KUCHING: Malaysia is set to be an ageing nation by 2030 when 15 per cent of its total population now become senior citizens by then – given the age group 60 years old and above is classified under that category. In 2014, the Malaysian population was 30.1 million, of which 2.65 million or 8.8 per cent were senior citizens, said Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim. She said her ministry is a key agency responsible for providing proactive welfare services to senior citizens to ensure their wellbeing is taken care of. She was speaking at the opening of the Lundu Senior Citizens Activities Centre (Pawe) in Lundu near here yesterday. Sarawak recorded the highest number of senior citizens at 247,600, or 9.5 per cent of the total ...

KUCHING: Petronas, the national petroleum corporation, welcomes the participation of Sarawak’s own petroleum company Petros in the oil and gas sector and looks forward to continue collaborating with the state for mutual benefit. Petronas said this in a press statement yesterday to congratulate the state for officially launching Petros at a hotel here on Tuesday night. “Petronas would like to extend its congratulations to the Sarawak government for the successful official launch of Petros,” the statement said. Petronas also said it is committed to supporting the state’s aspirations to actively participate in the state’s oil and gas industry in line with the current framework of the Petroleum Development Act, 1974. According to Chief Minister ...

Uggah gestures as Abang Johari shows off his new Petros jacket given to him as a token of appreciation during a candid moment at the Petros launch. Also seen are (from left) Sharbini, Hamid, Medan, Zuraimi, Morshidi (partly hidden) Heng and Dr Rundi.   KUCHING: The setting up of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) is the best thing that has happened to the state, says its chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo. Though he admitted its establishment was a little late, it’s nevertheless ‘better late than never’ as Sarawak needed catalysts to sustain the social and economic growth required by its increasing population. “Oil and gas has to be one of these catalysts. After all, they are our resources, or if you like, an engine of growth,” ...

Julaihi (seated centre) is seen in a photo call after the dialogue. Dr Jerip is on Julaihi’s left.    BINTULU: The state government is in the planning stages of bringing more development to Sebauh so that it can become a more modern and progressive district. Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the state is aware of the district’s potential for growth due to its strategic location. “The state government is aware and acknowledges the potential of Sebauh to enjoy further development due to its proximity to other areas like Kapit, Belaga, Baram, and Miri. So the government is planning to bring more development to further transform the area. “Transforming Sebauh will also be in line with Sebauh being elevated ...

Dr Rundi (standing, fifth left) in a group photo with VIPs and representatives of eight villages who had just received their certificates of ownership. LONG SILAT, Baram: Sarawak needs more allocations from the federal government to ensure that it can achieve its target of 100 per cent electricity coverage by 2025. Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said apart from the allocation of RM1.34 billion already approved by the federal government, the state needed RM6.7 billion to ensure that all Sarawakians have access to 24-hour electricity supply, including those in the rural areas. “Sarawak has now reached 24-hour electricity coverage of about 90 per cent of rural population. About 30,000 households or 10 per cent of the total population ...

Julaihi (seated centre) is seen in a photo call after the dialogue. Dr Jerip is on Julaihi’s left. BINTULU: The state government is in the planning stages of bringing more development to Sebauh so that it can become a more modern and progressive district. Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the state is aware of the district’s potential for growth due to its strategic location. “The state government is aware and acknowledges the potential of Sebauh to enjoy further development due to its proximity to other areas like Kapit, Belaga, Baram, and Miri. So the government is planning to bring more development to further transform the area. “Transforming Sebauh will also be in line with Sebauh being elevated to district ...

Fadillah (third right) witnesses the presentation of memento to one of the seminar speakers from event chairman Azahari Sobet (second right). KUCHING: One of the key roles of parents today is still setting good examples for their children towards becoming a ‘functional family’. In pointing this out, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof acknowledges that there are many challenges faced by the parents nowadays and in this regard, they must ‘buckle up and get it right’ in order to raise their children to become useful and successful members of society. He also realises that money is always a challenge, but there are ways to tackle such issue. “The (rising) cost of living, for example, normally becomes the hurdle – it often ...

Rohani fields question from members of the press. KUALA LUMPUR: The Welfare Department has instructed its counseling officers to be stationed at every flood relief centre to help the front-liners. Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim said the move was taken in view of the fact there are bound to be victims who refuse to be evacuated; prioritising their belongings rather than their life. “These accredited officers will provide moral support to the flood victims, and persuading those who refuse to evacuate for fear the security of their property might be compromised despite food and medical supplies are well taken care of,” she said during a dinner with Sarawak media practitioners here on Tuesday. Rohani acknowledged ...

Shahidan (fourth left) with Uggah (sixth left) and Rubiah (fifth left) inspect the evacuation centre at SK Kampung Mang in Asajaya, Samarahan. A SAMARAHAN: Sarawak will be given special attention for a period of two months in view of the prevailing occurrence of major floods. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the National Disaster Management Committee (Nadma) would be providing more personnel and logistic assistance to meet the request from its counterpart in the state. He further said that Nadma’s focus now was on Sarawak as it might be experiencing continuous rain until next month. “Extra equipment such as lorries, boats and portable tents will be sent, latest by next week. What is important ...

Abang Johari (centre), Subromaniam (left) and Sharifah Halimah look at the monitor during the symbolic launching of the 83rd Malaysian Customs Directors Meeting at a hotel in Kuching. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING: Plans are underway to establish a joint-committee between the Sarawak and federal governments to oversee the implementation of projects in the state. This was revealed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who pointed out that the setting up of such committee was proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself. “The joint-committee will serve as a valuer on projects to be implemented in the state,” he said when officiating at the 83rd Malaysian Customs Directors Meeting at a hotel here yesterday. He ...