In difficult times, Malaysians rise to the challenges

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian's New Year's message

After a tumultuous year, 2014 is drawing to an end, and even in the final days, Malaysians are faced with unfortunate and tragic events. In the midst of the trauma and loss caused by the massive flooding in Malaya, another plane associated with our country has crashed, and many lives lost.

It is hard to comprehend why such suffering happens, and even harder to accept that we have lost three airplanes within a year, but this is a time for Malaysians to rally around those who grieve for their loved ones and those who have lost their homes and possessions.

Nancy: Issues of solidarity challenged by "those who want to create racial disharmony"

A New Year message from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri

As time passes, little did we realise that we are already approaching the end of 2014. This year was one of the most challenging years for all of us. Together we grieved over the heart-rending loss of flight MH370 followed by the painful tragedy that occurred with flight MH17. 

But somehow, through pain, we survived, and gained new strength by learning the true meaning of perseverance and patience.

Nancy Shukri

Clear evidence of meter tampering, says SEB

KUCHING, Dec 28, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) said that its retail arm Syarikat Sesco Berhad (SESCo) had found clear evidence of electricity meter tampering in respect of a customer who was asked by SESCo to pay arrears.

"Based on the findings, the meter reading was found slower by 83%, that its front cover seals were disturbed and  the accuracy of the calibration screw inside the meter was disturbed," SEB said in a statement to rebut claim by Kota Sentosa State lawmaker Chong Chieng Jen last Saturday.

 

Chong Chieng Jen

Ridhuan Tee didn't show up at Kuching Airport, directive to bar him from entering Sarawak issued two days ago

KUCHING, Dec 26, 2014: Controversial lecturer Ridhuan Tee Abdullah did not show up at the Kuching International Airport this morning, contrary to an earlier  report by the national news agency Bernama.

 It is understood that he was told not to come to Sarawak at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at the Immigration counter.

Ridhuan Tees

PBB Tanjung Datu branch condemned for inviting religious bigot Ridhuan Tee to give a religious speech

KUCHING, Dec 25, 2014: The organisers of the programme "Jom Bersantai Sematan 2014" are sending a wrong by inviting controversial and religious extremist Redhuan Tee Abdullah to give a religious speech in Sematan tomorrow.

"It is most unwise and insensitive to invite such a controversial personality to Sarawak and to include his ceramah as part of the official function to be held in Sematan until the New Year's Day," Batu Lintang State lawmaker and State PKR vice chairman See Chee How said today.

 

DNC president: Our wish for 2015 is for the federal government to recognise our existence as Dayak

Dayak National Congress (DNC) president Mengga Mikui's Christmas Day's message 

This Year of 2014 is an eventful and challenging year for Malaysia and particularly for the Dayak Community of Sabah and Sarawak.

Dayak National Congress [DNC] has been in existence for just over one year. We in DNC have been working very hard to serve the Dayak community. This first year of our existence is a year of planning while attending to and addressing urgent matters affecting the Dayak community.

Dayak Identity

Minority Christians under siege by Perkasa, Isma and extremists in Umno Baru

Christmas Day's Message by Baru Bian, State PKR chairman

This year, the word that comes to me as I reflect on the events of the past 12 months is ‘love’, and so my Christmas message this year revolves around this word. The essence of our Christian faith is love. The greatest lesson to be distilled from the Bible is that of love.

One of the most quoted verses of the Bible in John 3:16 lays the foundation of our faith: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

BMF hopes Adenan's strong statements on illegal loggings not rhetorics

KUCHING, Dec 23, 2014: Swiss-based international non-governmental organisation  Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), in its Christmas Day's message, says that 2014 has seen some major changes in Sarawak which make us hopeful for the future.

"After 33 years in power, long-term Chief Minister Taib Mahmud stepped down on Feb 28, 2014. It seems clear that he was forced to resign by the Malaysian Federal Government," BMF said in a statement.

 

A Penan family in the deep interior of Baram

Stop giving excuses, just investigate, Chong tells MACC

KUCHING, Dec 23, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jenn(picture) has told the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to stop giving excuses for not acting on his complaint on the award of a road project in Kapit to Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd.

Chong challenges MACC to investigate award of road project to Impian Zaman

KUCHING, Dec 20, 2014: Sarawak Opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen  today challenged MACC Investigations Department director Jamidan Abdullah to investigate the award of the Jalan Song/Sungai Yong, Phase 3, Kapit, Pakej B road construction project to Impian Zaman Sdn Bhd.

