@##@Lembaga Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar Sarawak (NREB)@##@SMK Semerah Padi, Petra Jaya Kuching.@##@2017-05-29@##@2017-07-16

The first International Borneo Bird Race 2014, thet see participants from 12 countries travel more than 1000 kilometres in search of more than 400 species of birds in a wide range of habitats from the coastal regions, freswater swamps, lowland forests, to the hills and mountain ranges of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. At the end of the day, each team will enjoy the beauty of the flora as they count the numbers of recorded species of birds, and the longest list shall earn the prestigious " Bornean Bristlehead Trophy ". For more information, please call Ministry of Tourism Sarawak Mr. Rickson Jauk Tel: 082-319306 Fax: 082-445311 @##@Ministry of Tourism Sarawak@##@National & Wildlife Park@##@2014-06-28@##@2014-06-30

Taib and Ragad (centre) with Adenan (fourth left), Jamilah (right), Abang Johari (second left) and others pose with a lucky draw winner Mohamad Suhaimi Awang Md Daud (fourth right). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has vowed to support bike-related activities under one condition – that bikers promise to put Sarawak on the international map. “I am with you all the way. I will support you all the way if you promise to put us on the world biking map,” he said at Kuching International Bike Week 2015 Gala Dinner at Imperial Hotel here on Saturday. Adenan said he was proud to be associated with local and international bikers at the gathering, where laughter echoed whenever he cracked jokes. Before making his way to the stage, Adenan received thunderous applause from the crowd. “I have never seen so many enthusiastic motorcyclists in my life. You vroom, vroom, vroom to Kuching and this makes (Tourism Minister Datuk Amar) Abang Johari (Tun Abang Openg) happy because you put Kuching on the world map, making it known to more tourists. “The government is prepared to sponsor (future similar events), so do not worry. And thank you for putting us on the world map.”Adenan was pleased to note that more than 200 bikers had rumbled all the way from Brunei for the four-day event. Earlier, Abang Johari said the bike week was the first of its kind hosted by the state, while the Sarawak government pledged RM100,000 for it. He said the participation from bikers from nearby countries indicated their interests to promote social activities, especially the sport. “I feel very, very young seeing these bikers. Under the leadership of our chief minister, Sarawak will continue to promote this sport.”  Abang Johari added his ministry would include the Kuching International Bike Week in its calendar of events for the year. He believed the bikers would enjoy a smooth ride once the Pan Borneo Highway was completed in the coming years.         “When we have the quality highway, you all will have an enjoyable journey, covering Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak and Kalimantan, all the places in Borneo. We can enjoy when we have the first class Pan Borneo Highway.”      Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Dato Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib were the guests of honour at the dinner. Among those present were Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu and Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban Areas) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The closure of Kapit Sports Stadium is to allow repair and upgrading works to be carried out on the running track and other facilities there.     KAPIT: The local folk, especially those from sports clubs, are hoping that repair and upgrading works on the sports stadium at Jalan Sukan-Jalan Airport here could reach completion ahead of schedule. A notice by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports displayed on the stadium gate, states the closure period from March 8 till Dec 8 this year, meant to pave way for the contractor to upgrade and repair the running tracks and other amenities at the stadium. Stadium staff members, when met, said the closure was necessary to enable the contractor work without any interruption. “We hope the relevant authorities and the contractor could speed up the works so that the stadium could reopen earlier,” said a member of the public, who preferred not to be named, when met yesterday. He said it is understandable why the locals are complaining over the relatively-long closure period as the stadium – built in the 1980s – is the only facility of its kind in the whole district. “People usually come here after office hours to exercise and also play games such as football. The Kapit Football Association also has its training sessions here for young players with potential; local athletes also train here,” he added. Years of wear and tear have left the running track in a sad state, and the situation was made worse after the stadium was used to host the Jiwa Murni programme in April 2016. For now, members of the public who intend to jog do so along Jalan Airport and Jalan Hill Top, despite the presence of heavy traffic and the fact that the narrow, winding roads are not pedestrian-friendly. Some have also chosen to carry out their recreational activities at Phase II Bletih Industrial Estate, even though the area is a favourite hangout for local youths who speed around on their motorcycles and execute various bike-related stunts.

