue.
He said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dr James Jemut Masing, who had been retained as Land Development Minister, would also be holding senior minister porfolios together with Soon Koh and Mawan.
He said their role as senior ministers would be to coordinate specific development projects and programmes needed to be undertaken together.
He said PBB senior vice-president Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan would be the new Industrial Development Minister, as well as the second Resource Planning and Environment Minister and Public Utilities Minister, while Michael Manyin retained his portfolio as Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister.
He said the Public Works Department (PWD), Agriculture Department and local councils were also being revamped.
“The PWD revamp is almost completed while it may take about five years for the others,” he added.

Audie Chua clears the road for Dato Sri Abu Berkir Taib

2011-09-24T14:25:00.000+08:00

Chua willing to take on Toyad in Mukah

Borneo Post September 18, 2011, Sunday

KUCHING: The recent announcement by Mukah Member of Parliament Datuk Mohammad Leo Toyad that he would seek another term if allowed by the party leadership has not gone down well with some in the Barisan Nasional (BN).
While others might decide to keep to themselves of their feelings, a blogger Athanasius Audie Chua who is from Mukah has launched a cyber campaign to take on the incumbent in the coming general election.

Apparently the blogger, who is a member of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), was not happy that Toyad, who is from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) was still interested to contest in the general election despite being the MP for seven terms.
However, instead of merely criticizing Toyad , the blogger, whose blog is known as Audie61, decided to offer himself as a candidate to take on the incumbent.
“Toyad has been around as the Member of Parliament for seven terms and obviously some just could not take it when he said he would seek another term if allowed by the party leadership,” said a source when contacted yesterday.
He added many in Mukah, especially the young generation, were hoping Barisan Nasional (BN) would field a new face in the general election.
He pointed out that seven terms was a very long period for an ordinary MP whose contribution is only limited to his constituency.
“It would be a different matter if the MP is holding a senior position in the federal cabinet whose contribution is very much needed by the country.
“If that is the case, I believe many would want such MP to stay long because it is part of what we can call as the service to the country,” he said.
The source also revealed that, besides Dato Sri Mahmud Bekir Taib, there were at least two persons being bandied about as possible candidates for the Mukah constituency.
“The other two are a former District Office Alfonsus Dorhart and a youth leader from PBB James Pieng,” he said.

Federal government and federal government top civil servants should recognise and help Sarawak develop

2011-09-19T01:34:00.000+08:00

Many a times development funds for Sarawak has been blocked or diverted by federal civil servants. This is a very sorry state of affairs. We hope that this shortcoming which deprives sarawakians of billions of ringgit of development is rectified soon.

Masing calls for impartial allotment of funds for state development

Borneo Post September 16, 2011, Friday

It must be proportionate to who we are and based on our needs. The money must be supplied to us to meet that need. Tan Sri Dr James Masing, president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)

KUCHING: The federal allocation for the physical development of Sarawak must be proportionate as the state was one of the four entities that formed the Federation of Malaysia.
As such, president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Tan Sri Dr James Masing suggested that the allocation to Sarawak must be a reflection of the state as one of four entities that formed the federation and not just one of the 13 states in Malaysia as stated in the constitution.
However, he also pointed out that since Singapore had left the federation in 1965, the proposition of allocation for Sarawak must be reflective of the historical fact.
“It must be proportionate to who we are and based on our needs. The money must be supplied to us to meet that need,” Masing told the Borneo Post recently.
Masing who is also the Minister of Land Development pointed out that the so-called Pan-Borneo Highway was just one example of the
pathetic condition of the infrastructure in the state which needed to be upgraded.
“The North-South and East-West highways of Peninsula Malaysia have three or four lanes so whatever we have here is an embarrassment,” he stressed.

Dr Masing said Sept 16 would be an appropriate reminder to the leaders of the country to take stock of the physical development in Sarawak.
“To me this is significant because that was the date Malaysia was born. It is not just a date. It is significant to our national unity,” he said.
“It is my hope that the Malaysia Day would bring betterment to us all regardless of our differences.
Thus, everyone must contribute to make our country a better nation,” he said.

Awang Tengah supports Abu Bekir for samarahan MP and PBB Youth Chief

2011-09-11T23:59:00.000+08:00

The chorus of support for Dato Sri Abu Bekir grows ever stronger with PBB Senior Vice President Yang Berhormat Dato Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan the latest to support him. Now it is almost inevitable that Dato Sri Abu Bekir will be the BN candidate for Samarahan parliamentary constituency soon. Being the son of the Chief Minister Dato Sri Abu Bekir would need no less than the post of PBB Youth Chief as his party platform.

Awg Tengah: Abu Bekir may be among new faces fielded

Borneo Post September 9, 2011, Friday

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan

KUCHING: Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib may be one of new faces to be fielded by PBB in the next general election.
PBB senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said that beside Abu Bekir, the party was also “analysing the performance of our current MPs”.
Tengah said, “I am very happy for him and I hope he is serious”.
“I am happy for those young people who have enough experience and knowledge and what more to say a person such as Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib who comes from a well-known political family,” Awang Tengah told the media at his Hari Raya open house here on Wednesday.
On a related issue, Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management said that in each election, PBB would continue to rejuvenate the party to remain relevant by fielding only winnable candidates.
PBB, as the backbone of the state BN, is allocated with 14 parliamentary seats, while SUPP is allocated seven, PRS (six) and SPDP (four).
“In every election, PBB has new faces to include the young and professionals. This is one way to inculcate the leadership skills and to ensure continuity in the party,” he said.
When asked how many new faces PBB would field in the next general election, he said, “the time will come for us to decide”.
“However, we are actually analysing the performance of our current MPs and if need be, we will have new faces for the coming general election,” he added.

More support for Dato Sri Abu Bekir to be MP and PBB Youth Chief

2011-09-07T22:38:00.000+08:00

Kesediaan Abu Bekir disambut baik: Fatimah

Beliau yakin pengundi DUN Dalat pastinya gembira dan berharap pembangunan akan turut melonjak

It looks like that very successful businessman Dato Sri Abu Bekir is guaranteed to be Member of Parliament come GE 13. Now it only looks like whether it is just a matter of whether constituency of samarahan or mukah. What is certain however is Dato Sri Abu Bekir will be federal deputy minister and PBB Youth chief.
KUCHING: Kesediaan tokoh korporat terkemuka Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir untuk bertanding di Parlimen Mukah pada Pilihan Raya Umum (PRU) akan datang, disifatkan satu khabar gembira bagi konstituensi di bawah parlimen itu.
Menteri di Pejabat Ketua Menteri Datin Fatimah Abdullah berkata dengan pengalaman yang luas sebagai usahawan beliau (Abu Bekir) mampu menjadi aset untuk membantu rakyat.

“Kesediaan ini adalah satu khabar yang sangat baik bagi orang di kawasan kita.
“Melalui rangkaian kerjasama beliau sebelum ini, ia dapat membantu orang di kawasan kami terutama membasmi kemiskinan dan meningkatkan lagi pendapatan serta ekonomi rakyat,” kata Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Dalat itu.
Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Kursus Jati Diri Guru-Guru Tadika di Dewan Undangan Negeri lama di sini, semalam.
Hadir sama Pengarah Unit Pembangunan Sumber Manusia di Jabatan Ketua Menteri Dr Sabariah Putit dan Ahli Majlis Penasihat Pendidikan Kebangsaan Malaysia Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah.
Tambahan kata Fatimah, dari segi perwatakan Abu Bekir seorang yang sangat mesra rakyat, rendah diri dan mudah didekati, yang merupakan kriteria pemimpin yang dicari.
Jelasnya Mukah yang juga asal usul nenek moyang kepada Abu Bekir menjadikan beliau bukan orang asing bagi Parlimen itu.
Fatimah dalam pada itu memberitahu kriteria pertama bagi seseorang yang ingin berkhidmat untuk sesuatu kawasan adalah kemahuan serta kesediaan untuk berkhidmat.
“Kriteria seterusnya individu itu harus diterima pengundi atau masyarakat di kawasan dan saya percaya di kawasan saya, mereka tidak ada masalah untuk menerima beliau,” tambahnya.
Semalam akhbar menyiarkan Abu Bekir bersedia untuk bertanding di Parlimen Mukah pada PRU Ke-13 namun menyerahkan ia kepada pucuk pimpinan Barisan Nasional (BN) Negeri dan Pusat untuk membuat keputusan.
Utusan Borneo

Momentum of support for Abu Bekir Samarahan MP and PBB Youth Chief grows

2011-09-05T11:59:00.005+08:00

Young, capable leaders needed to continue PBB’s struggle — Senator Idris Buang

Posted on September 4, 2011, Sunday

Datuk Idris Buang

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) needs young capable leaders such as Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib to continue the party’s struggle, said PBB supreme council member Senator Datuk Idris Buang.

Idris added that with Abu Bekir’s well-grounded political family background, he would be a natural choice to replace his brother Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib who decided not to defend the Kota Samarahan parliamentary seat in the coming general election.
“I am happy to hear that he (Abu Bekir) has declared his willingness to serve the people. He surely would be able to contribute to the people of Sarawak as an elected representative,” Idris told thesundaypost here yesterday.
He said if Abu Bekir were to be elected by the people, it would benefit the people of Kota Samarahan as he was well-connected, with good financial standing.
The eldest son of Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had told the press on the first day of Hari Raya on Tuesday that he was willing to serve the people of Sarawak if asked.
When asked, Taib commented that it was up to Abu Bekir to decide on his political future.
“Good for him, he was asked way back 10 years ago to replace me as the assemblyman of Muara Tuang, but he did not want in those days.
“So let us see how serious he is in his willingness to serve Sarawak,” Taib told the media after visiting the residence of State Assembly Speaker Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar at No. 1 Tinggian Demak here Friday night.
Taib said Abu Bekir could serve in many capacities as he was a successful corporate figure.
“I have no plans and I have not much to say in my children’s career. They have to choose what they want to do and work hard in the direction they want to go,” he said.
When asked whether he would give his blessing to Abu Bekir if he were to stand as a candidate in the coming general election, Taib replied: “My children don’t need my blessings, all they need is hard work and they have to know the people better.”
Besides Idris, PBB permanent chairman Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar has also come up to support Abu Bekir as a
possible candidate for Kota Samarahan, which is seen as a PBB stronghold and a part of Taib’s legacy.
Idris thanked the state BN government, especially PBB, for appointing him senator since November 2005. His second term will expire end of November.
He had been considering whether to return to practise as a criminal lawyer (his former profession) after retiring.

Borneo Post

Sarawak Assembly Speaker supports Abu Bekir to be Samarahan candidate and PBB Youth Chief

2011-09-04T11:52:00.005+08:00

Sekarang jelas bahawa Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Bin Taib adalah 'front runner' untuk menjadi calon bn untuk kerusi parlimen Samaharan. Kerusi itu sekarang sedang disandang oleh adiknya Dato Sri Sulaiman Bin Taib.

Momentum sokongan untuknya menjadi calon parlimen Kota Samarahan meningkat setiap minggu dengan yang terbaru Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar menyatakan sokongannya terhadap pencalonan ini.

Ternyata selepas menjadi Ahli Parlimen Kota Samaharan Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Bin Taib akan memerlukan 'platform' yang sesuai untuk kerjaya politiknya. Jawatan Ketua Pemuda PBB dan Timbalan Menteri Persekutuan adalah 'platform' yang paling jelas untuk beliau.

CM: It’s up to Abu Bekir

by Jeremy Veno, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on September 3, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud says it is up to his eldest son Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib to decide on his political future.
“Good for him, he was asked way back 10 years ago to replace me as the assemblyman of Muara Tuang, but he did not
want it. So, let us see how serious he is this time; his willingness to serve the people and Sarawak,” Taib told the media at the residence of State Assembly Speaker Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar in Demak near here last night.
Taib, however, said that Abu Bekir could serve in any capacity “as he is already a successful corporate figure.
“I have not much to say about my children’s career. They have to choose what they want to do and to work hard in what they want to do,” said Taib.
Asked if he would give his blessing to Abu Bekir if he wants to stand as a candidate in the coming general election, Taib said: “My children don’t need my blessings, all they need is hard work and they know the people better”.
Earlier, he told reporters that he had not decided to announce the state cabinet reshuffle as he’s still in the Hari Raya Aidilfitri mood.
When asked for his comment on the same matter, Mohd Asfia who is also PBB permanent chairman, said: “It is up to the party to nominate a candidate to replace his brother (Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib) and if Abu Bekir wants to stand without any objection from his father then it would be up to the party”.
Recently, PBB senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan had disclosed that Sulaiman had decided not to defend the Kota Samarahan seat in the coming election.
Mohd Asfia said that Kota Samarahan constituency had always been a stronghold for PBB and it was where his father (Taib) started his political career.
“Taib was the assemblyman for Muara Tuang before he moved to Balingian in the 2001 state election, and was replaced (in Muara Tuang) by his brother Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mahmud in 2001.
As such, Mohd Asfia said that the Chief Minister had left a strong legacy (in Muara Tuang and Kota Samarahan).
He added that under the Chief Minister’s stewardship and passion Kota Samarahan had seen vast transformation to make it as an education hub where two local universities are situated.
“If the people from the area choose Abu Bekir to be the successor of his brother that would be a natural choice,” added Mohd Asfia.
Onthe first day of Hari Raya on Tuesday, Abu Bekir was quoted as saying that he was ever ready to serve the people of Sarawak.
Accompanying Taib during the Hari Raya visit was his wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib.

