Dawn fire completely razes Rumah Rangsa in Meluan to the ground

 JULAU, January 31, 2022- A dawn fire completely rendered 77 residents of Rumah Rangsa anak Jimat in Meluan, homeless, a spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) in Bintangor said in a statement today. 

Picture:This is what left of the longhouse after the fire incident

The Bintangor BOMBA immediately dispatched a fire engine with seven fire fighters to the longhouse upon receiving a distress call about 4.05am on the fire incident. 

However, upon arrival one hour later, the 17-door longhouse was completely razed to the ground. 

Rumah Rangsa is about 60km away from Bintangor town. 

According to operations commander, Nicholas Belulin, there were no reports of human casualties. 

He said the residents of the longhouse made efforts but failed to put off the fire from spreading to other doors. 

He said the fire was believed to have started from door number 6 before spreading to other doors of the longhouse. 

A Proton car was also damaged as the owner did not have time to drive it to a safe place.

The Chinese support has come to GPS, says chief minister

 KUCHING, January 30, 2022: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg has acknowledged the return of the Chinese voters in urban areas to Gabungan Parto Sarawak, away from the Opposition, in the last 12^th state election.

Abang Johari and his wife

In his Chinese New Year’s message today, he thanked “our Chinese friends” who have shown tremendous confidence in the GPS administration as shown in the state election.

“My promise of a more meaningful Chinese participation in the government has not been a hollow promise as proven by the appointment of a Deputy Chief Minister (Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian) from the Chinese community,” Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said.

In urban seats hat the GPS did not win in the state election, the winning margins of the Opposition were greatly reduced as in Batu Lintang, Padungan and Pending.

GPS wrested Palawan, Bukit Assek and Dudong in Sibu and Tanjung Batu in Bintulu and Pujut in Miri  and Kota Sentosa in Kuching at the expense of the DAP.

GPS increased its majorities in the Chinese-dominated seats of Batu Kawah, Batu Kitang, Meradong, Repok, Senadin and Piasau.

The chief minister said the GPS government has triumphed with a 34-point manifesto that has embodied its sincere promise to look after the welfare and interest of the people and bring the State to greater heights in development.

“We have triumphed because we have shown the people that the GPS is capable of forming a credible government with sound social and economic development policies.

“Please be rest assured that my administration will do our level best to fulfil to our people what we have promised to them in the manifesto and stay on track to become a developed state by 2030.

“It is a tall order, but I am confident that with the solid support of the people, and the efficacy of our state civil service, Sarawak can become a digital economic power, boast of excellent infrastructure and utilities and the people enjoying high income,” he added.

He stressed it is not impossible to achieve if “we are all focused on achieving what we have set out to do.”

“I want our civil servants to work hard to ensure that all projects that have been launched are completed on time or without further delay,” he added.

“Now that the pandemic has eased off, there is very little reason for the completion of projects to be delayed for the benefit of the rakyat and to transform our infrastructure,” the chief minister said.

Abang Johari also commended the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the frontliners for the success in combating the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

“We have entered Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan and the infections has gone down to two-figure for sometimes already but still we have to be vigilant to prevent another spike.

“We should acknowledge that all the hard work of SDMC and our frontliners, and the well-rollout vaccination programme is paying off.

“I do hope that the few hundred thousands of people who have not come forward to receive their booster doses would do so as soon as possible in order to have their immunity against Covid further strengthened,” he said.

Ketua Menteri umum 7 langkah Pakej BKSS 8.0

 Sukacita saya ingin maklumkan bahawa Kerajaan Sarawak akan melaksanakan Pakej Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 8.0 yang merangkumi 7 langkah yang telah diumumkan semasa Bajet Negeri 2022 pada 12 Oktober 2021.

LANGKAH 1: DISKAUN BIL ELEKTRIK

Kerajaan Sarawak akan meneruskan inisiatif pemberian diskaun 5% sehingga 25% ke atas bil elektrik bulanan kepada pengguna Domestik, Komersil dan Industri mulai bulan Januari hingga Jun 2022. 

Diskaun ini akan memberi manfaat kepada 647,000 isirumah, pengguna komersil dan industri di seluruh Sarawak. Kos keseluruhan diskaun bil elektrik ini berjumlah RM166.8 juta akan dibiayai oleh Kerajaan Sarawak.