"Right from the start, the secretive conversion of “open tender” to “selected tender” process for the award of the project smacks of cronyism and improper industrial practice.

 

Chong Chieng Jen

Jimmy Donald donates his books to DNC and SDGA for research purposes

KUCHING, Dec 20, 2014: Former Sri Aman Member of Parliament Jimmy Donald has donated a number of his books to Dayak National Congress and Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association for research purposes.

He wrote the books - in Iban - over a period of many years from the days he was a secondary school headmaster right through when he entered politics and became an elected parliamentarian.

caption: Jimmy Donald expresses his appointment that DBP does not produce Iban books.

If DNC and SGDA can work as a team, I don's see why Dayak political parties can't, SDGA boss says

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Dec 20, 2014: Two Dayak-based non-governmental organisations - Dayak National Congress (DNC) and Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) today pledged to upgrade their level of cooperation and collaboration following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

"With the MoU, we will have greater cooperation and collaboration in undertaking activities and programmes which are beneficial to the Dayak community," SDGA president Dusit Jaul said in a joint press conference held at DNC office at the MJC new township in Batu Kawah, near here.

Dusit Jaul (2nd left) and Mengga Mikui exchanging MoU documents after the signing ceremony.

With out of court settlement, Bengoh Dam is ready for impoundment

KUCHNG, Dec 18, 2014: The dispute between two Bidayuh villages affected by the Bengoh Dam and the government has been settled out of court following a consent order granted by High Court judge Rodzariah Bujang this morning.

SEB quashes reports that it has started building Baram dam

KUCHING, Dec 17, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad has not begun any clearing or construction works for the Baram dam, but will do so  once soil investigation work has been done, comprehensive feasibility studies undertaken and Social and Environment Impact Assessment (SEIA) reports have been completed, it said in a statement today.

Even then, the approval to go ahead with the construction must be obtained first from the State Government, it said.

Last minute attempt to stop perimeter survey from being conducted, Lands and Surveys blasted for giving one-day notice

KUCHING, Dec 17, 2014: PKR Mas Gading chairman Boniface Willy Tumek (picture, right) has blasted the Land and Survey Department for giving a short notice to the Bidayuh villages in Singgai on its intention to conduct a perimeter survey on their native customary rights (NCR) land.

Hello? Is Najib or religious authorities in charge of running the government, asks Baru

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Dec 16, 2014: Is Najib Razak in charge of running the Federal Government or is it the religious authorities egged on by the likes of the repugnant and vacuous Malay rights groups Perkasa and Isma, asks Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian (picture) when commenting on the

detention of a Christian Father and the seizure of hymnals in Johor recently.

Chee How praises Lapok over the stamping of the Al-Kitab

KUCHING, Dec 14, 2014: Sarawak PKR vice chairman See Chee How has praised the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of South East Asia Bolly Lapok and his colleagues in the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) for their stand to move forward over the stamping of 351 Malay and Iban languages Al-Kitab.

See Chee How

Hundreds leaving Media Prima

Media Prima Bhd, the largest media group in the country, is expected to see a shake-up in its management as hundreds of staff members are leaving the company next week under a mutual separation scheme (MSS).

Staff from all levels in the company, from journalists to people in the top management, have taken up the offer given under the company’s downsizing programme.

Among those leaving are ntv7 and 8TV head of Mandarin News Raymond Tan Chin Tuan, Mandarin current affairs executive editor Tan Boon Kooi, and news-gathering executive editor of the two TV stations, Tham Chooi Foong, reliable sources told online news portal Malaysiakini today.

These three are the key leaders in the Mandarin news and current affairs divisions of ntv7 and 8TV.

ntv7 billingual news anchor Melissa Ong also confirmed in aFacebook postingthat her application for MSS has been accepted by the company.

Monday, Dec 15, will be their last day in the company for those who have accepted the MSS offer, the source said.

According to its website, Media Prima currently "owns 100 percent equity interest in TV3, 8TV, ntv7 and TV9" and "owns more than 98 percent equity interest in The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd " (NSTP).

The group also owns Malay dailies Berita Harian and Harian Metroand three radio networks - Fly FM, Hot FM and One FM.

Staff who choose to take up the offer will be paid compensation equivalent to one-and-a-half times their length of service in years multiplied by their last drawn basic salary.

Staff near retirement age will get a compensation based on their last drawn basic salary multiplied by the number of months to retirement.