Will PBB have a new Youth Chief?

2011-09-02T12:00:00.001+08:00

Are Pemuda leaders already started to positioning themselves for such possibility?

Taib’s eldest son a possible candidate for Kota Samarahan
Posted on August 31, 2011, Wednesday

KUCHING: Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib has been tipped to replace his younger brother Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib for the Kota Samarahan parliamentary seat in the coming general election.

Mahmud, the eldest son of Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, added that he has always been interested an the state’s politics.

“I am always interested in Sarawak politics but no one has yet called me,” Mahmud Abu Bekir told the media at his father’s joint Hari Raya open house held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.

However, he disclosed that his father had not mentioned anything about him replacing his brother in the coming election yet.

“I think he has someone in mind but I don’t know who,” said Mahmud Abu Bekir who is a corporate figure.

Mahmud Abu Bekir disclosed that he has been a member of PBB Kuching since 19 years old.

Sulaiman also resigned from his post as a deputy tourism minister after the demise of his mother Puan Sri Laila Taib on April 29, 2009.

Last week, PBB senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan revealed that Sulaiman would not be defending his seat in the coming parliamentary election.

He added that PBB, the biggest Barisan Nasional (BN) component in the state, would be fielding some new faces in the party’s line-up to face the 13th general election.

Awang Tengah added that the party was constantly evaluating the chances of all potential candidates, including assessing the incumbents to determine who should be retained or dropped.

“There will certainly be some changes to our candidate line-up in the next general election where there will be few new faces. Assessment is being done incessantly but things will be finalised when the right time comes,” said Awang Tengah after flagging off the Police Community Programme convoy at the State Contingent Police Headquarters here recently.

According to Awang Tengah, Sulaiman, who was fielded in Kota Samarahan in the 2008 election to replace his father and won the seat, had indicated that he would not be seeking re-election.

In the 2008 general election Sarawak BN won 30 out of the 31 seats at stake, losing only Bandar Kuching to Democratic Action Party (DAP) state secretary Chong Chieng Jen

But last year the DAP gained control of another seat when it won the Sibu by-election through its state chairman Wong Ho Leng.

Of the 31 parliamentary seats in the state, PBB holds 14, SUPP (seven), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), (six) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) (four). The current parliament term expires about 18 months from now but speculations were rife that it could be as early as November this year.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

2011-08-30T15:44:00.001+08:00

Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr (Arabic: ‎عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The first day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month Shawwal.

Eid-ul-Fitr has a particular sholat (Islamic prayer) consisting of two raka'at (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall called an Eed-gah.^[1] It may only be performed in congregation (Jama’at) and has an additional extra six Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying Allah-u-Akbar [God is Great]), three of them in the beginning of the first raka'ah and three of them just before ruku' in the second raka'ah in the Hanafi school.^[2] This Eid ul-Fitr salah is, depending on which juristic opinion is followed, Fard (obligatory), Mustahabb (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory) or mandoob (preferable).^[1]

Muslims are commanded by God in the Qur'an to complete their fast until the last day of Ramadan^[3] and pay the Zakat al-fitr before doing the Eid prayer. (Source: Wikipedia)

Adakah rasuah kakitangan kerajaan penghalang kepada rakyat mengundi BN?

2011-08-25T23:21:00.002+08:00

Statistik Tangkapan 2011

Sejak SPRM menggantikan BPR sebagai agensi kerajaan melawan rasuah, statistik rasuah semakin meningkat. Ini adalah kerana SPRM merangkumi lebih luas pentadbiran kerajaan berbanding dengan Badan Pencegah Rasuah.

Dewasa ini rakyat merasakan beban rasuah oleh kakitangan kerajaan. Barisan Nasional sering diserang oleh pembangkang kerana isu rasuah tetapi persoalannya adakah pemimpin-pemimpin Barisan Nasional sahaja yang mengambil rasuah atau kakitangan kerajaan?

Kakitangan kerajaan mengambil rasuah tanpa apa-apa 'backlash' namun apabila pemimpin-pemimpin kerajaan dituduh mengambil rasuah segunung tohmahan dilontarkan kepada mereka. Dalam istilah melayu sarawak ini adalah 'pak untung'. Iaitu makan mahu tapi beban tidak mahu. Kes rasuah berleluasa selama ini di Kastam Diraja Malaysia adalah contoh yang paling dimana pemimpin Barisan Nasional tidak mengambil sesen rasuah tetapi malangnya mantan pengurusan Kastam Diraja Malaysia disyaki oleh SPRM menyeleweng berbillion ringgit duit kerajaan.

Berbillion ringgit wang kerajaan itu boleh digunakan untuk membina lebih banyak sekolah dan hospital untuk rakyat. Namun mantan pengurusan Kastam Diraja Malaysia berselindung dibawah payung kerajaan Barisan Nasional dan membiarkan parti memerintah menerima fitnah dari pihak pembangkang. Adakah ini adil?

Daripada Kementerian Kewangan sehingga ke Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah terdapat banyak keluhan kontraktor-kontraktor mengenai tol yang terlalu tinggi dari pegawai-pegawai kerajaan. Masalahnya tol dikenakan walaupun projek belum diluluskan. Sering berlaku tol dibayar oleh semua kontraktor tetapi hanya satu kontraktor yang dapat. Ini adalah keadaaan yang memerahkan kontraktor-kontraktor.

Kami benar-benar harap SPRM dan Ketua Setiausaha Negara mengambil tindakan terhadap keadaan yang menekan usahawan-usahawan ini.

Sabah BN rejects call for increased petroleum royalty

2011-08-22T22:45:00.006+08:00

Luyang rep takes the state government to task for failing to protect the rights and interests of Sabah.

Queville To | August 22, 2011

KOTA KINABALU: A motion asking the Umno-led Barisan Nasional state government to demand increased payment of the petroleum royalty to Sabah has been rejected by the State Legislative Assembly Speaker, sparking accusations of cowardice from an opposition member.

Luyang state assemblywoman Melanie Chia took the state government to task for failing to protect the rights and interests of Sabah, now the poorest state in the country.

She said this was evident from the rejection of her motion requesting the state government to review the agreement on the petroleum royalty and demand it be increased to 20% from the current 5%.

“I feel disappointed and am not satisfied with the rejection based on the reasons given by the State Assembly speaker

“The motion which I intended to bring to the state assembly was based on the pleas of the people of Sabah to ensure that their rights and interests are defended.

“The rejection of this motion also confirms that the BN government is not serious about the claim on the rights of the people of Sabah,” she said.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference held at her office here, Chia said she submitted the motion to the Speaker on Aug 12 for it to be tabled at the State Legislastive Assembly sitting on Aug 22 and 23.

However, on Aug 19, she received a reply in writing signed by the secretary of the state assembly informing her that the motion has been rejected by the Speaker with two reasons.

The first is that national oil company, Petronas, is currently investing billions of ringgit in development projects in Sabah, which give tremendous benefit to the people of Sabah either directly, or through their spin-off economic activities.

Natural resources

Among these projects are the Kimanis oil and gas depot, the gas power plant at the POIC in Lahad Datu, and the Ammonia and Urea Project in Sipitang.

The second reason is that the agreement on the oil royalty is in accordance with the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which is under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Chia contended that the motion calling for the review on the petroleum royalty rate from 5% to 20%

has no connection with the proposed projects and developments to be implemented by Petronas, or its agents.

“The projects and developments to be undertaken and implemented by Petronas and its agents are investments by the corporation and is not the same as petroleum royalty, which is a state’s revenue.

“The profit (from Petronas investment) goes to the corporation, but oil royalty paid by Petronas is money to the state government, which can be used for direct social economic project to benefit the people,” she said.

Chia, who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) women’s wing chief, reminded that Sabah is still one of the poorest states in Malaysia and it is therefore fitting that Sabah should benefit further

from the natural resources that it is endowed with.

“Its revenue and economic status can be strengthened in the long run for the benefit of the state and its people.

“Natural resources like oil and gas, once exploited, is gone forever. If the exploitation continues, by the next generation, the money is probably no longer there, nor will be the oil and gas. By right, there should be a heritage fund arising from these natural resources,” she said.

On the claim that the change of rate of petroleum royalty is under the power of the federal government, Chia contended that such a notion is not accurate as the petroleum royalty agreement is between the state government and Petronas and does not require any amendment to the Petroleum Development Act 1974.

Changing circumstances

“Legally speaking, it is possible that the agreement be reviewed by negotiation of the parties concerned, that is, via negotiation among the state government, federal government and Petronas.

“This agreement has been in existence for the last 35 years and it is not an unreasonable act to request for a review in view of the current situation and changing circumstances,” she said.

Chia also expressed regret over the fact that such an important agreement that gave away the state’s valuable natural resources in return for a meagre 5% royalty payment was never tabled in the state

assembly, which is the highest policy-making body in Sabah.

She showed reporters the Hansards of that particular year to prove that there was a state assembly meeting conducted on the same day the said agreement was signed.

“This is the Hansard of the state assembly meeting on June 14 and nothing was mentioned about the agreement that was signed on that particular day.”

The controversial agreement was signed within days of the infamous “Double Six” air crash incident, which claimed the lives of many Sabah leaders at that time, including former chief minister Fuad Stephens.

Chia said what transpired at that time reminded her of the surrender of the two oilfields found off Sabah dubbed as “Block L and M” by the Brunei government, two years ago.

“We only knew about it (the loss) by accident. There was no information to the people of Sabah that the state government had given away the two oilfields,” she said.

“It is only right that I bring this up in the state assembly to ask the government for a review of the agreement. I feel that we are in the position to ask for more oil royalty because it is an agreement signed with Pertronas. Why can’t the state government do it in the interest of the people?

“The rejection is merely evading an important issue and that is to review the agreement to change the petroleum royalty of 5%, which was signed on June 14, 1976.”

Chia said it was a common knowledge that the people of Sabah have been shortchanged all these years despite being an equal partner with the Federation of Malaya and Sarawak and Singapore (which was later expelled) in the formation of Malaysia.

She wants state leaders to say why they are hesitant to act in the best interest of the state and its people, despite Sabah being dubbed as the “fixed deposit” that had been propping up and maintaining the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government.

She said SAPP would continue to pursue the matter until a fairer deal is secured for the state and its people, adding that this was only appropriate given that they are the rightful owners of the natural resources found in the state.

Also present at the press conference were SAPP information chief Chong Pit Fah, supreme council member Chia Miu Lee, and vice-Youth chief Simon Chin.

Pakatan vows to end rice monopoly

2011-08-19T22:08:00.002+08:00

Filed under: Human rights,Politics — Hornbill Unleashed

Syed Jaymal Zahiid

The opposition bloc’s budget targets Bernas, the company owned by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, which has a commercial chokehold on rice.

Pakatan Rakyat has promised to end national rice company Bernas’s control over the industry as part of its budget plans in a bid to stimulate yields and create competitive prices to improve income for farmers.

“Pakatan will end Bernas’ monopoly and its position as the sole rice importer will be reviewed and import licence will be opened to create competition,” PKR leader Tian Chua told reporters here.

Bernas, under the control of tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, had a commercial chokehold on the country’s staple food.

This, according to Tian, who sits in Pakatan’s budget committee, allowed the company to manipulate prices.

This meant that paddy farmers had to sell yields according to Bernas’ fancy and being the sole importer, import rice prices could also be manipulated to increase the company’s profit margin.

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, PAS’ representative in the committee, said that rice was among the basic food items with controlled prices.

“So it is obvious that only local rice will be subject to price control and not imported rice,” he said, adding that this would mean Bernas as the sole importer of rice had absolute pricing power.

Tian also said that Pakatan would seek to overhaul the subsidy structure for rice farmers.

As the subsidy for rice went straight to Bernas, PKR chief strategist Rafizi Ramli said this begged the question as to how much of the aid actually landed in the farmers’ hands.

“We will ensure that the subsidy will go directly to the recipients,” he added.

End to sugar cartel

Pakatan would also stretch the anti-monopoly policy to the sugar industry.

Malaysia imports almost all of its raw sugar requirement through four companies via import quotas set by the government based on their past sales.

The four include Gula Padang Terap Sdn Bhd and Central Sugar Refinery Sdn Bhd – both owned by Tradewinds, Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Company (MSM) and Kilang Gula Felda Perlis Sdn Bhd.

A record budget deficit in 20 years forced Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s administration to cut sugar subsidy by 25 sen in retail price per kg to RM1.90 causing inflation to rise and voters fuming.

Sugar importers denied allegations that they had chalked up profits from the subsidy cut.

They said that rising global sugar prices kept revenues relatively low, insisting that Malaysians still enjoyed among the lowest prices.

