KUCHING: Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) akan memulakan projek membina jalan menghubungkan Ba’ Kelalan dan Bario sebaik sahaja proses mengenal pasti laluan dan isu berkaitan tanah selesai.
Panglima 1 Divisyen Infantri Malaysia, Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar berkata projek berkenaan akan dilaksanakan di bawah Strategi Lautan Biru (SLB) dan ia merupakan projek pembinaan jalan pedalaman kedua dilaksanakan ATM di bawah SLB selepas pembinaan jalan menghubungkan Long Lopeng dengan Ba’ Kelalan sejauh 75 kilometer.
“Ketika ini perkemba-ngan projek membina jalan menghubungkan Ba’ Kelalan dan Bario masih di peringkat memutuskan laluan. Oleh itu, kos dan jarak jalan yang akan dibina ini belum dapat ditentukan setakat ini,” katanya kepada pemberita semalam.
Beliau ditemui selepas majlis penyerahan kuih raya kepada ATM daripada Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak menerusi Kementerian Kebajikan, Wanita dan Pembangunan Keluarga (KKWPK) di Kem Penerissen di sini, semalam.
Sementara itu, katanya, tahun ini ATM diberi kepercayaan untuk melaksanakan 27 projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) di Sarawak di bawah SLB dan 20 daripada-nya sudah siap dilaksanakan.
“Projek-projek ini sedang berjalan dengan lancar dan kita berharap dengan terlaksananya projek ini ini, ATM bagi pihak kerajaan dapat membantu penduduk pedalaman menikmati bekalan air bersih,” katanya.
Menurut Mohd Zaki bermula Ogos tahun lalu hingga Januari tahun ini, ATM telah menyempurnakan 158 projek bantuan rumah dan 248 projek membaiki rumah di kawasan pedalaman Sarawak dan kesemua rumah itu telahpun diserahkan kepada pemiliknya.
Menyentuh aspek perkhidmatan perubatan dan pergigian ditawarkan ATM semenjak SLB diperkenalkan lebih 35,000 penduduk pedalaman Sarawak mendapat manfaat.
“Sememanganya sejak bermulanya projek di bawah Strategi Lautan Biru, ATM telah terlibat sepenuhnya membantu kerajaan pusat dan negeri dalam pembangunan negara, mentransformasi, memudah, membantu iaitu keperluan masyarakat khususnya di kawasan pedalaman.
“Kami warga tentera akan sentiasa bantu kerajaan negeri dan pusat atas permintaan juga keperluan untuk meringankan kehidupan masyarakat khususnya di pedalaman dan kami juga akan terus membantu dari sudut keperluan kesihatan dan sebagainya,” katanya.
Mengenai sumbangan kuih raya daripada kerajaan negeri kepada anggota ATM, Mohd Zaki berkata ia merupakan sumbangan yang amat bernilai kepada warga tentera khususnya yang bertugas di Sarawak.
“Bukan sahaja amat bermakna tetapi merupakan ingatan tulus ikhlas kerajaan negeri kepada kami khususnya warga tentera yang berkhidmat di negeri ini atau pengorbanan khidmat bakti yang kami curahkan termasuk Strategi Lautan Biru dilaksanakan oleh ATM,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Fatimah berharap ATM dan Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri dapat menjalinkan kerja sama dalam menyediakan perkhidmatan dan pemeriksaan kesihatan serta pergigian di sekolah-sekolah rendah di luar bandar negeri ini.
Beliau berkata jka ATM dan jabatan pelajaran dapat bekerja sama dalam aspek ini ia dapat mengisi keperluan di sekolah rendah di pedalaman yang tidak mempunyai klinik gigi seperti sekolah rendah di bandar.
“Lawatan ke sekolah-sekolah, rumah panjang dan kampung-kampung di pedalaman oleh pasukan perubatan dan pergigian ATM amat dialu-alukan,” katanya.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/08/08/jalan-ba-kelalan-bario-dibina-sejurus-laluan-dikenal-pasti-isu-tanah-selesai/#ixzz230rGFx7BPosted on August 8, 2012, Wednesday
Panglima 1 Divisyen Infantri Malaysia, Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar berkata projek berkenaan akan dilaksanakan di bawah Strategi Lautan Biru (SLB) dan ia merupakan projek pembinaan jalan pedalaman kedua dilaksanakan ATM di bawah SLB selepas pembinaan jalan menghubungkan Long Lopeng dengan Ba’ Kelalan sejauh 75 kilometer.
“Ketika ini perkemba-ngan projek membina jalan menghubungkan Ba’ Kelalan dan Bario masih di peringkat memutuskan laluan. Oleh itu, kos dan jarak jalan yang akan dibina ini belum dapat ditentukan setakat ini,” katanya kepada pemberita semalam.
Beliau ditemui selepas majlis penyerahan kuih raya kepada ATM daripada Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak menerusi Kementerian Kebajikan, Wanita dan Pembangunan Keluarga (KKWPK) di Kem Penerissen di sini, semalam.
Sementara itu, katanya, tahun ini ATM diberi kepercayaan untuk melaksanakan 27 projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) di Sarawak di bawah SLB dan 20 daripada-nya sudah siap dilaksanakan.
“Projek-projek ini sedang berjalan dengan lancar dan kita berharap dengan terlaksananya projek ini ini, ATM bagi pihak kerajaan dapat membantu penduduk pedalaman menikmati bekalan air bersih,” katanya.
Menurut Mohd Zaki bermula Ogos tahun lalu hingga Januari tahun ini, ATM telah menyempurnakan 158 projek bantuan rumah dan 248 projek membaiki rumah di kawasan pedalaman Sarawak dan kesemua rumah itu telahpun diserahkan kepada pemiliknya.
Menyentuh aspek perkhidmatan perubatan dan pergigian ditawarkan ATM semenjak SLB diperkenalkan lebih 35,000 penduduk pedalaman Sarawak mendapat manfaat.
“Sememanganya sejak bermulanya projek di bawah Strategi Lautan Biru, ATM telah terlibat sepenuhnya membantu kerajaan pusat dan negeri dalam pembangunan negara, mentransformasi, memudah, membantu iaitu keperluan masyarakat khususnya di kawasan pedalaman.
“Kami warga tentera akan sentiasa bantu kerajaan negeri dan pusat atas permintaan juga keperluan untuk meringankan kehidupan masyarakat khususnya di pedalaman dan kami juga akan terus membantu dari sudut keperluan kesihatan dan sebagainya,” katanya.
Mengenai sumbangan kuih raya daripada kerajaan negeri kepada anggota ATM, Mohd Zaki berkata ia merupakan sumbangan yang amat bernilai kepada warga tentera khususnya yang bertugas di Sarawak.
“Bukan sahaja amat bermakna tetapi merupakan ingatan tulus ikhlas kerajaan negeri kepada kami khususnya warga tentera yang berkhidmat di negeri ini atau pengorbanan khidmat bakti yang kami curahkan termasuk Strategi Lautan Biru dilaksanakan oleh ATM,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Fatimah berharap ATM dan Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri dapat menjalinkan kerja sama dalam menyediakan perkhidmatan dan pemeriksaan kesihatan serta pergigian di sekolah-sekolah rendah di luar bandar negeri ini.
Beliau berkata jka ATM dan jabatan pelajaran dapat bekerja sama dalam aspek ini ia dapat mengisi keperluan di sekolah rendah di pedalaman yang tidak mempunyai klinik gigi seperti sekolah rendah di bandar.
“Lawatan ke sekolah-sekolah, rumah panjang dan kampung-kampung di pedalaman oleh pasukan perubatan dan pergigian ATM amat dialu-alukan,” katanya.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/08/08/jalan-ba-kelalan-bario-dibina-sejurus-laluan-dikenal-pasti-isu-tanah-selesai/#ixzz230rGFx7BPosted on August 8, 2012, Wednesday
Kerjasama dua hala itu bakal beri faedah sama rata, jadikan Limbang kawasan termaju
LIMBANG: Bahagian Limbang yang juga meliputi da-erah Lawas tidak lagi dikenali sebagai ‘penghujung negeri’ apabila muncul sebagai kawasan termaju me-lalui pembinaan projek hidro yang berpaksikan kerja-sama dan hubungan dua hala dengan negara jiran Brunei Darussalam.
Ketua Menteri Sarawak Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud berkata berkonsepkan ‘makan setapak dan sepinggan’ Sarawak dan Brunei akan menikmati faedah bersama hasil projek pembinaan hidro melibatkan Limbang (245) dan Lawas (1,000) megawat.
Beliau berkata negara Brunei menunjukkan minat bukan saja untuk membangun-kan projek hidro tetapi juga bekerjasama memajukan wilayah Limbang sebagai kawasan penanaman padi.
“Kita sudah berunding de-ngan Brunei untuk menjalan-kan kerjasama melalui projek hidro dan projek penanaman padi yang juga membawa fa-edah kepada pembangunan bagi negara jiran kita.