Uggah (centre) and Dr Abdul Rahman (right) with one of the goats given to Branka. KUCHING: Sarawak will go into artificial insemination (AI) technology to increase live births of cows, buffaloes and goats next year. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this is because the state is in dire need of stepping up its efforts to develop the livestock industry. And to achieve the goal, the state must have a centre with such technology to produce more births of the animals, he added. “So we are going to develop a breeding centre and, from next year, we are going into artificial insemination technology to produce births,” he said at the handing of goats to Branka Farm at Kampung Quop here yesterday. Artificial insemination is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female. Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said Branka Farm is currently the biggest goat breeder but has no cow farm yet, while there are only about 5,000 buffaloes in Limbang and Lawas to-date. He said his ministry had given 110 Saanen dairy goats imported from Australia to Brangka Munan of Mucow Malaysia Sdn Bhd at Kampung Quap under the Small Ruminant Pawah Programme (SRPP). Under the programme, the state acquires good quality livestock and distributes them to a deserving farmer and, after a period of three years, the farmer will return the same number of animals to the department for redistribution to other deserving farmers. Uggah said the assistance to Branka’s farm was indeed a milestone in the livestock industry in Sarawak because at the moment, the self-sufficiency level for goat meat in the state was only seven per cent and 10 per cent for beef. Also present was Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.

Dr Annuar (second row, sixth from right) joins Abang Fairul (on his left) and Salfarina (on his right), in a group photo with the teachers and the Form 5 students. SIBU: The suggestion about Sarawak government enacting its own Education Ordinance meant to empower its Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry, requires an in-depth study that should also cover the legal aspects and include whether the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) could pass it. Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee while agreeing that the ministry could be rendered ‘powerless’ without such ordinance, also acknowledged that based on the constitution, matters relating to education are under the federal government. “We can’t implement what we want; it is true as what our Education, Science and Technological Research Minister (Dato Sri Michael Manyin) always says – ‘we can only supplement and complement, but we can’t implement some policies’. “The enactment of such proposed ordinance is better than the proposed deal by PH (Pakatan Harapan) of taking over the responsibility of education as part of the package of the 20 per cent from oil profit, which have the risk of not (having) enough (allocation) in future. Only by the enactment of this ordinance, could we have full autonomy on education. “On whether or not we need to have our own ordinance, we need to do a detailed study including the legal aspects as education is under the federal list. In fact, we have our Sarawak Research Council Ordinance – but not the education part that is required by the Education, Science and Technological Research Ministry,” he said in response to the question raised by some members of the public regarding the suggested ordinance. Dr Annuar, who is Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, was speaking to reporters after launching the Fifth Edition of ‘Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Intensive Clinic 2018’ at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here yesterday. Adding on, he said the needs of Sarawak would have to be taken into consideration when studying the suggestion for Sarawak to enact its own Education Ordinance. “Sometimes, different states have different needs; Sarawak’s needs, for instance, may differ from those of Perlis. “Moreover, Sarawak is more towards industrialisation given our plentiful resources. If we follow the current pace, we might not be able to catch up; we might need our own ways of doing things. “All of this needs to be studied in detail, especially the legal part,” Dr Annuar opined. On the SPM Clinic, Dr Annuar – also Nangka assemblyman – said the 10-week free tuition programme for 250 Form 5 students was run by Sibu Bumiputera Graduates Association (PGBS) in collaboration with Nangka Service Centre and UCTS. Forty-five specialist teachers were assembled to provide tuition on core subjects, he added. According to him, the programme has benefited some 1,000 students since its introduction five years ago. In this regard, he called upon the students to use what they had learnt from the programme to excel in their SPM examinations. PGBS chairman Abang Fairul Syarmil Abang Mohd and UCTS director of research and development Prof Salfarina Abdul Gapor were also present at the event.

Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah KUCHING: A Sarawak cabinet minister is supportive of the move to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said it is reasonable to set 18 as the minimum voting age because individuals of such age are already considered adults. “I agree (with lowering the voting age to 18). Those 18 and above are considered adults. “This is also the reason why we have proposed the minimum age of marriage to be 18 years old,” she said when contacted yesterday. Fatimah said individuals 18 years and above had already voiced their opinions in schools. “They have been given the chance to state their opinions, make choices and decisions through guided autonomy. “In schools for example, some of them have joined uniformed organisations such as the prefect body, club committees as well as some external related youth clubs to acquire leadership and decision-making skills.” She believed they were also enlightened on specific systems in the nation, to help discipline themselves while learning more about the legal framework of the nation. With this, Fatimah said the young individuals would be able to make decisions pertaining to politics in a mature and wise manner. On Wednesday, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the federal cabinet had agreed to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. He said the Federal Constitution had to be amended by way of acquiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the decision to take effect. Syed Saddiq added that he would work towards securing the two-thirds majority by meeting up with MPs from among the youths regardless of their political parties to set up a youth caucus.

Uggah (left) receives a compilation book of the preliminary output of the conference from Jaul at the closing ceremony yesterday. — Photos by Chimon Upon KUCHING: The amendment to the Sarawak Land Code will be tabled at the next State Legislative Assembly meeting which is scheduled to be held in July this year. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this following the proposal to amend the land code, which is vital to resolve the issues on Pemakai Menua (PM) and Pulau Galau (PG). “We are setting up a special committee headed by deputy state secretary Datu Jaul Samion to study the proposal and make recommendations to the task force on the definitions of PM and PG,” said Uggah during the closing of the two-day ‘Conference for Community Leaders on Pemakai Menua and Pulai Galau’ at Imperial Hotel here, which started on Wednesday. Uggah (10th left, third row) gives the thumbs-up together with the delegates of the conference after the closing ceremony. The conference, he added, had provided a meaningful platform for the committee to take note of the common and differing issues involving PM and PG which did not have a ‘force of law’. Uggah, who is also adviser to the conference and chairman to the special committee, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had agreed to amend the land code which reflected the state government’s willingness to listen to the plight of the people — especially the community leaders. The conference, which was participated by over 400 community leaders throughout Sarawak, had brought to the fore several beneficial and interesting suggestions and proposals. “The task force will study and see where the proposals and suggestions can be relevant to resolution,” said Uggah. Among the issues and proposals, he highlighted, is the need to expedite the issuance of land titles – within a month for agriculture activities such as oil palm plantations. This, he said, would be made through a special committee comprising the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. Meanwhile, the DUN sitting on Jan 30 serves to commemorate the assembly’s 150th anniversary and will not see the tabling of the land code amendment, clarified Uggah. Also present were former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and various state assemblymen from BN and the opposition front.

Fatimah (standing ninth left) and Noriah (10th left), join the participants of the basic ICT course for a group photo. KUCHING: Single mothers who are entrepreneurs should master information communication technology (ICT) skills to expand their business. “After developing your interest into a business, you need to learn ICT and focus on digital economy to explore bigger markets, instead of limiting your business to just one place,” said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah. She also believed that having ICT knowledge would prevent women from falling victim to online scams. Moreover, she said as the state is focusing on digital economy, her ministry has planned programmes to market local products online. “The ‘Kenyalang Digital Programme’ would educate and guide entrepreneurs to market their products online. “This year, the five targeted areas are Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sibu and Limbang. Expected increase in income from online marketing would be about RM4.5 million and involve 3,000 selected participants,” she said at the closing of basic ICT course for single mothers cum presentation of certificates at Wisma Wanita in Petra Jaya near here yesterday. The course, which ran from July 31 till yesterday, involved 30 single mothers. It was co-organised by the state Women and Family Department, Sarawak Single Mothers Association and Carnation Club of Kuching and Samarahan. Also present was state Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad.