JADUAL 1: DISKAUN BIL ELEKTRIK

Kategori Pengguna	Diskaun	Jumlah Subsidi (RM Million)
Domestik	25%	97.7
Komersil C1, C2 & C3	15%	53.7
Industri I1 & I2	10%	6.1
Industri I3	5%	9.3
JUMLAH SUBSIDI		166.8

LANGKAH 2: DISKAUN BIL AIR

Diskaun 10% hingga 25% ke atas bil air bulanan untuk pengguna Domestik, Komersil dan Industri akan diteruskan mulai Januari hingga Jun 2022. Diskaun ini akan memberi manfaat kepada lebih daripada 647,000 isi rumah di seluruh Sarawak. Kos keseluruhan diskaun bil air ini berjumlah RM24.0 juta akan dibiayai oleh Kerajaan Sarawak.

JADUAL 2: DISKAUN BIL AIR

Kategori Pengguna	Diskaun	Jumlah Subsidi (RM Juta)
Domestik (Isirumah penerima subsidi RM5 sedia ada)	25%	14.6
Domestik/Komersil	15%	7.6
Industri	10%	1.8
JUMLAH SUBSIDI (RM Juta)		24.0

 

LANGKAH 3: DISKAUN 50% SEWA SKIM PERUMAHAN PERBADANAN PEMBANGUNAN PERUMAHAN SARAWAK (HDC) 

Diskaun 50% sewa Skim Perumahan HDC akan diteruskan bagi bulan Januari hingga Jun 2022. Langkah ini akan memberi manfaat kepada lebih daripada 3,200 penyewa Skim Perumahan HDC di seluruh Sarawak. 

Kos keseluruhan diskaun ini dianggarkan melebihi RM2.6 juta.

LANGKAH 4: PENGECUALIAN BAYARAN SEWA KEPADA PENGUSAHA KECIL DAN SEDERHANA (PKS) YANG BEROPERASI DI PREMIS-PREMIS PERNIAGAAN MILIK BADAN-BADAN BERKANUN DAN SYARIKAT-SYARIKAT GLC NEGERI

Kerajaan Sarawak akan meneruskan pengecualian bayaran sewa kepada pengusaha Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) yang beroperasi di premis-premis perniagaan milik Badan-Badan Berkanun dan syarikat-syarikat GLC Negeri bagi tempoh 6 bulan lagi iaitu Januari hingga Jun 2022. Pengecualian bayaran sewa ini akan melibatkan kos sebanyak RM2.0 juta kepada Kerajaan Sarawak.

LANGKAH 5: DISKAUN 50% SEWA PASAR DAN GERAI

Diskaun 50% sewa pasar dan gerai Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) untuk penjaja dan peniaga kecil akan diteruskan bagi bulan Januari hingga Jun 2022. 

Bantuan ini akan memberi manfaat kepada lebih daripada 10,165 penjaja yang berdaftar yang menyewa pasar dan gerai di bawah PBT. 

Keseluruhan diskaun berjumlah RM1.7 juta akan dibiayai oleh Kerajaan Sarawak.

LANGKAH 6 : ONE-OFF  INSENTIF KEPADA PENGUSAHA PENAMBANG, PENGENDALI VAN PENUMPANG BERDAFTAR, PEMANDU TEKSI, PENGENDALI BAS DAN VAN SEKOLAH YANG BERDAFTAR DI SARAWAK

Sarawak sekarang dalam Fasa Empat Pelan Pemulihan Negara, dimana sektor-sektor ekonomi dan sosial mula dibuka. Oleh itu, perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam amat diperlukan bagi membantu aktiviti sosioekonomi.

Oleh itu, bantuan tunai secara one-off  iaitu sekali sahaja sebanyak RM500 akan diberi kepada pengusaha penambang, pengendali van penumpang, pemandu teksi dan pengendali bas dan van sekolah di Sarawak bagi membolehkan mereka memberi perkhidmatan yang diperlukan.

Bantuan ini akan memberi manfaat kepada 1,725 pengusaha dari sektor pengangkutan di Sarawak dan langkah ini akan melibatkan perbelanjaan Kerajaan Sarawak sebanyak RM870,000. 

LANGKAH 7 : ONE-OFF GERAN KEPADA PENJAJA DAN PENIAGA KECIL YANG BERDAFTAR DENGAN PIHAK BERKUASA TEMPATAN MELALUI SARAWAK PAY

Bagi membantu para penjaja dan peniaga kecil untuk meneruskan kelangsungan aktiviti perniagaan mereka, Kerajaan Sarawak akan  memberi Geran Khas berjumlah RM1,000 secara sekali sahaja (one-off) kepada 87,500 penjaja dan peniaga kecil berdaftar dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan dalam tahun ini.

Bantuan Geran Khas ini akan melibatkan perbelanjaan Kerajaan Sarawak sebanyak RM87.5 juta.