Malaysiakini is trying to contact Media Prima Bhd to confirm this and seek its comments

Be more resolute and aggressive in demanding better deals for Sarawak, See tells Adenan

KUCHING, Dec 11, 2014: Chief Minister Adenan Satem has been urged to be more resolute and aggressive in safeguarding Sarawak's  limited petroleum resources and securing the development of upstream petroleum projects.

"It appears that we are lagging behind Sabah in the development of upstream petroleum projects, with the awarding of two production sharing contracts (PSCs) in Sabah to a consortium of SapuraKencana Energy Sabah Incorporated (SKESI), M3nergy Berhad and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd," Sarawak PKR vice chairman See Chee How (picture, left)  told reporters today.

Peaceful Human Rights Day highlights abuses in Malaysia

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Dec 10, 2014: About 1,000 members of non-governmental organisations and civil societies turned up at Padang Merdeka here today for the World Human Rights Day, with speakers -one after another -  spoke of human rights abuses in Malaysia. 

 

No use for SUPP trying to stop UPP to join BN, says DAP

KUCHING, Dec 9, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has said that it is no use for Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) trying to stop United People's Party (UPP) from becoming a component party of  the State Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Don't waste time on SUPP-UPP quarrel, let's talk about getting back our education, medical autonomies"

KUCHING, Dec 9, 2014: It is a waste of time for the Sarawak DAP to focus its attention on the quarrel between Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and its break-away group, United People's Party (UPP), remarked Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen today.

No reason for delay in reduction as Sesco can afford, says Sarawak DAP chief

KUCHING, Dec 9, 2014: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen pleaded with the state government to reduce electricity tariffs for commercial and industrial sectors  by 30% without further delay.

 

"I suggest that the reduction to take effect from Jan 1 next year," he said at a press conference today.

Baru expresses regret that title was withdrawn when Anwar is under political pressure

KUCHING, Dec 5, 2014: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has expressed regret that the title of "Datuk Seri" conferred on party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was withdrawn by the Sultan of Selangor recently.

" To us, it is regrettable that the title is withdrawn at a time when political pressure is intensifying to discredit Anwar and the decision of the Federal Court on his appeal still pending," Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said in a statement today.

 

File picture: Anwar Ibrahim (second right) with Baru Bian (right) and State PKR vice chairman See Chee How (3rd left)

Murum HEP's first unit turbine completes its reliability run, ready for operation

BINTULU, Dec 5, 2014: : Sarawak Energy Berhad’s Murum Hydro Electric Project (HEP) has reached a key milestone, with the completion of the first power generating turbine unit's reliability run and is now ready for operation.

The first of four turbine units that had undergone rigorous testing to ready Murum HEP, Sarawak’s largest hydroelectric project, for full commissioning by second quarter of next year.

 

 Picture: SEB reaches a key milestone with the completion of the reliability run of the first power generating unit of Murum HEP

Amazon scared of delivering book deemed critical of Taib Mahmud?

SEATTLE, USA, Dec 2, 2014: Amazon, the American online retailer, is  withholding deliveries of a book which is highly critical of Sarawak's Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Amazon customers from the United Kingdom have complained with the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) that they cannot order the book “Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia“ by BMF executive director Lukas Straumann.

Engage nationalists, activists from Borneo states, Jeffrey tells Najib

KOTA KINABALU, DEC 1, 2014: Sabah State Reform Party (STAR) leader Jeffrey Kitingan has asked Prime Minister Najib Razak to engage the nationalists and activists on their grievances and injustices against the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

"If the federal government had any decency and treat Sabahans as equal Malaysians, the proper course would have been to engage the nationalists and activists and address not their grievances but the grievances and injustices against the people in Sabah and Sarawak," he said in a statement.

Najib must take grouses of Dayak civil servants in Sarawak seriously, urges Kit Siang

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2, 2014: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has called on Prime Minister Najib Razak to take the occasion to make a ministerial statement in Parliament on Dayak grouses about discrimination in the federal civil service.

The Senate begins its 12-day budget meeting today till Dec. 18.

Unimas' allocation reduced from RM250m in 2014 to RM179m next year

KUCHING, DEC 2, 2014: PKR director of strategy Sim Tze Tzin expressed shock that the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's (Unimas) annual allocation for next year will be reduced by a massive 16.51%, under the federal budget.

From an allocation of RM250 million for 2014, the figure has been reduced to RM179 million, Sim said at a press conference today.