Ministry of Rural Development

Azerina (second right) presenting Dr Jerip (right) with a token of appreciation, while Dr Ong (second left) and others look on. KUCHING: There are many people in need and if our conscience doesn’t prick us to lend a helping hand, then we need to reassess our journey in life. This message of compassion came from Public Health Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil when representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the Dyslexia Charity Dinner 2015 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Saturday night. He pointed out that there was a lot of need in the world, with dyslexia being one of them. “I hope you can contribute, not only in terms of money, but also in time or talent,” said Dr Jerip. He announced a donation of RM25,000 to top up the evening’s collection of RM75,000 to enable Dyslexia Association of Sarawak (DASwk) to achieve its target of collecting RM100,000. The charity dinner was to raise funds for the building of the first dyslexia learning institute in Sarawak on a 1.5-acre piece of land at Desa Wira, Batu Kawa here. To be built on land allocated by the state government, the institute will be equipped with facilities such as classrooms, teachers’ room, administrative centre, vocational block and hostels. The hostels will be for the use of children and their parents from outside Kuching when coming for assessment and intervention programmes.  The vocational block will provide trade skills to adolescents and young adults with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. In her speech, DASwk president Dr Ong Puay Hoon revealed that seven out of every 100 students in primary schools were at risk of having this hidden disability.          “A recent study conducted by researchers from Unimas and other universities revealed that four per cent of our undergraduates are at definite risk for dyslexia. One student changed his course in Year One four times, another was asked to leave after repeatedly failing her exams,” she said.        Another Unimas study showed that 25 per cent of young inmates in prison schools or Sekolah Integriti in Kuching did not complete primary school, with almost 70 per cent of them not reaching Form Five, she added.            “One in four has poor literacy skills. Could these prisoners have undiagnosed and unsupported dyslexia or other learning disabilities? Could their suffering of the most profound tragedy of abandonment in school push them into crime?” She applauded the efforts of the government to give wider access to quality and affordable education as the third National Key Target Area and appealed for inclusion of children with special needs. “We appeal for all teacher trainees, regardless of specialisation, to know what dyslexia and other learning disabilities are. We also appeal for more schools with dyslexia programmes in Sarwak, more trained teachers in primary and secondary schools, and heightened awareness in universities.” Among others present were DASwk patron Datin Azerina Mohd Arip, State Education Department director Rakayah Mandon, State Welfare Department director Abg Shamsuddin Abd Seruji and event organising chairperson Dr Haironi Yusof.  

Dr Sim (front, right) presenting a gift to a guest at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri luncheon at Surau Darul Ibadah in Batu Kawa yesterday. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg will increase Chinese representation in the Public Service Commission (PSC) by appointing an additional member from the community. Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP ) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian disclosed this when the Chief Minister graced SUPP Kuching Branch’s 58th anniversary dinner at Pullman Hotel here on Saturday. “CM has agreed to appoint one more Chinese to the PSC. The opposition talks only and we always take action and want to produce results,” he said. He also assured Abang Johari that the party would not recommend candidates who “will have dual citizenship” in the coming 14th general election, in an apparent dig at DAP and its Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon. “No matter for how many years we have lived overseas, we remain loyal to Sarawak.” Dr Sim, who is Local Government and Housing Minister, said the anniversary do induced him to ponder why SUPP “still survives after 58 years”. He added that his thinking got him this answer – that SUPP is not a party which gathers to eat, drink and enjoy happily. “We survive because our forefathers always fought for Sarawak and the people of Sarawak. The opposition says you eat, enjoy and minum (drink), but our party has fought for Sarawakians. “We must thank our forefathers and veteran members who fought for us. Their spirit must continue on,” he asserted. Dr Sim went on to point out that “SUPP is not a tauke (boss) party”, to which he meant that party leaders and members “are doing all we can to make a living.” He also urged young Sarawakians to join the party as he reasoned that SUPP is offering a lot of opportunities to them. “Our veteran members are like big trees, they can cover you. SUPP will continue to transform and we are no longer a party with internal fighting. “We are now united irrespective of zones. We have had institutional reform, (whereby the) party president can only have a maximum of three terms in office.” He added that he also wanted to see a woman leading SUPP given that half of the party’s membership is made up of women. Dr Sim said Sarawak is blessed to have the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem as its fifth Chief Minister, who asserted Sarawak’s autonomy within the context of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). “Unfortunately, Tok Nan (Adenan) passed away and now we have Captain Abang Jo who is leading us into the digital era. Let’s stay together to move forward,” he said, adding that people should look to the future rather than to dwell on the past.

