Tuesday 29 November 2016

Sarawak proposes to create major networks in central and southern regions



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, November 29, 2016 - Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing said the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation is proposing to create major road networks that will open up the vast areas of central and southern regions.

If Peninsula Malaysia has North South Highway, East West Highway and East West Speed Train, why cannot we dream and build extensive road networks for us in Sarawak? This, however,  will not happen overnight.- Tan Sri Dr James Masing

RM250 million minor rural projects fund is not missing, explains Wong Soon Koh



Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon, in the state assembly today, clarified claims made by Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen on RM250 million minor rural projects fund.

I would now move on to clarify some of the allegations made by honourable member from the opposition from the DAP.
 According to Treasury Instruction 6(ii) which stipulates “that any money appropriated for a particular purpose in the warrant shall be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund if not spent on that purpose during the period for which it was granted” - Wong Soon Koh (picture, left)

Sunday 27 November 2016

3.30am outage suspected to have been caused by lightning, says Sarawak Energy



KUCHING, Nov 27, 2016 - An outage occurred about 3.30am early today, affecting Sibu, parts of Mukah and 30 per cent of Kuching customers, due to a double circuit tripping at the 275kV Kemena-Selangau Line.  


Sarawak's outdated Adoption Ordinance, Administration of Estates Ordinance need to be updated and amended



Irene Mary Chang Oi Lin (Bukit Assek)
Outdated Legislations
Tuan Speaker, I also take this opportunity to bring to the attention of the State Government a few pieces of legislation which need review and amendment in order to keep abreast with the needs of the people. It is said that Law is a living thing. It is not set in stone. And as with all living things, the Legislative has to continually make sure that the law governing the people stays relevant.
 In Sarawak, the adopted children would have the Adoption Certificate with the word “adopted child” stated on them. This is unsatisfactory because it ignores the realities of life and the emotive elements of both the adopted children and adoptive parents.- Irene Mary Chang Oi Lin

SUPP must look at pertinent issues which it must concentrate on



SUPP: Moving Forward

The party positively appears to be on the inclination to move forward as indicated by recent events.

Friday 25 November 2016

SUPP is firm and consistent against Hudud Law



By Datuk Sebastian Ting,
Piasau state assemblyman

Hudad Law is a very sensitive and important issue to us all in Sarawak. We are very concerned and feeling very uncomfortable that a Private Member Bill proposed by PAS Party President was tabled in Parliament yesterday. It was deferred to next session.



Things have changed and some people who voted for the opposition including DAP are now looking at DAP to see whether they would be making an apology. I doubt they would. - Datuk Sebastian Ting


Sarawak has been taken for a ride for over 50 years by Putrajaya



By See Chee How

In presenting the Supply (2017) Bill 2016, Right Honourable Chief Minister had laid emphasis that, for the total provision for development expenditure for 2017, RM5.646 billion will be funded by the State while RM282 million will be financed by the Federal government through reimbursable loans and grants.
 Needless to say, Sarawak is the biggest contributor in terms of oil and gas production and petroleum revenue earning for the Federation. But Sarawak’s revenue earning from the oil and gas production was only a small fraction of that of the Federation, being just the diminutive royalty.- See Chee How


Don't be naive that Hadi's Hudud Bill will not affect non-Muslims

By Baru Bian

PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang's criticism of non-Muslim MPs who oppose his Hudud Bill is completely out of place and unacceptable to all right-minded Malaysians. 

In April this year, a Christian woman was caned under Syariah law for selling alcohol in Aceh. Is this how Syariah law is not affecting non-Muslims?- Baru Bian

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Bill Kayong was shot dead for helping landowners in Bekelit, Bekenu.


Ba'Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian's  speech while debating on the State Budget 2017 in the Sarawak State Assembly, Nov 23, 2016





I wish to begin by expressing my sadness and anger at the senseless murder of Bill Kayong on 21 June this year in Miri.

Tuesday 22 November 2016

State government will not let the people down, assures DCM Masing, on reclaiming state's rights and interests from federal government



By Simon Peter
KUCHING, November 22, 2016 - Deputy Chief Minister James Masing said the state government will not let the people down in its pursuit to reclaim the state's rights and interests from the federal government.
 James Masing:The Malaysia Agreement itself is in the nature of a Treaty and was ratified by Federal Parliament. There is no provision for its amendment or modification.

Sarawak is financially healthy, says Auditor-General



CERTIFICATION OF SARAWAK STATE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015
1. The Sarawak State Government Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2015 had been certified. Supporting documents for the purpose of confirming all the figures were submitted as required. The accounting records were properly maintained and up-to-date.