Tahniah kepada Penjawat Amanah PKR Sarawak

2011-08-15T18:01:00.005+08:00

MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2011

SENARAI JAWATANKUASA MAJLIS PIMPINANNEGERI SARAWAK 2011
(Sarawak State Leadership Council 2011)

Penasihat: Datuk Hajah Hafsah Harun

Majlis Pimpinan Negeri:
Sdr YB Baru Bian (Lawyer) - Pengerusi MPN
Sdr Zulrusdi Hol (Accountant) - Timb. Pengerusi
Sdr Peter Ato (Engineer) - Naib Pengerusi
Sdr YB Ali Biju (Businessman) - Naib Pengerusi
Sdr YB See Chee How (Lawyer) - Naib Pengerusi
Sdr Stanny Embat (Ex-Police Officer) - Setiausaha
Pn Lynette Tan (Lawyer) - Timb. Setiausaha
Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng (Medical Practitioner) - Bendahari
Sdr Mengga Mikui (Businessman) - Timb. Bendahari
Sdr Vernon Kedit (Lawyer) - Ketua Penerangan
Sdr Nikson Abdillah (Businessman) - Timb. Ketua Penerangan I
Sdr William Lee (Businessman) - Timb. Ketua Penerangan II
Pn Hanim Hj Mokshen (Businesswoman) - Ketua Wanita Negeri
Sdr Ahmad Nazib (Lawyer) - Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan Negeri
Sdr Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh (Businessman) - Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri
Sdr Paul Bian (Engineer) - Timb. Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri I
Sdr George Chen Ngok Fa (Businessman) - Timb. Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri II
Sdr Paul Baya (Businessman) - Timb. Zon Utara
Sdr Wong Ling Kui (Businessman) - Timb. Zon Tengah 1
Sdr Richard Lias (Engineer) - Timb. Zon Tengah 2
Sdr Dick Cotter (Recreational Park Planner) - Timb. Zon Selatan
Sdr Ali Hossen Abang (Businessman) - Pengarah Strategi
Sdr Harrison Ngau (Lawyer) - Timb. Pengarah Strategi
Sdr Joshua Jabeng (Insurance Agent) - Pengarah Latihan
Sdr Maxlien Gobek (Consultant Engineer) - Timb. Pengarah Latihan
Dr Christopher Kiyui (Medical Practitioner) - Pengarah Kesihatan
Pn Cecilia Una (Retired Nurse) - Timb. Pengarah Kesihatan
Pn Ibi Uding (Businesswoman) - Pengarah Penggalangan Dana
Sdr Dr Idwar Bakaruddin (Physicist/Academician) - Timb. Pengarah P. Dana I
Sdr Simon Tiong (Businessman) - Timb. Pengarah P. Dana II
Dr Manshor Hosen (Educationist) - Pengarah Kebajikan
Sdr Paul Raja (Lawyer) - Timb. Pengarah Kebajikan
Sdr Abun Sui (Lawyer) - Pengarah Integrasi
Pn Zolhaidah Suboh (Businesswoman) - Timb. Pengarah Integrasi
Pn Helen Jimbai (Businesswoman) - AJK
Pn Margaret Binti Yak (Businesswoman) - AJK
Sdr Ardi Pawi (Ex-Headmaster) - AJK
Sdr Willie ak Mongin (IT Specialist) - AJK
Sdr Taylor Unting (Businessman) - AJK
Sdr Arip bin Ameran (Lawyer) - AJK
Sdr Norisham Mohd Ali (Lawyer) - AJK

Termasuk semua Ketua Cabang dari tiga-puluh satu buah cabang PKR di seluruh negeri Sarawak.

Ampang MP Zuraida wants Sarawakians to defy the police by continuing the march...

2011-08-13T12:01:00.006+08:00

"...(but) I will not be around to join them,” Zuraida said.

See sees red as govt denies MoCS right to gather
Posted on August 13, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state publicity chief See Chee How yesterday strongly denounced the ‘abuse of power’ by the government by checking the people’s rights to hold a peaceful gathering.

“We (PKR) are disappointed with such actions. All Malaysians have a moral and righteous duty to safeguard their constitutional rights and demand good governance from the elected government,” he told a press conference.

He said the government’s tactic was made obvious when the ruling government instructed all of its “control machinery” such as the police force, the mass media and other government institutions to inhibit Malaysians from exercising their constitutional rights.

He said the MoCS rally, scheduled for today, was thwarted by failure to get a permit and was considered a threat to peace.

“Even some schools in the city were instructed to post announcements and notice of postponement of school activities, fearing that bad things may happen,” said the Batu Lintang assemblyman.

He added that Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and certain senior police officers had tried to amplify the riot occurring in London and equating the Bersih rally to that unwelcomed situation.

“It is obvious to all Malaysians that the Bersih 2.0 rally (in July) was a peaceful and non-violent gathering. There were no damages reported by shop proprietors,” he added.

See also said that PKR members yesterday were presented by the Magistrate Court with an order restraining them from gathering at the museum ground, the proposed MoCS rally venue.

The order was also directed at 10 notable PKR members, including Awang Abdillah Awang Nasar, Datuk Salleh Jafaruddin, Datuk Bujang Ulis, Mohd Salleh Shaik Ahmed, See Chee How, Mark Chin Fook Lai, Alphonsus Kuek Swee Tan and Mahsor Hossen.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who was also present, echoed See Chow’s statement saying that there was only one casualty from the gathering as a result of police aggression and hostility.

“The government propaganda was widely publicised in the papers showing the police demonstrating the use of force, including the use of water cannons and tear-gas.”

“I encourage them (MoCS members) to continue with the march even though I will not be around to join them,” Zuraida said.

UBF: Sabah must get more from new oil finds

2011-08-09T00:01:00.003+08:00

WHAT ABOUT SARAWAK???!!!

Sabah must get more from new oil finds’
Queville To | August 8, 2011fmt

With the new oil and gas finds in Sabah, it is imperative that the deal with Petronas is revisited, says Jeffrey Kitingan.

KOTA KINABALU: Jeffrey Kitingan today claimed that state Barisan Nasional leaders stopped making a fuss about the meagre oil royalties from Petronas once their ‘associates’ had been awarded lucrative contracts by the national oil company.

Disclosing this, Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF) leader Jeffrey said: “Sabah BN leaders should also stop paying lip service and for once seriously consider the interests of the state and the plight of the poor citizens.

“The time is up for these leaders and for patriotic leaders to rise and demand for the rights of Sabah and its people to be the paramount criteria, especially for the sake of the future generations of Sabahans.”

Stressing his views in a statement issued today, Jeffrey said the Umno-led BN state government and its leaders needed to re-examine and re-think their strategies on the oil and gas resources located in Sabah and its territorial waters, especially in view of new oil finds in the state.

“With the loss of ‘Blocks L and M’ to Brunei without so much of a whimper from the Sabah state government and its Barisan Nasional leaders, the state government should not lose this new opportunity to re-negotiate on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and on a more equitable and fairer revenue sharing formula,” the former PKR vice-president said.

He lamented that the current 5% oil royalties directly contributed to Sabah becoming the poorest state in Malaysia. Sabah was once second richest state after Selangor (then including Kuala Lumpur) in 1970.

He added that the disclosure by Chief Minister Musa Aman in the 2011 state budget in November 2010 that Sabah was projected to receive RM721.7 million as oil royalties for 2011 paled in comparison to the RM13.7 billion that will be received by Petronas.

(The projected figures are however expected to be much higher given the current global crude oil prices)

According to Jeffrey, the RM721.7 million was ‘small change’ for a total oil revenue of RM14.42 billion for Petronas from Sabah.

Lucrative Petronas contracts

Chief Minister Musa in January 2011 also disclosed that Sabah now produced 26.9% of Malaysia’s daily crude oil production.

“Together with the liquefied natural gas (LNG) in current production, including the wells off the island of Labuan and the existing LNG fields that are to be tapped and then piped to Bintulu via the new Kimanis-Bintulu Pipeline, the new gas find of 550 billion standard cu.ft. with an estimated daily production rate of 21 million standard cu.ft. as well as rumours of new oil-fields off Sandakan and Kudat and the much touted “find of the century” somewhere off the coasts of Sabah, oil and gas is here to stay and could play a very crucial and integral part of Sabah’s economy and future,” Jeffrey noted.

He also expressed regret over the imminent siphoning of Sabah gas all the way to Bintulu, Sarawak via the Kimanis-Bintulu pipeline.

He contended that the cost of the new production facility and the gas pipeline could have been spent on a new facility in Sabah to process Sabah’s LNG rather than being sent 533 km overland to Bintulu.

“With the (gas) pipeline, Sabah has lost all the spin-offs that could be generated if the production facility was housed in Kimanis, Sabah,” he lamented.

Jeffrey claimed that information from reliable sources close to Petronas revealed that Petronas was building another four platforms off Kimanis with a budget of RM8 billion.

He thus reiterated that together with the new gas finds, there was no excuse for Sabah not to develop its own oil and gas industry locally.

Sabah contractors sidelined

He also claimed to have met international oil and gas corporations who were prepared to invest in Sabah if Sabah developed its oil and gas industry.

He added that BHF was prepared to spearhead the development of the oil and gas industry in Sabah, if the state government was unable to do it.

“In fact, BHF has received calls from various sources to urge the state government to step down for failing to look after the interests of Sabah vis-a-vis the oil and gas resources in Sabah and failing even to safeguard the interests of Sabah contractors in the construction of the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis,” he claimed.

He further lamented that while Petronas had previously indicated that the total expenditure in Petronas projects in Sabah was expected to be in the region of RM36 billion, Sabah contractors were yet to enjoy jobs.

“So far less than 5% of Sabah contractors have only been awarded contracts and to top it all, the SOGT contract is being awarded to a Sarawak company.

“If the state government is to continue with its lackadaisical approach, Sabah’s economy and its people will remain the poorest in Malaysia,” he warned.

Jeffrey thus contended that there is no point in the state government claiming to be in the coalition with the federal government and having good relationship with the federal government when it cannot even secure a better and fairer revenue sharing with Petronas and looking after Sabah’s interest.

He further said that Sabah should be getting 50% oil royalties and at least a 12.5% stake in Petronas as a contributing stakeholder in the wealth of the Petronas Group.

Being oil producing state, Sarawak, Terengganu and Kelantan should also similarly be given a 12.5% stake each in Petronas, with the balance 50% in Petronas to be divided between the federal government and the non-oil producing states.

He added that if this was the case, the people of Sabah will be as rich as their counterparts in Brunei.

Democracy is dead in Sarawak, cries MoCS

2011-08-06T00:01:00.004+08:00

Even if I’m alone, I will be there on Aug 13
to unveil our 10-point declaration
which contains the people's will,
declares Francis Siah !!!

MoCS leader shares his thoughts on Aug 13 Red Rally
Posted on August 4, 2011 by mocsarawak

This is the full text of Malaysiakini writer Keruah Usit’s email interview with MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah.

1. Do you think the support given to Bersih 2.0 by many citizens and bloggers, during and after July 9, will make it easier to encourage Sarawakians to take part in the August 13 walk for democracy in Kuching? How many participants would you expect to be able to call the Red Rally a success at expressing the people’s will?

This is Kuching. This is Sarawak. In general, we are certainly more reserved and timid than our fellow Malaysians in the peninsula. There were reports that only about 100 Sarawakians went to the Bersih rally. I’m not sure how the Bersih event will impact the Aug 13 walk for democracy and reform but it was certainly an awakening for Sarawakians too.

Frankly, I’m not worried about how many will attend. The most important thing is when MoCS says that the event will be staged, we hold it despite the overwhelming odds against us.

Even if I’m alone, I will be there on Aug 13. (Maybe do a Hii Tiong Huat, haha) But of course, I know I will not be alone. We have received good support so far but whether that will be translated into attendance at the event, I’m not sure.

As I’ve said, the numbers do not matter. We have made clear that we do not force or coerce people to come. They have to come of their own free will. The objectives of Aug 13 are more important.

Our 10-point declaration which MoCS will unveil on Aug 13 is a very important document. We can say that it contains the people’s will.

2. Do you expect the police to deny MoCS a permit for the rally? The latest update was on July 27. Have the police been in contact with MoCS, after an MoCS representative in Kuching applied for the permit?

We remain hopeful for a police permit.

On July 27, five police officers interviewed our applicant in Kuching. Taking a cue from Bukit Aman’s advice to Bersih, MoCS applied in the name of an individual. Apparently, the Sarawak police operate in a different dimension.

I have been informed that the police had “verbally agreed” to issue us a permit provided we don’t march but hold a stationary gathering i.e. we gather at one location. They even mentioned that we could use the Padang Merdeka if we want to. But our choice is the Museum Ground because the Cenotaph is located there. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph to honour the heroes of Sarawak.

The other condition is that the police want us to apply for the permit using a registered organization. We are working on that at the moment.

We will cooperate with the police for as long as their requests or demands are reasonable. My only fear is that they may eventually bow to political pressure from certain leaders in the state government. I’m hoping that the new Sarawak Police Commissioner, Datuk Mortadza Nazarene, (right in photo) is his own man.

3. If the police refuse a permit, as expected, are you concerned that you may be arrested for promoting an ‘illegal’ assembly as 30 people (mostly from PSM) were in Kepala Batas before Bersih 2.0? Are you worried about your personal safety when you return to Kuching for the rally?

Getting arrested is the least of my worries. But I will tread with caution. I will certainly not go around wearing a Bersih t-shirt knowing that the police will arrest me if I were to do that. I am not one of those who seem to ‘enjoy’ being arrested and bask in the limelight over it. MoCS fellows have been directed not to get involved in such stupidity.

