KUCHING: The state-level ‘National Language Month (BBK) 2014’ organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) will be launched at Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) auditorium by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem this Oct 15. Dr Hazami (centre) at a press conference on state-level BBK 2014 at the state DBP office in Petra Jaya. The campaign, held for the first time in October last year, aims at empowering the usage of Bahasa Melayu among Malaysians. “Bahasa Melayu can be the unifying factor among Malaysians, especially in Sarawak, which has more than 30 ethnic groups each with their own dialects,” state DBP director Dr Hazami Jahari told a press conference recently. He also said prior to the official state-level launch, a Kembara Bahasa ...

SIBU: The conceptualisation of a technology research park at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) has stirred some interests among entrepreneurs and municipal councils from Korea and China. Wong (third left) with UCTS board members. This was revealed by the institution’s management board chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh during a board meeting last week. Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister and Local Council and Community Development Minister, said this was an area where UCTS would like to work in relation to the set-up of the technology research park. “The signing of ‘Friendship City’ pacts between Sibu Municipal Council and China have been very helpful, and we shall build on this link to see into the possibility of working out ...

SIBU: Education is pivotal in narrowing the income gap between urban and rural folk, stressed Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee. This was more so with the country aspiring to achieve high income status, he said when officiating at the inaugural Excellence SPM Intensive Clinic at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here yesterday. “Providing infrastructure such as roads is important, but when one excels in education, this will become one of the key factors to narrow the income gap between urban and rural folk. “When people have knowledge, they can earn a good living or secure better paying jobs to better provide for their families,” Dr Annuar said. The 10-week clinic running from July 24 to Oct 26 is jointly organised by Sibu Bumiputera ...

SRI AMAN: The state government supports the activities of Chinese associations here – be they religious or educational. Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said people’s representatives often channel allocations to Chinese schools and temples. He said the Chinese community, the major players in business and with a solid economy, must work with the government to ensure political stability and economic development for all. Harden, who is also Housing assistnat minister and Simanggang assemblyman, was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2014-1015 term of Simanggang Soon Heng Association’s committee. The event which took place at a hotel here doubles as their 120th anniversary celebration. “The Chinese community ...

(Back row, from left) Temenggong Lu, Liu, Chan, Karim and Hanifah join a group of children to carry lanterns. -Photos by Chimon Upon and TSW. KUCHING: Cultural festivals like Mooncake and Lantern Festival are great avenues to foster community and family bonds, promote multi-cultural understanding and encourage ownership, all of which are important to strengthen national unity and harmony. Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who was representing Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, said this at the MBKS-Federation Chinese Association Lantern Festival held at MBKS Community Hall on Friday. “Religious and racial harmony and tolerance are extremely essential and must be understood by all so that we can live together peacefully ...

Empiang (second left) presenting the incentive to the mother of Nicholas Lidang, who scored a CGPA of 3.59 in last year’s STPM, as Senorita (right) looks on. KUCHING: Good education remains a crucial agenda for the Ibans, given that many are still lagging behind other communities when it comes to having good academic qualifications and technical skills. As such, Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) chairwoman Dato Sri Empiang Jabu called on all Iban parents to ensure that their children work and study hard so that they would have a better future. “Parents should monitor their children all the time and give them proper guidance, so that they will know what are their children’s strengths and weaknesses. “If your children performed well in their ...

Francis (second right) presenting a souvenir to Mong (third left), witnessed by Martin (left) and Angeline (second left). KUCHING: The disabled can be productive if given equal opportunities in education and training. Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Datuk Mong Dagang said on Friday that disabled people were “not an economic burden to society”, and they were just as capable as normal people. “There are times when some members of society tend to have a negative perception towards disabled people, thinking they are less capable than regular people, but this mindset needs to be changed. “Disabled people deserve empathy more than only our sympathy, and it is important for us to try to understand their problems, needs, ...

Children of Gowrie Victoria having a conversation with Fatimah, followed by presentation of a gift made by them to her. Fatimah in turn presented each of them with a wrist band made of Sarawak beads. KUCHING: Sarawak is keen to learn and benchmark best practices from the Australian state of Victoria in the areas of early childhood education, women empowerment, women welfare and human services. This was expressed by Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah to sum up the week-long official study visit to Victoria recently, when speaking at a gathering hosted by Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) in Melbourne. AMBC president Mr Joe Perri, in his welcoming speech, said that he welcomed Fatimah and delegation to Victoria, and he told ...

Jabu (right) popping a balloon using a blow pipe as a symbolic officiating of the event while IGP Rajang Campus director Raymond Gai Panting (second right) looks on. SIBU: Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Rajang Campus is the first teachers’ training institute to offer a degree course in Iban language (education), with the first intake in January last year. This first batch of 24 students is due to complete their studies in November 2016. To-date, the campus has accepted four intakes with a total of 83 students for the degree programme. IPG Miri Campus introduced a similar programme this year with the intake of 15 students last June. The degree programme for Iban language is to further develop the language at tertiary level. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi ...

KUCHING: Staff of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) raised funds to assist Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) to purchase medical equipment to benefit cancer patients under its care. Torstein presenting the mock cheque to Ho in the presence of other SEB staff and SCCS representatives. Through an internal drive, launched by SEB CEO Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit in July, the team managed to pool together a substantial amount of donation. This was later topped up by the company to a total of RM300,000. The money will go towards purchasing a number of costly medical equipment urgently needed by SCCS including fluid manager, Philips Intellivue Mx600 monitor, Styler bed, Philip oxygen concentrator, transport trolley-stryker and homecare equipment among others, according ...