KESIMPULAN

Saya berharap langkah-langkah dalam Pakej BKSS 8.0 dengan perbelanjaan sebanyak RM285.47 juta dapat  membantu meringankan beban yang ditanggung oleh rakyat.  

Bantuan ini merupakan komitmen Kerajaan Sarawak dalam usaha memulihkan sosioekonomi untuk kesejahteraan rakyat seperti pakej-pakej BKSS sebelum ini.

Kerajaan Sarawak sentiasa berusaha memastikan semua langkah yang telah diumumkan dalam pakej BKSS memberi manfaat kepada golongan sasar.  

Oleh itu, saya ingin memaklumkan bahawa Kerajaan Sarawak akan memastikan bantuan kepada Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) seperti yang diumumkan dalam Pakej BKSS 7.0 dibayar kepada yang layak.

Jawatankuasa Penilaian bagi bantuan ini telah mengenalpasti 22,110 PKS dan 24,322 Perusahaan Mikro milik usahawan Sarawak yang layak mendapat bantuan. 

Mereka telah dihubungi untuk menghantar dokumen perniagaan yang diperlukan secara online bagi membolehkan pembayaran dibuat. Ini penting kerana proses penilaian dilakukan melalui sistem pengkomputeran yang memerlukan maklumat perniagaan yang lengkap dan tepat.

EPU Sarawak telah menyediakan garis panduan penghantaran dokumen perniagaan melalui emel dan telah memuat naik infografik dan video di media sosial UKAS untuk membantu PKS dan Perusahaan Mikro sejak Oktober 2021. 

Sehingga tarikh tutup pada Oktober 2021 sebanyak 12,809 PKS telah menghantar dokumen masing-masing. Walau bagaimanapun, sebanyak 9,955 atau 77.7% PKS didapati mengemukakan dokumen perniagaan yang tidak lengkap atau tidak tepat dan ditolak oleh sistem pengkomputeran, maka pembayaran tidak dapat dibuat. 

Proses verifikasi sedang giat dijalankan dan sehingga Januari 2022 sejumlah RM20.6 juta telah disalurkan kepada PKS dan Perusahaan Mikro yang telah mengemukakan dokumen perniagaan yang lengkap.

Kerajaan Sarawak sentiasa memikirkan langkah-langkah yang terbaik dalam melaksanakan inisiatif bagi membantu meringankan beban rakyat.

Kerajaan Sarawak juga mengutamakan keselamatan, kesihatan dan kesejahteraan rakyat agar terus terpelihara. Saya bersama dengan rakan-rakan dalam Kerajaan akan terus menyumbang bakti dan memberi khidmat demi Sarawakku Sayang. 

 

 

Abang Jo, cabinet ministers taking corruption-free pledge

 KUCHING, January 27, 2022 - Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg led members of the State Cabinet and assistant ministers dedicating their commitment by taking a corruption-free pledge at a special ceremony today. 

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg (centre) leads his cabinet minister taking their corruption-free pledge.

This is the second time that Abang Johari, his cabinet colleagues and assistant ministers taking the pledge, the first being after he was sworn-in as chief minister in 2017. 

The corruption free pledge was started by Pehin Sri Adenan Satem upon being appointed as chief minister in 2014 from Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. 

Among those who took the pledge today were the three deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian. 

They took the pledge before the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, accompanied by the state MACC director Mohd Zaki Hasan. 

MACC, in a statement, congratulated the state government for the taking the initiative and commitment to make Sarawak a corruption-free state.

SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd inks MoU with Samsung Engineering to develop and manage green hydrogen and ammonia project in Bintulu

KUCHING, January 26, 2022 – SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung Engineering, one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement, construction and project management (EPC&PM) companies to develop a green hydrogen and ammonia project in Bintulu.

The other parties signing the MoU were Lotte Chemical and Posco.

The signing ceremony, which was held in a non-face-to-face virtual format, was attended by seniorexecutives from each company, including Park Cheonhong, head of Samsung Engineering'sSolution Business Division, Kim Yeon-seop, ESG Management head of Lotte Chemical, Jo Joo-ik, Posco's Hydrogen business manager, and SEDC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain. 

The H2biscus Project is aimed to converting hydropower and natural gas to green hydrogen/methanol and blue hydrogen and for the conversion of hydrogen to ammonia, aiming to supply hydrogen and ammonia to Korea and Sarawak. 

Based on the results of the prefeasibility study conducted in 2021, the project is expected to produce 7,000 ton/year of green hydrogen for Sarawak’s local use, 600,000 ton/year of blue ammonia, 630,000 ton/year of green ammonia and 460,000 ton/year of green methanol. 

