Hundreds attend the official opening of this year’s National Cooperatives Day at Kuching Waterfront. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) has agreed in principle to introduce the mini petrol kiosk programme ‘SMART’ in the state. Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said the programme represented a joint venture between the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) and Smart Stream Resources Sdn Bhd on developing mini petrol kiosks in rural areas. “Petrol kiosks that are already rundown will be modernised to function not just as clean and safe petrol kiosks, but also those that offer other services such as mini marts, payment of bills and ATMs. “By so doing, the cooperative for ...

Teo (third left) hands over a souvenir to Rakayah. SIBU: The annual conference on Innovation, Action Research and Research (IARR) for teachers has grown from strength-to-strength since the first one in 2011. According to the organising committee chairman, David Teo Wu, the hallmarks of success in staging this annual conference were entrenched in the consistency and sustainability in the development of the niche area; innovation and research in the teaching and learning process. “As an important component of our Continuous Professional Development (CPD), it serves as a platform for teachers and their peers from other schools to share their findings and polish their presentation skills,” he said in his welcoming address at the opening of the conference at University ...

From fifth left to fourth right: Samat, Naroden, Awang Tengah and Megat pose for a photo with Facilitation Fund recipients after the presentation. KUCHING: The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state government’s Entrepreneur Development and Halal Industry Unit and Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) is set to benefit micro and small entrepreneurs in the state, said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Naroden Majais. The MOU for Sarawak Entrepreneur Fund amounting to RM15 million channelled by Teraju aims to expand the business of micro and small entrepreneurs especially in rural areas, strengthen their skills and capacity, and to increase Bumiputera participation in business, ...

  Dr Rauf (right) signs the MOU on behalf of HDC while (from left) Curtis, Yakub and Abang Johari look on. — Photo by Kong Jun Liong   KUCHING: Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and CMS Property Development Sdn Bhd (CMSPD) will be using the latest green technology in future housing development. The two developers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Borneo PlasTech Sdn Bhd here yesterday to use Borneo PlasTech’s shallow inspection chamber and manhole system in their future projects. Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg who witnessed the signing said this new technology was not only environment-friendly but cost-effective. “The use of this new product can reduce the cost of construction compared with conventional ...

(From third left) Niosh executive secretary Ayop Salleh, Riot and Lee (third right) with their American hosts at the CDC. SIBU: A National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) team visited the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Cincinnati, Ohio, which comes under Niosh USA, recently to study the CDC’s work. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem led the delegation, which looked at matters concerning occupational safety and health in the workplace. “The minister pointed out that Niosh Malaysia hoped to collaborate with Niosh USA on a wide range of matters pertaining to research and development and other areas which could benefit Niosh Malaysia. “The matter will be pursued between the two organisations ...

Prime Minister assures the state of more devolution of authority from federal government Youngsters waving the Jalur Gemilang during a segment of the programme. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi Performers waving the Jalur Gemilang during a segment of the evening’s programme.   Najib launches the National Month celebration themed ‘Malaysia #sehatisejiwa’. Also seen (from left) are Mohd Salleh, Mawan and Adenan (right). — Photos by Tan Song Wei Najib (centre), together with (from left) Mohd Salleh, Adenan, Rosmah and Jamilah, waves the national flag during the playing of the Jalur Gemilang theme song. A section of the thousands who converged on Padang Merdeka for the launching of the National Month and Fly ...

SIBU: Some 31,000 persons with disabilities (OKUs) are registered with Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry. Its minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the cumulative figure covered those with physical, sight, hearing disabilities and intellectual disability. “To us, health is among the key areas that we stress on. In fact, it is in our strategic thrust under the ministry’s Women and Family Department. “Compared with other countries in the region, we are occupying a high position from the aspect of obesity rate among the people. “Obesity can lead to many health-related problems, which also affects children with special needs. “A concerted effort is needed to fight the problem of obesity among children with special needs,” Fatimah, ...

Liew explaining the distribution of iK screens across Sarawak. KUCHING: Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) is currently accepting non-commercial public interest content to show on Infocast Kenyalang (iK). At a public talk entitled ‘i-CARE about Sarawak’ held at Islamic Information Centre (IIC) yesterday, participants learned about how iK can benefit their organisations. iK is a network of TV screens located at key points around urban and rural Sarawak providing targeted and relevant information to the public. Information shown include updates on government projects, public programmes and services, public events, public service announcements, culture and heritage, and on Sarawak. SAINS head of Digital Signage, Audio-visual and Energy (DSAVE) ...

Adenan (fourth left) opening a ‘lemang’ as (from left) Asfia, Rohani, Jamilah, Jabu, Simoi, Masir and Harden look on. SRI AMAN: The state government has approved an allocation of RM2 million for the construction of Lingga Mini Waterfront and Lingga Jetty this year. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the government decided to approve the project because Lingga required a mini waterfront to organise its annual Lingga Festival. “The government is very concerned with the infrastructure development of Lingga town and therefore agreed to approve the allocation for development. “In addition to this, the projects once completed will benefit the people of Lingga each time they hold their annual Lingga Festival,” he said when ...

KUCHING: The state will continue to focus on research and development (R&D) to ensure that the intervention of science, technology and innovation (STI) will benefit the rural and urban economies. This is so considering that R&D can help in finding solutions to improve the quality of life for the marginalised communities, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. “We have seen the benefits of successful STI interventions in the rural and urban economies in developed countries which we also like to see happening in Sarawak. “A well-developed mission-oriented R&D will help to address the socio-economic imbalances between the rural and urban areas in the state,” he said when officiating at the closing of the Global R&D Leaders and ...