Note: The Pesta Benak Festival was originally scheduled from 27-29 September, 2019. This re-scheduling was due to the haze condition in Sri Aman The Pesta Benak or Tidal Bore Festival is one of Sarawak’s iconic events. It is centered around the natural phenomenon where water rushes up the Batang Lupar river. The resulting effect generate waves as high as three metres. Over the years, the festival has attracted surfers from afar to ride the waves to the amusement of the onlookers. It is not surprising that stand-up paddling and surfing has captured the imagination of locals. One can find them catching the waves twice a day which is the frequency of the tidal bore occurence. Besides water-based events, the festival also features Miss Tourism Benak and Ratu Kebaya Benak, singing competitions and food bazaars. The festival is held along the bank of the Batang Lupar River in Sri Aman. Spectators can get vantage view from the purpose-built lookout stand and below this stand, one can visit the picture gallery showing the best of the tidal bore. About Sri Aman Sri Aman is an administrative town for the Sri Aman Division and her iconic attractions is the faithfully restored Fort Alice. This fort was named after the second White Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke. Because Fort Alice sits on top of hill, it commands a sweeping view of the Batang Lupar river. This vantage point allows sentries to spot warring parties coming up the river for raids. Getting There To get to the town, board a bus at Kuching Sentral Transportation hub. The hub is a 5-minute drive from the Kuching International Airport and 20 minutes from Kuching City Centre. On average, it takes about four hours to travel by road from Kuching. Usually, bus will stop at the bazaar town of Lachau for toilet break.         @##@Sri Aman Resident Office@##@Batang Lupar Riverfront@##@2019-10-25@##@2019-10-27

Awang Bemee (front row, third left) in a group photo with retirees and staff of KPA after the appreciation and certificate presentation ceremony. — Photos by Muhd Rais Sanusi Awang Bemee presenting a token to a long serving staff who retired in March this year. Also seen are (from left) Janang, Lau, Asem and Rahmatullah (right). KUCHING: Kuching Port Authority (KPA) expects to see a slight drop in productivity this year due to the global economic slowdown. Its chairman Datuk Awang Bemee Pengiran Ali Basah revealed that the port is expected to handle 8.65 million tonnes of cargo this year. “A decrease of about 5.6 per cent from last year mainly from general cargo while the container throughput decreased only slightly by 0.85 per cent, estimated to register 221,800 TEUs by the end of 2017,” he said. “However, I am optimistic that we will be in a better position next year following the commencement of the capital dredging of the Sarawak River which funding has been allocated as well as with the setting up of the Digital Free Trade Zone and the normalisation of border trade at the Tebedu-Entikong Post,” he added. Awang Bemee highlighted this in his address during the End of Year Appreciation and Certificate Presentation Ceremony held at the port office in Pending here yesterday. Hence, he called for greater support and cooperation in order to achieve better throughput in 2018. “Let us strive for higher productivity and operation efficiency to make up for the decrease in throughput,” he urged. On the ceremony, Awang Bemee pointed out that it was organised annually to show appreciation and acknowledge the long serving employees of KPA who have and will retire this year. “This year, there are 21 retired employees. We wish all of you a happy retirement,” he said. For staff receiving certificates of achievement and successful attendance of courses, he urged them to continue enhancing their knowledge and skills from time to time as it was crucial not only for their career development but that of KPA as well. “We recognise that human capital development is fundamental to bring about better productivity and services to our customers. I want this (training courses) to be ongoing to benefit our staff and port,” he said. Given today’s fast changing, challenging and competitive economy, he added, productivity and operation efficiency are essential to achieve competitive advantage. “Towards this end, KPA has provided 21 internal and 69 external training programmes which comprised courses, seminars, talks, workshops and others throughout the year for all the staff,” he shared. Moving forward, Awang Bemee noted that collective efforts from all stakeholders were required to enhance its contribution to facilitate Sarawak’s economic growth and development within Malaysia. “We will continue to enhance our IT capabilities to complement the state government’s drive towards digital economy,” he assured. He congratulated the KPA team for their outstanding achievements this year, notably for winning the Sayembara Dekon Public Service Chief Minister Award 2017, participating in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) and the Head of State’s 81st birthday celebration parade, as well as organising the Integrity Day and Customers’ Day. KPA Board members Rahmatullah Morshidi, Asem Linkin and Ir Janang Bungsu as well as general manager Robert Lau were among those present.

