KUCHING: The civil service must undergo a significant transformation to enable it to help Sarawak achieve its objective of becoming a developed state. State secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani said it has to become a resourceful, creative and innovative organisation as it will judged by the people by its efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery, which impact the economic growth and prosperity of the people. “We need to continuously innovate in finding better and faster way of doing things to make a difference for our people and the business communities both local and foreign. “The civil service transformation process requires us to undertake continuous process and system improvement, removal of obstacles and bureaucracies, development in ...

WHAT IS THIS?: Dr Nick Thompson of Murdoch University, Australia, showing Jessica from SMK Taee a prototype mechanical robot during the launching of the ‘International Festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ (STEMfest) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in Kota Samarahan yesterday. Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launched the event. — Photo by Chimon Upon LAUNCHING: Taib launching STEMfest 2013, witnessed by Ragad left, Goncalves (right) and other guests. — Photo by Tan Song Wei THANK YOU: Taib with a Certificate of Acknowledgement which he received from Goncalves. ROBOTIC PROTOTYPE: Taib and Ragad taking a closer look at a prototype mechanical robot on display at Murdoch ...

KUCHING: The Creative and Innovation (KIK) teams of the state civil service have been challenged to come out with high impact projects that could aid the government to solve issues pertaining to development of the rural communities. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said rural development requires lots of innovation and creativity, as it has always been a challenging task for the state government considering the mountainous terrain and large area where the settlements are scattered. To ensure effective implementation of development projects in the state, the Rural Development Minister highlighted the importance both the state and federal agencies give to planning, implementation, internal auditing and monitoring of projects. He cited internal auditing as ...

APPRECIATION: Awang Tengah (fourth left) receives a locally-made violin as memento from Maria (second right). LIMBANG: The Limbang New Township will be a mini Putrajaya when it is developed as the town’s main administration and development centre. Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that the government had plans to construct government office complexes, residential houses and other infrastructure in the area. Elaborating that the new township would be developed in phases, he also said it could house the new District Police Headquarters and a new mosque. “The new township, which is also the development landmark for more than 50,000 local folks, would be developed into an administrative centre, like ...

HAVING A GOOD TIME: Fadillah (centre) and Zuraidah (right) with the children from Kampung Gita Lama and Kampung Gita Baru during the YSS Tuition Mission Sarawak programme at Unimas yesterday. KUCHING: Young children in Kampung Gita Lama and Kampung Gita Baru were the first batch of pupils in Malaysia given the opportunity to see learning in a new light under the Student Volunteers Foundation (YSS) Tuition Mission Sarawak. Under the pilot project launched by the Ministry of Education in Sarawak last April, students from higher learning institutions conduct free Mathematics and English tuition classes in a fun and interactive manner in a two-hour session, four times a week. The project also strengthens the volunteers’ community spirit besides improving ...

HAVE A FRUITFUL FESTIVAL: Abang Johari (third right) and other dignitaries launching ‘Pesta Limbang’. LIMBANG: A total of RM10 million has been allocated under the 11th Malaysia Plan for infrastructure development and joint tourism projects with Brunei. Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said Limbang had tourism potential as it is  strategically located in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines – East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). He said projects on the drawing board include basic infrastructure at Gunung Buda, construction of a bridge across Sungai Limbang to connect Limbang and Bandar Seri Begawan, and a leisure boat service along Limbang River. “We have strategic plans to develop the tourism sector ...

KANOWIT: The government’s education blueprint contains many things that could benefit Chinese schools, said Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday. As such, he urged the people to study and understand the blueprint first before making comments. “When the deputy prime minister announced the blueprint, many of the ingredients in the blueprint are our voices and proposals to the government. The government actually accepted our suggestions,” he said at the earth-breaking ceremony to construct new classrooms for SJK (C) Yee Ting in Kanowit. “Many times, whenever the government has some views on education, before giving our own comments, we need to ask ourselves ‘Do I really understand the facts or the policy?’ and not just follow ...

NO WATER AGAIN: Only a trickle of water is seen coming out of a tap at a Kapit coffee shop. KAPIT: Kapit bazaar as well as the government buildings and residential areas nearby have been experiencing dry taps since late Wednesday afternoon. As of noon yesterday, water supply had yet to be restored. A Public Works Department (JKR) waterworks section staff member confirmed that the problem was due to a jam in a section of the water supply system as well as the inability of the town’s pipes to deal with increased water pressure. He promised that the department’s staff would work round-the-clock to try to restore water supply. “Kapit has had good water supply since the water extension treatment plant was commissioned late in April. There should ...

KUCHING: Public Service Commission (SPA) chairman Tan Sri Mahmood Adam will meet with representatives from six Dayak-based associations during a dialogue at RH Hotel Sibu tomorrow. It is understood that the 8pm meeting is to follow up on the progress of registering more Dayak youths to apply for jobs in the civil service. The associations are Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Orang Ulu National Association (Ouna), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and Sarawak Dayak Youth Association (Pabedas). SDNU vice-president Anthony Banyan said the organisation was asked to organise the dialogue and invite all principal office bearers of the associations and their branches in and near Sibu. “The ...

HEALTHCARE: Kampung Meludam villagers undergo free medical examinations. — Photos by Chimon Upon KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has adopted a new approach to ensure all deserving Malaysians are not left out from any form of government welfare aid. Safiudin Matsah, political secretary to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, said the ministry and various agencies under its charge would go to the ground to reach out to those in need. “We are introducing this programme called ‘People’s Well-being’ because the minister realises that there are many underprivileged people out there who are eligible to get help from the government but probably due to ignorance or some other ...