First unit of Murum HEP's power generating turbine now undergoing testing

KUCHING, DEC 1, 2014:  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is on track in the development of Murum HEP with the testing of its first unit of power generating turbine in progress.

SEB Vice President of Hydro Polycarp Wong said today that the Chinese contractor - Three Georges Development Company (M0 Sdn Bhd -  will hand over the  first unit of turbine soon.

Who say we support HEP project, asks Anthony Lawai

MIRI, Nov 30, 2014: Save Sarawak Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) is disappointed with Penghulu

Paul Kalang, the Community Chief of the Kenyah in Telang Usan, Baram for making sweeping and irresponsible statement on the proposed Baram HEP Dam project.

He was also accused of abusing the Sarawak National Kenyah Association (PKKS) for his own personal gain by claiming that the "silent majority‟ are supporting the said project and only a minority are making noise to protest against it.

Wanita -JOAS ready to protect their NCR lands

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30, 2014:  Jaringan Orang Asli SeMalaysia (JOAS) yesterday launched its women's network to mark the International Women Human Rights Defenders’ Day.

The birth of Wanita-JOAS comes at a critical time when indigenous women across Malaysia are

confronted with the need to defend their livelihoods and protect their heritage in the face of

threats to the very survival of their communities from large-scale mining, rampant logging, the

expansion of palm oil plantations, and the building of large-scale dams.

PKR women chief banned from Sarawak

KUCHING, Nov 30,2014: Ampang Member of Parliament and PKR national women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin was stopped at the Kuching International Airport from stepping out, soon after her arrival from Kuala Lumpur this morning.

An unidentified State Immigration officer told her that he was under instruction from the State government to bar her from Sarawak at the airport Immigration counter about 9.20am today.

Anwar: Umno leaders should take the cue of spirit cooperation between Pope Francis and Istanbul Mufti

KUCHING, Nov 30, 2014: Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Umno leaders should take the cue from Pope Prancis's visit to the Muslim-majority Turkey on religious tolerance and understandings.

"The visit by Pope Francis gives new to religious tolerance and understandings between Muslims and Christians,  and heralds a new chapter between to the two civilisations," he said at press conference after meeting State PKR leaders here today.

Good response to launching of book "Money Logging", says author

KUCHING, Nov 26, 2014: After several weeks of campaigning in Malaysia, Japan, Canada and the United States, BMF executive director Lukas Straumann has got back to his home base in Switzerland.

Straumann had been travelling to promote his new book "Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia" which exposes significant environmental crimes and the abuse of office in Sarawak.

Adenan asked to set an independent team to probe coal mine disaster

KUCHING, Nov 25, 2014: Sarawak PKR today calls on Chief Minister Adenan Satem to immediately order for the setting up of an independent team to conduct investigation into the Selantik coal mine disaster which had taken the lives of three foreign workers and injured 30 others, including 20 who are in critical conditions.

"We have urged the state government to look into the matter barely two years ago after four Chinese national coal miners lost their lives at the same coal mine.

Pledge alone not enough, sack top officials, urges BMF

KUCHING, Nov 25, 2014: Swiss-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bruno Manser Fund (BMF), while commending Chief Minister Adenan Satem’s resolve to fight corruption and combat illegal logging, said pledges alone will not be enough to save Sarawaks’ threatened old-growth forests, which have been reduced to less than ten per cent of the state’s surface.

BMF calls on the Sarawak state government to install a task force to deal with the urgent problems of timber corruption, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity - and to replace the state’s top officials who should have dealt with the current problems a long time ago but failed to do so.

Faulty fan may have triggered the mine explosion, initial probe reveals

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: Initial investigation revealed that an explosion at a coal mine in Abok, near Pantu this morning, was caused by sparks from a faulty fan which ignited a gas fire and explosion in the 700-metre long tunnel.

The investigation was conducted by Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Department, led by its chief Ranger Moos.

CM to BN Youth leaders from Malaya:Speak up against extremism in Malaya

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: Chief Minister Adenan Satem had directly told Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth leaders from Malaya to speak up against racial and religious extremism, and not keeping quiet about it.

While Sarawakians are proud of its history of untarnished racial and religious harmony, Malaya is not. The rise of extremist groups, like Perkasa and Isma in Malaya, is a cause for concern. Racial riot broke out in Malaya in 1969, but not in Sarawak and Sabah.

Adenan's anti-illegal logging drive receives WWF's support

KUCHING, Nov 22, 2014: World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) supports the Sarawak government’s intent to uphold integrity and legality of logging operations in Sarawak, stating that getting the main logging firms known as the “Big Six” and 15 forestry-related government agencies and companies to sign integrity pledges is a good start.