Abang Johari (seated front facing camera, fourth right), flanked by Awang Tengah on his right and Morshidi, listens to the briefing presented by Leppa. Abang Johari (third right) presents special memento to Leppa. HELSINKI, Finland: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says he is highly impressed by the use of digital tools to manage the forest industry in Finland. According to him this mechanism, which entails widespread digital information-sharing between the stakeholders, could become useful for Sarawak’s forest industry development as part of the efforts in digitising the state’s economy. “The Finnish digital expertise could become a common platform of collaboration between Finland and Sarawak, which could later be expanded to peat soil studies as both Finland and Sarawak have considerable peat coverage. “I would like to have the tools be made available to us in English, so that we can share their (Finland’s) expertise,” Abang Johari said in his return address to thank Finland’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Jari Leppa here yesterday. The state delegation, led by Abang Johari, arrived here on Sunday for their two-week study visit to Europe. Their programme line-up commenced with a visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry here, where the Finnish officials briefed them on the ministry, the forest policy of Finland, sustainable forest management, sustainable management of acacia plantation and also digital tools for forest management. Later, the state delegates went for a tour at the Hyytiala Forest Station – about a three-hour drive to the north of the city. Another team from the delegation was sent to gain insight into the ‘sauna start-up’ – basically an informal meeting centre equivalent to Sarawak’s newly established digital innovation hubs in Kuching and Sarikei. Adding on, Abang Johari – also Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources – said the digital tools have been a significant concept of forest management in Finland, which has a considerable size of smallholdings to support the national forest industry of the northern European country. He told Leppa that any cooperation between Finland and Sarawak should be made on a direct basis with the Sarawak government, given that the authority over forest and land are under the state government’s purview. He pointed out that such cooperation is vital for Sarawak towards eventually achieving compliance with global standards on sustainability – particularly in the palm oil industry. “As Finland is a key member of the European Union and Sarawak being a part of Asean, this kind of common platform of understanding can lead to a meaningful cooperation between countries in the Northern Hemisphere and those near the Equator,” Abang Johari said. Members of Abang Johari’s entourage include Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh.

      Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom     KUCHING: The power generation in Sarawak remains predominantly hydro with the generation capacity mix for hydro, gas and coal at 74 per cent, 16 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the current total grid generation installed capacity is 4,641 megawatt (MW) to meet the peak demand of 3,623MW. “To ensure adequacy of reliable and affordable power supply to stimulate the economic growth in the state, new generation projects are being implemented. The 624MW Balingian Coal-fired Power Station is expected to be ready by the second quarter of 2019, the 842MW Tanjung Kidurong Combined-Cycle Gas-Fired Plant will be completed by the first quarter of 2021 while the construction of the 1,285MW Baleh Hydroelectric Plant has begun. “In addition, the potential of small renewable energy is also being explored to encourage more clean and green energy in the state,” he said when winding up the debate on points raised on his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. He disclosed that the completed packages of 500kV transmission backbone from Similajau to Tondong, which serves as an alternative double circuit line running parallel to the existing 275kV transmission grid, is supported by other major on-going or planned regional transmission system expansion and reinforcement. This include Serudit 275/33kV substation reinforcing the existing 33kV distribution systems in the Betong-Debak-Pusa areas and provides for the Lachau-Sri Aman-Serudit-Saratok-Sarikei 132kV Regional Grid; the 132kV transmission line which supplies power to the central coastal areas spanning Petian-Daro-Sg Maaw-Tanjung Manis which is expected to be completed in 2019; the new Similajau-Bunut-Marudi junction transmission line, which will provide a second transmission injection into Miri by 2020; and the Bunut-Limbang-Lawas transmission line that will connect northern Sarawak to the state grid by 2022. On rural electricity supply, Dr Rundi said his ministry targets for full 24-hour electricity coverage by 2025 through the implementation of various strategies under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan. “These strategies include distribution grid extension under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) initiative and transmission extension under the Rural Power Supply Scheme (RPSS) for areas with accessibility and remote stand-alone renewable Alternative Hybrid Rural Electrification Project (Hybrid) and Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) system.” He said under Sares, over 2,369 households in 98 villages have been connected with 24-hour electricity supply. “Another 646 households in 19 more villages are expected to be electrified this year. By 2020, over 320 of our remotest villages will have 24-hour supply through these community-based solar and micro-hydro systems,” he assured.

