Uggah (centre) together with Dr Sim (third right) witnessing Adrian (left) injecting the anti-rabies vaccine to a dog named ‘Gendut’ at MJC, Batu Kawa. Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING: All dog owners in Sarawak are now required to have their pets injected with the anti-rabies vaccine even if they are living outside the five rabies-declared divisions of Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman and Sarikei. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said prior to Feb 2 this year, the anti-rabies vaccination were only made compulsory for dogs living in rabies-infected areas. “The war on rabies in Sarawak have entered another phase and the committee feels that there is a need to expand the anti-rabies vaccination strategy,” said Uggah after ...

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (left) presents a memento to Borhan.   KAPIT: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) will work to resolve any delays with projects under its jurisdiction here. Ministry secretary-general Datuk Borhan Dolah told reporters following a two-day visit here that he and his team had met with officers and relevant government agencies involved in the implementation and monitoring of KKLW projects. “At the briefing, I told the officer to thrash out the issues arising from the implementation of the projects. All these projects are for the benefit of the people at the grassroots. If there is any delay because of the implementation and monitoring, then we must find a way to solve ...

  The crowd at Kuching Waterfront, eager to see the rare phenomenon. KUCHING: Good weather here on Wednesday saw locals and tourists come together at the Kuching Waterfront to observe the rare lunar phenomenon of a Super Blue Blood Moon and total lunar eclipse – something that has not occurred since 1866. Although at times the moon was hidden behind clouds, patient professional and amateur photographers managed to get their best shots. Sultan Iskandar Planetarium Kuching curator Ismandy Ali explained that a total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth, and moon are in a linear position and the whole moon crosses the shadow of the Earth’s umbra. “This will give the eclipse the look of darkening and reddening before returning to its ...

A map showing the circled rabies-infected areas in the state. Across the border in Kalimantan, 13 rabies related deaths have been recorded since July 11. (File Photo)   KUCHING: The Ministry of Local Government and Housing has clarified that areas which have been declared as rabies areas will automatically see the ‘Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999’ taking precedence over the ‘Dog Licensing By-Law’. Currently, a total of 29 areas in Sarawak (Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Sarikei and Kota Samarahan) have been declared as rabies areas. “Dogs which have been captured by the local councils in these areas will be directly put to sleep and sampled. Pet owners will not get a 48-hour window to claim their dogs. “When an area is ...

Awang Tengah (centre) presents a souvenir to Chishiro during the courtesy call. KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan received a courtesy call from Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd Japan senior officer Ryo Chishiro at his office in Wisma Sumber Alam, Petra Jaya yesterday. The visit to Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneur Development and Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, was to discuss the implementation of hydrogen-based projects in Sarawak. Assistant Minister of E-commerce Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, who is also Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur and Small, Medium Entreprise (SME) Development, was present at the meeting along with Ministry of Industrial and ...

An artist’s impression of Sibu Transportation Hub. SIBU: The construction of the RM160-million Sibu Transportation Hub will provide a boost to Sibu’s economic growth upon its scheduled completion in two years. The project is sited on a 1.3-acre land in front of the express boat terminal at Khoo Peng Loong Road, and is undertaken by Best Magnitude Sdn Bhd in partnership with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC). The man behind the project is Dato Steve Ng, who is also responsible for the construction of Plaza Merdeka and The Waterfront Hotel in Kuching. According to Ng, the earth-breaking ceremony for the nine-storey Hub will be held in March, with works starting in July. “The project has been approved by the state government and it should ...

Dr Jerip (fourth right) inspects the express boat terminal in Sibu. SIBU: Assistant Minister of Transportation Dr Jerip Susil said they would bid for RM34 million during the mid-term review of the current Malaysia Plan as funds to upgrade the riverine facilities in Sarawak. Being a major catalyst for the transformation of rural areas in Sarawak, he said there is a need to ensure that river transport and its associated facilities are provided with safety features. “Once we have the money, we will start work immediately,” he said at a press conference at Sibu Express Terminal yesterday. According to Dr Jerip, the Sibu Express Terminal is one of the busiest waterways along the Rajang River, and Sibu alone caters to more than 600,000 passengers plying to and ...

  Siaw (second left) presents a certificate of appointment to So Teck Kee while (from left) Stanley, Awang and James look on.  SIBU: Local community leaders are encouraged to equip themselves with the latest knowledge and skills in order to provide good service to the people. Sibu Resident Charles Siaw who suggested this said it is also important for them to cooperate with the Resident’s Office, District Office and government agencies. “This is to ensure government programmes and policies can be implemented effectively,” he said at the presentation of certificates to 27 longhouse chiefs and seven Kapitans from Sibu District. Siaw presented appointment certificates to five new Kapitans at the function held at his office. They are So Teck ...

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing   KUCHING: Sarawak needs a comprehensive plan for its infrastructure development to provide better accessibility to major towns and settlements in the next 10 years. Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said there was a need for the state to ‘think big in order to gain big’ in terms of its road network. “We have to think big so that we can have better road connectivity that is on par with that in Peninsular Malaysia. Only then can we have a conducive environment to further develop our economy, and have a road network on par with those in Peninsular Malaysia,” Masing said when contacted yesterday. He said to have a comprehensive road system, Sarawak ...

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (centre) makes his way to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) chamber to deliver his address. He is flanked by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg (right) and DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nassar.   KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday urged the people to appreciate and support the effort and initiative undertaken by the government towards digital economy and be prepared to face the challenges. He said the digital era would provide plenty of opportunities for the people, especially the younger generation, and would definitely change the people’s way of life and how jobs are carried out. However, he pointed out that while the digital era would also bring opportunities, ...