Taman Selera Muhibbah Food Court, Sibu to be transformed it into a modern and consumer-friendly hawker centre. SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is targeting to complete the redevelopment of Taman Selera Muhibbah Food Court into a modern and consumer-friendly hawker centre in six months. SMC Market & Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman councillor Albert Tiang said works are expected to commence in July if everything goes well. He said they had initially planned to call for tender this month. “But now, we are still waiting for approval from the State Building Design Committee on the drawing plan (of the building). The committee meets once every three months, so their next meeting will be in April. “So, if the committee gives approval in ...

Yong (third left) and Samin members at the press conference. SIBU: Sarawak Association of Maritime Industries (Samin) will be publishing a book on the ship-building, ship-repair and ship-design industry in the state, and expect to release it by August. Its president Dr Renco Yong said the effort is in collaboration with the International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Ministry, and will focus on the development of the said industry in Sarawak. “Sarawak is known as the maritime hub for Malaysia by having the most activities in Malaysia, the most ships registered, the most ship-building, and the most shipyards in Malaysia. “We hav ogle, you won’t find a lot of information on Sarawak shipbuilding,” he ...

Abang Johari presents Stephanie with her incentive during the event. Flanking them are Abdul Karim (left) and Snowdan. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Sarawak is looking to delve into the world of e-sports which has gained popularity in recent years, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said electronic sports is a form of competition using video games that has become a multi-billion dollar business, and is something that the state ought to venture into. “E-sports is a test of your brains because it is virtual sports and a test of your hand reflex. It is getting popular and I think we have sent our athletes to the Philippines to participate in e-sports. “Today e-sports has become a multi-billion dollar business and ...

Uggah fields questions from reporters when met after an event. – File photo KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved RM50 million to finance the repairs and also construction of longhouses this year. According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved the fund, following the unavailability of allocation from the federal government this year. On this year’s allocation from the state government, Uggah said it should benefit families from 1,667 doors, with a maximum assistance of RM30,000 each. Previously, the federal side had been providing the fund meant for repair/rebuilding works on longhouses in Sarawak. Specifically, Uggah said since 2007, the federal government ...

Abang Johari (centre), Abdul Karim (fourth left) and Jaul (fourth right) place their palm on the podium to symbolically officiate they Sarawak Travel App and Portal while (from left) Lee, Dr Sim, Asfia, Ting, Zaidi and Hii look on. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged tourism industry players to train themselves in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications in keeping with the state’s vision of embracing digital technology in the tourism sector. He said when local players are trained, this can then be applied to tourism products such as the Sarawak Travel App and Portal to create a good impression and pique the interest of visitors to come to Sarawak. “The Centre of ...

Abang Johari poses with a Vespa scooter upon his arrival for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Appreciation Night. Also with him are (from left) Abdul Karim, Zuraini, Juma’ani, Melinda, Snowdan and Nancy. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: The government has agreed to build a high performance sports centre here to strengthen its sports infrastructure in efforts to make Sarawak a sports powerhouse in the country, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the fully equipped sports facility will be built under the 12th Malaysia Plan. “I concur with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that we must have a centre among sports enthusiasts and the government will not hesitate to invest in building this facility. “Under ...

Hii (second right) and Teo exchange the signed documents, witnessed by (from left) Wee, Sagah, Uggah, Dr Sim and Dr Abdul Rahman. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: The Sarawak government will assist players in the agriculture industry to enable them to supply to overseas markets, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, says there is potential in agriculture due to the state having vast land, and that he hopes the private sector would play their part in transforming Sarawak into a net exporter. “It’s a long journey, but I’m sure it can be achieved especially when the supply, either arranged by the government or the private ...

Naroden (centre) presents a certificate to a participant of a programme hosted by Insken. Also seen are Suriya (left) and other officials. KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan hopes to see more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sell their products and services in the urban areas. He said people in the urban areas would have more income and higher spending power than those living in the rural areas. “SMEs must take the initiative to focus their trade more into the urban areas, although it is in the rural areas that some of the fresh products such as rice, vegetables, fish, fruits, pepper and non-food items such as crafts, timber, herbs come from,” he said in his speech, read by Assistant Minister of Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur ...

Abang Johari (fourth left) cutting the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division’s 41st Anniversary cake together with the federation’s president Dato Richard Wee (second left), Zhang (third left), Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian (third right), organising chairman Tay Boon Sin (second right) and Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting (right). KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will propose to the Sarawak cabinet on how the state government can help China in facing the Covid-19 epidemic. This is in appreciation to the government of the People’s Republic of China for its contribution to Sarawak as well as to the world community, he ...

Abdul Karim, flanked by Hii (front, right) and Mukvinder, assesses one of the posters exhibited at the event. KUCHING: More impactful events should be held to ensure active involvement of all stakeholders, including youths, in promoting responsible tourism in Sarawak. Such events would bring stakeholders together to share ideas as well as resources, which should be good for a sustainable tourism industry, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. “Together, we can uphold values such as environmental friendliness, healthy lifestyle and responsible tourism practices for the betterment of Sarawak and its people in the years to come,” he said in officiating at Sarawak Youth Talent (SYT) 2020 at a hotel here yesterday. On ...