@##@KERAJAAN NEGERI SARAWAK@##@DEWAN SANTAPAN, DUN SARAWAK@##@2017-10-18@##@2017-10-18

Taib in a group photo with Abdul Ghafur (fourth left) and his delegation. — Penerangan photo   KUCHING: A total of 184,078 Sarawakians have applied for various positions in the public service sector through the Public Service Commission (SPA) last year. This was disclosed by its chairman Datu Abdul Ghafur Shariff when leading SPA delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at his residence in Demak Jaya here yesterday. Abdul Ghafur, who has served as the commission’s chairman since Aug 1, 2001, said from the figure, 3,867 applicants have been called up for an interview, of which 709 candidates were successful. The courtesy call was part of the yearly visits to the Head of State to inform him of the progress in the state civil service.

KUCHING: A prominent tourism player in the state’s central region is supportive of the idea by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to operate a cruise along Rajang River. Wishing to remain anonymous, the Sibu-based entrepreneur said tourism development ‘is all about utilising the resources surrounding you’, to draw in more tourists to the state. The Rajang River, which is located in northwest of Borneo, flows approximately 563km into Kapit and eventually to the South China Sea  making it the longest river in Malaysia. It passes through towns – namely Kanowit, Song, Kapit, Bintangor and Sarikei – as well as villages and longhouses, not to mention the flora and fauna along the way. According to the local tour provider, the Rajang River is a hidden paradise that offers not just nature but also culture and adventure. “Tourists will get to  experience the culture and lifestyle of the various tribes in villages and longhouses along the Rajang River. We can also do some adventure trips in the rainforest along the river,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday. He was prompted for comments on the recent remark by Abdul Karim, who wished to see tourism players coming up with proposals to operate Rajang River cruise. The minister expressed confidence that the Rajang River cruise would become a good tourism product, given the many longhouses dotting along Rajang River. The tour operator pointed out that the cruise tours could come in many types – one-hour cruise, sunset cruise, half-day cruise, full-day cruise, two-day, one-night (2D1N) cruise as well as longer journeys. Citing Kapit as an example, he said tourists could experience the local lifestyle and enjoy nature by having a picnic lunch near the stream, besides touring Fort Sylvia and Teresang Market. To a question, he said inconsistent tourist arrivals should not be an issue when it comes to developing state’s tourism. He was quick to add that competition from outside Sibu such as cruises from Kuching as well as Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia might also be a factor. As such, he hoped that the ministry and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) would put in more effort to create and heighten awareness among the locals and foreigners in order to sustain the potential cruise business in Sibu. “Rajang River in Borneo has high potential to run among the most popular river cruises in Southeast Asia and Asia,” he said.

Ngo (second left), Andrew (fourth left), Wong (sixth left), Yong (right) and others at Jik Seing Dong church in Chew Kung Road, Sg Sadit. SIBU: Villagers from over 200 houses in the Sg Sadit area near here are now better connected with the completion of upgrading works on 6.8 kilometres of roads in the village. Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the project cost about RM1.12 million. “Before election, we laid the gravel on the roads and I promised that after the election, we would tar seal the roads.  Now it is 100 per cent completed,” he told reporters when inspecting the roads yesterday. Wong, who is Second Finance Minister and Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce, said similar project at Empawah area was in progress. He said the road project in Empawah area measures about 11.60km costing about RM2.318 million. He also revealed that portions of Sg Maaw Road with the total length of 3.3km had been raised to above flood level at a cost of RM1.76 million. The Public Works Department had also upgraded portions of Ling Chu Ming Road, covering a total length of 2.2km, at a cost of about RM1.5 million. Meanwhile, he disclosed that RM6 million under the Rural Transformation programme had been set aside for longhouses in his constituencies. “Under RTP, we have RM6 million going to longhouses to upgrade roads, water and so forth,” he said. Wong was accompanied during the inspection by United People’s Party (UPP) Community Service Board Sibu chairman Dato Andrew Wong, Works Department technician Yong Sin Ho, road maintenance engineer Ngo Min Kiong and local community leaders.