Aug 13 is a RED rally because red is the theme colour of MoCS. So far, red t-shirts have not been banned, otherwise Manchester United or Liverpool fans will be very disappointed too, wouldn’t they?

I have never been imprisoned in my life and I don’t wish to spend even a night in a police lock-up. The two things that make it impossible for me to sleep are heat and mosquitoes. I need a good night’s rest because I’m not particularly healthy. I’m still nursing a heart ailment and also suffer from hypertension and high cholesterol.

As for my personal safety on my return to Kuching for the Aug 13 event, I’m not worried at all. Although I’ve been warned that there are ruthless people around, I still have faith and trust that Kuchingites and Sarawakians are peace-loving and non-violent people.

4. Are you worried about violence, tear gas, water cannon etc being used on marchers, or violence being used by some agent provocateur, pretending to be a marcher? What preparations are being made to train marshals who can help keep marchers in line and peaceful?

No, on that day, we will cooperate with the police closely in terms of order and security as MoCS, being a small organization, is unable to mobilize our own marshals.

As for agent provocateur, it’s the job of the police to identify them. But I honestly like to believe that we are all sensible and mature people. I’m a believer in the solidarity and strength of Sarawakians on this front. I doubt there will be any act of violence at all.

No, I don’t expect the police to use tear gas or water cannons. There were talks of violence during the Bersih rally on July 9 but everything was peaceful.

5. What answer would you give to allegations that you are pushing for the Red Rally as some kind of personal vendetta against Taib, and that MoCS does not command popular support?

Personal vendetta? That is interesting. It’s not as if that I will be taking over as chief minister once MoCS or me manage to oust Taib Mahmud. I’m a nobody with absolutely no political ambition. I’m just a Sarawakian who cares deeply for my home state. Once Taib is gone, I will probably retire to the countryside and enjoy some farming and writing or be a fisherman (read ‘fisher of men’).

I’m not that young anymore. Politics is stressful. Why must I continue to stress myself if really MoCS is not wanted anymore.

I think only a few people have accused me of waging a personal vendetta against Taib.

The thing is that people find it impossible to believe that I would be doing all these things for NOTHING. The unbelievers will have to come up with something so they zero in on personal vendetta.

Another important thing I wish to say is that there are a lot of information I’m privy to about Taib and his ambitious plan for himself, his family and cronies. Taib will never change. Others do not know what I know. And one thing I can say here is that the sooner the people are able to oust Taib, the better it will be for Sarawak.

Political secrets revealed in confidence to me will go with me into my grave. That is a gentleman’s word and the honourable thing to do especially if the secrets are about your enemies.

It is not necessary for MoCS to command popular support. We are not a political party who need the support of the people to win elections.

Legally, MoCS does not even exist, so why the need for support? We are just a loose caucus and MoCS is just a platform for people sharing the same agenda and going on the same mission.

But I’m surprised that MoCS has caught the attention of many, even top leaders in the government. I don’t like to brag but more and more people are contacting me and MoCS.

But at the end of it all, I will always say that MoCS is only a mosquito outfit and that is the label I like it to be known. Why the need to boast that you are big when you are small. Better say you are nothing because if you are something, people will know and there is no need for you to say anything.

6. Do you expect the Red Rally to have any impact on the outcome of the next general parliamentary election?

I really cannot predict the impact. But our message is clear. There must be urgent political reforms in the state and if the current government cannot perform, then the people have to elect another which can. I expect this message will catch on with our people.

Abang Wahap will solve the traffic congestion problems in the city

2011-08-04T00:01:00.000+08:00

Congratulation to Datuk Abdul Wahap Abang Julai for his his appointment as

Datuk Bandar of Bandaraya Kuching !!!

“...solving traffic congestion will be...my immediate tasks,” declared Abang Wahap.

Abg Wahap to search for Kuching’s ‘soul’
Posted on August 3, 2011, Wednesday

KUCHING: Newly-sworn in Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai has set himself several immediate tasks, including looking for Kuching’s ‘soul’.

Abang Wahap took over from Mohd Atei Abang Medaan on Monday.

“Searching for the ‘soul’ of Kuching City and solving traffic congestion will be among my immediate tasks,” he told reporters yesterday after inspecting a welcoming parade.

“Our Chief Minister has mentioned about a city without a soul and to me it is more or less like a ghost town. For this, we need to sit together and work it out immediately.”

He said there is no point having good infrastructure in the city if it is not well maintained.

“Furthermore, if the city dwellers do not appreciate it and there is no maintenance culture, then it is pointless as well. Perhaps this is a part of the ‘soul’ that we need to search (for) and make it more interactive and liveable.”

Abang Wahap also pointed out a string of complaints from the public regarding traffic woes.

“When I was still serving in the police force, there were a few suggestions mooted up top to solve
the traffic woes and there was a study conducted on the traffic pattern as well,” he said, adding that he would look into the matter soon.

He said he hoped to continue the good work of his predecessor and pledged more pragmatic ways to deal with offences other than enforcement.

“It has been years since I have used such methods (enforcement) and this time around I need a change. We have to be more pragmatic in dealing with this. More programmes will be embarked on for awareness and to educate people on offences, especially on the behavioural issues.”

PPP says: Move aside duck!!! You can't fight PKR & gang!!!

2011-08-02T12:01:00.002+08:00

PBB, please move aside !!!

You're a duck!!!
You cannot fight PKR & gang !!!

Only PPP can whack them !!!

Prove your worth in coming polls, PKR tells PPP

Posted on August 2, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Central Leadership Council (CLC) member Zulrusdi Mohd Hol has issued a challenge to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to contest in the state in the next general election.

He said this would be a way to prove to Sarawakians that PPP vice-president Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff was not talking rubbish when he said that PPP could whack peninsula-based opposition parties in the state.

Zulrusdi, who is also PKR Petra Jaya divisional chief, said Nik Sapeia’s statement held no ground at all when the party itself was rejected by the rakyat in Semenanjung.

“The support towards Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (in Sarawak) is increasing day by day,” he claimed.

The CLC member also suggested that PPP get seats from PBB if the party was serious in contesting in the state during the coming general election.

Asked why he particularly mentioned PBB and not other state BN component parties, Zulrusdi said it would be logical for PBB to give its seats to PPP as the party had the most parliamentary seats. Out of the 31 parliamentary seats in the state, PBB has 15.

Last Saturday, Nik Sapeia said PPP, by virtue of being a peninsula-based party, was in a better position to fight PKR, DAP and PAS which are also based in Semenanjung.

“PPP is the only party (in BN) that can outwit the peninsula-based opposition parties (in Sarawak). You (the state BN) cannot fight them, but PPP can.”

“‘Ayam sama ayam’ (chicken and chicken) can fight, but ‘itik sama ayam’ (duck and chicken) cannot,” he said, adding : “I know how to play the game against Anwar (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) because I was with him (during our Umno youth days) before. You don’t worry about that.”

Happy Blessed Ramadhan

2011-08-01T00:01:00.028+08:00

To All Muslim Readers,

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn]) (also Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Muslims fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله‎, trans: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon; thus, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar year in 34 years' time. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. (source: Wikipedia)

50 unhappy PBB members set to join PPP

2011-07-31T12:01:00.001+08:00

50 unhappy PBB members set to join PPP
Posted on July 30, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: About 50 members of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Batu Kawa branch are to jump ship to join the People’s Progressive Party.

According to a source, who is among those who have decided to join PPP, many of the party members are disillusioned with the party branch leaders.

“The leaders do not seem to know their limit for politicking … almost every issue is being politicised by
them which is not good for the party,” said the source.

The source added he and few PBB members would seek a meeting with the PPP state chairman John Lau to discuss their intention of joining the party.

“If PPP wants us to resign from PBB first before joining them, we are willing to do so,” said the source.

Deadly diseases strike fear in Sungai Asap resettlement

2011-07-30T12:01:00.000+08:00

Deadly diseases strike fear in Sungai Asap resettlement
Posted on July 30, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Apart from bad road conditions, there is now a new problem affecting the residents of Bakun resettlement in Sungai Asap – the risk of being exposed to infectious and deadly diseases such as melioidosis and leptospirosis (known locally as ‘penyakit kencing tikus’).

Bakun Community Safety Committee (BSCS) chairman Dr Elli Luhat said yesterday the recent fatal cases involving four Sarawak Forestry staff, suspected to be caused by one of the diseases, has been a cause of concern and constant worry among the people there.

According to Elli, he was informed of the deaths two weeks ago. The deceased staff members were involved in moving large animals from the Bakun Dam water catchment area to higher ground and fell sick upon completion of the work.

This fear has been intensified after a penghulu was warded at the ICU unit at the Bintulu Hospital (BH) after becoming critically ill from suspected melioidosis or leptospirosis infection, he stated.

The penghulu was transported by helicopter to BH when he collapsed during a visit by a state minister to that area recently.

“There have also been several mysterious deaths over the years in that area including one that involved a cousin of mine. Because of this, we want the government to confirm and identify the diseases, so that immediate and remedial actions can be taken. This may include vaccination,” he told reporters at his residence at Taman BDC here yesterday.

When asked if the State Health Department had been notified of these cases, he said: “I’ve heard that they are aware of it, but I hope they do not keep quiet about it.”

According to a health website, melioidosis is caused by a bacterium (burkholderia pseudomailei) found in the soil, rice paddies and stagnant waters in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. People acquire the disease when the contaminated soil comes in contact with an abraded area of the skin.

Leptospirosis, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria called spirochete, and is transmitted through contact with infected soil or water.

On a separate matter, Elli called on the relevant authorities to make repairs on the Bakun road leading to Sungai Asap and Koyan.

He said the road, which is about 100km long, is now very dangerous to drive on due to the many potholes said to be caused by the heavy timber trucks.

Despite staging a blockade and demonstration at the road to get the attention of the authorities, he said the authorities have done little to repair the road.

Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing has even called the road ‘a death trap’ in a recent press report.

“This is a sad case and a chronic problem because the bad road has caused us much hardship. There have been accidents and even road fatalities there,” he said.

Elli recalled that in 1996 when the road was first completed, it would take only two hours to reach Bintulu from Sungai Asap.

“Now, it would take up to four to five hours. This is a major problem especially in times of emergency,” he added.

About 20,000 people mainly from the Orang Ulu community reside in Sungai Asap after they were resettled there when the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam project was initiated.

Elli called on the relevant authorities to contact him at 013-8182977 or 013-8289795, or even to visit his Facebook page to discuss ways to make the Bakun Resettlement a better and safer place for the people there.

Kenyataan Media Majlis Islam Sarawak : Golden Churn Creamery Butter adalah HARAM !!!

2011-07-28T12:01:00.004+08:00

p/s TQ Suara Pemikir

Betong sudah, mukah sudah, arah tanda menunjuk Lawas

2011-07-27T21:30:00.000+08:00

Pada waktu pilihanraya negri yang lepas Pehin Sri Abdul Taib telah menyatakan ketetapannya untuk bersara selepas pilihanraya negri selesai. Ini adalah keputusan yang matang oleh 'statesman' terulung negri Sarawak.

Sekarang persoalannya adalah siapakah yang akan menggantikannya?

Kalau kita kaji sejarah sudah terdapat 4 Ketua Menteri dari Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Penghulu Tawi Sli, Tun Rahman Yaakub dan Pehin Sri Abdul Taib. Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan berasal dari Betong. Tun Rahman Yaakub dan Pehin Sri Abdul Taib dari Mukah. Kalau ikut perjalanan dari Betong ke Mukah tanda arahnya menuju ke Timur Laut. Ini menunjukkan ke Lawas. Wakil rakyat dari lawas dari PBB sekarang adalah Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Beliau adalah Naib Presiden Kanan PBB dan juga Menteri 2 Portfolio di kabinet Sarawak. Beliau cukup berpengalaman dalam banyak kementerian dan pernah juga menjadi kakitangan awam kerajaan negri Sarawak.

Sebanaku tetap menyokong apa sahaja yang di putuskan oleh Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri Abdul Taib. Keputusannya untuk bersara adalah suatu yang bijak dan kami yakin pilihannya untuk pengganti juga bijak.

Karim is a better choice than Jerip to be Assistant Minister !!!

2011-07-12T12:01:00.007+08:00

Here are our arguments:

# As the Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has never failed to aggressively defending Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

# Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also has strong supports in his party PBB

# SUPP is a dying party

Borneo Post

Posted on July 11, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: Speculations are rife that Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil might be a member of the State Cabinet soon.

Hours after Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud hinted at a function in Kota Samarahan on Saturday that Dr Jerip could expect some good news soon as a reward for his loyalty to BN, the good doctor represented an assistant minister to officiate at an event.

This is considered ‘unusual’ because the function, which was held at a hotel in Kuching, is outside his constituency of Bengoh.

Dr Jerip was tasked to represent Assistant Minister of Water Supply Sylvester Entrie Muran at the ‘DUN Muara Tuang-level Ngiling Tikai dinner (closing of Gawai)’.

Among those present were Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohd Ali Mahmud, former Nangka assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, political secretary to the Chief Minister Awangku Jamudin Pengiran Kon and Samarahan Resident Rodziah Morsidi.

Dr Jerip did not reveal anything about the possibility of becoming a minister or assistant minister in his speech.

He merely talked about the dangers of street politics which could bring chaos to the state. Dr Jerip continued to remain coy yesterday. Attempts to get his comments on Taib’s statement were futile.