“Kajian ke atas semua potensi pembangunan ini bakal menyaksikan Limbang dan Lawas akan muncul sebagai kawasan termaju hasil kekuatan kerjasama dengan (ne-gara) Brunei,” katanya pada perasmian Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Hwa di sini semalam.
Turut sama ialah isteri Taib, Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Kedua, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan dan isteri Datuk Dayang Morliah, Ahli Parlimen Limbang Hasbi Habibollah, penyandang kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, penyandang kerusi DUN Batu Danau, Paulus Palu Gumbang dan Pengerusi SJKC Chung Hwa, Lim Chew Ching.
Taib berkata lagi kerjasama baik antara Sarawak dan Brunei dalam pembekalan sumber tenaga elektrik akan memberi faedah kepada kedua-dua pihak.
Beliau berkata Brunei perlukan sumber tenaga alternatif seperti tenaga hidro elek-trik selain bergantung kepada sumber tenaga gas yang sedia ada dalam menampung permintaan sumber tenaga elek-trik yang semakin meningkat di negara itu.
“Sarawak dan Brunei bukan sahaja akan terus bekerjasama rapat dalam pengurusan sumber tenaga elektrik-nya malah juga dalam bidang lain termasuk pertanian de-ngan membangunkan pena-naman padi.
Inilah hasil kerjasama yang dijalankan yang memberi keuntungan kepada kita dan negara berhampiran,” ujar-nya lagi.
“Kita yakin dengan adanya empangan hidro nanti, ia bukan sahaja membekalkan sumber tenaga tetapi turut membekalkan sumber air untuk aktiviti pertanian,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu Taib turut menempelak corak politik pembangkang yang meng-amalkan ‘politik maki’ berbanding usaha untuk membawa perubahan berterusan kepada penduduk di sini.
Jelasnya pembangkang ha-nya gemar mencaci dan men-cerca untuk memenuhi ke-pentingan politik dengan menghasut rakyat.
Beliau mahu penduduk di negeri ini terus bersatu padu untuk mendapatkan majoriti dan sokongan rakyat bagi menubuhkan kerajaan.
“Melalui semangat bersatu padu yang diamalkan sejak sekian lama, kita mampu membawa lebih banyak pembangunan dan mengubah kehidupan rakyat yang dulunya miskin kini bertambah se-nang,” ujarnya lagi.
by Mastura Ismail. Posted on March 30, 2011, Wednesday
ULU LUBAI, Limbang: The Ministry of Education is working hard to help schools boost performances through introduction of best practice model, and addressing problems on repairs and upgrade as well as providing the needed facilities.
WELCOME TO ULU LUBAI: Muhyiddin and wife Noorainee participate in the Iban ‘miring’ ceremony at Rumah Tugang during their short visit, assisted by Jabu (right) and others.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged the listed top performing schools to assist the government’s schools in improving programmes through contributing innovative ideas.
“There has been a 40 per cent improvement from lowest rank schools under Band 6 and 7 last year,” he said.
Muhyiddin said this yesterday at SK Lubai when announcing the second group comprising 23 schools nationwide, including two from Sarawak, listed under top performing school category by the Ministry of Education.
“Good leadership and management are the factors that allowed SK Ulu Lubai to be classified as top performing school plus its extraordinary performance and multiple awards winning despite its humble infrastructure.”
On lack of school infrastructure, he said the government is mulling various approaches including the involvement of private sector to help build schools.
“National audit revealed that six per cent of the 10,000 schools in the country, mostly in Sabah and Sarawak, are in critical needs for repairs and upgrading,” he explained.
Pointing out that this would require a huge amount of funding; the ministry could not address the problem immediately as there is insufficient allocation.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the requests for roads and bridges constructions made by Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang and Limbang member of parliament Hasbi Habibolah would be given serious consideration and action would be taken accordingly thereafter.
Gumbang had put forward RM56 million in the wish list to connect the people in Lubai for road construction from Bukit Sangan to Ulu Lubai and eight bridges.
“This matter would be addressed by the Ministry of Rural Development led by Datuk Seri Shafiee Apdal, and the request to upgrade SK Ulu Lubai and SK Nanga Merit would be brought up in the second rolling of the Tenth Malaysia Plan,” he said.
He also announced an initial grant of RM0.5 million for repairs, maintenance and purchase of equipment for SK Lubai and the teacher’s quarters.
Besides that, Rumah Tugang longhouse, located next to the school, was also granted RM120,000 for its roof replacement.
“I have no doubt the people here are 100 per cent behind the BN government,” he remarked.
Earlier on, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, in his speech, called the people to continue supporting BN in the coming election and not to be misled by the oppositions with their different ideologies.
“We promise to safeguard Sarawak as we advanced with the Government Turnaround Plan (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) in our transformation towards a high income economy,” he said.
Also accompanying Muhyiddin were his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafiee Apdal, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and many others.
Borneo Post by Philip Kiew. Posted on February 18, 2011, Friday
KUCHING: Kementerian Pembangunan Sosial dan Urbanisasi (KPSU) menimbang untuk membina gelanggang-gelangang sukan rakyat di seluruh negeri sebagai mendekati masyarakat pelbagai kaum melakukan aktiviti beriadah.
Menterinya, Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom berkata pembinaan gelanggang-gelanggang pelbagai jenis sukan di tempat letak kereta Dewan Suarah Kuching merupakan batu loncatan buat kerajaan membina gelanggang-gelanggang sukan yang sama di seluruh negeri.
“Ini adalah satu landasan untuk kita bagi mengumpul masyarakat terutamanya golongan generasi muda untuk menyertai pelbagai acara sukan yang disediakan menerusi kemudahan-kemudahan terbabit.
“Selain dapat berinteraksi antara satu sama lain, fasiliti ini dapat memupuk perpaduan di kalangan masyarakat dengan mengadakan pelbagai majlis dan acara-acara sukan,” demikian menurut beliau kepada pihak media di sini semalam.
Mawan ditemui ketika mengadakan tinjauan projek pembinaan gelanggang-gelanggang sukan seperti futsal, badminton, bola tampar, sepak takraw dan bola keranjang di tempat letak kereta Dewan Suarah Kuching, semalam.
Hadir sama Presiden Persatuan Tenis Sarawak (SLTA), Datuk Patrick Liew, Ketua Penolong Setiausaha Tetap KPSU Hamdan Sarbini, Presiden Mimbar Permuafakatan Ibu Bapa Malaysia (Mapim) Sarawak, Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar dan pegawai-pegawai kementerian terbabit.
Menurut Mawan, perasmian gelanggang-gelanggang sukan itu bakal disempurnakan oleh Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud pada Mac depan.
Beliau berkata pelbagai acara diadakan termasuk acara utama, Jom Berbasikal 2011 yang akan diadakan di gelanggang terbabit sempena perasmiannya nanti.
“Saya yakin gelanggang-gelanggang sukan terbabit mampu menjadi kemudahan sukan dan rekreasi terbaik kepada masyarakat kita di sini,” katanya.
TINJAU: Mawan dan Patrick (kanan) meninjau projek pembinaan gelanggang sukan di Kuching.
Kerajaan negeri timbang pembinaan gelanggang sukan di semua bahagian
Posted on February 15, 2011, Tuesday
Menterinya, Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom berkata pembinaan gelanggang-gelanggang pelbagai jenis sukan di tempat letak kereta Dewan Suarah Kuching merupakan batu loncatan buat kerajaan membina gelanggang-gelanggang sukan yang sama di seluruh negeri.
“Ini adalah satu landasan untuk kita bagi mengumpul masyarakat terutamanya golongan generasi muda untuk menyertai pelbagai acara sukan yang disediakan menerusi kemudahan-kemudahan terbabit.
“Selain dapat berinteraksi antara satu sama lain, fasiliti ini dapat memupuk perpaduan di kalangan masyarakat dengan mengadakan pelbagai majlis dan acara-acara sukan,” demikian menurut beliau kepada pihak media di sini semalam.
Mawan ditemui ketika mengadakan tinjauan projek pembinaan gelanggang-gelanggang sukan seperti futsal, badminton, bola tampar, sepak takraw dan bola keranjang di tempat letak kereta Dewan Suarah Kuching, semalam.
Hadir sama Presiden Persatuan Tenis Sarawak (SLTA), Datuk Patrick Liew, Ketua Penolong Setiausaha Tetap KPSU Hamdan Sarbini, Presiden Mimbar Permuafakatan Ibu Bapa Malaysia (Mapim) Sarawak, Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar dan pegawai-pegawai kementerian terbabit.
Menurut Mawan, perasmian gelanggang-gelanggang sukan itu bakal disempurnakan oleh Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud pada Mac depan.
Beliau berkata pelbagai acara diadakan termasuk acara utama, Jom Berbasikal 2011 yang akan diadakan di gelanggang terbabit sempena perasmiannya nanti.
