Gerawat (second left), joined by (from left) Dr Chen, Anyi, Sherrina and others, pose with longhouse chiefs for a group photo following the presentation of ownership certificates. MARUDI: The Sarawak government is working on ways to ensure all ongoing projects in the rural areas of Baram will continue despite the change in the country’s political landscape. In giving this assurance, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala revealed the projects include cement roads at three longhouses in Linei Putih area – Rh Rok, Rh Lajang and Rh Asong – for which funds had been approved by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN)-led federal government. “However, when the federal government changed, the new federal government cancelled them all. “This is ...

Fatimah (second right) officiates at the Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment and Product Launching event at Sapana Living yesterday. With her are Catherine (second left), Juita (right) and DUBS president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg. KUCHING: Women from the low income group can apply for a business start-up loan from the Women and Family Department as well as the Welfare Department by submitting a form together with a business plan. Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said women earning less than RM1,000 a month face problems securing loans via the usual route. “We’ve received a sum of RM500,000 for the Women and Family Department, and another RM500,000 for the Welfare Department,” ...

Fatimah (centre) poses for a group photo with some of the SWAG forum speakers, along with Rohani (fifth right), Noriah (fourth right) and Rubiah (fifth left). KUCHING: The Sarawak government recently approved an allocation of RM15 million for Sarawak Women Aspiration Group (SWAG). Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said RM5 million would be used to build a one-stop centre in Kota Samarahan and the balance of RM10 million is for operational purposes at the centre. “The remaining RM10 million is for the operational matters of the centre to provide various types of facilities for women’s development in entrepreneurship. “In this centre, they will have the incubator and marketing trainings ...

Abang Johari (fourth left) shows the two new biographies about Bidayuh personalities Pandelela (right) and Dewi (second right), launched during the Yayasan John Jinep gala dinner. KUCHING: There is potential for Sarawak to collaborate with Singapore in the field of education and research to tap into the existing pool of talents in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the idea came from Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who pointed out that many talented Sarawakians have gone to work in Singapore and became citizens. “Singapore has talent but not much natural resources. If we combine our natural resources with their talent, we would be able to develop our own pool of talents and strengthen our economy,” ...

From left — Edward, Jamit, Sia and Cochan at the site of the proposed river bank/slope protection works at the Kapit Waterfront. KAPIT: The proposed river bank/slope protection works on the Kapit Waterfront will add a new and beautiful landscape to Kapit Town When completed. Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit said this after visiting the site yesterday. To be developed from Kapit Terminal to Kubu cargo Jetty, the proposed project will take 15 months to complete. The contractor has begun earthworks for the project. “In view of the popular water sports here like remote control boat races, power boat racing, rafting and canoeing held at Kapit Waterfront, there is a need to carry out landscape and beautification projects at Kapit Waterfront to provide ...

Rolland (third left) and entourage with Christopher (fourth right) and JKR staff at the almost completed SMK Julau 1 multi-purpose hall. JULAU: SMK Julau 1 here will soon have a conducive place to hold co-curricular activities as construction works on its new multi-purpose hall is almost complete. The project costing about RM300,000 was built with Rural Transformation Project  (RTP) funds from Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat. Rolland who visited the school recently was pleased with the progress of the project. He was told by school principal Christopher Kelebit that various sports could be held at the hall which is big enough to accommodate two volleyball courts besides weekly assembly, annual certificate and prize presentation ceremony and other social activities. Rolland ...

Cr Ho (second right) presents a memento to Gira, while Sempurai (second left) and others look on. SIBU: Selangau is poised to become a vibrant township as more developments are coming its way for the betterment of the residents, said Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira. In this regard, he thanked the Sarawak government for approving projects to further spur the development of Selangau. “These projects include a mini sport complex costing RM8 million, Selangau waterfront (RM5 million), new District Office building (RM5 million), multipurpose hall for SJKC Tong Ah Selangau (RM500,000) and upgrading of Pasai Siong Road (RM16 million). “Works on these projects are expected to commence early next year as they are now already at the preliminary design stages,” ...

Rosey (fifth left) and Sawal (fourth left) with PBB Bekenu Women members during the visit to Sawal’s farm near his house. MIRI: Villagers here are urged to form co-operative society as a platform for them to venture into large-scale integrated farming including Kelulut and herbs cultivation. Assistant Minister for Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus said through such a society, the villagers can work together to provide goods and services to its members and go into large-scale farming which could provide better returns to its members. “Through a co-operative, villagers can be more productive and earn more income through large-scale farming,” the Bekenu assemblywoman said when leading Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bekenu Women ...

Nyabong mixes the cement to fill in the pot holes. KAPIT: Community leaders and parents must nurture the spirit of volunteerism especially among the youth in their villages for smoother implementation of community services. Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang said most community projects could be implemented smoothly and expeditiously if all the villagers cooperated and worked together under the spirit of ‘gotong royong’. He was speaking at a ‘gotong royong’ project at SK Nanga Antaroh, Sut to repair pot holes along the road from the junction of Jalan Antaroh to SK Nanga Antaroh here over the weekend. The construction materials, comprising two truckloads of pre-mixed cement, culverts, gravel, sand and wooden planks were funded under ...

Dennis cuts the ribbon to declare open the cement road to the village as Juk (third left), Dominic (second left) and others look on. MARUDI: The Sarawak government has always given attention to development of rural areas. Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Nagau said this has been the priority of the state government which is now under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. For that purpose, each assemblyman from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is given a yearly allocation of RM5 million to carry out development projects like infrastructure and amenities in their respective constituencies, he added. “One proof is the cement road to your longhouse which I officiated today,” Dennis told his constituents at an event ...