He had, in past interviews, said he would leave this matter to the chief minister because he (Taib) had the prerogative to make such a decision. But Bidayuh community leaders have been voicing their support for Dr Jerip’s inclusion in the State Cabinet following his victory in the April 16 state election.

Taib, when officiating at the ‘Samarahan Division’s 25th anniversary’, had sung praises of Dr Jerip in his speech.

Among others, he said Dr Jerip, who once fought the BN government, was now a ‘champion of the BN coalition’ and a promoter of his politics of development.

“He has realised that it is better to serve the people with deeds than by words only. And that’s the difference in Dr Jerip of yesterday and Dr Jerip of today. Bigger things will come to him because of his conviction.”

Taib, however, has been tight-lipped on when he would announce a Cabinet reshuffle or who would make it into the new lineup.

Dr Jerip, a former State Reform Party (STAR) member, had once contested as an independent in Bengoh.

But in the 2001 state election, he joined SUPP and won Bengoh for the BN. He successfully defended the seat in 2006.

In the April 16 polls, he won again for the third time with a 3,646-vote majority in a four-cornered fight.

But the recently-concluded 10th state election is special in a way because Dr Jerip is only one of six SUPP assemblymen who had won following a humiliating performance by the party which saw it losing 13 of the 19 seats it contested in.

Among those defeated was party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan. There are only four Bumiputera assemblymen in SUPP.

Many political observers have opined that the time has come for Dr Jerip to be made a minister or at least an assistant minister.

Dr Chan had said before that he had made strong recommendations to Taib to have SUPP’s Bumiputera elected representatives to be appointed to the State Cabinet. But Dr Chan did not disclose the names of those he had recommended.

DAP, don't bring KL street politics to Sarawak !!!

2011-07-08T12:01:00.026+08:00

DAP, who do you want to provoke?

The BN Government?

Perkasa?

PBB? SUPP? PRS? SPDP?

Do we Sarawakians need such provocation from you ?

Do we need to adopt the rowdy West Malaysia politics here in Sarawak?

DAP reps to meet people for breakfast at Stutong

Posted on July 8, 2011, Friday

KUCHING: Twelve state assemblypersons from Democratic Action Party (DAP) will have a breakfast session with the public at a coffeeshop in Stutong tomorrow.

They will meet residents and listen to their grouses from 8.30am to 9.30am.

DAP will also conduct voter registration at King Centre, Stutong, Tabuan Jaya and BDC on the same day.

DAP Sarawak secretary Chong Chieng Jen disclosed that DAP members would show up in yellow shirts to show their support to Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) to fight for a fairer and cleaner election.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with BN government for not allowing Bersih to hold gathering in the stadium or the street.

During the press conference yesterday, the Kota Sentosa assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP also announced that his new service centre in Kota Sentosa Seventh Mile, near to After Seven café, would be opened this Sunday.

The opening ceremony would start at 8am with a lion dance, followed by a short speech and light refreshment will be served, he said. Members of public are welcome.

He said those who needed help could visit his office, which is open on Monday to Friday, from 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm.

His assistant Mordi Dimol would be there to attend to public queries.

Chong himself will be available at the centre every Monday afternoon, except when needed to attend parliamentary sitting.

Batu Kawah assemblywoman Christina Chew will be there on every Thursday.

For more information, Chong can be contacted at 012-2288221.

DUN (Day Six): Sarawak economy set to grow by five pct this year

2011-06-28T12:19:00.002+08:00

Sarawak economy set to grow by five pct this year

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The Sarawak economy is expected to grow by five per cent this year, Second Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, said today.

Wong said the economy continued to show strong growth, stimulated by both domestic and external demands.

“The growth is driven by continued expansion of domestic consumption and investment as well as sustained favourable commodity prices and exports,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly here today.

He said the services sector was expected to expand by 6.2 per cent this year, driven by domestic demand for wholesale and retail trade as well as utilities.

Wong said the moderate growth in the trade-related sub-sector such as transport and storage, reflected slower expected growth of external demand.

“Continued efforts to attract more visitors to the state through meeting, incentives, conventions and exhibitions and tourism activities will further support growth in the accommodation and restaurant sub-sector,” he said.

He said the manufacturing sector would continue to do well and was estimated to grow by 4.4 per cent this year as demand for resource-based sub-sectors from economies in the region was expected to remain robust.

In the construction sector, Wong said, it was anticipated to grow by 5.5 per cent with the commencement of the implementation of infrastructure projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan and the implementation of multitude of infrastructure projects under the National Key Result Areas, Economic Transformation Programme and in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy areas.

Wong said the agriculture sector was expected to grow at 4.4 per cent as favourable global demand was expected to continue this year while the production of crude palm oil is set to grow by 9.2 per cent with the increase in mature areas and the improvement in yields.

For mining and quarrying sector, Wong said, it was expected to grow by three per cent this year as the production of natural gas was anticipated to increase to meet the demand particularly from traditional markets such as Japan and South Korea.

He said public investment was expected to grow at 9.1 per cent, supported by capital spending in all economic sectors, particularly in the services, manufacturing as well as construction. – Bernama

DUN (Day Six): Sarawak has no plan for separate ordinace to tackle resettlement issue

2011-06-28T12:18:00.006+08:00

Sarawak has no plan for separate ordinace to tackle resettlement issue

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The Sarawak state government has no plan to enact a separate ordinance to deal with resettlement matters, State Minister of Special Functions, Tan Sri Adenan Satem said today.

“This is because the existing legislation can adequately address the various issues pertaining to resettlement,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here today.

Adenan said the State Planning Unit was specifically tasked to deal with all matters pertaining to resettlement of people affected by the various development projects.

He said the section was responsible for planning, implementing, managing and monitoring the resettlement projects undertaken by the government.

“The government will review the effectiveness of this section and if deemed necessary (we) will upgrade its status,” he said.

Last week, at the assembly sitting, assemblymen Liwan Lagang (BN-Belaga) and Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (BN-Batang Ai) urged the state government to enact an ordinance to tackle issues caused by mega projects in the state.

Meanwhile, Adenan said the state government had always taken into account the impacts of any development project including the hydroelectric power dam projects on the environment and local communities.

Since 1994, he said the government had made it mandatory that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be approved before any land development projects could be implemented to ensure minimal adverse impacts to the environment and the local communities.

He said the state government, since 2009, had also adopted the Social and Environment Impact Assessment (SEIA) as a requirement for all major projects before they were implemented. – Bernama

DUN (Day Six): Promote awareness of NCR perimeter survey’ call

2011-06-28T12:17:00.005+08:00

Promote awareness of NCR perimeter survey’ call

Posted on June 29, 2011, Wednesday

SECOND Planning and Resource Management Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan called on his BN colleagues to step up efforts in creating awareness of the government initiative in native customary rights (NCR) land perimeter survey.

“This is in order to encourage NCR land owners to identify their land and apply to the Land and Survey Department to their land surveyed.

“At the same time, landowners must cleared their boundary issues beforehand to ensure smooth operation of the perimeter surveying process,” he said in his winding up speech for the ministry yesterday.

On NCR land, Awang Tengah said 135 lots covering 254,845 hectares have been approved for perimeter survey since last September.

“To-date, 73 lots consisting of 48,692 hectares, involving a total cost of RM15.71 million, have been surveyed throughout the state.

“That included 7,325 hectares that have been gazetted as Bumiputera common reserve under Section 6 of State Land Code (Kanun Tanah Negeri),” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government still permits the harvesting of swiftlet nests at Niah Cave through the issuance of licences.

Awang Tengah said such activity is closely monitored through existing laws and control procedures to preserve the swiftlets.

“Harvesting is only allowed at certain season. From April until August every year, harvesting is not allowed.

“This is so that the swiftlets will have time to breed, lay eggs and the baby birds are able to fly. This will therefore ensure the continuity of the swiftlet population,” he said.

The vastness of the jungle at Niah National Park could still sustain the food source of the two swiflet species found there, namely the black swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) and white swiftlet (Aerodramus fuchiphagus), he added.

DUN (Day Six): Bye-bye remoteness

2011-06-28T12:16:00.007+08:00

Bye-bye remoteness

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

Works to connect Kapit to rest of state may start by June next year

KUCHING: Plans to connect Kapit with the whole of Sarawak via a proper road network could materialise as early as June next year.

This however would depend on when the design of the 45- kilometre Song-Kapit road currently undergoing survey and investigation works would be completed.

Construction of the road, estimated to cost RM450 million, is proposed to be undertaken under the second rolling plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan (2012-2013), said Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.

He disclosed this in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday, adding that roads would eventually be connected to the town and the surrounding areas of Baleh and upper Rajang region through projects carried out under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

“Roads constructed under such developments would include of a 149km access road from Sangan to the Nanga Melukun through the Nanga Merit coal mine area in Kapit Division.

“In addition would be the construction of a 73km access road to Baleh Hydroelectric Power Dam site also in the Kapit Division.

“This project will involve the construction of a road from Ng Mujung to Ng Gaat and from Merirai to Sg Putai with a total distance of 58km and the remaining 15km of road between Ng Gaat and Merirai,” he added.

Manyin (BN-Tebedu) also mentioned the construction of a 37km road from Ng Sepungil to Tunoh and 62km road from the existing Bintulu-Bakun road to the proposed Murum Hydroelectric Power Dam site.

As for projects under the Rural Basic Infrastructure National Key Result Areas (NKRA) Programme, Manyin said the proposed Kanowit-Kapit road would be implemented in stages, including the 2km Sg Kanowit bridge currently under design. Construction of the bridge, expected to be ready for tendering in September this year, is estimated to cost RM90 million.

He also mentioned that the 10km Ng Ngemah-SRK Temalat road, projected to cost RM80 million, was currently undergoing site investigation and survey, and the construction of the RM50 million 7.5km SRK Temalat-Sipang-Song road was now ongoing.

Regarding roads that had been completed, he said they were the 15km Kanowit-Sg Poi road costing RM40 million and the RM10 million (5.5km) road from Ng Ngungun to Ng Ngemah.

“The contract for the 14.7km Sg Poi-Ng Ngungun road project however is still pending approval from the Ministry of Finance and is estimated to cost around RM70 million,” he added.

DUN (Day Six): Soon Koh blasts Ho Leng for ‘ignorance of Federal Constitution’

2011-06-28T12:15:00.004+08:00

Soon Koh blasts Ho Leng for ‘ignorance of Federal Constitution’

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

MINISTER of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday hit out at Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek) for being totally ignorant of Article 109 of the Federal Constitution.

“Does he know that the Malaysian Road Records Information System’s (Marris) road maintenance fund is automatically granted by the federal government?

“He claimed credit on the newly sealed road at Telok Bango in Sibu saying ‘My voice in Parliament has been heard’. What a cheap publicity,” Wong said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly.

Under Article 109(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, fund for the maintenance of all state roads, including council and village roads, is provided by the federal government.

Soon Koh pointed out that what the opposition leader should have done as a parliamentarian “is to appeal for a larger allocation for Sibu in addition to the normal grant under the existing formula.”

The minister also quoted what Ho Leng, David Wong (DAP-Pelawan) and Yap Hoi Liong (DAP-Dudong) said about the road conditions in Sibu last week, which invited roars of protests from the opposition bench.

“We must admit that road conditions in Sibu indeed leave much to be desired. Sibu is situated in a delta basin with 73 per cent of its land mass peat soil as deep as 20 metres or more,” said Soon Koh.

He recalled being told: “During the initial stage of construction of certain stretches of New Airport Road, workers left their trucks in the newly sandfilled roads for lunch.

“When they returned from lunch, the trucks simply disappeared – they sank into the deep peat and were completely submerged.”

Despite this, he felt that roads in Sibu “are not that bad or good only for horses.”

“Claims by the three YBs from Sibu that ‘potholes everywhere would rock the car as if it is hit by rockets’ are not even good enough for coffeeshop talks, really not so dignified and demeaning.

“But it is typical of DAP being so ruthless and unscrupulous in their speeches and in their choice of words, hoping to work up the emotions of the people against the BN,” he pointed out.

He also challenged Ho Leng to tender for the dredging project at the bottleneck at Pulau Kerto, for which the federal government had allocated fund.

“This is your golden opportunity, go for it. Do something for the people of Sibu, after all, almost the whole of Sibu is under you, the DAP.”

Throughout the more than an hour winding-up, Soon Koh did not grant the floor to any opposition member, who sought point of order, except Dr Wong Hua Seh (DAP Repok).

Met by reporters later, Ho Leng claimed that people would be disappointed with the minister’s speech for the latter spent quite a substantial time on criticising the opposition members from Sibu.

“I can see his evil grin while indulging in his own speech. He gave way only to Dr Wong Hua Seh as he reasoned that he is a doctor. In this case, (Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar) Awang Tengah (Ali Hassan) is a role model as he shared the floor and replied to our points of order.”

DUN (Day Six): State govt returning excess land renewal premiums

2011-06-28T12:14:00.008+08:00

State govt returning excess land renewal premiums

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

THE state government is refunding excess land renewal premiums to the people.

“The government has refunded to house owners in Kenyalang Park (621 lots) here, and Merbau Estate (23 lots) and Gilbert Estate (7 lots) in Miri. At the same time, we are considering applications for premium refund from other parts of the state,” said Second Planning and Resources Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan in his winding-up speech for the ministry yesterday.

