BINTULU: The state government is targeting to build about 50,000 units of affordable housing throughout the state within five years to fulfil the promise made in Barisan Nasional’s (BN) manifesto for the just-concluded 13th general election. FOR THE ALBUM: Abang Johari (centre) and others show the 1Malaysia sign as they pose with some of the tenants of PPR Bandaria Park in Bintulu. State Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abg Johari Tun Openg said he will bid for more allocations for the purpose from the federal government to meet the state government’s policy of zero squatters by 2020. Abang Johari said this during the presentation of house keys to about 300 successful applicants for the People’s Housing Project (PPR) at Bandaria Park in Bintulu yesterday. “This ...

  GAWAI CELEBRATION: Najib (third right) cutting the Gawai Dayak cake. Also seen are Masing (left), Asfia (second left), Jabu (second right) and Nazri (right). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi Govt to expedite Kanowit bridge, complete access to Song in two years — Prime Minister KUCHING: The long-awaited access road from Sibu to Kapit is closer to realisation after the federal government agreed to expedite the construction of a bridge at Kanowit and complete the road to Song with an allocation of about RM400 million. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said once the 33 km project is completed in about two years’ time, it would give road access from Kapit to Sibu. “I know Kapit may be the only place in the world ...

Sarawak has safe, clean and pleasant working and living conditions. Standards of living have improved significantly over the past two decades, and foreign investors and their families can be assured of a high quality of life. With all modern facilities and amenities, visitors from abroad will find it easy to blend in with the local community and adapt to the culture. There is a wide choice of public and private schools to cater for the international community. Tunku Putra International School and Lodge International are the top two such schools. There are also several local colleges and universities that offer twinning programmes with countries like United Kingdom and Australia. Kuching City and the major towns in Sarawak have facilities to cater for all kinds of sport: tennis ...

HAPPY GAWAI: Taib cutting the Gawai cake. Also seen are Jabu and other dignitaries. BETONG: The construction of roads in the interior will get the “highest priority” in attention as the government wants to support the growth of industries under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the government had all this while been very strict on its development agenda, and its focus at present was SCORE. “All this while we have been very strict … you know, we started with not even paved roads. We have earthen roads first, but our aim then was to open up the country to generate income. Now you can see the income has increased. “Now with SCORE, the next source of income is hydroelectricity because ...

The Population and Housing Census is conducted once in every 10 years by Department of Statistics Malaysia. The last Census was conducted in 2020 and the next Census is expected to be carried out in 2030.   Administrative District Total Population (Year 2010) Total Population (Year 2020) SARAWAK 2,471,140 2,907,500 Kuching Division 705,546 812,900 Kuching 617,877 711,500 Bau 54,246 62,200 Lundu 33,413 39,200 Samarahan Division 250,622 293,300 Samarahan 87,923 102,700 Serian 91,599 105,800 Simunjan 39,226 46,900 Asajaya 31,874 37,900 Sri ...

A TOTAL of 2,847 low-cost houses under the People’s Housing Project (PPR) will be built this year in Lambir (500 units), Saratok (68), Sri Aman (123), Kidurong (215), Permyjaya (314), Sg Tengah II, Kuching (439), Matang Batu 9 (93), Mukah (66), Petra Jaya (196), Kanowit (98), Samarahan (303) and Tabuan Melayu, Kuching (432). Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said of the total, 11 PPR projects (Owned) were terraced houses (2,415 units) and one PPR Project (Rented) or Flat (432 units) would be built at Kampung Tabuan Melayu in Kuching. “The earth-breaking ceremony for the three projects at Lambir, Permyjaya and Samarahan was held recently,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday. He, however, said the government was aware that the number ...

THE Housing Ministry has introduced a new concept for longhouses issued with individual titles under the Mesra Rakyat Longhouse Loan Scheme. Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the scheme is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year with the pilot project being Rumah Collin, Bakong in Miri, which has since received approval for an allocation of RM2 million from the federal government. “This scheme will also provide funding for the construction of longhouses with the objectives of increasing the level and quality of life of the rural communities, improving social development in rural areas and creating a better, safe and comfortable home environment for the longhouse residents,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday. “The new ...

THE Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has embarked on several initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery systems in its bid to transform the local authorities. Its minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the initiatives taken were in line with the State Civil Service (SCS 10-20) Transformation Plan. “My ministry’s Strategic Plan and Balanced Score Card shall focus on Five Key Result Areas namely service delivery, human capital and leadership, policy and legislations, financial management and community development,” he said during his winding-up speech for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday. The Bawang Assan assemblyman explained that under the five strategic thrusts, his ministry had ...

KUCHING: Over 80 exhibitors including Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will be participating in Sarawak’s very own Matta Travel Fair 2013 to be held at Boulevard Shopping Mall here from May 10 to 12. The event is organised by Malaysia Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) Sarawak Chapter with MAS as official airline. Organising chairman Samuel Chung told a press conference at the Matta Kuching office in Jalan Tabuan here yesterday that participants include hotels and resorts, tourism-related companies, travel agencies and tour operators, airlines and national tourism agencies. “We hope the public will come in droves to support us,” he urged. This leading and largest travel exhibition in Malaysia will provide an opportunity for visitors to explore an extensive ...

MIRI: Each year, about 17.5 million people in the world die of heart disease and stroke. Stating this, Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said in Malaysia, heart disease had been the number one killer for past decades. He said smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and stresses are some of the important factors that adversely affected the health of the heart. “Resulting diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity all have in one way or another lead to illnesses, hospitalisation and deaths, predominantly from cardiovascular cases,” said Masing when launching the Miri Heart Week 2013 at the Bintang Megamall here yesterday. Among those present were the Sarawak Heart Foundation trustee Eric ...