Taib (10th left) is seen with the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award recipients. From eighth left are Juma’ani, Abang Johari, Raghad, and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha. SIBU: Malaysia’s unique system of Islamic traditions respects other religions and allows for religious freedom, said Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. Speaking at the Sarawak-level Maal Hijrah Celebration held at the Sibu Islamic Complex yesterday, Taib said the country must work to maintain this good relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. “In Sarawak, we must not forget to give a good image to the world that Malaysia, which has a multiracial society and Islam as an official religion, has shown tolerance and respect for other religions. “Thus we must continue to preserve it,” he said. He said the practice of tolerance and respect of each other’s religions has enabled the people to live harmoniously and peacefully. “It also enables us to rule the state, and Malaysia as a whole, in harmony and peace,” he said. Taib added Malaysia also has good relations with other countries, which do not have Islam as their official religion. He later presented awards to 12 Tokoh Maal Hijrah. Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it is vital for Muslims to appreciate and deepen their understanding of the history of Maal Hijrah. “It is important for us to do so and we must understand the impact of the history in order to propel the development of society to a higher level,” he said. He also called for multiracial Sarawak, and Malaysia as a whole, to live together in harmony and peace. Among those present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah     KUCHING: Preparing Sarawak youths with the necessary disciplines, skills and knowledge in facing future challenges is not an easy task, says Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Based on records from the Statistics Department for this year to date, the youths make up 42 per cent of Sarawak’s 2.8-million population. “Youths are considered as a great asset to the state – if they are harnessed and utilised in the right direction,” said Abdul Karim in his ministry’s winding-up speech at the DUN sitting yesterday. In this context, he said the government should consider looking at the issue of youth development seriously, adding that the challenges faced by the youths are multi-facet in nature – ranging from socio-economy and politics, to technology. “Today, the issues and challenges commonly faced by our youths, as usually highlighted on social media, are unemployment and under-employment among our graduates and school-leavers, coupled with high cost of living, drugs abuse, influence of social media, underage marriages, teenage pregnancies, divorces, juvenile delinquencies, ‘mat-rempit’ (illegal racers), urban poverty and alcoholism.” Abdul Karim said to ensure that the youths would be more prepared, composed and receptive in facing future challenges, the government should be taking active measures to formulate and implement viable and holistic youth development policies, programmes as well as strategies initiatives. In this regard, he said for the second half of this year, his ministry would continue to run programmes such as Sarawak-level Youth Day 2018, Sarawak Youth Forum, a roadshow programme ‘Jelajah Belia Sarawak’, Junior and Senior Youth Camp, TedX Kenyalang ‘Outreach to the World’ edition, ‘Youth – Paint the World’, as well as activities related to leadership, entrepreneurship, communication skills, community and volunteerism. On another note, Abdul Karim noted that a homegrown youth transformation programme ‘Kawan Ku Sayang, Keluarga Ku Kenang’ had been getting encouraging response from local youths. “This programme has been run through a strategic collaboration with Saberkas (Sarawak United National Youth Organisation) since 2014. As a result of this success story, my ministry will continue to implement it as a core annual programme,” he added. Touching on sports development, Abdul Karim pointed out that sports tourism is one of the contributing elements in Sarawak’s economic growth. He also regarded sports as being helpful in projecting the country’s image at international level, by having world-class facilities suitable for international events. He said through these activities, Sarawak managed to attract many sports tourists from countries like Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, China, the US, Canada, Russia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Korea. “To fully capitalise on Sarawak’s potential in sports tourism, the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) has intensified its effort in bidding for more international sports events to be held in Sarawak (making it) as the preferred venue,” he added. Abdul Karim said his ministry had taken into account numerous ideas and public opinions in making the sports facilities in Sarawak accessible and practical for public usage. “Among the initiatives that we have undertaken is by making it (sports facilities) affordable to the public. “The percentage of usage of these facilities in 2017 recorded an increase of 30 per cent over (the number in) 2016. The amount of rental collection received from the usage of facilities in 2016 was RM442,745; in 2017, we collected RM683,950,” he added. Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said for this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak – running from Sept 12 to 22 – Sarawak is targeting to reclaim the overall champion’s title. It is known that the Games would host a total of 29 sports spread over 434 events.The minister said Sarawak aims to bring home 77 gold medals. “To achieve this goal, we have been preparing our athletes since Sukma 2016,” he said, reminding all that the 50-day Sukma 2018 countdown would be launched at Celebration Square in Petra Jaya near here this July 24. He also said all Sukma athletes from Sarawak would be housed at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in Kota Samarahan, from Aug 12 to 16, for their final preparation. Back on the development of sports and social facilities in Sarawak, Abdul Karim said under the 11th Malaysia Plan, a sum of RM229.45 million had been set aside for the construction and upgrading of Youth and Sports (JBS) facilities throughout Sarawak. The ministry, he added, would continue to build new facilities as well as upgrade and improve existing ones. “I am pleased to report that the upgrading works on the running tracks at Sri Aman, Bintulu and Sarikei sports complexes have reached completion, while upgrading works on the running track at Miri Sports Complex should be completed this year,” he said, adding that works on the running track at Kapit Sports Complex in ongoing and are expected to reach completion by this December. Abdul Karim said with Sarawak having attained good achievements in sports locally and internationally, it is necessary for it to sustain the present performance towards its goal of becoming a sports powerhouse in Malaysia. “Therefore, it is a necessity to have an athlete-centric environment to help Sarawak athletes develop their potential further, while balancing the importance of (having) an academic education,” he added.