According to Awang Tengah, the Land and Survey Department had received 857 applications as of May 31 this year.

“Out of this number, 651 applications have been approved involving refunds of about RM1.93 million.

“Out of the approved number, 610 applications have been issued cheques for a total of RM1.66 million.

“The remaining applications involving RM266,000 have been approved and the cheques will be issued soonest,” he said.

Referring to a case where a deceased landowner had paid the premium, Awang Tengah said although the person had died, the money would still be paid. Therefore, his heir needs to do a probate so that the money can be claimed by the holder of the ‘surat kuasa’ (letter of authority).

Meanwhile state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the answers given by Awang Tengah were too general, and the minister did not answer a question on whether excess industrial premium would be refunded.

“Besides that, Land and Survey Department stated in a letter that they will only consider refund of excess premium for eligible cases, which in this case means hardcore poor only.

“I asked the honourable minister to tell Sarawakians once and for all the criteria of eligibility for refund, but he didn’t give a clear answer.”

The information is too general and not detailed enough for applicants to know whether their applications will be refunded or not,” said the Bukit Assek assemblyman. During Awang Tengah’s winding-up speech, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP Kota Sentosa) asked him to clarify if there was any plan to reduce the renewal premium for industrial land, to which Awang Tengah answered it had not been fi nalised yet.

Chong then called the government to reduce the land renewal premium for industrial lots soon, as the current rate was too high.

DUN (Day Six): DOE mulls regulation for e-waste recycling

2011-06-28T12:13:00.001+08:00

DOE mulls regulation for e-waste recycling

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: Department of Environment (DOE) plans to enact a special regulation to encourage manufacturers or importers of electronic and electrical goods to take back used products to be treated, recycled and disposed off.

Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said this was meant to minimize pollution from e-waste such as defunct electronic and electrical items like computers, washing machine, handphones, batteries and refrigerators.

“E-waste is classified as scheduled waste and they are hazardous and contain heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury,arsenic and chromium that are non-biodegradable and very harmful to human beings.

“Some of these waste also produce gold and silver, which can give good business returns,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday.

Wong said DOE had issued 153 licenses for e-waste recovering of processing facilities throughout Malaysia with seven located in Sarawak including two full e-waste recovering centres in Mambong, Kuching and Sibuti, Miri.

Under the second rolling plan of 10th Malaysia Plan, he said new sanitary landfills for Mukah, Sri Aman, Samarahan, Sarikei, Mulu, Lundu and Tanjung Manis had been proposed.

“These proposals are still pending consideration from the federal government.” He conceded that some rivers in the state “are polluted with coli form bacteria due to direct discharge of solid waste and untreated black water from overflowing septic tanks, hanging toilets and suspended solids from landbased activities.”

However, he said DOE is currently monitoring 21 river basins at 100 river monitoring stations.

Out of these, he added that only four river basins namely Batang Kemena, Sungai Miri, Batang Rajang and Sungai Niah were classified as slightly polluted.

DUN (Day Six): Awang Tengah: Sama Jaya to enjoy round-the-clock water supply

2011-06-28T12:12:00.005+08:00

Awang Tengah: Sama Jaya to enjoy round-the-clock water supply

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

THE Ministry of Industrial Development (MID) has completed the construction of three units of elevated water reservoirs at Sama Jaya Free Economic Zone in May this year with a federal grant of RM17 million.

These elevated water reservoirs will increase the availability of water from the current 12 hours to 24 hours for the hi-tech park, said Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan on behalf of the Minister of Industrial Development during his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN)yesterday.

He also revealed that MID was also implementing three projects under federal loans, namely Samarahan Industrial Estate (extension) phase one, Tebedu Industrial Estate phase one and Miri Biovalley Park.

The Minister of Public Utilities also said the Samarahan Industrial Estate extension project covering an area of 300 acres commenced in August 2007 and was completed in February this year.

He also said the infrastructure for electricity supply to the industrial estate was scheduled to be completed by end of next year.

For Tebedu Industrial Estate phase one, Awang Tengah said the estate would cover an area of 215 acres and was earmarked for general industries.

“Started in 2007, the construction is expected to be completed by December 2011,” he said, adding that the project was delayed by 12 per cent due to the large quantity of rocks that had to be blasted.

He also touched on the Miri Biovalley Park, saying the site had been sand fi lled.

“The building and associated works will commence as soon as federal funding is available. Once completed, the park will be able to assist SMEs,” he said.

For state projects, Awang Tengah said the four industrial estates currently implemented under state funding were Lawas Industrial Estate phase one, Demak Laut Industrial Park phase four, Kota Samarahan Industrial Estate Zone C and Kapit Light Industrial Estate.

He further explained that the Lawas Industrial Estate covering a total area of 75 acres was earmarked for general light industries.

“The project is being implemented in stages since Nov 2008. The preliminary works under stage one and two had been completed in August 2010,” he said, adding that the remaining infrastructure works for the project consisting of roads, drainage and water supply under stage three were scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

For the 177-acre Demak Laut Industrial Park, he said it was earmarked for logistics and warehousing industries.

“Stage one of the construction has commenced since Sept 2010 and is expected to be completed in Dec 2011,” he added.

He also said the project was five per cent ahead of schedule and the tender for the remaining works under stage two of the project was scheduled to be called in the third quarter of this year.

For the Kota Samarahan Industrial Estate Zone C which covers an area of 65 acres, he said it was designated for the food processing industry and was scheduled to be completed by Aug next year, with a physical progress of two per cent ahead of schedule. Awang Tengah also said the Kapit Light Industrial Estate was a continuation of the industrial development in Kapit.

“The Ministry will be developing an area of 40 acres to cater for food processing and other related industries where tender for the works is scheduled to be called in the last quarter of 2011,” he added.

“To date, more than 4,300 hectares of industrial land have been developed throughout the state by the ministry and other agencies such as Bintulu Development Authority and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation in Tanjung Manis,” he added.

He also said the ministry would develop more industrial estates to meet investors’ needs.

DUN (Day Six): State to have 257 telecommunication towers soon, says Awang Tengah

2011-06-28T12:11:00.005+08:00

State to have 257 telecommunication towers soon

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

IN an effort to improve telecommunication service in Sarawak, the government has to set up 257 telecommunication towers throughout the state, said Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

“To-date 64 towers have been completed since the implementation of the TIME 3 programme in 2009 whereas the remaining 193 are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2012,” he said in his windingup speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here yesterday.

He told the august house that so far about 83 per cent of the inhabited areas in the state had already been provided with the cellular network service.

He also informed that up to the first half of this year the broadband penetration was 41.2 per cent of households.

According to him, the broadband coverage rate was regarded as satisfactory, considering the challenges faced by telecommunication companies in providing the service in remote areas of the state.

He said the government was coming up with a new initiative to expedite the provision of the broadband service in the state, and targeted that broadband penetration will be 65 per cent by 2015.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Planning and Resource Management Minister, said in order to provide internet access to the rural population, the government had so far established 34 community broadband centres (CBC), 26 community broadband libraries (CBL) and 22 mini CBCs throughout the state.

The state, he said had also developed its wireless technology by establishing 187 WiFi Hotspots in schools, community centres, public places and rural areas.

Under the second phase, the government has identified another 135 new locations, mostly in rural libraries, and the implementation is expected to start by end of this year.

DUN (Day Six): Ports register growth in cargo throughput in Q1

2011-06-28T12:10:00.006+08:00

Ports register growth in cargo throughput in Q1

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

OPERATIONAL and business activities in Kuching, Tanjung Manis and Miri ports have registered healthy growth in cargo throughput from January to April this year.

Cargo volume handled by Kuching Port Authority during the said period increased by 6.8 per cent to 2.716 million tones compared to the corresponding period in 2010. In terms of containerised cargo, the total number of containers handled increased by 8.4 per cent to 64,302 TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) from 59,289 TEUs.

“Up to April this year, Miri Port Authority (MPA) registered an increase of 12 per cent in cargo throughput across MPA’s wharf compared to the same period last year. The increase in tonnage from 249,980 tonnes to 280,931 tonnes was primarily contributed by the increase in container traffic.

“For containerised cargo, MPA handled 8,180 TEUs from January to April 2011, an increase of 1,110 TEUs or 15.7 per cent compared to 7,070 TEUs recorded in the same period last year,” said Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong when delivering his winding up speech at the sitting yesterday.

He added that the Tanjung Manis Integrated Port Sdn Bhd (TMIP), an appointed port operator by Rajang Port Authority (RPA) recorded an increase in cargo of 56.6 per cent to 214,556 tonnes from January to April 2011 compared to the same period last year.

An increase of 34.9 per cent was also recorded for container traffic throughout TMIP’s wharves compared to 13,979 TEUs last year.

In addition, Manyin (BNTebedu) reported that the RPA, recorded a decrease in cargo throughput in the first quarter of the year as compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

However, he was optimistic that it would gradually increase towards the later part of the year.

“RPA handled a total of 1,620,487 tonnes of cargo for the period from January to April 2011 which is a decrease of 6.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. In terms of containers in TEUs, RPA recorded an increase of 3,685 TEUs or 15.1 per cent to 28,134 TEUs as compared to the same period last year.”

Meanwhile, on another matter, Manyin commended Brooke Dockyard for completing the fabrication installation of oil and gas offshore structures for Belum and Pemanis projects under Murphy Oil.

He reported that Merapuh project awarded in January was progressing on schedule.

In addition, he mentioned that Brooke Dockyard has also been awarded a ship repair project by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

“For the first quarter of the year, Brooke Dockyard continues to achieve its excellence, notably on oil and gas offshore structure fabrication industry. Brooke Dockyard will continue to focus on its specifi c business niches in the traditional shipbuilding and ship repair sector, the buoyant oil and gas fabrication market and the government projects for mid-span bridges.”

DUN (Day Six): Wong King Wei's claims unfounded, says Awang Tengah

2011-06-28T12:09:00.003+08:00

Padungan rep’s claims unfounded – Minister

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The statement by Wong King Wei (DAPPadungan) that the government has failed to provide basic utilities to the people in rural areas in the state is unfounded, Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said yesterday.

He said his ministry is fully aware of the needs for electricity and water supply in rural areas and therefore, over the years, the government has implemented many projects to extend electricity and water supply to the various villages and longhouses under the Rural Electrification Scheme and Rural Water Supply (RES) programmes.

“From the beginning of 2010, the implementation of these projects was accelerated with the commencement of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) programme to improve the rural basic infrastructure in the state.

“The statement by the member for Padungan that the government has failed to provide these basic needs to the people is therefore unfounded,” he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Planning and Resource Management Minister, said this during his winding up speech in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday, in response to an issue raised by Wong during the debate last week.

Earlier, he told the august house that under the RES, the state had been allocated some RM1.7 billion for the commissioning of 24-hour electricity supply to 95 per cent of the rural population involving 78,000 households.

He said that up to end of last year, the government had managed to supply reliable power supply to 12,256 households and the target for this year is to cover 21,792 households.

This would be done by extending the grid system and through alternative sources such as mini-hydro and solar hybrid.

For rural water supply, Awang Tengah pointed out that around RM1.5 billion had been allocated to the state to supply clean water to about 90 per cent of the rural population.

“By 2012, a total of 90,000 households are expected to enjoy clean and treated water whereas for this year the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development has targeted to bring the supply to 13,000 households,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in response to the issue brought up by Baru Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan) that power from the Bakun hydroelectric project (HEP) would be sufficient to meet the demand of the whole of Sarawak and that there was no basis to have more dams, Awang Tengah stressed that the implementation of the hydropower projects depended on demand, not only to meet immediate needs, but also projected future growth.

“The timing and sequence of these projects will be customer driven and the state will undertake these projects to match the requirements of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) industries and that of domestic and commercial customers,” he said.

He explained that the 2,400MW Bakun HEP alone was inadequate to meet the projected demand in the state and as such Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) needed to develop an additional generation capacity of 6,200MW by 2020 from its current capacity of 1,250MW.

“Hence, additional power plants are required to be developed through sustainable harnessing of our huge hydro potential resources and coal reserves.

“The harnessing of these indigenous resources, providing competitively priced energy will attract global industries to the state thereby propelling the achievement of a high income economy and a developed state status by 2020.”

DUN (Day Six): Preschoolers in state exceed national percentage

2011-06-28T12:08:00.001+08:00

Preschoolers in state exceed national percentage

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The percentage of preschoolers in Sarawak is higher than the national figure, even though the state is the size of Peninsular Malaysia.

Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah yesterday said that in 2010, the number of children in government and private preschools stood at 94.5 per cent compared to the national figure of 72.42 per cent of the population.

“For 2011, the percentage has increased to 95.23 per cent compared to the national target of 80 per cent,” she said in her winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) .

Due to the rise in intake, Fatimah said, the allocation for preschool education also increased from RM51.3 million last year to RM69.05 million as of this month.

The government, she said, would not compromise on the quality of preschool education including aspects such as security, cleanliness, health, student to teacher ratio according to age group, the quality of childcare and the level of education in accordance to the fixed standard.

She added that the government would implement an integrated training programme to uplift the standard of professionalism among kindergarten and nursery teachers.

“Since 2010, 508 out of 1,545 teachers in private kindergartens which are registered in Sarawak have been trained by the Ministry of Education,” she said.