“Saya yakin gelanggang-gelanggang sukan terbabit mampu menjadi kemudahan sukan dan rekreasi terbaik kepada masyarakat kita di sini,” katanya.
TINJAU: Mawan dan Patrick (kanan) meninjau projek pembinaan gelanggang sukan di Kuching.
Kerajaan negeri timbang pembinaan gelanggang sukan di semua bahagian
Posted on February 15, 2011, Tuesday
MUKAH: The new hospital project here is still on.
According to Mukah Divisional Health Officer, Dr Haji Osman Haji Rafaie as far as he is concerned the project is very much alive.
“I did not hear anything about the cancellation of the project.As far as I am concerned the project is still on.From where did you get the news.From the paper or someone,” he said when asked to comment on the project yesterday.
Words have been circulating around of late that the project had been aborted.
Dr Osman added that the project might be deferred and not categorised under priority projects to be implemented.
“The project might not be in the first rolling because I heard that Lawas Hospital which has been long overdue and Sri Aman Hospital would be built first.
Anyway, for Mukah Hospital although it is not included in the first rolling, it can also include Tanjung Manis Hospital.The government would normally implement projects based on priority based on the needs of the people,” he added.
When asked on the planned site near Sungai Penipah or at KM 17, Mukah-Balingian Coastal Highway, he said it might be retained or change and every thing is based on the master plan to be drawn during the implementation of the project in the future.
Talking about the needs of having a new hospital to complement the existing 80-bed Mukah District Hospital, he said it could not be denied that the health facilities here should grow in tandem with the rapid development taking place in Mukah District.
“Of course, I personally feel that Mukah needs to have modern facilities like the planned new Mukah Hospital because the existing one was planned and designed for Mukah as a district and not like today, where this fast growing town is the administrative centre of the division.I also learnt that the new hospital will have 100 beds and equipped with modern facilities,” he said.
Dr Osman also disclosed that the move to have modern facilities was very important especially with the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) with Mukah Town as its administrative centre.
“When SCORE is fully in operation, the population of Mukah would certainly increase with the presence of industries in the area and by that time we would not only cater to the locals but also foreign workers,” he pointed out.
postdate on Wednesday, 09 February 2011 10:54 |Written by Henry Siyu |
According to Mukah Divisional Health Officer, Dr Haji Osman Haji Rafaie as far as he is concerned the project is very much alive.
“I did not hear anything about the cancellation of the project.As far as I am concerned the project is still on.From where did you get the news.From the paper or someone,” he said when asked to comment on the project yesterday.
Words have been circulating around of late that the project had been aborted.
Dr Osman added that the project might be deferred and not categorised under priority projects to be implemented.
“The project might not be in the first rolling because I heard that Lawas Hospital which has been long overdue and Sri Aman Hospital would be built first.
Anyway, for Mukah Hospital although it is not included in the first rolling, it can also include Tanjung Manis Hospital.The government would normally implement projects based on priority based on the needs of the people,” he added.
When asked on the planned site near Sungai Penipah or at KM 17, Mukah-Balingian Coastal Highway, he said it might be retained or change and every thing is based on the master plan to be drawn during the implementation of the project in the future.
Talking about the needs of having a new hospital to complement the existing 80-bed Mukah District Hospital, he said it could not be denied that the health facilities here should grow in tandem with the rapid development taking place in Mukah District.
“Of course, I personally feel that Mukah needs to have modern facilities like the planned new Mukah Hospital because the existing one was planned and designed for Mukah as a district and not like today, where this fast growing town is the administrative centre of the division.I also learnt that the new hospital will have 100 beds and equipped with modern facilities,” he said.
Dr Osman also disclosed that the move to have modern facilities was very important especially with the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) with Mukah Town as its administrative centre.
“When SCORE is fully in operation, the population of Mukah would certainly increase with the presence of industries in the area and by that time we would not only cater to the locals but also foreign workers,” he pointed out.
postdate on Wednesday, 09 February 2011 10:54 |Written by Henry Siyu |
Pembinaan 29 lagi pusat internet dan 63 perpustakaan komuniti lengkapkan projek wifi di Sarawak: Rais
LIMBANG: Sejumlah 203 menara telekomunikasi dirancang didirikan di seluruh negeri ini sebagai usaha kerajaan memperluaskan lagi projek wifi di Sarawak terutama di kawasan luar bandar, di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMK-10).
Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim memberitahu, projek wifi yang menelan kos RM306 juta itu yang meliputi pembinaan 203 menara turut merangkumi pembinaan 29 pusat internet dan teknologi maklumat (IT) dan 63 perpustakaan komuniti dilengkapi jalur lebar di seluruh Sarawak.
“Kementerian juga merancang untuk meningkatkan penetrasi internet di 600 buah kampung di bawah program jalur lebar wifi,” katanya sambil menambah kerajaan akan memantau projek itu dari masa ke semasa bagi memastikan objektif itu tercapai.
Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis pelancaran projek komuniti 1Malaysia peringkat negeri Sarawak, Sahabat 1Malaysia dan pelancaran projek wifi Kampung Bunga Raya di Esplanade Jubilee Emas di Tebingan Limbang, semalam.
Rais memberitahu kerajaan persekutuan juga turut memperuntukan sebanyak 85,000 buah komputer riba untuk Sarawak di bawah program Pemberian Komputer Riba 1Malaysia dalam usaha merapatkan jurang digital antara kawasan bandar dan luar bandar.
Katanya, daripada jumlah itu sebanyak 14,500 komputer riba 1Malaysia sudah disumbangkan dan selebihnya akan diberi dalam fasa seterusnya.
Sementara itu, Dr Rais berkata, kerajaan akan terus memajukan bahagian Limbang menerusi polisi kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang saksama bagi memenuhi keperluan dan aspirasi rakyat di peringkat akar umbi.
“Agenda utama kita menyediakan kemudahan komunikasi ini adalah bagi membolehkan rakyat dari Sabah hingga Pulau Pinang dapat berkomunikasi, bukannya seperti parti pembangkang yang tidak berbuat apa-apa kecuali cakap kosong dan mengelirukan rakyat,” katanya.
Katanya, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah melahirkan idea 1Malaysia bertujuan untuk menyatu-padukan rakyat dan bukannya membangkitkan isu berkaitan firma perunding antarabangsa Apco Worldwide Bhd seperti dilakukan oleh pemimpin pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Parlimen kelmarin.
“Kita mahu rakyat menghargai usaha dan kesungguhan kerajaan dengan menggunakan kebijaksanaan mereka dalam memilih siapa kaca dan permata. Saya percaya, ia bukan masalah bagi rakyat Sarawak untuk membezakan dua perkara ini,” katanya merujuk kepada kerajaan dan parti pembangkang di negeri ini.
Hadir sama isteri beliau Datin Seri Utama Masnah Yatim, Timbalan Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Kedua, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Ahli Parlimen Limbang Hasbi Habibolah, Ahli Parlimen Lawas Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, ADUN Batu Danau Paulus Palu Gumbang dan ADUN Ba’ Kelalan, Nelson Balang Rining.
KOMPUTER RIBA 1MALAYSIA: Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (kiri) menyampaikan komputer riba 1Malaysia kepada Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber II yang juga ADUN Bukit Sari Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (tengah) selepas merasmikan Kampung Wifi yang berlangsung serentak dengan Pelancaran Komuniti 1Malaysia dan Sahabat 1 Malaysia di Dataran Jubli Emas Limbang di Limbang, semalam. Turut hadir isteri Rais Datin Seri Maznah Rais dan Timbalannya Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (kanan). Komputer itu diserahkan mengikut kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri dan Parlimen di Limbang. — Gambar Bernama
by Sudan Ajang. Posted on December 20, 2010, Monday
LIMBANG: Sejumlah 203 menara telekomunikasi dirancang didirikan di seluruh negeri ini sebagai usaha kerajaan memperluaskan lagi projek wifi di Sarawak terutama di kawasan luar bandar, di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMK-10).
Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim memberitahu, projek wifi yang menelan kos RM306 juta itu yang meliputi pembinaan 203 menara turut merangkumi pembinaan 29 pusat internet dan teknologi maklumat (IT) dan 63 perpustakaan komuniti dilengkapi jalur lebar di seluruh Sarawak.
“Kementerian juga merancang untuk meningkatkan penetrasi internet di 600 buah kampung di bawah program jalur lebar wifi,” katanya sambil menambah kerajaan akan memantau projek itu dari masa ke semasa bagi memastikan objektif itu tercapai.
Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis pelancaran projek komuniti 1Malaysia peringkat negeri Sarawak, Sahabat 1Malaysia dan pelancaran projek wifi Kampung Bunga Raya di Esplanade Jubilee Emas di Tebingan Limbang, semalam.
Rais memberitahu kerajaan persekutuan juga turut memperuntukan sebanyak 85,000 buah komputer riba untuk Sarawak di bawah program Pemberian Komputer Riba 1Malaysia dalam usaha merapatkan jurang digital antara kawasan bandar dan luar bandar.