Samsung Engineering, Lotte Chemical, Posco and SEDC Energy will be taking an active role in developing the entire cycle of the project including direct investment, construction, transportation and utilization. 

The feasibility study is planned to be verified by this month through an in-depth technology, legal, financial, tax, and market analysis. 

After the Feasibility Study, Pre-FEED and FEED are completed, the EPC work will be implemented for the H2biscus Project. 

Sungan Choi, president and CEO of Samsung Engineering, said: “The H2biscus project brings theopportunity to produce a wide range of eco-friendly products, such as green hydrogen, green and blue ammonia, green methanol and CCU. 

The project will serve as an exemplary project of international standing for renewable energy trading and hydrogen transportation between Korea and Malaysia, establishing hydrogen-related standards for the two countries.” 

SEDC Energy, said: “H2biscus Project will play a pivotal role into this New Energy sector and thescope and magnitude of the project, will place Sarawak as a player in the global market as well. 

“The partnerships with Samsung Engineering, Posco and Lotte Chemical will make this a realitywhich we truly value and appreciate. 

“We hope our economic relationship between Sarawak and the Korean government will continue to blossom and strengthen and be in synergy with the global net-zero carbon emissions goals.” 

Samsung Engineering is also currently executing the Sarawak Petchem methanol plant project in Bintulu which is expected to produce 5,000 tons/day of methanol.

 

 

Bersih Sarawak slams Francis Harden over threat on longhouse chiefs

 KUCHING, January 26, 2022 - Bersih Sarawak has slammed Assistant Minister II of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden over his statement that it is awkward and absurd for longhouse chief who oppose the government to receive allowances or salaries from the government.

Its spokesperson Ann Teo said his views as expressed in such ‘lectures’ to the Tuai Rumah are not new, saying that it is the perpetuation of politics of patronage and the ‘Don’t bite the hands that feed you’ or ‘Anang Ngelaban Perintah’ mentality or narrative.  

“It is appalling  that this latest reminder is issued by a six-term term state assemblyman  that speaks volumes of how entrenched this culture or mindset is,” Teo said in a statement.

She said the appointment of headmen and community chiefs in Sarawak is under the Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance 2004.

“There is nothing democratic about this manner of appointing community chiefs who are supposed to serve their respective community first and foremost and in the old days chosen by the people whom he/she serves, and by which he/she assumes and has the legal and moral authority to settle disputes and manage the affairs of his people in general and is responsible for their welfare.

“By this Ordinance too, they become mere public servants, receiving allowances from the government to serve the government of the day,” she said.

“It is also well known that such appointments will not be a reality unless it is with the blessing of Member of Parliament (MP) or State Assemblyman of the constituency.

“There have been past reports of State Assemblymen asking Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) and their secretaries to quit if they do not support the government of the day.

“At election time, they would be expected to do the bidding of the party in government or its candidate.

“As they are in charge at village level, they can wield great power and influence and have been known to stop any campaigners of other non-government parties or candidates.

“This is unacceptable given the fact they are prohibited to hold political party positions as stated under the Ordinance,” Teo said.

She said during the recently concluded Sarawak state elections, one of the federal ministers announced when visiting Sarawak  that secretaries of JKKK  and their committee members would be given meeting allowances.

She said  this is certainly a breach of the caretaker convention as well as enticement or vote-buying except that it was not yet campaign period.

“We wish to remind Francis Harden of SUPP in case he has not kept up to date, that we still practice democracy in this state and country and the longhouse or community chiefs and their ‘anembiaks’ should be free to not vote or choose the incumbent if he/she has not served them well or have differing views on issues deemed important to them.

“Just like civil servants who are free to vote for whoever they desire to be their representative despite receiving salaries from the government, so too these chiefs.

“So too these village chiefs, they should be receiving their allowances as long as they serve their community or charges,” she said.

Teo said the chiefs should not be subjected to condescension  or worse, threats of stripping them of posts or some other reprisals.

“Perhaps it is time to return to village level elections by the people, rather than appointed so that the elected Tuai Rumahs will be free from such unwarranted coercion and hegemony,” she suggested.

 

 

Life at the Sarawak General Hospital almost back to pre-Covid-19 pandemic, says Dr Sim

 KUCHING, January 26, 2022: The situation at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is almost back to pre-Covid-19 pandemic, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian after he and another Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah have visited the hospital this morning. 

He said during the Covid-19 pandemic a lot of hospital beds were used for Covid-19 patients while operations and surgeries for other non-Covid-19 patients were postponed. 

