MIRI: Bekenu is to have better health facilities and medical services through the setup of a Class E 1Malaysia Clinic. State Health Department deputy director (Public Health) Dr Jamilah Hashim said yesterday under this classification, the 1Malaysia Clinic in Bekenu will provide maternal and child health services, and dental service apart from minor or simple medical services and procedures. Bekenu and Betong are among the rural areas or districts in the state selected for the service. Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus is expected to launch the clinic this Friday. There will be enhanced and additional medical and health services for the community in the state. Dr Jamilah at the opening of Permyjaya 1Malaysia Clinic at Permyjaya Commercial Centre here revealed that a total ...

KUCHING: Residents of Kampung Sinar Budi Baru at Taman Desa Wira carried out a major gotong-royong to clean up the neighbourhood yesterday. Organised by the village security and development committee (JKKK), the programme also involved the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and the Civil Defence Department. Residents of all ages worked to clear trash, tree branches, soil, debris and overgrown grass particularly in the drains and watercourses surrounding the village. JKKK secretary Othman Anyan stressed that the community clean-up programme was part of the village’s preparation for the rainy season and the possibility of flooding. “We are taking extra precautions through a proactive measure such as this as we’ve seen and learnt from the impact of serious ...

Dr Chai (second right) handing over a Safecam signboard to Abdul Wahap, witnessed by Mohd Sabtu (second left). KUCHING: The Royal Malaysia Police Safe Camera (Safecam) partnership will help to reduce crime in the city. State Police Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Sabtu Osman said the programme would enable members of the public and private sector to share information on crime. “This is part of the effort by the police to work together with the government and private sector,” he said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Safe Cam Partnership between the Police, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) here yesterday. Mohd Sabtu also called on other sectors to take part in the partnership by signing up ...

Adenan (third right) presenting the state government’s contribution to Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussein Mosque committee through Daud (second left), as Hamdan (second right) and other committee members look on. KUCHING: The state government yesterday presented contributions totalling RM7.5 million to three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help fund their activities. The cheques were presented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (YBMS), Lembaga Amanah Khairat Bandaraya Kuching and Jawatankuasa Masjid Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussien at the Chief Minister’s Office in the State Legislative Assembly building here. Amanah Khairat YBMS received RM5 million, while ...

KUCHING: The Advanced Technology Training Centre (Adtec) in Bintulu has lowered its entry requirements for students to enter vocational education. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said previously, candidates applying to pursue diploma courses in Adtec needed at least four credits including in Mathematics and Science. “With the relaxation, candidates need only have two credits including in Bahasa Malaysia and Science to apply,” he told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at his office in the State Legislative Assembly building here yesterday. Riot said the January intake was completed with students enrolled for various programmes offered by Adtec. “However, we will give wider publicity ...

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Rambutan planters from Rumah Nimong, Pantu in Sri Aman can now be proud as around  500kg of ‘Rambutan Anak Sekolah 168’ that they produced have been exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to state Federal Agriculture and Marketing Authority (Fama) operations manager Abdul Jaafar Lian, the rambutans are being exported to the UAE for the first time. “After negotiations through our agents, the rambutans will be available at Lulu Supermarket in Dubai, and will fetch prices above RM25 (per kilogramme) after being repacked,” said Jaafar, when met at Fama Samarahan office after watching the packing process yesterday. He said the rambutans, which were freshly plucked yesterday, had been processed and would be sent to ...

PBB Nangka Women chief Sharifah Aminah Syed Junaidi (front row fifth right) handing over the electrocardiography machine to Abdul Wahid, witnessed by Dr Annuar (front row, third left). SIBU: The new RM5,000 electrocardiography machine at 1Malaysia Clinic (K1M) in Bandong Road complements the ongoing ‘I Love My Heart’ programme here. The equipment, donated by PBB Women Sibu, was presented to K1M Bandong assistant medical officer Abdul Wahid Putit at the Nangka Service Centre here yesterday, witnessed by Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa’ee. Dr Annuar, who is a UK-trained cardiologist, said the new equipment would be among the machines to be used for the ‘I Love My Heart’ programme here. “We have been receiving good response ...

The completed Jalan Sungai Sebedil which has been connected to several longhouses at Sg Sebedil and is in use now for residents going to Sibu town. SIBU: A government allocation of RM1.4 million has made it possible to complete the upgrading of Jalan Sungai Sebedil into a 3.2-km stretch to connect six longhouses at Sg Sebedil in Batang Igan near here. Andrew Shilling Banggit, who is a political secretary to the Chief Minister, said the road project will facilitate access for the residents of six longhouses to travel to Sibu town. “With the availability of the road, the residents only take 45 minutes to go to Sibu,” he told reporters here yesterday. Jalan Sungai Sebedil is linked to Rumah Henry Barayan, Rh James Ngelayang, Rh Balon Empadeng, Rh Bedindang ...

SRI AMAN: The flood problem in Kampung Hulu and Sri Aman will be solved with the completion of a retaining wall. “The retaining wall to measure about 2.4 km up to Kampung Pasir Panas in Sri Aman will cost about RM27 million,” said Lingga assembywoman Simoi Peri. According to Simoi, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) of Sri Aman will present to the Natural Resources Ministry a working paper for the project. She revealed this during her visit to Kampung Hulu with officers from DID Sri Aman yesterday. On another matter, Simoi said the State Government had approved a RM100,000 allocation to construct at Kampung Hulu a ‘flap gate’ to control drainage around the village, especially during high tide or floods. “I am confident that ...

Fadillah (third right) together with the committee of Surau Darul Ibadah performing the ‘Zikir’ ceremony at the event yesterday. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi KUCHING: The federal government is looking at spending an additional RM500 million this year for flood mitigation besides the allocated RM1 billion as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. According to Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, the additional funds would be used according to needs. Fadillah, who was met by reporters after attending a Maulidul Rasul celebration at Surau Darul Ibadah, Taman Malihah yesterday, further elaborated that the recent flood which affected several states in Peninsular Malaysia did not mean several projects that were approved last year would be ...