KUCHING: The long-awaited houses for the resettlement of Kampung Mambong villagers affected by the clinker project will likely be implemented in the next few months. National Housing Corporation (SPNB) Sarawak manager Wan Hamid Wan Habib said the allocation for the project is available but it could not be implemented due to land issues and problems with piling. “From what we understand the land issue has already been settled while for the piling work, we were told that the elected representative in the area is trying to help get some funds from the government. “Most likely by this year we can start to implement the project,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday when commenting on the latest progress on the resettlement affecting some 20 families. They ...

KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit did not rule out human activities as the cause of the current drought season. He said the cutting of forests meant there were not enough trees to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and water vapour, which eventually lead to global warming and climate change. Every year, 40 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide are released to the environment, including 167 million metric tonnes emitted from Malaysia, due to industrial activities, he explained. “Now, drought season occurs due to the phenomenon called El Nino, which may last from this month onwards until January next year. There will be less rain. So, we have to bear with it. “This happens due to activities of human ...

KUCHING: Mambong folk should remain calm and be mindful that some approved projects take time to implement. Its MP Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, who is also Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment,  assured that projects worth a total of RM5 million for Mambong would be implemented. “All projects approved for the constituency will be implemented, but the people must understand that various procedures and policy have to be followed. “There are many stages and procedures to follow before a project can be implemented,” he said at a PBB Bengoh gathering on Friday to celebrate his victory in the May 5 general election. He told those present that all promises stated in the  BN manifesto would be fulfilled. Dawos also urged PBB members ...

KUCHING: The support of the Bidayuhs, one of the minority ethnic groups in Sarawak, for the government is crucial to ensure the successful implementation of all its transformation programmes, Human Resources Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem said yesterday. He said the community would still need the government to provide basic amenities, which were yet to be enjoyed in some of the areas where they lived, but would be delivered through the tranformation programmes. “There are still some Bidayuh villages which are not yet connected by road. Some don’t have 24-hour electricity supply and treated water supply,” he said when opening the Bidayuh Cultural Symposium organised by the Dayak Bidayuh community here. Yet, he said, the Bidayuhs continued to give solid support ...

  FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Dawos planting a tree sapling at Kampung Tringgus. BAU: Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit said he would implement several economy-related projects in Mambong if he were re-elected in the 13th general election. Among the plans up his sleeves are to woo commercial farming and intensify the tourism industry. Dawos said there were many potential tourist spots like waterfall, rivers and thick forests in Mambong which could be turned into prime tourist destinations. Similarly, the parliamentary constituency has plenty of land for commercial farming. “As we move towards a higher-income society, what I plan to do (if re-elected) is to intensify economic activities for the rural people to increase their income,” ...

KUCHING: A new road will be constructed to link Kampung Semadang in Penrissen with Kampung Danu in Padawan. Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos in announcing the project, which has been put on hold for close to three years now, said construction work would start soon but did not mention any specific date. He said the project would commence after the affected land owners had agreed to give up their land for the development. Dawos said the proposed road would certainly boost the economic activities of the people living the surrounding area. It would also augur well with the development of tourism activities in Kampung Danu, which has increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination. Kampung Danu, a Bidayuh village of about 50 families not far from the Borneo ...

GREEN FIELDS: Masing (third left) visits the paddy field. At second left is Kapit Deputy Resident (social development) Mohd Ikhmal Abdullah. The whole area, 400 acres, is to be developed for wet padi cultivation once the DID (Drainage and Irrigation Department) scheme is completed. Now five acres under the pilot project of full mechanisation farming, from soil ploughing to harvesting, is fully done with machinery. – Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, Land Development Minister Whole area of 400 acres to be developed for wet padi cultivation once scheme is completed KAPIT: Sungai Tunoh has the potential to become a major rice producer for Sarawak, said Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing. He pointed out that the area is suitable for large-scale ...

SERIAN: Those who had yet to register or those names that were not included in the BR1M 2.0 distribution list should submit their applications now as the government had extended the registration period to March 15. Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot said this was to allow more people to benefit from government’s financial aid. “The government is very concerned about the people’s welfare, and as such our prime minister decided to extend the application period,” Riot said at the distribution of BR1M 2.0 vouchers at Serian Community Hall yesterday. Riot said more than RM9.76 million would be distributed to 15,840 families and 8,143 singles who earned less than RM2,000 a month in Serian district. Apart from BR1M, he told those present that the government also ...

  LET’S DANCE: Dawos (second right, facing camera) and Sagah (first right, facing camera) entertain the requests of the villagers for a dance during the function. KUCHING: Sarawak registered more tourist arrivals than Sabah last year despite the comparative lack of direct air connectivity. Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said the state recorded 4.03 million tourists last year compared to 2.8 million tourists for Sabah. “Thus, it is not true that Sabah is more popular because more tourists visit Sarawak. Though Sabah has direct air links to Hong Kong and South Korea, Sarawak has more tourists coming from Europe, who are attracted to our nature and eco-tourism products. “Nevertheless, I was told by Europeans whom I met ...

  ON-GOING PROJECT: Among the houses at BRS. The 204 units of RMR are now about 68 per cent complete. KUCHING: Mambong MP Datuk Dr James Dawos is confident that all residents of four villages affected by Bengoh Dam be fully resettled by the end of this year. He was optimistic that all the 240 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) at BRS would be completed in time to accommodate the families of the four villages. The four villages are Taba Sait, Pain Bojong, Rejoi and Semban, which have a total population of approximately 1,600 people. The construction of the houses started in March last year and is due to complete by last December. Contacted yesterday, Dawos who is the committee chairman of BRS pointed out that the construction of the houses had been quite ...