Katanya, daripada jumlah itu sebanyak 14,500 komputer riba 1Malaysia sudah disumbangkan dan selebihnya akan diberi dalam fasa seterusnya.
Sementara itu, Dr Rais berkata, kerajaan akan terus memajukan bahagian Limbang menerusi polisi kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang saksama bagi memenuhi keperluan dan aspirasi rakyat di peringkat akar umbi.
“Agenda utama kita menyediakan kemudahan komunikasi ini adalah bagi membolehkan rakyat dari Sabah hingga Pulau Pinang dapat berkomunikasi, bukannya seperti parti pembangkang yang tidak berbuat apa-apa kecuali cakap kosong dan mengelirukan rakyat,” katanya.
Katanya, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah melahirkan idea 1Malaysia bertujuan untuk menyatu-padukan rakyat dan bukannya membangkitkan isu berkaitan firma perunding antarabangsa Apco Worldwide Bhd seperti dilakukan oleh pemimpin pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Parlimen kelmarin.
“Kita mahu rakyat menghargai usaha dan kesungguhan kerajaan dengan menggunakan kebijaksanaan mereka dalam memilih siapa kaca dan permata. Saya percaya, ia bukan masalah bagi rakyat Sarawak untuk membezakan dua perkara ini,” katanya merujuk kepada kerajaan dan parti pembangkang di negeri ini.
Hadir sama isteri beliau Datin Seri Utama Masnah Yatim, Timbalan Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber Kedua, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Ahli Parlimen Limbang Hasbi Habibolah, Ahli Parlimen Lawas Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, ADUN Batu Danau Paulus Palu Gumbang dan ADUN Ba’ Kelalan, Nelson Balang Rining.
KOMPUTER RIBA 1MALAYSIA: Menteri Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (kiri) menyampaikan komputer riba 1Malaysia kepada Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber II yang juga ADUN Bukit Sari Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (tengah) selepas merasmikan Kampung Wifi yang berlangsung serentak dengan Pelancaran Komuniti 1Malaysia dan Sahabat 1 Malaysia di Dataran Jubli Emas Limbang di Limbang, semalam. Turut hadir isteri Rais Datin Seri Maznah Rais dan Timbalannya Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (kanan). Komputer itu diserahkan mengikut kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri dan Parlimen di Limbang. — Gambar Bernama
by Sudan Ajang. Posted on December 20, 2010, Monday
MIRI: Environmental awareness in Sarawak is increasing when compared to five to 10 years ago as can be seen in the numerous reports in both the electronic and print media as well as in scientific researches.
Assistant Minister for Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin said however that awareness alone without commitment would not bring much impact towards sustainable management of the environment.
“There must be passion and determination in protecting, conserving and rehabilitating the environment and today’s effort though very small augurs well in the overall sustainable development and management of the environment,” said Lee when launching a tree planting project at Kampong Masjid, Kuala Baram.
At the same time there must be collaborative efforts among the various government agencies and society at large, in designing and implementing environmental based programmes, he said.
Among the projects that could be done are planting trees on gotong royong basis and programme to control illegal encroachment and development of the forest.
“I am confident with active involvement of the people, there will be a greater sense of belonging and consequently will spur them to protect and conserve the forest – our rich natural heritage,” he said.
On the tree-planting project which is part of the nation-wide programme to plant mangrove trees and other suitable species, Lee said it deserved strong support by all strata of the society.
Mangrove and peat swamp forests besides maintaining the equilibrium of the ecosystem in the coastal areas, also protect the people from natural calamities like tidal waves and tsunami.
He said the government on its part would step up the project as well as other projects to protect the environment.
Among the projects are the establishment of national parks such as the Gunung Mulu National Park, Lambir and Niah National Parks.
For the tree planting project, 16.3 hectares of land in Northern Sarawak consisting of Kuala Lawas, Kampong Awat-Awat in Lawas, Kuala Sibuti and Kuala Baram in Miri had been planted with 14,982 various species of trees including bakau and rhu laut.
Meanwhile the director of Forestry Department, Datuk Len Talif Salleh in his speech said the figure is part of the total 473,530 mangrove trees and other suitable species planted on 244.3 hectares since the tree-planting programme along coastal areas began in 2006.
The federal government allocated RM3.5 million to the Forestry Department to implement the project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
He said Kampong Masjid is the last leg of the project under the current Malaysia Plan. Similar projects are to be carried out in the Tenth Malaysia Plan.
Len’s text was read by Wan Sardini Wan Salleh who is the state -level chairman for the technical working committee of the tree planting project.
Posted on October 10, 2010, Sunday
Assistant Minister for Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin said however that awareness alone without commitment would not bring much impact towards sustainable management of the environment.
“There must be passion and determination in protecting, conserving and rehabilitating the environment and today’s effort though very small augurs well in the overall sustainable development and management of the environment,” said Lee when launching a tree planting project at Kampong Masjid, Kuala Baram.
At the same time there must be collaborative efforts among the various government agencies and society at large, in designing and implementing environmental based programmes, he said.
Among the projects that could be done are planting trees on gotong royong basis and programme to control illegal encroachment and development of the forest.
“I am confident with active involvement of the people, there will be a greater sense of belonging and consequently will spur them to protect and conserve the forest – our rich natural heritage,” he said.
On the tree-planting project which is part of the nation-wide programme to plant mangrove trees and other suitable species, Lee said it deserved strong support by all strata of the society.
Mangrove and peat swamp forests besides maintaining the equilibrium of the ecosystem in the coastal areas, also protect the people from natural calamities like tidal waves and tsunami.
He said the government on its part would step up the project as well as other projects to protect the environment.
Among the projects are the establishment of national parks such as the Gunung Mulu National Park, Lambir and Niah National Parks.
For the tree planting project, 16.3 hectares of land in Northern Sarawak consisting of Kuala Lawas, Kampong Awat-Awat in Lawas, Kuala Sibuti and Kuala Baram in Miri had been planted with 14,982 various species of trees including bakau and rhu laut.
Meanwhile the director of Forestry Department, Datuk Len Talif Salleh in his speech said the figure is part of the total 473,530 mangrove trees and other suitable species planted on 244.3 hectares since the tree-planting programme along coastal areas began in 2006.
The federal government allocated RM3.5 million to the Forestry Department to implement the project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
He said Kampong Masjid is the last leg of the project under the current Malaysia Plan. Similar projects are to be carried out in the Tenth Malaysia Plan.
Len’s text was read by Wan Sardini Wan Salleh who is the state -level chairman for the technical working committee of the tree planting project.
Posted on October 10, 2010, Sunday
MUKAH, 8 Okt (Bernama) — Ketua Menteri Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud hari ini mengulangi bahawa kerajaan tidak akan mengambil alih tanah persendirian untuk dibangunkan sebagai projek pembangunan yang penting tanpa membayar ganti rugi dengan seadilnya.
Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata pihak tertentu akan sentiasa cuba menghasut pemilik berhubung hasrat murni kerajaan itu demi memenuhi agenda politik mereka sendiri.
Taib berkata rakyat tidak seharusnya dipesongkan dengan mudah tanpa mengetahui niat sebenar di sebalik pengambilalihan itu.
Bercakap pada majlis “Sejiwa Senada” di sini hari ini, beliau berkata sekiranya kerajaan gagal melaksanakan projek yang dicadangkan itu, rakyat sendiri yang akan rugi.
Beliau berkata perkara ini pernah berlaku sebelum ini di Long Lama dalam daerah Marudi dengan rancangan untuk membangunkan Tanah Hak Adat Bumiputera (NCR) untuk tanaman kelapa sawit secara komersial secara usahasama dengan bantuan pelabur terpilih.
“Apabila pemilik menentang keras rancangan kami, kami mengalihkan pelaksanaan rancangan itu ke Kanowit dan kini pemiliknya yang memperoleh manfaat,” katanya.
Taib berkata amat penting bagi pemimpin mengetahui terlebih dahulu mengenai apa jua dasar pembangunan dan perancangan kerajaan.
“Mereka kemudiannya boleh memberi penjelasan kepada penduduk di kawasan mereka. Apabila penduduk memperoleh pengetahuan sewajarnya, sudah tentu mereka akan menerima dan memberi kerjasama penuh,” katanya.
Beliau berkata mereka seharusnya menghubungi pegawai atau wakil kerajaan yang berkaitan sekiranya mempunyai sebarang keraguan.
Mengenai program “Sejiwa Senada”, beliau berkata program itu bertujuan menggalakkan kerjasama akrab dan persefahaman antara kerajaan dan rakyat dengan memberi mereka pengetahuan tentang pelbagai dasar serta program kerajaan.
Menyentuh tentang aspirasi kerajaan ke arah masyarakat pendapatan tinggi menjelang 2020, Taib berkata perkara ini boleh dicapai jika sekurang-kurangnya 30 peratus daripada kalangan pelajar dapat mengikuti pendidikan peringkat tinggi pada ketika itu.