Distribution of Gas Bill 2016 - Aims and objectives



Tabling of the Distribution of Gas Bill 2016

Minister of Public Utilities(Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Anak Utom:
Tuan Speaker, I beg to move a Bill intituled an Ordinance to regulates the distribution of gas in Sarawak be read a second time. Tuan Speaker, petroleum and natural gas are important resources of the State.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Adenan's u-turn is puzzling

By Baru Bian,
PKR Sarawak leader
Backpedalling seems to be the flavor of the month, not only in the USA but also in Sarawak, Malaysia. After declaring so resolutely that the Sarawak government will table a comprehensive motion in the upcoming DUN sitting to restore Sarawak’s rights to the 1963 position, the Chief Minister has disappointedly capitulated on that, on the flimsiest excuse that the Prime Minister had said he is ‘ready for discussion if the Malaysia Agreement and the Federal Constitution had been misinterpreted’.

Adenan's u-turn is a shame and a disappointment



By Chong Chieng Jen,
Sarawak DAP chairman
Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s sudden u-turn in not tabling a motion seeking the endorsement of the State Assembly for an amendment of the Federal Constitution is a slap of his own face.

Angry S4S activists want Adenan to table motion for future generations



KUCHING, Nov 17, 2016 - Sarawak 4 Sarawakians (S4S) group is deeply disappointed by Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s statement yesterday that he will not be tabling a motion in the State Assembly on November 21 calling for restitution of the State’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. 
 Peter John Jaban (second from right) with other S4S activists

Penan primary school pupils complete educational programme to help them in their UPSR



KUCHING, Nov 17, 2016 - Thirty nine Penan primary school pupils from the Murum community recently completed an eight-month educational programme, specially designed to help them grasp the skills of reading, spelling and writing in Bahasa Melayu and English so that they can improve their performance in their first public examination at  the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) level.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Erroneous for federal minister to quote Cobbold Commission Report, says REFORM chief



KUCHING, Nov 16, 2016 - Sarawak Reform Party (REFORM) today said it is erroneous for de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman to refer Sarawak and Sabah as equal status with other states solely based on the Cobbold Commission Report.
 REFORM president Lina Soo holding the Malaysia Agreement, the mother of all documents relating to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963

Another Sarawak's rights taken over by the federal government?



 By Chong Chieng Jen,
MP for Bandar Kuching
Another erosion of Sarawak’s right has just taken place this year amidst Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s call for Sarawak’s autonomy.  This time, such erosion of Sarawak’s rights is done by a Ministry which is headed by a Minister from Sarawak, the MP for Santubong.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Adenan wants Sarawak Forestry to come up with conservation masterplan to better protect and conserve coastal waters



BINTULU, Nov 15, 2016 -Chief Minister  Adenan Satem has asked Sarawak Forestry Corporation to the take the lead and prepare a Sarawak Coastal Conservation Masterplan to better protect and conserve the coastal waters.
 Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah reading some of the information at the BEACON Interpretation Centre.

Monday 14 November 2016

Operator of massage parlour, snooker centre caught again for stealing electricity



KUCHING, Nov 14, 2016- Syarikat SESCO Berhad (Sesco) together with Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) inspectors from the Ministry of Public Utilities and the local police found evidence of power theft at a massage parlour and a snooker centre located within the same building at Jalan Foochow.
  
Sesco technician locating the direct tapping cable hidden in the ceiling (picture, left)

The team conducted an inspection of the premises for suspected meter tampering recently, after a warrant was granted by the Magistrate’s Court. The centres are owned by the same operator with a history of meter tampering. 

In the operation, the Sesco technical team detected illegal direct tapping cables connected from incoming mains wirings directly to electrical appliances such as air conditioning units in both premises, bypassing Sesco meters. 

The landlord of the premises was present during the inspection.
Sesco technicians also found a hidden switch installed behind the cash counter of the snooker center used to control the illegal direct tapping and to avoid detection by Sesco.

A Sesco spokesperson said: “Direct tapping is not just illegal, it is very dangerous and can easily cause fire.  This is an irresponsible act that compromises the safety of the patrons.

"The operator concealed the ceiling where the incoming mains wirings to both premises were installed with plaster deck to hide the direct tap.

"However, our highly-trained inspection team members were able to detect the illegal connection and proceeded to disconnect and seize the direct tapping cables.”

All the exhibits including direct tapping cables, illegal switches and meters were seized by Sesco as evidence for prosecution in court. A police report was also lodged and the operator will be called in to assist in the investigation.

