Ken (standing, fourth left) and Hamfatullah (left) have their photo taken with the agency’s ICC 2016 winning team. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING: The state Immigration Department has proposed to Putrajaya for an internal upgrading of its force to address the shortage of officers in Sarawak. According to its state director Ken Leben, presently 1,429 Immigration personnel are based in the state, with some 500 officers attached to its enforcement unit. “Whether we have enough manpower, it is a matter of perspective, but I have to admit that the state is in need of more personnel. In the meantime, to counter this shortage, we have proposed for the upgrading of the force to enable us to increase enforcement activities. “At the same time, our non-enforcement ...

Abang Johari (front row, second from right) posing with the new STB board of directors. KUCHING: High speed Internet is crucial to promote tourism in the state’s rural areas, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. The ICT infrastructure needs to be upgraded up to 30mbps minimum, whereas those for city areas, it should be between 50-100mbps, he said. “To promote tourism in rural areas, ICT infrastructure is a must. Nowadays, tourists will ask for Wi-Fi passwords when they arrive at their destinations. When we travel overseas, we also do the same,” he told a press conference to announce Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) members here yesterday. He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had recommended 5mbps ...

  Datuk Lee Chee Leong (File photo) KUCHING: The government will continue to take proactive measures to develop the rural areas, especially those with the economic potential that can be harnessed towards enhancing state economy. Deputy Finance Minister II Datuk Lee Chee Leong said this would enable the rural areas to catch up with the urban areas, in terms of development. “Hence, greater emphasis is being given to develop the necessary infrastructure and amenities such as road, drainage, telecommunication as well as electricity and water supply projects aimed at improving the quality of life (of the rural people), and also attracting more investments into these areas,” Lee said in his opening remarks in chairing the 2017 Budget focus group meeting on ‘Sarawak ...

The carnival bustling with activities as visitors get to visit booths selling various items from clothing to food. KUCHING: A Young Entrepreneurs Carnival (Karnival Usahawan Muda) organised by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) in collaboration with the Batu Lintang campus of Teachers Training Institute here yesterday attracted an enthusiastic crowd of over 1000, entrepreneurs and youths interested in setting up their own business. Over 70 participants including trainee teachers of the campus set up various stalls showcasing among others food, drinks, clothing, health and beauty products Other activities lined up for the day were entrepreneur hunt, ‘Online Millionaire’ talk by SSM Corporate Communication Chief Mohamad Shahren Mohamad Yusri and also ‘Icon/Success ...

SIBU: There were 1,112 job vacancies being open at the Career Carnival, held in conjunction with the state-level Career Day 2016, at the town square here on Saturday. The programme, run by the state Labour Department from 2pm to 10pm, involved 23 employers. It offered nine categories of vacancies. Meanwhile, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee welcomed the arrival of the ‘Career Expedition’ convoy, led by state Labour Department director Datu August Buma. The expedition involved 21 four-wheel drive vehicles, with 73 officers and employers on board. They departed from Kuching on Friday.

BARAM: Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau reminded students in the interior of Baram to focus and concentrate on their studies despite a lack of teaching and learning facilities. “The government is aware of the problem and shortcomings faced by the schools in remote and rural areas such as Baram that may affect the teaching and learning process including the schools’ and students’ academic performance,” Dennis said during the presentation of incentive awards to the students of SMK Temenggong Datuk Lawai Jau on Friday. The assemblyman believed that they could do much better or on par with their counterparts in urban areas if the students cultivated a positive outlook and mindset towards these shortcomings or problems. “You should not be discouraged ...

Photo shows runners in the 10km Men’s Open and 10km Women’s Open categories. MIRI: Some 1,200 people from all walks of life here joined in the ‘Dayang Glow Run’ at Marina Parkcity here on Saturday night. The event was the first of its kind, and it was organised by Dayang Enterprise Sdn Bhd in conjunction with its ‘Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment’ campaign. It was divided into seven categories: 10km Men’s Open; 10km Women’s Open; 10km Men’s Veteran; 10km Women’s Veteran; 5km Family Boy; 5km Family Girl and Best Participants. Miri Mayor Adam Yii flagged off the run at 7.30pm, with Dayang executive deputy chairman Datuk James Ling and organising chairman Liaw Sin Soon among others present. Also ...

Jack (second right, holding the Sarawak flag) flagging off the scientific expedition in front of Imperial Hotel yesterday. MIRI: The selection of Long Banga in Ulu Baram as the site for this year’s Heart of Borneo (HoB) Sarawak Scientific Expedition is perfect as the area is rich with flora and fauna which have yet to be discovered. Long Banga, a settlement of the Sabans one of the smallest ethnic groups in Sarawak also has virgin jungle that is worthwhile to be explored. In saying this, Deputy State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala also expressed his hope that the participants would succeed in documenting the flora and fauna in the area. “I was informed that the scientific expedition is aimed at studying the area’s ...

Runners dashing off at the flag-off as some react to the camera with cheer. KUCHING: More than 1,600 runners participated in ‘Run for the Brave Heart 2016’ event held at Sarawak State Library in Petra Jaya yesterday. The run – organised by Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Entrepreneurs (DUBS) Dewanita in collaboration with the Sarawak Heart Foundation (SHF) aims to raise funds for low income families burdened by high medical costs to treat children with heart diseases. Runners assembled at the venue as early as 5.30am for registration. The run was then flagged-off by Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah at 6.30am. “I would like to say thank you to all of you in providing a meaningful contribution ...

Ali Hamsa (fifth right) presents the award to Morshidi during the Capam President’s Dinner in Putrajaya. KUCHING: The Chief Minister’s Department has been declared joint-winner with India in the ‘Innovation DNA Category’ at the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (Capam) International Innovation Awards (IIA) 2016. The announcement was made during the Capam President’s Dinner in Putrajaya on Saturday, where Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa – who is Capam president – presented the awards. State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani accepted the honour on behalf of the Chief Minister’s Department, which submitted three innovation projects under two categories ...