Abang Johari (second right) places a tablet into a platform to symbolically launch the innovation hub. MIRI: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday launched the SMA-Tegas Digital Innovation Hub at Miri Times Square in Marina Parkcity here. The hub serves as an inclusive platform to support and empower early-stage start-ups and social enterprises in Sarawak. Abang Johari called upon young Sarawakians to make good use of the hub, which would promote the culture of nurturing talents and create innovation to ultimately move the state forward. “To our young people, big data is the data, and you have a very good future. “Our young people can really create new products and they can go into what the market wants, and because of this, ...

An artist’s impression of the proposed Bakun Sailing and Rowing Club. KUCHING: The state government has plans for Bakun Lake to be turned into a water sports centre of excellence for Sarawak, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing revealed. Besides powering up Sarawak, he opined that Bakun Lake can take on the role of water sports, tourism and cultural hub of the central region when the reservoir is connected to the rest of Sarawak very soon. “With a surface area of 675 sq km, and being one of the largest reservoirs in Sarawak, the prospect of opening up Bakun Lake for sailing, windsurfing, amusement park and theme park is now possible. “Because of this, the planning for the area has been mooted, thinking caps have been put on ...

Fatimah (front, fourth left), flanked by Harden and Rosey, joins Ting (front, right) and representatives of KGC partners in a group photo. Also seen on the front row are (from left) Noriah and Dr Saadiah. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING: The ‘Death Compassionate Assistance’, one of the benefits under the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC) programme, is only for the next-of-kin of cardholders who had passed away, clarifies Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. In this respect, she acknowledges a slight confusion among applicants, who assume that they could get the RM3,000 assistance upon the receipt of their cards. “KGC holders will not get this assistance immediately. It is only for ...

Fatimah (fifth right) presents EFS certificates to parents who applied for the initiative. Also seen are officials from NRD and Bank Islam. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING: The Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) committee will be making improvements in its implementation to ensure all Sarawak newborns are able to benefit from the initiative, says Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. The Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development said the improvements will seek to resolve cases where the infant’s parents are underage, or declared bankrupt or are blacklisted, which prevents them from opening a bank account to received the RM1,000 in EFS funds. “For now, the applicant can appoint the next of kin apart from the parents with the ...

Abdul Karim (right) and Sharifah Hasidah interact with the emcee during the townhall session. KUCHING: Youths in Sarawak will get the chance to organise and run events as the Youth and Sports Ministry pledges to provide them with the financial assistance to do so. In pointing this out, the minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says the key objective is to nurture and groom today’s youngsters into becoming the future leaders of the nation “The ministry will fully sponsor any programme, as long as it is being properly planned, and is set to benefit youths in the area. “You can choose to organise and run whatever activity that you like – be it arts, sports or cultural (activities),” he spoke during a townhall session, held in conjunction ...

Abang Johari driving the GPS-inspired car remake by Sulaiman Mahrop using Sarawak timber and plywood for the bodywork. He was accompanied by Awang Tengah. LIMBANG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said today that Sarawak will proceed to develop the coastal road infrastructure from Miri to coastal regions of Limbang and Lawas districts. Abang Johari said this would be undertaken under Northern Region Development Agency’s (NRDA) infrastructure development plan, linking the road from Brunei all the way to the second bridge across Limbang River and the coastal region of Lawas. “It does no matter that others may not want (to build it) but we will build this coastal road linkage, passing through Brunei,” he said at the launch of GPS Zon ...

Uggah, flanked by his host Chong (front, fourth right) and Dr Rundi, joins (front, from right) Dr Yii, Yong, Abdullah and Wong in a photo-call taken during the Chinese New Year open house, hosted by Chong. KUCHING: Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Department (Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) Abdullah Saidol sees no problem in attending Chinese New Year open houses hosted by politicians from the other side of the divide. Commenting on his visit to one hosted by Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen who is also the chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak, Abdullah said as a Sarawakian, he would always join in and enjoy every religious or cultural celebration ...

Archbishop Simon Poh of the Roman Catholic Church presenting appreciation gift to Ngenang (centre), witnessed by Uggah (second right) and Richard (left). Also seen is Association of Churches Sarawak secretary Ambrose Linang. KUCHING: The Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) has been praised by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for doing its part in cementing inter-religious harmony and unity in the state. Unifor receives accolades for helping cement inter-religious harmony, unity in Sarawak BY CHURCHILL EDWARD ON JANUARY 23, 2020, THURSDAY AT 1:09 PMNEWS, SARAWAK Archbishop Simon Poh of the Roman Catholic Church presenting appreciation gift to Ngenang (centre), witnessed ...

Uggah (center) witnesses the exchanging of documents between Ismawi (fourth left) with the contractor representatives. Also seen are Anyie (second left), Gerawat (fourth right) and Dennis (right). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi. KUCHING: The projects implemented in Highland Development Agency (HDA) areas prove that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) announcements are not just rhetorical, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. According to him, the GPS government wanted to ensure that any announcements made by them would be followed up by implementation. “Today, we witnessed the Contract Signing Ceremony for HDA Infrastructure Projects for eight road projects with a total cost of RM125.1 million, which is further proof that the GPS government ...

Abang Johari (standing front, left) and Juma’ani take a closer look at some of the products made by Sri Satok members. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: The Senior Citizen Activities Centre (PAWE) of Sri Satok will be expanded to accommodate more users, announces Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. According to him, apart from housing permanent members who are the senior citizens, the centre is also open to some 60 students from poor families, who are using the facilities there. “To enable more students to benefit from this centre, I have decided to extend the infrastructure. “I have found a solution to the limited land space. I have negotiated with the land owner next door for a land-to-land swap,” he spoke ...