Time for Jabu to be realistic

News commentary by James Tegas

In his winding up speech at the just concluded  State Assembly sitting, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang ridiculed Sarawak DAP over a Kanowit gathering in 1996, purportedly to oppose the development of native customary rights (NCR) - an event that happened some 18  years ago.

 

Alfred Jabu Numpang using his arms to measure the size of a rubber tree

No problem for PBB, PKR to support each other's views and suggestions

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014:  Abdullah Saidol, chief political secretary to  the chief minister, has praised Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian for supporting Chief Minister Adenan Satem's tough stance on corruption and illegal logging in the state.

"I am happy that he (Baru) is supporting our chief minister in the fight against corruption and illegal logging.

Not by judicial review, but writ of summons, rules Federal Court

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: In a landmark decision, the Federal Court ruled that native customary rights (NCR) landowners can now challenge the public authority by way of writs of summons, not by judicial review as applied for by the state government, in NCR land disputes.

The apex court, thus, upheld the decision of the High Court which was later affirmed by the Court of Appeal, in dismissing the state government's application that NCR land disputes be initiated by way of judicial review to challenge the public authority.

 

Baru Bian

240,000 domestic consumers to benefit from electricity tariffs reduction

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: Some 240,000 domestic electricity consumers in Sarawak will get to benefit from the reduction in electricity tariffs, effective Jan 1 next year.

In announcing the downward revision, Chief Minister Adenan Satem said the state government can afford to reduce the tariffs.

SAPA officially receives its deregistration letter today, may seek legal avenue

KUCHING, Nov 19, 2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) today officially received a letter of its deregistration from the Registrar of Societies (RoS), four days after the Home Ministry had made the announcement.

SAPA president Lina Soo received the letter from the state RoS office at Jalan Wan Alwi this morning.

 

Revocation of registration order from the Home Ministry

Protest by NGOs is to discredit SEB, says spokesperson

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) spokesperson believed that the protests by a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow is an integrated effort to discredit SEB.

"The same NGOs have been protesting and manipulating information with the intention of gaining international sympathy and support.

SAPA chief Lina to hand over mins of AGM to ROS

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspirations (SAPA) president Lina Soo said she will come to the State Registrar of Societies (ROS) office here tomorrow to personally hand over minutes of SAPA's annual general meeting held in Feb this year.

"We will submit our AGM minutes as requested and politely ask for a  letter to communicate the decision to us or in its stead, a copy of the gazetted notice from the home ministry," Lina said today.

Baru: Sarawak pays heavy price due to illegal logging and corruption over past decades

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014:  Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian stressed that illegal logging and corruption in Sarawak are crimes which have been long-standing and that Sarawak has paid a heavy price over the last few decades.

" It is undeniable that the economy, the environment and the people have suffered heavy losses. In fact, this was one of the major issues we highlighted to Chief Minister Adenan Satem when State PKR leaders had a meeting with him in October this year," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the State Assembly sitting here.

SEB-Cats FM team up on proper electrical usage, safety procedures

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is teaming up with a local radio station Cats FM in a bid to spread awareness on proper electrical usage and safety procedures.

 

Under this collaboration,  SEB will disseminate information and advisory messages on electrical safety via Cats FM for a duration of six months, from today to April 16 next year.

BMF gives top mark to Adenan for his courageous stance on timber corruption

KUCHING, Nov 18, 2014: Swiss-based anti-Abdul Taib Mahmud non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) has praised new Chief Minister Adenan Satem for his stance on timber corruption, describing it as "a stunning development in the Malaysian state of Sarawak."

"For the first time in the history of Sarawak, which has been part of Malaysia since 1963, a Chief Minister has taken on the timber industry.

 Strausmann (centre) at the launch of his book Money Logging

Headmaster, teachers coerced into signing away school's land?

SIMUNJAN, Nov 17, 2014: State Education Department has begun investigating  allegations that headmaster and teachers of SK Semalatong, near here, were coerced into signing an "agreement" by the school's Parents-Teachers' Association (PTA), giving away the school's land to a  plantation company.

Kurup embarrassed with report on religious restrictions in Malaysia

KUCHING, Nov 17, 2014: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup said he is embarrassed that Malaysia has been placed on par with Egypt, Syria, Somalia, Russian, Sudan and Iraq on religious restrictions.