Katanya pada masa ini terdapat enam universiti dan kampus universiti di negeri ini. — BERNAMA
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan telah menyampaikan RM537,200 grant Kerajaan Persekutuan di bawah program Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pelajar Miskin (KWAPM. Wang tersebut telah diserahkan kepada Pengerusi Guru Besar daerah Lawas, Haji Omar Matussin.
Sebanyak RM200 seorang akan diagihkan kepada murid-murid miskin di daerah Lawas dan ini adalah agihan pertama dari dua agihan pada tahun ini. Oleh kerana tujuan kerajaan adalah untuk membantu membeli perkakas dan pakaian sekolah diharap guru besar dapat menasihat dan memastikan wang tersebut tidak disalahgunakan oleh ibu-bapa atau penjaga.
Jika ada bukti penyalahgunaan berlaku seperti untuk membeli arak atau rokok, Lawas.com menyarankan agar penerima disenaraihitamkan agar tidak menerima salauran seterusnya.
Sebanyak RM200 seorang akan diagihkan kepada murid-murid miskin di daerah Lawas dan ini adalah agihan pertama dari dua agihan pada tahun ini. Oleh kerana tujuan kerajaan adalah untuk membantu membeli perkakas dan pakaian sekolah diharap guru besar dapat menasihat dan memastikan wang tersebut tidak disalahgunakan oleh ibu-bapa atau penjaga.
Jika ada bukti penyalahgunaan berlaku seperti untuk membeli arak atau rokok, Lawas.com menyarankan agar penerima disenaraihitamkan agar tidak menerima salauran seterusnya.
F ifteen road projects involving tens of millions of ringgit have been approved for construction in Ba’ Kelalan constituency this year, says its assemblyman Nelson Balang.
He said the road projects were among the much-needed and eagerly-awaited by the people in this rural and mountainous constituency. “With the implementation this year, it couldn’t have come at an opportune time,” he said during a recent interview.
He said that Ba’ Kelalan was among the most rugged places in Sarawak, where roads connecting the many villages and longhouses, and to Lawas, were very much in need but were lacking.
“Travel within the constituency such as from Lawas (town) to Long Semadoh, and from Ba’ Kelalan to Bario, for example, is always a big headache.
“Getting to town took weeks in the past and only a few places are accessible by the ‘Rural Air Service’, but it’s not cheap for the people, especially when there’s not much economic activity in the rural areas,” he explained.
Balang, who originally came from Ba’ Kelalan, said he had experienced first-hand the hardships his people were facing, where daily necessities such as sugar, soap and simple medications were so hard to get due to lack of road connectivity.
“That is why the local people are very grateful (to the government) now that roads are going to be built to connect the many villages and longhouses and also to connect them to Lawas,” he said.
According to Balang, the road projects would include building new ones and upgrading existing roads. The new roads are Pa’ Umor to Bario; SK/SMK Ulong Palang to Bario; Bario Airport road, Bario; Pa’ Dalih/Batu Patong/Remudu/Pa’ Mada/Bario; upgrading of Murud Suang, Trusan; upgrading of road to Kpg Bukit Batu in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Long Suang road in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Luagan and SK Luagan roads in Trusan; and upgrading of Lubok Abai/Ranau Baru road in Trusan.
Among roads scheduled for upgrading in the upper reaches of Trusan River are roads to Kpg Puneng Kelalan; SK Ba’ Kelalan; Kpg Long Lemutut; Kpg Pa Tawing; Kpg Long Merarap and the Merarap Hot Spring resort.
“With the roads I hope the people will be able to improve their income and also standard of living,” Balang said.
Besides roads, he also talked about electricity and water supplies, clinic, homestay, and the ‘Tagang’ system that would be implemented in his constituency this year.
For the electricity supply, which uses solar hybrid, Balang said that they would be installed in six villages - Long Semadoh Naseb, Long Sukang, Pa’ Ukat in Bario, Kpg Pa’ Umur, Kpg Baru and Kpg Padang Pasir.
The RM9 million-clinic would be built at Kpg Long Sukang under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
The decision to locate the Rural Growth Centre (RGC) and the ‘Pelita’ project in Long Semadoh was already in the final stage.
Balang said all these would not be possible if not for the Barisan Nasional government. He, therefore, urged the people to continue giving their support to the government of the day to ensure them a brighter future.
“This is only the beginning of more development projects to come in the (Ba’ Kelalan) constituency,” he said.
Sarawak tribuneSunday, 13 June 2010 16:42 Roger Duyong
He said the road projects were among the much-needed and eagerly-awaited by the people in this rural and mountainous constituency. “With the implementation this year, it couldn’t have come at an opportune time,” he said during a recent interview.
He said that Ba’ Kelalan was among the most rugged places in Sarawak, where roads connecting the many villages and longhouses, and to Lawas, were very much in need but were lacking.
“Travel within the constituency such as from Lawas (town) to Long Semadoh, and from Ba’ Kelalan to Bario, for example, is always a big headache.
“Getting to town took weeks in the past and only a few places are accessible by the ‘Rural Air Service’, but it’s not cheap for the people, especially when there’s not much economic activity in the rural areas,” he explained.
Balang, who originally came from Ba’ Kelalan, said he had experienced first-hand the hardships his people were facing, where daily necessities such as sugar, soap and simple medications were so hard to get due to lack of road connectivity.
“That is why the local people are very grateful (to the government) now that roads are going to be built to connect the many villages and longhouses and also to connect them to Lawas,” he said.
According to Balang, the road projects would include building new ones and upgrading existing roads. The new roads are Pa’ Umor to Bario; SK/SMK Ulong Palang to Bario; Bario Airport road, Bario; Pa’ Dalih/Batu Patong/Remudu/Pa’ Mada/Bario; upgrading of Murud Suang, Trusan; upgrading of road to Kpg Bukit Batu in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Long Suang road in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Luagan and SK Luagan roads in Trusan; and upgrading of Lubok Abai/Ranau Baru road in Trusan.
Among roads scheduled for upgrading in the upper reaches of Trusan River are roads to Kpg Puneng Kelalan; SK Ba’ Kelalan; Kpg Long Lemutut; Kpg Pa Tawing; Kpg Long Merarap and the Merarap Hot Spring resort.
“With the roads I hope the people will be able to improve their income and also standard of living,” Balang said.
Besides roads, he also talked about electricity and water supplies, clinic, homestay, and the ‘Tagang’ system that would be implemented in his constituency this year.
For the electricity supply, which uses solar hybrid, Balang said that they would be installed in six villages - Long Semadoh Naseb, Long Sukang, Pa’ Ukat in Bario, Kpg Pa’ Umur, Kpg Baru and Kpg Padang Pasir.
The RM9 million-clinic would be built at Kpg Long Sukang under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
The decision to locate the Rural Growth Centre (RGC) and the ‘Pelita’ project in Long Semadoh was already in the final stage.
Balang said all these would not be possible if not for the Barisan Nasional government. He, therefore, urged the people to continue giving their support to the government of the day to ensure them a brighter future.
“This is only the beginning of more development projects to come in the (Ba’ Kelalan) constituency,” he said.
Sarawak tribuneSunday, 13 June 2010 16:42 Roger Duyong
Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) has proposed three furniture complexes in Bintulu, Kapit and Lawas respectively under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).Its general manager Datu Sarudu Hoklai said the cost of each complex was about RM20 million.
“We notice that this type of complex has assisted our local vendors. We group them together and support them through training and technology exposure. We already have a similar complex in Kota Samarahan, Tanjung Manis and Kuala Baram and we would like to see more in other areas.
“We believe that Bintulu, Kapit and Lawas have similar potentials because everyone is looking for good furniture,” he told reporters after the opening of the sixth anniversary of STIDC Furniture Complex here yesterday.
He pointed out that STIDC already had the data on the potential vendors for its new proposed complexes. It has targeted five vendors for each new complex, he added.
Currently, STIDC had about 47 vendors throughout the state.
Sarudu explained that the concept of the complex was to provide a platform for Bumiputra entrepreneurs to further enhance their skills so that they could compete locally and internationally.
“The complex is like a temporary area for vendors until they can have their own factories or production areas. It is like an incubation system. We incubate them until they can walk on their own, therefore, they can’t stay here forever,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Sarudu advised local industry players to invest in Research and Development (R&D) to enhance the quality of their products.
He pointed out that furniture with good quality and trendy designs would provide a strong path for an industry player to venture into the overseas markets.
“The quality of your products determine your market share because consumers nowadays emphasise on quality. Local vendors must acknowledge this challenge,” he said.
A marketing strategy was equally important, said Sarudu, adding that local players should promote their products aggressively through various channel.
“Service to customers should be improved as well. Your staff should be equipped with relevant knowledge so that they can provide good explanation to customers,” he said.
by Lee Ya Yun
May 1, 2010, Saturday / KOTA SAMARAHAN
“We notice that this type of complex has assisted our local vendors. We group them together and support them through training and technology exposure. We already have a similar complex in Kota Samarahan, Tanjung Manis and Kuala Baram and we would like to see more in other areas.
