Dr Abdul Rahman (left) speaking at the press conference, accompanied by Junaidi. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Registration for Ramadan Bazaar trading lots at Satok and Semarak will be held on March 14 at Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Auditorium starting 8:30am, said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and DBKU) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi. He said there will be 94 lots available at Satok Ramadan Bazaar, priced between RM450 to RM500 each, while there will be 72 lots at Semarak Ramadan Bazaar, priced between RM400 to RM450 each. “Successful applicants will have to attend a briefing and voting session on March 28 at 8am also at DBKU Auditorium. The number of permits issued is limited and late applications ...

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing – File photo SIBU: Sarawak is embarking on various development programmes to consolidate and upgrade its ports’ facilities to attract transhipment cargoes. Minister of infrastructure and Ports Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said his ministry is currently reviewing the State Port Laws together with the State Attorney-General to enhance the efficiency and as part of the modernisation plans of the ports. “Upon completion, a ship’s stay in port will be shorter and turn-around time will be reduced, thereby making the ports attractive transhipment hubs. “This will benefit the shippers, exporters and importers who will gain from the reduced port costs at lower maritime freight ...

(Standing front row from second left) Jon, Martin and Manyin with T4T Pertiwi participants and others in a photo call. SERIAN: Youths play a vital role in the future of Sarawak and Malaysia, says Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin. As leaders of tomorrow, they must be able to identify failures of the present to ensure the same mistakes are not made in the future. “Why are there failures? Firstly, we do not learn lessons from past mistakes; secondly, failures occur because we cannot adapt to the present and thirdly, we cannot anticipate the future. “Today you learn to make sure no failures can occur tomorrow,” Manyin said at the closing ceremony of Today 4 Tomorrow (T4T) Pertiwi programme held at Ranchan ...

Abang Johari (front, third left) poses for a photo at the Serikin-Kalimantan border. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi BAU: A new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex will be built in Serikin to enhance border security and boost trade between Sarawak and Kalimantan, said Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Chief Minister said the new complex, to replace the existing facility, will be built near the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) control post and is expected to be completed within the year. “This is a rather urgent project that needs to be implemented because the current complex is situated about four kilometres away from the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border and there are weaknesses that need to be rectified, specifically in terms of border ...

Wong (centre) presents a memento to Lee as Lai looks on. MIRI: The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Miri branch has been told to play its role extensively in helping to improve the working environment at construction sites. Minister of Transport, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, pointed out that a lot of issues occurring at construction sites pose risk and danger to workers. “These issues require engineering solution which I believe is possible. Generally, most of us would just follow (instructions) and seldom come up with ideas that are creative. “Few years ago, I gave IEM Miri a challenge to help reduce construction wastes such as broken bricks, steel bars and timber waste lying around the construction sites. “Eventually, IEM Miri carried out a ...

(From third left) Lee, Azmi and others launch the free school bus service sticker after the briefing. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: The free school bus service programme to be be launched in April has a fleet of 32 buses serving 32 schools in the Kuching area, and will benefit about 144,000 students, says Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin. “We will start in Kuching as a test bed. Once everything is running smoothly, the model can be used in other cities and towns in Sarawak,” he said at briefing with stakeholders at Yayasan Sarawak here yesterday. Lee said the programme was still accepting input to improve it, and will gradually expand it to cover more areas, and later it would be introduced ...

Dennis stands beside a HDA signboard announcing projects approved under the RM1.5 billion allocation. MIRI: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah who is chairman of Highland Development Agency (HDA) will conduct an earth-breaking ceremony of the first HDA project in Telang Usan on March 2. Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the RM10 million-project could comprise the proposed improvement and upgrading works of internal roads, drains and bridges in Long Bedian sub-district. Dennis said the launching ceremony, to take place at Long Bedian multi-purpose hall, would be a very historical moment for Telang Usan as it would mark the first HDA project in Telang Usan. It is part of the state government’s efforts in bringing holistic development to the ...

Dr Hazland (centre) witnesses Liew (second left) and D’orville (second right) exchanging documents during the ceremony. Also seen are iCube director Melvin Liew (left) and SEGi College academic deputy principal Dr Susie Lau. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING: More entities with expertise are encouraged to partner with iCube Innovation Sdn Bhd (iCube) in the effort to develop more young entrepreneurs for the state. With such cooperation they can share expertise, knowledge and experience that contribute to the results of more than one entity, said Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Saleh. “iCube is an incubator innovation centre for young entrepreneurs, providing an incubator collaboration platform with ...

Lee (front third left) hands over the Unifor allocation to Philip. MIRI: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has presented RM100,000 to St Anthony of Padua in Tudan for the construction of its new church building. Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin presented the grant on behalf of Unifor to parish priest Father Philip Empalah at the church recently. Lee said he had previously handed over RM600,000 for the project to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners. However, he said church chairman Hendrick Rosli had informed him that the amount was insufficient. “So today I am presenting an additional RM100,000 from the state government through Unifor. “I was also informed that the church is still short of about RM400,000 and we will ...

MIRI: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg presented long service medals to 357 civil servants from 14 state and federal government departments as well as agencies yesterday. Topping the list of recipients was State Public Service Commission secretary Fathi Hambali, who has served the department for 36 years. Others recipients were Miri City Council (MCC) secretary Morshidi Frederick (25 years) and Subis District Officer Jamalie Busri (26 years). In his programme book message, Abang Johari said civil servants play important roles in ensuring the successful implementation of government policies, strategies, as well as initiatives. “In making sure the success of the Digital Economy, civil servants must always be ...