The government had also given incentives in the form of a launching grant amounting to RM10,000 for every new registered kindergarten.

Fatimah said the government also gave e-Yuran assistance amounting to RM150 monthly to children who qualified based on e-Kasih data.

DUN (Day Six): Kuching Outer Ring Road to be upgraded

2011-06-28T12:07:00.000+08:00

Kuching Outer Ring Road to be upgraded

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The government plans to divert traffi c from Serian to Samajaya in its effort to ease traffi c congestion in the Mile 10 to Mile 15 stretches, Senari and Pending area through a Kuching Outer Ring Road project.

The planned project would by-pass the Mile 10, Mile 7 and Mile 3 of the Kuching-Serian Road, said Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong when delivering his winding-up speech yesterday.

Manyin was responding to questions raised by Wong King Wei (DAPPadungan) where he replied that the state would also be upgrading the Kuching Outer Ring Road into a dual carriageway.

“The design of the project at an estimated cost of RM50 million is already completed. After this, a review would be made with regards to the construction of a dual carriageway between Mile 10 and 15 of the Kuching-Serian road,” he added.

As regards to the issue on the proposed Marudi-Miri road raised by Ling Sie Kiong (DAP-Piasau), Manyin explained that the government has plans to extend the road network to Marudi with priority for a road to be constructed from Long Lama.

He highlighted that the federal government has agreed to construct a 52 kilometre (km) road linking Miri to Marudi. The project would be undertaken on a fast track basis by the Defence Ministry under its Jiwa Murni Programme.

On a matter also raised by Ling pertaining to the construction of a road bypassing the Brunei territory linking Miri-Long Lama-Limbang -Lawas-Merapok all the way to Sindumin in Sabah, Manyin highlighted that a study has been carried out on the proposal.

“The proposed Sarawak-Sabah Link Road is approximately 275 km with an estimated cost of RM3.5 billion. Its implementation will depend on the approval from the federal government and availability of fund.”

Meanwhile, responding to Alexander Vincent (BNNgemah) on construction of roads from Ng Poi to Ng Ngungun and from Ng Ngungun to Ng Jagau, Manyin said the proposed projects are awaiting approval from the Finance Ministry to award the contract.

Responding to Aidel Lariwoo (BN-Sadong Jaya) on the request for the construction of Sg Sadong and Sg Samarahan bridges, Manyin said that the Btg Sadong Bridge project is scheduled to start in 2012 and that the Public Works Department would open tender this year.

As for the Btg Samarahan Bridge, he mentioned that the design has been completed and the proposal has been submitted under the Rolling Plan 3 (2013-2014).

Manyin also responded to Ricky @ Mohd Razi Sitam (BN-Saribas), stating that ferry services would be provided at the Batang Lupar crossing to connect existing Sebuyau Road at Triso once the ferry ramps have been constructed.

DUN (Day Six): RM1.1 billion for school projects — Fatimah

2011-06-28T12:06:00.002+08:00

RM1.1 billion for school projects — Fatimah

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: A total of RM1.1 billion has been allocated by the government for school projects.

These projects include building seven new schools, replacing and adding new buildings in 50 schools, a new hostel, replacing 18 existing schools, 175 preschools and 123 units of teachers’ quarters in 10 schools.

In her winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah said this effort by the Ministry of Education was to ensure that students and teachers have a comfortable learning environment conducive to studying and teaching.

“The government has also repaired hostels in the rural areas under the ‘Program Asrama Daif 2010’ that involved 45 primary schools and 70 secondary schools,” she said.

For this purpose, she said the government had spent a total of RM4.4 million.

She also disclosed that the BN government had given a special allocation of RM51.2 million for all schools in Sarawak.

“RM28 million are for national schools and RM23.2 million for mission and Chinese schools,” she added.

She also informed the assembly that consultants were currently studying the working paper for the new hostel for SMK Belaga before handing it over to the Ministry of Education.

For SMK Senibong, Fatimah said the government was preparing the tender documents to build the school and the school would be completed in 2013.

As for SMK Limbang and SK Gadong Limbang, she said they would be considered under the second rolling of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), adding the government was now upgrading SK Limbang, SK Menuang and SK Sungai Poyan to ease congestion of schools in Bukit Kota and Batu Danau constituencies.

She revealed that the state Education Department had proposed to the government to consider building a secondary school at Sabal/Telagus in the Balai Ringin constituency under the second rolling of 10MP to cater for the growing student population in Pantu district.

Fatimah also informed Dennis Ngau (BN-Telang Usan) that his request to open Form Six classes in SMK long Lama next year had been forwarded to the Ministry of Education.

DUN (Day Six): Score secures 13 projects worth RM26.36 bln

2011-06-28T12:05:00.000+08:00

Score secures 13 projects worth RM26.36 bln

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) has secured 13 projects with a total approved investment of RM26.36 billion to date.

State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the approved investments were predominantly in the energy intensive industries such as aluminium smelting and polycrystalline silicon, metallic silicon and ferroalloy projects which would be located in the Samalaju Industrial Park.

Another two projects, in biotechnology and agro-based industries, have also been approved in the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub.

“Altogether, these investments are expected to generate a total of 9,700 direct job opportunities besides creating vast business opportunities through spin-off effects from these industries,” he said at the State Legislative Assembly in Petra Jaya here today.

Of the total investments approved, he said, RM11.4 billion or 43.2 percent were joint ventures between local and foreign investors while domestic investment RM5.2 billion or 20 percent and foreign direct investment RM9.7 billion or 36.7 percent.

On industrial estates, Awang Tengah said most of them were located in major urban towns including Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

To date, more than 4,300 ha of industrial land being developed throughout the state by his ministry and other agencies such as the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) in Bintulu and the Sarawak Timber Industry Development (STIDC) in Tanjung Manis.

In addition, an area of 7,000 ha had been planned at the Samalaju Industrial Park by BDA to cater for the enegery intensive industries and 16,000 ha in Tanjung Manis for the halal hub by STIDC.

He said the ministry would also extend the development of industrial estates to rural towns such as Betong, Marudi, Sri Aman, Batu Niah and Serian and would equip them with proper infrastructure as well as conducive environment for the rural business communities.

An estimated RM99.3 million would be submitted under the third rolling plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan to the federal governement and the state 10MP mid-term review for that purpose, he said. – Bernama

DUN (Day Six): Railway system not viable as public transport in state, Wong King Wei told

2011-06-28T12:04:00.002+08:00

Railway system not viable as public transport in state

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

INFRASTRUCTURE Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong has stated that it is not viable to construct a railway system for public transport usage in the state at the moment, due to the low population of Sarawak.

Although a study on Railway Development Master Plan for Central Region of Sarawak was in its final draft stage and scheduled to complete by August this year, Manyin (BN-Tebedu) added that the cost was too expensive even if the tracks were to be used for the transportation of goods.

“In Europe for instance, the Copenhagen underground railway system cost a total of RM731 million per kilometer (km). The Madrid railway system in Spain cost some RM43 million per km to build.

Seoul spent about RM392 million per km for its railway system while China’s railway system cost around RM30 million per km.

“As for the state, if we were to build our railway network now, within six months, it will become a white elephant due to the small population,” he explained when responding to Wong King Wei (DAP-Padungan) during his winding up speech at the sitting yesterday.

Wong later told reporters that a written reply in November 2006 pointed out that the government had planned to build a railway network dubbed the Borneo Railway System from Bintulu to Miri.

The cost then was estimated at RM10 million per km but after a couple of years, it triple-folded to RM30 million per km, he said.

“Worse still, the minister didn’t provide any details like from where to what point. Just stating that it’s in central region.

“I also asked whether it’s for passenger or cargo, and the minister replied cargo as announced in 2006. So this planned railway for central region is nothing new,” claimed Wong.

He thus urged the ministry to come up with details on the proposed railway system, which the minister earlier foresaw as a white elephant project given the low population in the state.

On comparison with other countries including China, Wong challenged the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to disclose details of relevant studies especially cost involved.

DUN (Day Six): Sarawak registers 16 projects worth RM2.91 billion in Q1

2011-06-28T12:03:00.000+08:00

Sarawak registers 16 projects worth RM2.91 billion in Q1

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: Sarawak registered 16 projects involving approved capital investments of RM2.91 billion for the first quarter of this year, State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said today.

He said the investment amount, the second highest seen among the states after Johor (RM3.32 billion), included five projects with investment worth RM2.89 billion, approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

Another 11 projects amounting to RM22.9 million in investments were approved by the State Industrial Coordination Committee.

“The projects, which were predominantly in two main industries – basic metal products totalling RM2.87 billion and wood-based products totalling RM20.8 million – were expected to generate 1,262 employment opportunities,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting at Petra Jaya here.

He said RM2.25 billion or 77 per cent of the total investment was derived from domestic investment while 655 million or 23 per cent came from foreign direct investment.

The major sources of foreign investments came from Hong Kong with an investment of RM180 million in basic metal industries followed by the British Virgin Islands which invested RM6.2 million in the wood-based industries.

In 2010, Sarawak reported a total of RM3.95 billion in investments including RM3.55 billion from foreign investments and the remaining RM388 million from domestic investment, Awang Tengah said.

Based on the approved projects, Awang Tengah said, 7,000 job opportunities were created in Sarawak last year. – Bernama

DUN (Day Six): Sarawak govt plans to build up to 6,200MW additional installed power capacity

2011-06-28T12:02:00.000+08:00

Sarawak govt plans to build up to 6,200MW additional installed power capacity

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The state government plans to build up to 6,200 megawatt (MW) of additional installed capacity of electricity generation by 2020 to meet rapid growth in power demand from energy intensive industries being established under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

State Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said about 80 per cent of the targeted amount is expected to be hydro power, including the 2,400MW Bakun Hydroelectric Power (HEP) and 944MW Murum HEP.

“Pending the outcome of the feasibility studies, which will comprehensively address technical, commercial, social and environmental issues, we anticipate that there will be at least five more hydropower plants and one or two coal-powered plants built by 2020 to meet the projected demand,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state assembly today.

Awang Tengah said the state’s current grid installed generating capacity is 1,250MW but the Bakun project, which would start operations in August, was not adequate to meet the projected demand.

The Murum project, currently under construction, is expected to be in operations by end-2013.

Awang Tengah said countries worldwide with hydro potentials are tapping into hydro-power resources and if Sarawak failed to do so, it would lose its global competitiveness.

With the current plan to develop multiple hydro-power projects, sourcing for locals with relevant expertise in specialised technology for hydro-power dam design and construction was challenging, he said.

He said the state government and Sarawak Energy Berhad are open to new ideas, including the paradigm shift that would not only develop hydro-power dams in Sarawak, but also provide locals the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and expertise in a short period of time.

Since last year, SEB has employed 3,150 locals, including 13 at top management level; 91 managers; 239 senior engineers; and technical executives, he added. – Bernama

DUN (Day Six): Sarawak gov’t allows swiftlet nest harvesting at Niah Caves on seasonal basis

2011-06-28T12:01:00.002+08:00

Sarawak gov’t allows swiftlet nest harvesting at Niah Caves on seasonal basis

Posted on June 28, 2011, Tuesday

KUCHING: The Sarawak government still allows harvesting of swiftlet nests in the Niah Caves, through the issuing of licences on a seasonal basis, Sarawak Minister of Planning and Human Resource II Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said today.

He said the activity was monitored under the existing laws and control procedures in line with efforts to conserve the swiftlets in the caves.

“Harvesting is not allowed between April and August every year to enable the birds to breed and until the nestlings are able to fly,” he said in his winding-up speech for the ministry at the Sarawak State Assembly in Petra Jaya, here.

He said the surrounding jungles of the park could sustain the two species of black and white swiftlets found at the Niah National Park in terms of food source.

Touching on the Bakun Resettlement Scheme in Sungei Assap, Awang Tengah said the government had identified 8,160 acres (about 3,300 hectares) as a substitute for the current land unsuitable for farming and as supplementary land to meet the need for agricultural plots.

Replying to a question from Liwan Lagang (BN-Belaga), Awang Tengah said the government did not have plans yet to allocate housing lots to meet the fresh demand in the area for a proposed estate-type of development with the people having equity ownership.

Awang Tengah refuted an allegation by Yap Hoi Liong (DAP-Dudong) that land belonging to the Ibans had its status changed to government land.

On the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land perimeter survey initiative, Awang Tengah said 135 lots covering 254,845 hectares had been approved for the purpose since it was started in September last year.

Perimeter surveys had been conducted for a total of 73 lots of 48,692 hectares at a cost of RM15.71 million, including 7,325 hectares gazetted as bumiputera common reserve under Section 6 of the National Land Code, he added.

He urged his Barisan Nasional colleagues to step up their efforts in creating awareness on the government initiative and encourage NCR land owners to identify their land and apply to the Land and Survey Department for the survey to be done. – Bernama

DUN (Day Five): Mitsubishi Corp Energy Group collaborates with SBC to expore algal biodiversity

2011-06-27T12:02:00.001+08:00

Mitsubishi Corp Energy Group collaborates with SBC to expore algal biodiversity

Posted on June 27, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: Mitsubishi Corp Energy Business Group, which is involved in the oil and gas industry in Bintulu, will collaborate with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) to explore the algal biodiversity in Sarawak for biofuels as a source of renewable energy.