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas KUCHING: The state’s new agriculture development initiative, funded under a RM100-million venture capital, will be implemented next year. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said a government-owned company is now finalising the mechanism on how to implement it and so on. He said the venture capital was a new approach to help farmers develop their land. He said previously, the government had undertaken several initiatives to help landowners to develop their land, including those under native customary rights (NCR). Among them, he noted, are Salcra and Risda, which have their own model, and the government subsidy scheme. “We realised the level of failure in the subsidy programme is very high. There is a lot of abuse in the subsidy. That is why the Chief Minister said let’s try venture capital, where we also provide capital to a group of people. “Under this new model, the government-owned company that manages the venture capital will hand-hold the landowners, not going to be one but a group of them, which is big enough for the professional management to take care of that project,” he said. Uggah, who is Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, hoped the venture capital could also complement the subsidy. He said under the new initiative, the company would take up equity in the agriculture production projects that are to be implemented. He said once the projects are commercially viable and making money, the company would sell its equity and let the various stakeholders, who could be farmers, landowners and investors, run the projects on their own. “This is one of the transformations that are taking place in the agriculture sector in Sarawak. “This is an alternative of assisting our farmers and landowners, especially smallholders, who may not have the capital to invest in the sector,” he said. Uggah said the RM100-million venture capital or seed fund was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg early this year. “With the implementation of this new initiative, it is hoped that, when the project is successful in bringing good returns to the landowners, it will raise the income of the people and eventually eradicate poverty,” he said.