“We believe that Bintulu, Kapit and Lawas have similar potentials because everyone is looking for good furniture,” he told reporters after the opening of the sixth anniversary of STIDC Furniture Complex here yesterday.
He pointed out that STIDC already had the data on the potential vendors for its new proposed complexes. It has targeted five vendors for each new complex, he added.
Currently, STIDC had about 47 vendors throughout the state.
Sarudu explained that the concept of the complex was to provide a platform for Bumiputra entrepreneurs to further enhance their skills so that they could compete locally and internationally.
“The complex is like a temporary area for vendors until they can have their own factories or production areas. It is like an incubation system. We incubate them until they can walk on their own, therefore, they can’t stay here forever,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Sarudu advised local industry players to invest in Research and Development (R&D) to enhance the quality of their products.
He pointed out that furniture with good quality and trendy designs would provide a strong path for an industry player to venture into the overseas markets.
“The quality of your products determine your market share because consumers nowadays emphasise on quality. Local vendors must acknowledge this challenge,” he said.
A marketing strategy was equally important, said Sarudu, adding that local players should promote their products aggressively through various channel.
“Service to customers should be improved as well. Your staff should be equipped with relevant knowledge so that they can provide good explanation to customers,” he said.
by Lee Ya Yun
May 1, 2010, Saturday / KOTA SAMARAHAN
MIRI: The Barisan Nasional (BN) Government at the federal level does not consider the frequent visits by federal ministers and other high ranking officials from Kuala Lumpur to the state recently as ‘seasonal’ visits.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid clarified that the term ‘season Visit’ does not exist as far as the BN federal administration is concerned.
The federal administration’s only aim, he said, is to bring the agenda of total development to the people, particularly to the states of Sarawak and Sabah.
Speaking at SK Long Luping in Ba’Kelalan on Wednesday, Zahid stressed that his second working visit to the Lun Bawang highlands had nothing to do with election gimmicks as claimed by the opposition parties.
“I’m here (Ba’ Kelalan) for the second time, not because of the state election, but with a sincere heart to help the rural folks in this constituency,” he remarked.
Zahid commented that the Roads Upgrading Project under the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces (RAMD)’s Jiwa Murni programme had demonstrated the army’s commitment to serve the rural people in Ba’ Kelalan.
“RAMD does involve in politics. They are only looking at the effectiveness of the project to bring total benefit to the people,” he remarked.
Zahid reminded the rural people in Ba’ Kelalan not to be easily manipulated by the opposition parties.
The opposition parties, he said, were only good at criticising the BN Government’s effort and did not have the true desire to help the people.
“The current project initiated by the RAMD has no connection with politics. The success of this project will determine Ba’ Kelalan’s greater future prospect in terms of social and economic benefits,” he remarked.
More than 5,000 Lun Bawang folks from 40 villages in Ba’ Kelalan will benefit from the upgrading of the roads by end of this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak had granted a special allocation to the RMAD for the implementation of the project.
Started in September last year, the RAMD had taken the challenge to upgrade 75km of roads from Lawas to Ba’ Kelalan, including the construction of 10 Bailey bridges, at a total cost of RM52.2 million.
At the moment, the first phase of project with the construction of four Bailey bridges has been completed, involving some 35 army personnel from the 5 SKN RAJD (Royal Engineer Regiment) in Kota Kinabalu.
For the second phase, construction works are progressing according to schedule since early this month and Zahid expects the bailey bridges to be completed by November this year.
For the roads upgrading project, he said the current rainy season is hampering the efforts and delaying the works. However, he assured that construction and repair works will start immediately after the rainy season.
The journey via the existing timber roads normally takes between six to 10 hours. Sometimes, vehicles can be stranded for days depending on the road condition.
The muddy and slippery mountainous roads, particularly along the 75km stretch from Ba’ Kelalan to Lawas, pose a danger to vehicles. Even so, the people have no choice but to take the risk by travelling along the road to nearby schools, villages or getting the necessary supplies from Lawas.
Joining the Defence Minister to Ba’ Kelalan were the MP for Lawas, Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Haji Mohd Naroden Hj Majais, Ba’ Kelalan Assemblyman Nelson Balang Rining, Army Deputy Chief, General Datuk Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, and Army Chief Engineer Brigadier General Datuk Abdul Nasser Ahmad.
Eastern Times BY NORNI MAHADI 16 April 2010
This was disclosed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during his working visit here yesterday.
Arriving at Ba’Kelalan yesterday morning with some local and West Malaysian newsmen on tow, Zahid said the project was divided into two phases. Construction work on Phase I started in September 2009 while that for Phase II started this month.
“Phase I consists of four bridges, while there are six in Phase II…both phases are expected for completion this Nov 30.
“Phase I of the project is already 90 per cent completed, while phase II just started on April 1,” said Zahid, adding that a total 70 army personnel from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu have been deployed to the area for the project.
Zahid said the project had effectively squashed allegations hurled by the opposition that the government was not sincere in delivering the project.
“We have no agendas, but to give the people within this area access to proper communication access,” he pointed out.
Among those accompanying Zahid in his visit were Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman Nelson Balang Rining, Army Deputy Chief General Leftenan General Datuk Zulkifeli Mohd Zain, Royal Regiment Malaysian Engineer Army Brigadier General Dato’ Ir Abdul Nasser Ahmad, and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Naroden Majais.
by Margaret Ringgit
April 14, 2010, Wednesday
LAWAS: The much-awaited RM29.5 million Trusan bridge project is on track to be completed by July this year but locals are hoping that it could be ready for the Gawai Dayak and Pesta Lun Bawang (Irau Aco) festival holiday rush.
HOPING FOR EARLY LAUNCH: File photo of the Trusan bridge works in progress in May last year and works have progressed to nearing completion. Locals are praying for the bridge to be ready for Gawai Dayak and Pesta Irau Aco.
It could be delivered earlier as concreting works on the second last span of the bridge on land has already started while bridge rails on the last span is being put up by the contractor.
“This is the easy part as the contractor has already tackled the main structural construction challenge in the central beam in the Trusan River, and the concreting works on the last section of the bridge is on land,” said a source familiar with bridge construction works.
Limbang PWD divisional engineer Rumai Galis declined to comment on the work progress.
The project was slightly behind schedule and the completion date was slated for July 2010, following the automatic three months extension given by the Government following the economic downturn to assist badly affected contractors in the country.
Prices of materials skyrocketed and cash flow of construction companies were badly affected, and this resulted in overall slowdown of projects including the Trusan Bridge project.
The initial completion date of Trusan bridge was December last year.
Works could be completed as early as end of May but authorities are unlikely to open it to public until all the safety requirements have been met.
Travellers and cargo haulers were looking forward an early opening of the bridge as traffic volume would skyrocket during this coming school holidays that coincide with the Gawai Dayak and Pesta Irau Aco holidays this year.
The project included piling works of the two piers in the fast-flowing Trusan River, where the contractors faced the fickle river conditions of low and high water level, including the major floods that hit Lawas last year.
Spanning 420 metres and 10.2 m wide, the completed bridge will be a welcomed sight for travellers who all this while had to wait for their turns to cross Trusan river by ferry, with long queues of vehicles during festive seasons.
Seasoned travellers would groan during festive seasons as the long wait to cross the river could take up to two to three hours during the peak in the past but the authorities had recently allowed both ferries to operate simultaneously when the situation arose last year.
The Trusan Bridge is the missing link in the Pan Borneo highway in Sarawak, between Kuching in the south and Lawas in the north that leads to Sabah, and long-base cargo lorries can gobble up all the space on the Trusan ferry in each crossing.
Thousands crossed this stretch during weekends, public and school holidays in the inter-state travel through Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah, and the flow would turn into a torrent during festive season such as Hari Raya, Christmas and school holidays in neighbouring Brunei.
April 14, 2010, Wednesday
LIMBANG: Ketiadaan bekalan air bersih dan elektrik yang menjadi keperluan utama hampir 300 penduduk di Kampung Limpaku Pinang, satu-satunya kampung yang terletak di pesisir kuala Limbang di sini, akan diatasi melalui peruntukan berjumlah RM10 juta daripada kerajaan negeri.
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail berkata, peruntukan tersebut melibatkan pelaksanaan projek sistem perawatan air hujan dan bekalan elektrik luar bandar yang sudah diluluskan untuk disiapkan bermula tahun ini.
Beliau berkata, kontraktor projek berkenaan telah diarah untuk melaksanakan dan menyiapkan projek berkenaan dalam tempoh sebelas bulan.
“Apabila siap kelak, projek berkenaan diharap dapat mengatasi masalah kekurangan air bersih, terutama pada musim kemarau selain kemudahan bekalan elektrik kepada penduduk yang sebelum ini bergantung kepada jana kuasa elektrik,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada Program Mesra Rakyat dan Pelancaran Program 1Keluarga 1Graduan di kampung Limpaku Pinang di sini, semalam.