State Planning and Resource Management Minister II, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, said such interest from renowned research institutions and pharmaceutical companies could be attributed to the state government’s efforts to ensure proper legislation under the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance and Regulations, processes and facilities for research and development were in place.

“Because of this, research organisations feel secure to explore and harness the potential of biodiversity in Sarawak through partnership with SBC,” he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly here today.

Recommendations by SBC’s contacts had resulted in collaborations with prominent organisations such as Novartis, National Cancer Institute of the US, world class universities and multinational companies, he said.

Over the past six years, he said, SBC’s research had picked up momentum and its scope of work had also expanded from its initial focus on pharmaceuticals, which were long-term projects, to short-term applications in healthcare, flavours and fragances as well as biotechnology industry.

SBC, which accepted 20 industrial trainees from local and foreign higher institutions of learning each year, also hosted training attachments from foreign universities, including Yale and other foreign agencies such as the Bhutan Biodiversity Centre, he said.

“The attachments serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building of our own researchers as well.

“Four research officers had returned from their post-graduate studies in Scotland and South Australia,” he said.

Two more are registered with researchers at the Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak campus here for doctor of philosophy programme, he said.

He said SBC had also received recognition for its traditional knowledge documentation programme by becoming a model for other countries in Asia while government and non-governmental organisations from as far as Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and India had visited and took part in its workshops. – Bernama

Substantiate allegation, Daud told PBB Youth wing

2011-06-27T12:01:00.000+08:00

Substantiate allegation, PBB Youth wing told

Posted on June 27, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: The Youth wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) should come up with evidence to support their claims of the presence of traitors within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

The call was made on Saturday by PBB vice president Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department and Tupong assemblyman.

“We don’t want baseless accusations that can undermine the party,” he said when responding to a call made by an exco member Radin Kadri Radin Budiman on all component parties of the state Barisan Nasional to be wary of the presence of traitors in their midst.

Radin made the call last Friday when commenting on a speech made by Tarat assemblyman Roland Sagah in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) last Thursday that Sarawak would lose its autonomy if the traitors’ secret agenda were realised.

Radin even urged PBB to carry out its internal investigation to ensure that the party does not have any dubious character as its member.

“Whether these persons who collaborate with foreigners are from the opposition or PBB, the leadership has to investigate because only after they are identified can we know whether they are PBB leaders or corporate personalities, and know the full extent of their conspiracies,” said Radin.

Meanwhile, the chief political secretary to the chief minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, denied there were traitors in PBB.

“As far as I know, there are no traitors,” he said, adding: “May be Radin (Kadri) knows better.”

Karim, also PBB supreme council member, said Radin should have identified the traitors and not simply make a sweeping statement.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Masing also joined the fray to rebuke Radin over his style of politics.

Masing, also Land Development Minister, said he had no worry about the traitor issue because his party had undergone a house-cleaning process some time ago to purge out people of such characters.

“BN should not tolerate ‘traitors’ in its fold. (However), we don’t have such characters in PRS at the moment. We have done our house cleaning of such characters a few years ago,” said the Baleh assemblyman.

Sagah, in his speech when debating the address of the Head of State in the DUN said it was known that there were Sarawakians who actively collaborated with foreigners in London, elsewhere and even within the state under cover with the aim to topple the BN.

DUN (Day Four): DAP and PKR regarded Dayaks and Malays are stupid and 'lakia monkeys'???

2011-06-25T12:17:00.001+08:00

Dr Jerip accuses opposition of jeopardising racial harmony

Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

DR JERIP Susil (BN-Bengoh) has used his time slot in the august house accusing the opposition party of jeopardising racial harmony in the state.

He said the opposition had spread false propaganda in the just concluded state election which has successfully created mistrust for many urban voters, especially the Chinese, against Bumiputera Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders.

He claimed that many Bumiputeras have been branded as ‘stupid’ by the Chinese supporters of Democratic Action Party (DAP) for not voting for the opposition.

“ Whenever they sit in the coffee shop in towns, or go on Facebook, blogs, internet websites, they have been branded as ‘stupid’ by the Chinese supporters of DAP for not voting the opposition.

“This kind of discriminatory rhetoric does not augur well with our racial harmony. Just because they did not vote for DAP or PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) does not mean the Bumiputeras are ‘stupid’. But this is the attitude of the opposition,” he said when debating the motion of thanks on Head of State’s address. He also asked Chinese in the state, whom he claimed controlled over 60 per cent of economic wealth of Sarawak, to be grateful.

“The Chinese community ought to be grateful now after this long journey of developing our state. When the natives come to trade with the Chinese in town, both should be grateful, for the fact that the politics of development have empowered the natives to purchase the Chinese goods and the Chinese also should be grateful that their business have expanded.

“But instead, I hear remarks while I was quietly in a sundry shop in Kota Sentoasa during this Gawai and I hear remarks in Hakka, ‘the lakia monkeys are now here to invade our goods’. Not only do they call us stupid but even as we give them business during this festive season, they call us ‘lakia monkeys’,” said Dr Jerip, who retained the Bengoh seat using Sarawak United Peoples’ Party’s (SUPP) ticket, the party where majority members are Chinese. Dr Jerip’s remarks caused objection from Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) who tried to seek point of order from him under Standing Order 32 (10) (b).

“Bengoh (Dr Jerip) accuses the DAP for branding the Bumiputeras as ‘stupid’. We never do that,” Chong said.

However, Deputy Speaker Roland Sagah Wee Inn ruled that Dr Jerip “is only stating a fact. He is not accusing anyone”.

Chong later told reporters that some statements made by Dr Jerip “are seditious” as stipulated under Standing Order 32(10)(b).

“How can a YB of two or three terms like (Dr) Jerip bring coffeeshop talks to the august house and worse still, pin the blame on the DAP?

“His statements are baseless, irresponsible, seditious and very racist. You cannot deliberate based on what you heard from the coffeeshop,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Chong, who is Bandar Kuching MP, charged that some government backbenchers had played along the race line judging from the sessions convened for the week.

“What they have been doing will jeopardise racial harmony. Are they trying to play a race card or something? (Dr) Jerip is a YB for SUPP and SUPP should make its stand on this,” he said.

DUN (Day Four): Naroden hints resettlement exercise is to be carried out at Kampung Datu and Kampung Hilir will be

2011-06-25T12:16:00.001+08:00

Naroden: ‘People Participation’ approach used in redevelopment plan

Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

THE redevelopment master plan for Kampung Datu and Kampung Hilir in Sibu, which was approved by the federal government on May 12 last year will use the ‘People Participation’ approach.

In revealing this, Planning and Resource Management Assistant Minister Naroden Majais said the government through its agencies such as Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Pelita and Land and Survey Department had conducted several dialogue sessions with the villagersí representatives.

“The sessions were aimed at gathering precise information, rising issues, problems and the needs of the people. All the input by the villagers will be considered to ensure a well-planned redevelopment for the villagers,” said Naroden.

On whether the plan would involve resettlement of the villagers, Naroden said a few resettlement areas with more basic infrastructure in Sibu such as in Kampung Bandung had been allocated.

“The state government through the Housing and Urban Development Ministry had already received RM20 million from the federal government, and priority will be given for the relocation of Kampung Datuk,” he said.

Naroden, however elaborated that the plan would not include Kampung Baru, Kampung Pa Dris and Kampung Nangka, pointing out what was more important for those affected by the redevelopment was their welfare.

DUN (Day Four): Chong says OK for DAP to interrupt to seek clarification but not OK for BN to do so

2011-06-25T12:15:00.003+08:00

Chong wants govt to fulfil four tasks
Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

AN opposition member yesterday told the august House that the Chinese community expects the Barisan Nasional government to fulfil four tasks, namely, clean and transparent governance, automatic renewal of land lease, systematic and annual allocation for Chinese schools, and fair economic opportunities.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa), in urging the state government to grant annual funds to Chinese primary schools, Chinese independent schools and Mission schools, the Bandar Kuching MP said Penang government had started allocating grants for Chinese schools there.

“The annual revenue collected by Sarawak government is six times that of the Penang government. I hereby urge the Sarawak government to allocate RM3 million for Chinese independent schools, and RM10 million each for Chinese primary school and Mission school every year,” he said in debating the speech of the Head of State’s opening address yesterday.

Chong said the Chinese wanted to see open tender system be implemented and practised before a development project was awarded by the government.

“Do not give projects to cronies but through open tender. This is what the Chinese community wants, simple and achievable,” he said.

During his speech, Chong was interrupted at least thrice by other members of the august House who wanted to seek clarification.

The DAP leader turned down all requests by saying: “No, I’m not taking any, sorry.”

DUN (Day Four): 'Clean water for Kedup folk when extension to Slabi plant completed’

2011-06-25T12:14:00.001+08:00

'Clean water for Kedup folk when extension to Slabi plant completed’
Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

PEOPLE in Kedup area will get clean water supply once the Slabi water treatment expansion plant is completed.

Martin Ben (BN-Kedup) said the treatment plan which would supply clean water to the whole of Serian district was expected to be completed next year.

“I hope the government will speed up the construction of the treatment plant for the betterment of Kedup people,” he said when debating on the Head of State’s address at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. He also urged the Ministry of Environment and Public Health and the local councils to assist in educating the public on the importance of domestic waste disposal.

“Most of them are unaware of this and its effect on the environment. They just simply dump their rubbish in the rivers.”

He hoped the ministry would come up with effective strategies to overcome the problem.

DUN (Day Four): Ripin says Taman Tunku folks want flash floods solved

2011-06-25T12:13:00.000+08:00

Taman Tunku folk want flash floods tackled
Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

THE relevant authorities must take immediate action to see to it that flash floods that would inundate Taman Tunku in Miri each time it rains is a thing of the past.

Ripin Lamat (BN-Lambir) told the august House here yesterday that the problem lay in the poor drainage system coupled with clogged drains in the residential area. Taman Tunku, one of the major residential areas in Miri, is growing with many houses planned to be built in the very near future. With the drainage system still as it is the flash floods would be frequent and more intense each time it rains, even if it is for a short while.

“Do something fast before the problems get out of hand,” he said when debating the opening speech of the Head of State yesterday.

Ripin also highlighted the plea by Kampung Lusut folk to have proper tar-sealed road to the village as the current one is in bad condition and dangerous to all users especially at night.

“Also, put up more telecommunication towers between Kampung Siwak Jaya and Kampung Terhad Bekenu, Miri-Bintulu coastal highway, Bukit Kisi Peninjau and Sungai Telanjin Ulu Sibuti so as to improve telephone reception in the areas.”

Ripin also called on the relevant authorities to put up more and interesting activities and eco-tourism related facilities in Lambir to attract tourists to the area.

“It is also the people’s wish to see the proposed Miri-Sibuti Marine Park and Bakam
Point realised, which, when completed, would have the potential to enhance their socio-economic status by way of getting themselves involved in some business activities.

On another matter, Ripin called on the Movement of Change Sarawak led by Francis Paul Siah, Bruno Manser Fund and the opposition to respect the mandate given by the people during the last state election by not going ahead with the demonstration.

“Sarawak has actually transformed for the better. It is only the opposition who cannot accept the fact that state BN, headed by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, is able to deliver the goodies to the people.”

DUN (Day Four): Be wary of extremist elements from peninsula — Lagong

2011-06-25T12:12:00.003+08:00

Be wary of extremist elements from peninsula — Lagong
Posted on June 25, 2011, Saturday

THE only Independent assemblyman George Lagong (Pelagus) has called on the state government to be wary of extremist elements from Peninsular Malaysia.

He said that these elements were infiltrating the state “in various forms and through various means” including the mainstream media and the Internet.

“I am proud that the situation in Sarawak is different (from Peninsular Malaysia) and that we can still take pride in our inter-racial and religious tolerance and harmony,” he said when debating the speech of the Head of State here on Thursday.

Lagong said that Sarawakians, irrespective of their race and religion, had been able to live, work and play together without much problem.

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been our proud legacy since time immemorial. Religious and racial consciousness have never overtaken us and caused division among us,” he said.

He lauded Sarawak for being a model state of multi-racial, multi-religious, harmony and unity that all states in Peninsular Malaysia should emulate.

He also gave a pat on the back to the Methodist Church for its vast contributions to the development of the Upper Rajang basin since the pre-war years.

“The majority of Ibans in the (Pelagus) constituency are Christians from the Methodist denomination. I have personally benefited much from the mission and social work of the Methodist Church since the past 70 years.

“I am a Methodist Christian and I am proud to acknowledge that my family and I are products of the Methodist Church.

“I have served as a Lay Leader of the Sarawak Iban Annual Conference of the Methodist Church for four years from 2006 to 2010,” he said.

Lagong said through education and various initiatives pioneered by the mission, many parents and grandparents had been ‘transformed’ from the old, nomadic and pagan way of life to a life where they found, among others, hope.

“Today, many Iban from Upper Rajang who have benefited from the good work of the mission are holding important positions in the government and private sector. A handful of them are here in the State Legislative Assembly.

“Many have gone on to pursue university studies overseas under the sponsorship of the Methodist Mission.

“Without the support and guidance of the mission, many new generation of Ibans from Upper Rajang would not be where they are today,” he said.

He thus expressed gratitude towards the mission for the good work it has brought to the people in Upper Rajang especially in Pelagus.

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