  Rayong (standing front, seventh right) joins others in showing thumbs-up to the camera. LUBOK ANTU: Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnichal Rayong Ngipa on Sunday presented 122 cheques totalling RM712,911 to 79 landowners as compensation for their land affected by Phase II of Ulu Skrang Road project. The ceremony, hosted Sri Aman Division Land and Survey Department, took place at Skrang Scheme community hall, and was attended by Land and Survey Sri Aman superintendent Doris Synia. In her address, Doris said the 79 landowners are from Rumah Upok, Lepong Kepayang; Rumah Robert, Nanga Menjuau, Lepong Kepayang; Rumah Lidom, Sungai Paya; Rumah Ambu, Emperan; Rumah Juan, Panchor; and Rumah Mengga, Rantau Bungkang – all in Ulu Skrang. “The Phase II of Ulu Skrang Road project will cover a distance of 23km under the Sri Aman-Betong package of Pan Borneo road construction to longhouses in Ulu Skrang. “The project will include repair and widening works on Ulu Skrang Road, replacement of wooden bridges with concrete ones and other related works,” she said. Meanwhile Rayong, in his speech, disclosed that a total of RM28.5 million had been allocated for Phase II of Ulu Skrang Road. He said upon completion, the road would provide direct connectivity between the urban areas and the interiors of Ulu Skrang, besides consequently attracting visitors to interesting and beautiful natural sites there. On the compensation, he advised the recipients to use it wisely, At the same time, he encouraged them to be involved in agriculture and e-trade. In addition to pepper, oil palm and rubber plantations, he told them that they could also utilise their vacant land along the Ulu Skrang Road for rearing livestock like goats and cows, apart from planting other cash crops like chillies, ginger and fruit trees like those bearing Musang King durians. “This is in line with the government policy to make Bukit Sadok an ‘agropolitan’. When fully developed, it could be the supply hub for agricultural products for the proposed Betong collection centre,” Rayong said, stressing that they (landowners) could talk to him should they encounter any issue or problem. “You must have up-to-date telephone gadgets. With such facilities, you can market your products online. This is what we call e-trading – selling and buying digitally. Through digital economy, you can increase your family’s income by more than RM4,000 as targeted by the state government,” Rayong added. He said digital economy would also facilitate transactions like orders and payments, which could be done digitally through Sarawak Pay. “Even fresh vegetables from the rural areas can be sold digitally. As stressed by our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (Tun Openg), Bank Negara’s decision to raise the maximum e-wallet balance for Sarawak Pay from RM200 to RM3,000 would boost the business and tourism industries in the state further. “Sarawak Pay will provide the convenience and the means to facilitate business transactions. We, the rural people, must help the government to make this a success. “Today, if you want to promote tourism, you need to do it in a digital way — whether using virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR). We can use our telephones to utilise social media platforms well, upload photos and information to introduce Skrang to the world. “It is up to the rural folk here to be more creative in attracting visitors to their areas and also in marketing their products via digital economy,” Rayong pointed out. Among those present at the function were Crispen Francis who represented Sri Aman Resident, as well as representatives of other government agencies and community leaders.

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 must have at least two major road networks running almost parallel to each other; through the implementation of the Pan-Borneo Highway and the Coastal Highway. “Only with the completion of these two ‘backbones’  major road systems in Sarawak can we have a better road network, which will gradually include the subsidiary roads to connect smaller towns and settlements throughout the state.” He also said that to complete the coastal road and eight major bridges, as well as the second trunk road, the state government will need at least RM10 billion in the next 10 years. “I would like to reiterate the state government’s commitment to deliver two major infrastructure development over the next 10 years, namely to complete the construction of coastal highway which will include the construction of eight major bridges and the second trunk road which will be divided into two packages. Package A will involve a road network from Roban-Sebuyau-Kota Samarahan with a length of 118km while Package B will be the 148km Betong-Sri Aman-Lingga-Sebuyau-Kota Samarahan. “Both Packages A and B with a total distance of 266 km will converge on Kota Samarahan. The construction of these two roads will reduce the travel time from Sibu to Kuching by 2 ½ hours which also reduces fuel cost. The roads will be very beneficial to our future business communities and other road users,” said Masing in his speech in support of a motion by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with the 150th anniversary celebration of the State Legislative Assembly here Tuesday. He said to finance these projects, the state government would secure loans, which would later be offset by the economic spin-offs from the opening up of more land and the use of these roads. Masing also revealed that his ministry was involved in the feasibility studies of the state’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) which Abang Johari envisioned would be operational in the next 10 years. The proposed LRT will connect Kuching-Kota Samarahan-Serian in order to ease traffic congestion.

Dr Abdul Rahman (standing fourth left) and durian farmers point to durian trees in Kampung Bangkuati. LIMBANG: A total of RM7 million has been spent by the state government to ensure that the pilot durian rehabilitation project is successful in producing plentiful, quality and healthy fruits to meet local demand and for export. In disclosing this, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the project is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and Top Fruits (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which has 20 years experience in the durian industry. He said the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Top Fruits Company (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd this year, to assist durian farmers to produce high quality durian fruits and in managing the industry. Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Bukit Kota assemblyman, said four areas – Serian, Betong, Long Lama and Limbang – had been identified for the project. “Rehabilitating the existing durian estates is one of the best, fastest and most effective ways used by the government to produce durian fruits to meet the demand from both local and overseas markets. “To help meet such target, here in Limbang District alone we have identified 5,000 out of 45,000 durian trees to be rehabilitated,” he said at the Durian Estate Rehabilitation Programme at Kampung Bangkuati yesterday. Also present were Limbang Division agriculture officers Jafaruddin Ali and Alex Ding, representatives of Top Fruits Company (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Benson Kho and Foo Kian Shung and Bangkuati village headman Yahya Simali.