Hadir sama ialah Penyelia Kanan Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (Kemas) Parlimen Limbang, Asmah Yasin, Pegawai Penerangan Baha- gian, Mohd Azlan Charles Abdullah, Guru Besar Sk Limpaku Pinang, Lajim Karia, Ketua Kampung Limpaku Pinang, Simat Zaman Sapar dan jemputan lain.
Program itu dianjurkan bersama pihak Kemas dan Jabatan Penerangan Bahagian, selain Ibu Bapa Guru (PIBG) Sk Limpaku Pinang dan penduduk kampung tersebut.
Dr Rahman menambah, kerajaan tidak pernah meminggirkan nasib dan masalah rakyat di kawasan pedalaman dengan melaksanakan projek pembangunan untuk manfaat mereka bersama.
Selain itu, jelasnya, pada masa sama kerajaan juga ber-usaha untuk meningkatkan pendapatan penduduk di kawasan tersebut termasuk me-ngenal pasti potensi yang bo-leh dibangunkan untuk menambah ekonomi penduduk.
Beliau turut menjelaskan agensi kerajaan lain, terutama Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) juga sedang berusaha untuk membantu menambah pendapatan mereka melalui program inap desa.
“Kampung Limpaku Pinang yang merupakan satu-satunya kampung terpencil di pesisir kuala Sungai Limbang juga mempunyai potensi dalam sektor pelancongan dengan membangunkan program inap desa di kawasan berkenaan.
“Bagi mencapai matlamat tersebut sebanyak 10 buah rumah dipilih untuk memulakan program tersebut dalam merancakkan lagi industri pelancongan untuk menambah nilai pendapatan mereka,” katanya lagi.
Jelasnya, kerajaan melalui LKIM turut membantu meningkatkan sara hidup golongan nelayan serta awak-awak di kampung berkenaan yang bergantung sepenuhnya terhadap tangkapan ikan untuk mencari rezeki.
“Inilah sebahagian usaha kerajaan untuk memastikan rakyat terutama di kawasan pedalaman dan luar bandar dapat menikmati kehidupan yang lebih baik dan selesa. Ia juga bertepatan dengan slongan 1Malaysia (Rakyat Didahulukan Pencapaian Diutamakan),”katanya lagi.
Pada majlis sama Dr Rahman turut mengumumkan peruntukan RM5,000 kepada kampung berkenaan termasuk RM3,000 bagi PIBG Sk Limpaku Pinang, manakala selebihnya untuk golongan wanita dan pemuda kampung tersebut.
March 28, 2010, Sunday
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail berkata, peruntukan tersebut melibatkan pelaksanaan projek sistem perawatan air hujan dan bekalan elektrik luar bandar yang sudah diluluskan untuk disiapkan bermula tahun ini.
Beliau berkata, kontraktor projek berkenaan telah diarah untuk melaksanakan dan menyiapkan projek berkenaan dalam tempoh sebelas bulan.
“Apabila siap kelak, projek berkenaan diharap dapat mengatasi masalah kekurangan air bersih, terutama pada musim kemarau selain kemudahan bekalan elektrik kepada penduduk yang sebelum ini bergantung kepada jana kuasa elektrik,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada Program Mesra Rakyat dan Pelancaran Program 1Keluarga 1Graduan di kampung Limpaku Pinang di sini, semalam.
Hadir sama ialah Penyelia Kanan Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (Kemas) Parlimen Limbang, Asmah Yasin, Pegawai Penerangan Baha- gian, Mohd Azlan Charles Abdullah, Guru Besar Sk Limpaku Pinang, Lajim Karia, Ketua Kampung Limpaku Pinang, Simat Zaman Sapar dan jemputan lain.
Program itu dianjurkan bersama pihak Kemas dan Jabatan Penerangan Bahagian, selain Ibu Bapa Guru (PIBG) Sk Limpaku Pinang dan penduduk kampung tersebut.
Dr Rahman menambah, kerajaan tidak pernah meminggirkan nasib dan masalah rakyat di kawasan pedalaman dengan melaksanakan projek pembangunan untuk manfaat mereka bersama.
Selain itu, jelasnya, pada masa sama kerajaan juga ber-usaha untuk meningkatkan pendapatan penduduk di kawasan tersebut termasuk me-ngenal pasti potensi yang bo-leh dibangunkan untuk menambah ekonomi penduduk.
Beliau turut menjelaskan agensi kerajaan lain, terutama Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) juga sedang berusaha untuk membantu menambah pendapatan mereka melalui program inap desa.
“Kampung Limpaku Pinang yang merupakan satu-satunya kampung terpencil di pesisir kuala Sungai Limbang juga mempunyai potensi dalam sektor pelancongan dengan membangunkan program inap desa di kawasan berkenaan.
“Bagi mencapai matlamat tersebut sebanyak 10 buah rumah dipilih untuk memulakan program tersebut dalam merancakkan lagi industri pelancongan untuk menambah nilai pendapatan mereka,” katanya lagi.
Jelasnya, kerajaan melalui LKIM turut membantu meningkatkan sara hidup golongan nelayan serta awak-awak di kampung berkenaan yang bergantung sepenuhnya terhadap tangkapan ikan untuk mencari rezeki.
“Inilah sebahagian usaha kerajaan untuk memastikan rakyat terutama di kawasan pedalaman dan luar bandar dapat menikmati kehidupan yang lebih baik dan selesa. Ia juga bertepatan dengan slongan 1Malaysia (Rakyat Didahulukan Pencapaian Diutamakan),”katanya lagi.
Pada majlis sama Dr Rahman turut mengumumkan peruntukan RM5,000 kepada kampung berkenaan termasuk RM3,000 bagi PIBG Sk Limpaku Pinang, manakala selebihnya untuk golongan wanita dan pemuda kampung tersebut.
March 28, 2010, Sunday
LAWAS: Projek pembinaan Loji Rawatan Air Wilayah di Trusan dijangka mampu mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan air di daerah ini apabila kerja pemasangan paip siap sepenuhnya nanti, kata Menteri Kemudahan Awam Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.Beliau berkata pada masa ini loji berkenaan mampu membekalkan 20 juta liter air sehari (MLD) untuk fasa pertama dan keseluruhannya boleh membekalkan 30 MLD setelah kerja pembesaran dilakukan kelak.
Sehubungan itu beliau mahu pihak yang terbabit dengan kerja pelaksanaan projek pembinaan loji berkenaan dapat melakukan kerja penyambungan batang paip dengan cepat dan sempurna.
“Walaupun loji berkenaan masih dalam kerja-kerja pembinaan, kita berharap pihak Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) akan terus menghantar bekalan air bersih ke kawasan yang terjejas menggunakan lori tangki jabatan berkenaan,” katanya.
Beliau menyatakan demikian ketika melakukan lawatan ke loji rawatan air di Gelugus kelmarin.
Hadir sama pada majlis berkenaan ialah Ahli Parlimen Lawas Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Penguasa Tanah dan Survei Bahagian Limbang Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmod, wakil JKR Lawas Lang Lee Ming, Pegawai Penerangan Daerah Syarulizan Madian, Pegawai Pertanian Daerah Zulkifli Sahari dan Timbalan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Bukit Sari Awang Emran Awang Damit.
Awang Tengah yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Sari juga mahu pihak JKR memantau rapi kerja pemasangan batang paip ke Ulu Trusan.
“Pemantauan ini penting kerana pada masa yang sama kerja pembinaan jalan dari simpang Trusan ke Briwan sedang rancak dilaksanakan.
“Kita bimbang ia boleh merosakkan batang paip berkenaan yang boleh menyebabkan kos meningkat dan kerja pemasangan tergendala,” katanya.
Menyentuh mengenai Loji Penapisan Air di Gelugus yang digunakan sekarang, beliau berkata ia mampu membekalkan sejumlah 4.8 MLD manakala Trusan 1.1 MLD, Sundar 3.75 MLD dan Merapok dan Kuala Lawas masing-masing 0.88 MLD.
March 18, 2010, Thursday
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| Awang Tengah (left), with a traditional knapsack and hat, shakes the hand of Tanjung Aru village chief Mohiddin Pukol as wife Morliah looks on . |
Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the Mengkalap-Sina Puan stretch had been approved but the allocation of RM15 million may have to be revised upwards.
He said a revised amount was necessary because the RM15 million already approved was not enough.
According to him, also earmarked for upgrading are the Kampung Aru-Sundar road (RM1.5 million) and Kampung Luagan (RM1 million) while the 0.4km stretch known as Jalan Choo Lin would be allocated RM0.5 million.
Awang Tengah said this when officiating at the closing ceremony of Kemas’ 1Malaysia Community Sports Carnival at Kampung Aru in Sundar yesterday.
Also present were Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud, Kemas Lawas senior supervisor Kadir Tusin, Temengong Sabli Hamid and Temengong Paris Kaya.