" I am also little concerned with certain international reporting which makes our freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution questionable.," he said at the launch of the UN International Day for Tolerance at Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Joseph Kurup...dramatic decline in culture of tolerance

No letter yet from ROS to officially declare SAPA an unlawful society

KUCHING, Nov 15,2014: Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) has not received any letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on the decision by the Home Ministry, it said on its Facebook page, in response to the ministry's decision to declare SAPA as an unlawful society.

SAPA called the declaration as "unprecedented of Putrajaya to take this step".

 

Lina Soo...SAPA president

Home Ministry declares SAPA an illegal organisation

KUCHING, Nov 15,2014: The Home Ministry has gazetted Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) as an illegal organisation for contravening section 5(1) of the Societies Act 1966,.

The ministry issued the gazettification notice N Pewartaan (P.U.(A) 307/2014 yesterday.

DAP lawmaker claims BN is scared of DAP's Impian Sarawak

KUCHING, Nov 15, 2014: Pelawan state lawmaker David Wong Kee Woan has claimed that the state government is allocating 50% of the total development allocations in the State Budget to the rural areas because it wants to counter the DAP's Impian Sarawak rural drive programme.

"Why is this 50% of the development allocation of the proposed budget for the implementing of programmes and projects in the rural area? he asked.

Students, professors witnessed the launch of Money Logging;On The Trail of Asian Timber Mafia

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: Students and Professors at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, last Thursday witnessed the launch of Money Logging: On The Trail of Asian Timber Mafia, authored by Lukas Strausmann.

Author Lukas Strausmann with two unidentified women at the launch of the book at University of British Columbia.

The Iban's fear to the idea of Malaysia is now a reality, says Baru

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: The fear among the majority of the Ibans when they opposed the idea of Malaysia in 1963 is a reality today, a well-known land rights lawyer and state lawmaker Baru Bian pointed out at the Sarawak Business Summit yesterday.

"Sarawakians are left far behind in our stride towards building a developed nation and treated as less equal in many areas, specifically agreed under the 18/20 agreements," he said at the "Special Leaders Forum: The Future of Sarawak", an event of the Sarawak Business Summit.

Sarawak needs leaders of integrity, corruption erodes public trust

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Nov 14, 2014: For Sarawak to thrive, for all its people in the rural and urban areas to prosper,  the state must have leaders of integrity who place the interests of the people before their personal gain.

"We need a government that is competent, accountable and transparent," Sarawak PKR chief and well-known land rights lawyer Baru Bian said at the "Special Leaders Forum: The Future of Sarawak" held  in conjunction with the Sarawak Business Summit yesterday.

Chee How takes a swipe at Jabu's Ministry

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Batu Lintang state lawmaker See Chee How takes a swipe at the Sarawak Ministry of Rural Development over the unsatisfactory implementation of the rural growth centres (RGCs).

He said the ministry, whose minister is Alfred Jabu Numpang, has come under the microscope of the Auditor-General who highlighted such issues as delays in the implementation, lack of response from the local community brought about by locality issues as well as poor facilities maintenance.

Be different from previous administration, King Wei tells Adenan

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Padungan state lawmaker Wong King Wei has urged the state government to hold open tenders for all government contracts, state lands, timber logging licence to quality contractors.

He said holding open tenders will ensure that Sarawak's wealth is being fairly distributed among Sarawakians.

Chee How on why select committee is necessary

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Batu Lintang state lawmaker See Chee How today reiterated his proposal for the setting up of State Assembly Select Committee similar to the UK Commons Select Committee for each government department, to monitor examine and supervise their spending, policies and administration.

"After India had initiated its parliamentary reform in 1919, most countries which are practising the Westminster democracy have initiated and implemented parliamentary reforms to address the inherent problems which are aimed at restoring the independence of their country’s legislative arm of government," he said.

Sabah CM gets tick-off over his statement

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 13, 2014:  Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), is appalled by Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman's statement that native lands in the State have always been protected and prioritised by the government.

Apart from blaming the natives for selling their land, Musa also accused NGOs such as PACOS Trust of misleading and confusing the natives.

Police report against Tabung Haji over destruction of school compound

KUCHING, Nov 13, 2014: Shocked and angry, a village headman Sipi Narang lodged a police report against Tabung Haji plantation over the destruction of the compound of Sekolah Kebangsaan Semalatong, Ulu Simunjan, late last month.

In his report, the headman said about 5ha of the school land, including its fenced compound, was encroached and destroyed the TH, a Malayan-based plantation company.