Datuk Joseph Salang KUCHING: The 1Malaysia Broadband Affordable Package, which can be subscribed for as low as RM20 per month from Sept 16, will help increase broadband penetration in Sarawak to at least 50 per cent by end of the year, said Information, Communications and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang. He added that the relevant authorities would organise roadshows throughout the state to promote the product. “The whole idea is to increase Internet penetration in the state to at least 50 per cent by end of the year, especially in rural areas. “We also hope that this product would benefit those in the lower income group, especially the handicapped,” Salang told The Borneo Post here yesterday. Currently the broadband penetration ...

  TICKET TO RIDE: Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Housing Abdul Karim Hamzah (right) with other officials look at the National Grand Prix Championship 2012 poster yesterday. Foreign riders to spice up Sarawak Circuit KUCHING: The presence of strong teams from Indonesia and Brunei is expected to spice up the National GP (Sarawak Circuit) bicycle race which will be held here this Sept 22-23. According to Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Housing Abdul Karim Hamzah, local racers can expect a tough challenge with the presence of cyclists from the two neighbouring countries. “Although this race is a national race, the cyclists from the two countries have requested to participate in the race. They too want the competitive exposure and ...

SOMETHING OF INTEREST: Suriah (centre) draws Abang Johari’s attention to a page in the book she had just presented to him. Looking on are (from left) Abdul Wahab, Thillai and Dr Lukose. — Photo by Jeffery Mostafa KUCHING: Knowledge Technology Week (KTW) 2012 can potentially spur more innovations and produce experts in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and Sematic Technology. This in turn would help accelerate Malaysia’s and Sarawak’s transformation into a high-income and high-productivity economy in line with the objectives of the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP), said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. “At the same time, it can help upgrade our economic activities based on technology because nowadays development is technology ...

  BETTER FUTURE FOR PEOPLE: Taib speaking during the Hari Raya gathering in Bintulu. BINTULU: Bintulu will be a stable society because it has ample employment opportunities to sustain its population. It will not be a transition town as the government has been able to plan and execute various economic projects to develop it to be a more significant model of development compared to what Miri experienced some 50 years ago. In fact, there is now more than full employment in Bintulu as it there are more job opportunities than the job seekers, said Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. “Bintulu people have to see the future, you have to hope for greater things that will come in a permanent way, therefore we ought to realise SCORE will bring the waves ...

  GETTING CREATIVE: Students from MRSM Kota Putra, Terengganu setting up their robots – the Haste Motriz and Vantoriz – at the exhibition booth. Both the robots are designed to aid the disabled, senior citizens or sick people to shift between rooms or floors at their premises. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa KUCHING: The state is looking seriously into training students in robotics and automation skills to meet the manpower demands of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong yesterday said such training would also enable the state to enhance the efficiency and productivity of its labour force to compete globally. “If we can enhance our knowledge ...

  FOR JKKK: Rohani (right) presents a set of computer and printer to Mohd Salleh in the presence of Mohd Khalid (centre), Mohd Elffizan (second right) and others. SRI AMAN: The Batang Lupar Agropolitan Project sited in the new settlement at Seduku near Lingga is one of the best in the country. Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said the area had undergone rapid development since the project began in 2010. “We can see villagers living across Seduku island settling in the new settlement area. “Another development in this area is oil palm plantation ‘Projek Ladang Sejahtera’ jointly set up by villagers of Seduku new settlement and Felcra.” Rohani said this at the ...

  JUBILANT: Kijan (standing second right) with Kumang and Keling winners of Merdeka Celebration 2012 at SMK Bakong. MIRI: The federal government has allocated Sarawak RM37.3 billion to cater to the infrastructure and early, technical and vocational education of its rural schools. International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Jacob Sagan said the big allocation was highlighted in Budget 2012 to help the community in the state. “The government believes that creating a conducive environment for education would enable Malaysia to produce more international standard human capital,” Sagan said in his speech at the Merdeka Celebration 2012 in SMK Bakong near here over the weekend. THANK YOU: Kijan (centre) receives a memento from SMK ...

SIBU: One of the wishes of Temenggong Vincent Lau is to see cycling lanes, pedestrian walks and infrastructure for handicapped people built all over town. Taking cycling lanes as an example, he said such an initiative would encourage more people to take up cycling, which is something good for one’s health and the environment too. “If we could provide more lanes for cyclists, it will encourage people to take up cycling either as a form of exercise or commute to work. “So, I think, we really have to look into how to make infrastructure environmental-friendly to encourage people to utilise them. “If facilities are not conducive or pose as hazards, it would deter people from using them in their daily life … and there goes our efforts to promote ...

  IN APPRECIATION: Chew (centre) hands over a souvenir to Lau. At right is Robert Chew. SIBU: The government has been urged to render regular grants to charitable welfare organisations to ease their burden and ensure they have reliable income. In making the call, Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming added with reliable income, these organisations could better plan their activities and expansion programmes, if any. “Nevertheless I do know our government makes fund available through the welfare department, for the needy to apply for assistance. This certainly is a great help to those in need,” he said when officiating at the ‘Awareness on Caring For Unfortunate Group of People’ seminar held at Tanahmas hotel here recently. The event was ...

  MERDEKA NIGHT: Abang Johari (second right) poses for a photo after signing the theme poster to launch the programme. Also seen are (from left) Teo, Razali, Entri and Dr Rahman. KUCHING:  Sarawak National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) is planning to establish an agricultural science research centre and training facilities at Samarahan near here to promote the development of the sector using biotechnologies. Its president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said this on Saturday, added the centre would be equipped with various scientific research and bio-tech labs where findings will be introduced to young entrepreneurs who are interested to venture into modern agricultural in the state. Twenty-three-year-old Julianne Philip, a bio-tech graduate from ...