Awang Tengah called on the people to assess their economic potentials including the commercial potential of their land in view of the coming road projects and accessibility.
“The road linkages are not just about communication but they must be seen as opening up opportunities for you to commercialise your agricultural activities such as padi doublecropping and livestock rearing.
“He pointed out the various government agencies were always ready to provide them with advice and expertise.
“On the carnival, he said the government was supportive of any activity that could help nurture rapport and friendship.
“Do not allow disunity to set in due to petty issues but be focused on meeting the challenges of the k-society ahead where everything is knowledge driven and education is the key to improving the family institution,” Awang Tengah said.
March 15, 2010, Monday
BA KELALAN: Lun Bawangs in Ba Kelalan are wondering when the government will actually start their micro hydro-electric project.
They have waited long for the project but it has not taken off.
The project which is meant to benefit about 1,000 Buduk Nur and Long Langai villagers, was approved by the federal government to ease their dependence on diesel generators.
That is well and fine, but today the village development and security committee (JKKK) of Buduk Nur is unhappy because the contractor has yet to turn up in the highlands.
A member of the JKKK, Tadam Arun, said the government has allocated a big fund for the project and it should have taken off by now.
Accompanied by chairman of Sarawak Lun Bawang Association chiarman, Frederick Lalung Ngilo, he said optimism has turned into suspicion and scepticism in the two villages.
“What we saw are only pipes piled up in our area but there has been no signs of work starting and the villagers want to know what the problems are,” he said.
The villagers are willing to undertake it on ‘gotong-royong’ (voluntary communal) basis if the contractor is unwilling to proceed with the project.
Tadam, who is also PBB Ba Kelalan Youth secretary, said locals have yearned for the project for years so the delay was heart-breaking to them.
Electricity and roads have topped the list of their requests to every top government official.
He pointed out that the proposed mini hydroelectric dams at Kampung Buduk Nur and Long Langai are regarded as a lifeline and hence have long been part of the development plans for them.
The area also has a primary school and health clinic which could be powered by the micro-HEP dams.
Tadam also pointed to the water piping system which has failed since June last year. It has yet to be rectified. Locals are currently depending on their old gravity-feed water supply systems.
They have waited long for the project but it has not taken off.
The project which is meant to benefit about 1,000 Buduk Nur and Long Langai villagers, was approved by the federal government to ease their dependence on diesel generators.
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| POSER ON MICRO-HEP: Tadam (right) and Frederick show pictures of the pipes that are supposed to be used for the micro-hydro electric project in Ba Kelalan. |
That is well and fine, but today the village development and security committee (JKKK) of Buduk Nur is unhappy because the contractor has yet to turn up in the highlands.
A member of the JKKK, Tadam Arun, said the government has allocated a big fund for the project and it should have taken off by now.
Accompanied by chairman of Sarawak Lun Bawang Association chiarman, Frederick Lalung Ngilo, he said optimism has turned into suspicion and scepticism in the two villages.
“What we saw are only pipes piled up in our area but there has been no signs of work starting and the villagers want to know what the problems are,” he said.
The villagers are willing to undertake it on ‘gotong-royong’ (voluntary communal) basis if the contractor is unwilling to proceed with the project.
Tadam, who is also PBB Ba Kelalan Youth secretary, said locals have yearned for the project for years so the delay was heart-breaking to them.
Electricity and roads have topped the list of their requests to every top government official.
He pointed out that the proposed mini hydroelectric dams at Kampung Buduk Nur and Long Langai are regarded as a lifeline and hence have long been part of the development plans for them.
The area also has a primary school and health clinic which could be powered by the micro-HEP dams.
Tadam also pointed to the water piping system which has failed since June last year. It has yet to be rectified. Locals are currently depending on their old gravity-feed water supply systems.
March 4, 2010, Thursday
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| CEO of SEB Torstein Dale Sjotveit (third right) handing over the Final Report For The Feasibility Study Of Sarawak-Brunei Power Interconnection System to Haj1 Umar Haji Muhammad Tahir, witnessed by (from left) Haji Ismail Pehin Dato Hashim, Mohammad Daud, Tengah, Morshidi, and Hamed Sepawi. PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI |
He added that the capacity would be increased in subsequent years – by 150 MW in 2013 and by another 50 MW in 2014 - based on the ‘Take-or-Pay Model’.
“The first phase of power export to Brunei is through Tudan in Miri and connects to Brunei via the border point at Sg Tujuh. Connection is by way of a 275 kilovolt (kv) transmission line of about 13 km between Tudan and Sg Tujuh. The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
“Brunei will eventually develop a 275 kv transmission backbone spanning Sg Tujuh-Kuala Belait-Spark-Bukit Panggal-Katok,” Tengah told the media after witnessing the handing over of the final Report for the Feasibility Study of Sarawak-Brunei Power Interconnection System here yesterday.
Among those present were Minister of Energy in the (Brunei) Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (R) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad Daud, State Secretary Datuk Amar Datuk Amar Haji Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Ministers of Public Utilities Sylvester Entri and Dr Stephen Rundi, and the Chairman of Sarawak Energy Berhad Datuk Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
Tengah said the feasibility study was carried out by both SEB and Brunei’s Electricity Services Department, after a Memorandum of Understanding was inked on May 7, 2009.
Tengah, who is also the Minister of Public Utilities, added that the second phase of power export to Brunei was via Limbang, probably in conjunction with the development of the Limbang II hydroelectricity project, which would be completed by 2015.
“The hydroelectric will be connected to Limbang town and is also supplied to Brunei via Limau Manis (Mile 18). The idea is to go westward through Brunei’s Temburong District to connect with Lawas town, and also supplying Bungar in Temburong,” he said.
On a related issue, Tengah did not rule out the possibility of developing more coal-fired stations to meet the demands of energy-intensive industries in SCORE area.
“As you know, our coal produces high energy but low in sulfur content. As such, we expect our coal-fired stations to be able to generate 470 MW of electricity from the current 225 MW,” he said.
However, he did not specify where these additional coal-fired stations would be built. Currently, Sarawak has two coal-fired stations - in Sejingkat and in Mukah.
Coal-fired stations are expected to contribute 14 % of the total power capacity of 10,000 MW by 2020.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Daud, said Brunei was also very interested to invest in SCORE and as well as at the Halal Hub in Tanjung Manis.
Eastern Times By PETER SIBON
KUCHING: Sarawak’s first biodiesel plant will have an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes when it is fully operational in March.
The RM80mil plant is owned and operated by Sarawak company Senari Biofuels Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Assar Senari Group.
Senari Biofuels executive director Datuk Abang Khalid Marzuki said the plant, located within the Assar Senari Industrial Complex here, was now ready to commence production.
“We expect to be in full operation by March. Our production will be mainly for the export market and we intend to to expand the plant gradually to meet future demand,” he said at the plant’s launching by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Monday.
Abang Khalid said the plant comprised product storage facilities to receive feedstock via dedicated pipelines from the Assar palm oil refinery as well as connecting pipelines to the Assar independent oil terminal and deepsea port.
He said it also complied with statutory requirements under the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry for technical standards and best practices and was equipped with biodiesel technology to produce green fuel.
“With the launch of this plant, Senari Biofuels is prepared to be the leader in the biodiesel industry in Sarawak,” he said.
Assar Senari Group chairman Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor welcomed the collaboration with Senari Biofuels as part of the group’s efforts to integrate oil, gas and palm oil-based industries within its industrial complex.
“Our second industrial complex in Tanjung Manis is under construction and we are planning a third complex in Lawas. We hope Senari Biofuels will also set up biodiesel plants in these two complexes in the future,” he said.
By Sharon Ling
sharonling@thestar.com.my
The RM80mil plant is owned and operated by Sarawak company Senari Biofuels Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Assar Senari Group.
Senari Biofuels executive director Datuk Abang Khalid Marzuki said the plant, located within the Assar Senari Industrial Complex here, was now ready to commence production.
“We expect to be in full operation by March. Our production will be mainly for the export market and we intend to to expand the plant gradually to meet future demand,” he said at the plant’s launching by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Monday.
Abang Khalid said the plant comprised product storage facilities to receive feedstock via dedicated pipelines from the Assar palm oil refinery as well as connecting pipelines to the Assar independent oil terminal and deepsea port.
He said it also complied with statutory requirements under the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry for technical standards and best practices and was equipped with biodiesel technology to produce green fuel.
“With the launch of this plant, Senari Biofuels is prepared to be the leader in the biodiesel industry in Sarawak,” he said.
Assar Senari Group chairman Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor welcomed the collaboration with Senari Biofuels as part of the group’s efforts to integrate oil, gas and palm oil-based industries within its industrial complex.
“Our second industrial complex in Tanjung Manis is under construction and we are planning a third complex in Lawas. We hope Senari Biofuels will also set up biodiesel plants in these two complexes in the future,” he said.
By Sharon Ling
sharonling@thestar.com.my