Main Street in Miri City Centre A Combined effort of all churches in Miri and Miri City Council to celebrate this jovial festive occasion with the aim of promoting it as one of the signature events in Miri. The parade in year 2014 will be the seventh in the series of successful and crowd puller events. The Parade starts at Miri City Fan, Jalan Kipas, Miri. The route of Parade covers main streets in Miri City Centre. Miri City Council Tel: 085-424111 Fax: 085-435602 Email: mirimc@miricouncil.gov.my@##@Miri City Council@##@Miri City Fan@##@2014-12-06@##@2014-12-06

Halal Hub Unit

Recipients of the Long Service Award and ‘Best Performance Awards in 2017’ gather for a group photo with Abang Johari (eighth right), Morshidi (ninth right), Sabariah (seventh right) and Segaren (10th right).     KUCHING: The Leadership Institute will come forward to give the necessary support for the civil service to be digitally ready and build the capacity to support the digital economy framework. Leadership Institute chief operating officer (CEO) Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, who stated this, said that they are sincere, committed and passionate in executing their public duty for the common good of everybody. “The training carried out by the Leadership Institute was planned and implemented to be in tandem with the aspirations of the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) to be a world-class public sector, a vision enshrined in SCS 10-20 Action Plans and Initiatives,” she said during the Institute’s Appreciation Night on Monday. Sabariah, who is also Deputy State Secretary, said that one of the Eight Action Plans revolves around Talent Management, and leadership evolves from it. “This strategic plan believes strongly in the role of the information and communication technology (ICT) in speeding the pace of transformation in the civil service, a role that serves as a precursor to the implementation of digital economy in Sarawak.” Since 2011, the Leadership Institute has benchmarked and worked with reputable and renowned institutes in Singapore, United Kingdom and Australia. It also developed strategic partnerships with local and international institutions. In the same event, the Institute exchanged memorandum of understandings (MoU) with two new partners – Leaderonomics and British Council Malaysia. Present at the exchange ceremony were Leaderonomics CEO Roshan Thiran and British Council Malaysia director Sarah Deverall, witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. Others present included State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Ghani and the Institute’s chief operating officer Segaren Arumugam. Abang Johari also launched the Leader’s Digest – a fortnightly in-house publication featuring a collection of leadership and professional development articles. The Leadership Institute, formerly known as Centre of Modern Management (CMM), also honoured 26 employees with the Long Service Awards, and 12 others with the ‘Best Performance Awards in 2017’. In 2017, the Institute conducted 577 training programmes involving 16,797 civil servants, and recorded an average score of 86 per cent participant satisfaction across all its training programmes.

Yaw helps Abang Johari put on a warrior’s headgear. On hand to offer assistance are Gerawat (left) and Dennis (right). BARAM: Long San in the interior of Sarawak will be the first in the country to use the balloon-powered Internet as a step toward closing the digital gap between the urban and rural areas. Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the balloon-powered Internet project would be launched in Long San on Aug 27. “A school in Long San in the interior of Baram has been selected for the pilot project, developed by Google. Apart from that, we will be working together with Silicon Valley to conduct a proper research on the technology that will transform and bring about development through digital economy. “We have to develop Baram because it is very remote and we are going to do it through digital economy or smart technology,” he said. “Give me time as I have been chief minister for seven months. Give me time and space to bring transformation to Sarawak through technology and digital economy as we want to have communication network,” he added. The Chief Minister was speaking at the Sixth Baram Health Carnival at Samling KM10 Base Camp on Saturday. He thanked Samling Group and other timber companies for bringing changes to Baram, including Penan settlements in Long Kevok and Batu Bungan. “Without timber industry we don’t have the roads and they are costly for us to build. I can testify to what we have done. Because of our future, we have to do adjustment to our policies,” he said. He also commended Samling for organising the three-day health carnival that provided free health consultation and screening to around 2,000 people. Present were the Chief Minister’s wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Samling executive chairman Dato Sri Yaw Chee Ming, deputy State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Anyie Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.