“Now, these beds are being used for non-Covid-19 patients while the number of beds for Covid-19 patients have been reduced greatly. 

Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (left) and Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian in a discussion with SGH director Dr Ngian Hie Ung during the visit to SGH. 

“During the height of the pandemic, more than 70 ICU beds were used for Covid-19 patients and at the moment, only a few are left. 

“So, there is no point to keep the ICU beds just for Covid-19 patients as it will deprive the other patients from using the beds after operations,” Dr Sim, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) adviser, said. 

Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman, said the state government has donated RM1.3 million for the installation of 36 ventilation  points at SGH, which are being used by non-Covid-19 patients. 

“We were really short of ventilation points at one point during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and that is why the state government had agreed to help the hospital to install the ventilation points,” he said. 

He said the state government is also helping SGH to build the intensive care unit (ICU) facilities at the hospital’s parking area. 

He added work on the facilities will start next month. 

Uggah said once these facilities are completed, the number of ICU beds will increase and be ready for possible rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in future. 

“What we are doing at the moment is preparing for the worse. At the moment the figures for the daily cases have remained low compared to the cases in September last year. 

“We do hope that the figures will continue to remain low,” he said. 

Uggah said one of the reasons for the visit to the hospital is that he wanted to know the number of Covid-19 patients being admitted and he was told that the number is very low which is in line with the number of  cases that are being reported daily. 

“In spite of that, I would like to caution the Chinese community who will be celebrating the Chinese New Year next week, that they should take note of the Covid-19 infection and it is still around and we have not won the war yet,” he said. 

“Even though we have the state election last month, where people mingled among themselves, we followed the SOPs, and that is why we have low number of Covid-19 cases now,” he said.

No Let-up in our determination to strengthen Sarawak's constitutional status, reassures Abang Johari

 

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, January 25, 2022: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg today gave his reassurance that the  that there will be no let-up in state’s determination to strengthen Sarawak constitutional status as a regional partner in the Federation of Malaysia, in accordance to the amendment of Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution with reference to MA63 and its annexures. 

He said with the recent amendments to the Federal Constitution that was originally proposed by Sarawak, the basic reference of the rights of the Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah is now duly given recognition according to the spirit of MA63. 

“This achievement thus far on MA63 is part of the 34-point pledge in the GPS Manifesto that is the embodiment of our promise to transform the State’s economy and care for the wellbeing of our people,” he said when addressing the State Civil Service Day here. 

He said the state government will work with the Sarawak Civil Service machinery in the execution of the policies on digital economy, sustainable development, decarbonisation and enterprises for economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability that will be driven by data and innovation. 

“At the heart of good policy implementation is an effective relationship between the political leadership and civil servants,” he said, expressing his confidence that that the combined strength of the civil service and of Sarawak GPS political leaders will ensure the success of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy by 2030. 

Abang Johari said since taking over in 2017, this government has implemented no less than 110 initiatives across various sectors in the state. 

“We built bridges, roads, dams and power plants. We implemented agriculture modernisation, explore hydrogen economy, upgraded school facilities. 

“We built our own station (TVS) and Digital Village, enhanced broadband coverage, improve

service delivery through Service Sarawak,  and even looking forward to set up Sarawak’s very own boutique airline. 

“Indeed, we look forward to many more discoveries, innovations and achievements ahead of us,” the chief minister said. 

Abang Johari also lamented that his regret that of the Projek Rakyat is quite slow in implementation. 

“It could be caused by “bureaucracy” or red tape, may be due to procedures, which has the effect of slowing down the process of implementation of projects or taking of corrective measures if there is any problem along the way,” he said. 

“Let me share with you a case in point – the Marudi Bridge, which has been delayed for a year or more. We have terminated the contract with the contractor and we have decided that a rescue contractor has to come in to complete the project, but certain procedures have to be adhered to that has been preventing JKR from taking the corrective measure as fast as desired. 

“I am not suggesting that we want to forgo procedures as the element of integrity or good governance must always be the basis of public spending. 

“But there are procedures that I believe can be adjusted so that our development can be expedited. 

“I do hope all of you who are members of our state administration machinery will take note of this.

“If there is any need to revamp the procedures then revamp them,” he said, adding that some of the procedures are obsolete. 

“I have directed State Financial Secretary to study the procedures not because we want to do away with procedures as stipulated in the Treasury Instruction, but we have to change procedures which are not necessary anymore. 

“With the advent of digital technologies, financial procedures need to be aligned more

practically with technologies as what had been done by the Land and Survey Department which has practically put information on land administration, including NCR, at the tip of the finger,” he said.