The public are reminded that concealing incoming mains wirings is illegal and dangerous, especially in the event of an emergency where the wiring system needs to be disconnected or removed.

Stealing electricity is a dangerous crime punishable under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance and carries a fine of RM100, 000 or 5 years imprisonment or both if the offender is convicted.

Sesco will continue to actively carry out meter inspection and investigation operations throughout the state with assistance from the Ministry of Public Utilities and police.

 Responsible citizens with information on power theft are encouraged to contact Sesco’s power theft hotline at 082-443535 or email customercare@sarawakenergy.com.my.  All information will be kept confidential.  ENDS

The illegal direct tapping cable traced to the customer’s main switch board and found connected directly to the air condition units of both premises. (Picture, right)

Sunday 13 November 2016

Masing's proposal is absurd and Najib's sincerity will be tested whether he will support Sarawak's motion on MA63



By Baru Bian,
Sarawak PKR chaiman

I was taken aback by the statement of PRS president and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing explaining his reasons for wishing to keep the discussions on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) within four walls and excluding any participation from the opposition.
 

This coming DUN sitting, there will be unanimous support for a motion to reclaim our status as an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia. Whether Parliament will reverse the 1976 amendment of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution will be an indication of Najib’s sincerity.-Baru Bian

No need to discuss Malaysia Agreement anymore, says Reform president



KUCHING, Nov 13, 2016 - Sarawak Reform Party (Reform) says that there is no necessity for further discussion as all the terms, conditions, safeguards and assurances had already been set in concrete by the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGC) of Feb 27, 1963 and Malaysia Agreement signed on July 9, 1963.
 Malaysia Agreement and IGC Report have already outlined the terms, safeguards and conditions for Sarawak to form the Federation of Malaysia with Malaya, Sabah and Singapore

Malaysians can learn from Trump's unexpected win by voting Barisan out from power


By  P Ramakrishnan,
Aliran executive committee

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were not the best of candidates. Neither inspired the nation and neither fared as predicted. 

 The Americans are fed-up with the establishment by voting for Donald Trump as their President

Thursday 10 November 2016

REFORM tells DAP to apologise for not speaking out against relegating Sarawak's status to a state




 By SimonPeter
KUCHING, Nov 10, 2016 - Sarawak Reform Party commends the Sarawak government on their resolution to move in Dewan Undangan Negeri  to reject the 1976 amendment which relegated Sarawak to one of 13 states, as Sarawak is rightfully one of three territories of the Federation of Malaysia. 

 REFORM president Lina Soo showing the relevant provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963

Monday 7 November 2016

The Brunei Times to cease operation and publication on Nov 8, 2016



MIRI, Nov 7, 2016 - The Brunei Times, one of the two English dailies in the sultanate, will cease its operation and publication from tomorrow, citing business issues and challenges from the alternative media as the reasons.

Friday 4 November 2016

Call SEB's Customer Care Centre at 1300-883111 if you come across of damaged power facilities



KUCHING, Nov 4, 2016 -  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) today urged members of the public to take extreme cautions when coming across damaged power facilities such as fallen poles, street lighting columns or broken cables caused by accidents or strong winds.




 
Two large trees fell on to the power lines at Pangkalan Baru/ Jalan Stephen Yong



A statement issued by SEB said under no circumstances is anyone to be in close proximity or come into contact with live cables which could lead to serious injury or even death.

As a safety precaution, customers are advised to immediately call SEB for assistance or report any incidents that may cause damage to the facilities and/or power interruptions, via its Customer Care Centre at 1300-883111. 

Incidents can also be logged into its “SEB Cares” Mobile App, available for download at Apple’s App Store for iOS and Google’s Play Store for Android. 

The technical teams are on standby to be dispatched to affected areas to do immediate repair works so to minimise inconvenience to customers. 

While technical teams will bemobilised to the affected areas, it appreciates the public’s patience, understanding and cooperation to ensure repair and restoration works are carried out in a safe manner for the safety of all parties involved. 


Thursday 3 November 2016

Begonia plant named after Puan Sri Jamillah Anu, wife of Sarawak Chief Minister



 By Simon Peter
A begonia specie, grown mostly at the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Batang Ai National Park, has been named "Begonia Jamillahanuiana", after Puan Sri Jamillah Anu, wife of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
 Puan Sri Jamillah Anu receiving a a begonia plant from RIMBA head of research team Julia Sang as Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (partly hidden) and Sarawak Forestry Chief Executive Officer Wong Ting Chung (left) look on. - Nov 3, 2016