Jerip (centre, wearing safety helmet) being briefed by Cliff (on his right) on the proposed hawkers centre at the site. KUCHING: Bidayuh associations are urged to continue giving education incentives to their excellent students in order to motivate them and others to excel in their studies. Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, in giving this reminder, said giving such incentive would also help to motivate parents on the importance of education. He said education was one important aspect that Bidayuh associations must emphasise to prepare the younger generation to face the challenging future. “The Bidayuhs need a future generation who are educated to face the future. Good education is one very important aspect. It is thus important that Bidayuh associations put strong emphasis on education,” Dr Jerip, who is also Mambong assemblyman, said when presenting education incentives to five students and food parcel to 79 single mothers who are members of Persatuan Bidayuh Bra’ang Padawan (PBBP) at Kpg Bayur near here recently. Dr Jerip said he was glad to note that unity among the Bidayuhs was strong as is evidenced by the many of such associations around like Persatuan Biperoh Kuching, Persatuan Biannah, Persatuan Bisapug and Persatuan Penyewa, which are platforms to look after the respective clans. He hoped the associations would play a more active role to help their respective members in terms of welfare and the economy. Later at the same function, Dr Jerip announced a RM200,000 allocation for PBBP to build a hawkers centre at the Bayur junction in Jalan Borneo Heights. He believed the centre would thrive with the presence of Padawan sub-district office and a heath clinic in the vicinity. Soon, a (Bayur) Rural Growth Centre would be built in the area. PBBP president Clif Mengud was one of those who was present at the function.

Dr Rundi (fourth left) receives the award from Sustainable Energy Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission Sector head Georgios Pantoulis while Dr Abdul Rahman (third right), Liwan (third left) and Sharbini (second right) and others look on.       KUCHING: Sarawak’s integrated initiative to expedite electrification in the interior reached a milestone yesterday when the state was accorded international recognition at the 4th ARE Energy Access Investment Summit in Catania, Sicily. Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares), an innovative government-community partnership model that utilises standalone alternative systems comprising solar and micro-hydro technologies for remote communities, was recognised under the Government in Africa, Asia and Latin America category of the ARE Awards 2018. According to a press release, Sares, spearheaded by Sarawak government and implemented by state-owned power utility company Sarawak Energy, aims to provide 24-hour electricity to over 40,000 rural people from 8,700 households by 2020 in Ulu Skrang, Katibas, Nanga Merit, Bukit Mabong, Tinjar, Long Bedian, Telang Usan, Bario, Julau, Tatau, Sungai Gaat, Sungai Pila and Medamit. The RM500 million project commenced in 2016. By the end of 2018, 90 villages will be powered up under Sares, with another 210 villages by 2020. Receiving the award on behalf of the state was Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi. Assistant Minister of  Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister of Water Supply Dato Liwan Lagang and Electricity Supply director Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab were also present. Representing Sarawak Energy were group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili and vice-president for Research and Development, Dr Chen Shiun. In his speech, Dr Rundi pointed out that Sarawak aims to reach 100 per cent electrification for all her people by 2025.“This is challenging given that about 45 per cent of Sarawakians live in rural areas dispersed sparsely across the mountainous interior, winding rivers and headwaters and remote coastal villages,” he said. “In the last 10 years through the funding of federal and state governments, Sarawak has raised its rural electrification rate from 56 per cent in 2009 to 90 per cent today paving the way for socio-economic development and opportunities for the communities,” he added. In thanking ARE for the award, Dr Rundi said Sarawak could continuously learn from the experience of other countries and share the state’s success in the quest to light up rural communities globally. Commenting on the award, Sharbini said the  recognition was testament to the dedication and hard work put in by several parties including communities themselves. “Meeting the basic needs by having 24-hour electricity supply represents a start for a brighter future ahead. Sarawak Energy is determined to help the state achieve its mission of 100 per cent electricity coverage by 2025 to benefit Sarawakians, whether they live in the city or the remotest part of the state,” he said. The 24-hour Sares provides sufficient electricity for each household’s lighting, fans, television and refrigeration, and can power electrical and telecommunication appliances. SARES displaces expensive, noisy and polluting generators that could provide limited hours of supply for the villagers. The 4th edition of ARE Energy Access Investment Conference aims to provide participants a comprehensive view of the clean-energy sector policy framework and key industry trends to foster the integration of remote communities into emerging economies around the world. Over 250 participants attended the event including high-level representation from developing organisations in Africa, Asia and Latin America and from the private sector, financial bodies and technology providers involved in the off-grid sector.