This celebration is to mark the end of harvesting season, is very rich in cultural influences. Organized by the local community, the festival was first introduced in 2009 with aim of showcasing the colorful culture and tradition of the Bidayuh community. Since then, the festival has attracted scores of visitors and in turn, it has helped to boost the local tourism activities in the area. For more information, please call: Jagoi Development and Heritage Committee Mr. Robert Tel: 012-8867763 @##@Jagoi Development and Heritage Committee@##@Bung jagoi@##@2014-07-19@##@2014-07-19

Abang Johari (seventh left) and Abdul Wahap (fourth right) seen during the DBKU 2018 Agenda launching ceremony at the Kuching Waterfront last night. KUCHING: Kuching took a significant step into becoming a smart city with the launch of Sacofa Open Fibre Infra Access (Sofia) here last night. According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sofia has the ability to deliver high speed internet connections to residential or commercial buildings. He said with the new infrastructure, residents of the city will be able to be connected with outside world with more ease. “This infrastructure helps the city’s people with their business and communication. It also helps the people with education as well,” he added. Abang Johari was speaking during the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) 2018 Agenda opening ceremony held at the Kuching Waterfront. Also present during the launch was DBKU mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai.

MIRI: Some 90,000 entrepreneurs in Sarawak are engaged in various types of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Out of that number, 80 per cent are involved in the cottage industry and doing business at home, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais disclosed “The main key to success in business is creativity and determination to succeed. You may be living in remote places such as Bario, Ba Kelalan, Belaga and Kapit, the business opportunity is always there as long as you look for the opportunity,” he stated when closing the Youth Entrepreneurs Seminar 2015 at ParkCity Everly Hotel here yesterday. Naroden also said the government provided various business grants, subsidies and loans to encourage more people to take up entrepreneurship. He revealed that the government pumped in millions of ringgit for SMEs in Sarawak such as RM290 million in 2012, RM270 million in 2013 and RM250 million in 2014. In view of that, he called on youth especially those still unemployed to grab the opportunity and start a business. “Don’t waste your time just because you have not received any permanent job with private or government agencies. Instead of waiting, you should take the challenge by doing business which will promise good return.” At the same time, he reminded the entrepreneurs to keep abreast with Information Communication Technology (ICT), particularly in marketing and promoting their products to a wider market. Others present were UPP Youth chief Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa who is also Engkilili assemblyman, UPP deputy Youth chief Walter Ting, UPP Piasau chairman Datuk Hii King Chiong, UPP Pujut chairman Cr Bruce Chai and UPP Senadin chairman Cr Keith Chin.    

Talib receives a collection of books from Zainal (second left) as others look on. BINTULU: Great leaders with high integrity will ensure the success of public governance – leading to greater growth politically, economically and socially, says Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip. According to him, integrity is very easily understood but when it comes into practice, it is hard. “People do talk about integrity but they don’t observe – and much less, practise – it; this is where the good and the bad leaders determine the glory or the failure of the nation,” he spoke at the closing of National Poetry Day 2018 (HPN) programme themed ‘Integrity Drives the Shape of the Nation’ in Kampung Jepak community hall on Saturday evening. Talib, who is Jepak assemblyman, said to uphold the concept of integrity especially in public governance, everyone must play their roles and responsibilities effectively. HPN 2018 participants gather for the closing ceremony. “It is not the responsibility of the government or chief minister alone; it is our mutual responsibility.” Thus, he regarded the HPN programme here this year with the theme related to the concept of integrity as being ‘timely’ in promoting integrity and its practice not only in public governance but also across all levels in society. The three-day HPN 2018 gathered over 300 participants from Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah represented Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in officiating at the opening ceremony at Kemena Plaza Hotel here. The Sarawak government, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and Federation of National Writers’ Associations Malaysia (Gapena) jointly conducted the programme. Meanwhile, Gapena chief 1 Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan said the 21st HPN programme in Johor would be held in 2020 to mark the federation’s 50th anniversary. Gapena was established Oct 23, 1970. He said Gapena, in collaboration with DBP, would continue to run activities aimed at upholding the usage of Bahasa Melayu and further promoting Malay literature works, especially among the younger generation.

Abang Johari (second right) welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his residence ‘Sri Minangkabau’ last night. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (right) was also at the function. KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has pledged to deliver the promises he has made since being sworn-in as the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak this year. Citing the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) system which had invited criticism from the opposition, he gave his assurances that he already has a formula to source funds to finance the proposed LRT project “The opposition said it’s hot air and you just wait lah and see if it’s hot air or not,” he said during SUPP Kuching Branch’s 58th anniversary dinner at Pullman Hotel here on Saturday. The Chief Minister also touched on the state government’s plan to redevelop the area where the Kuching Municipal Council (KMC) flats are presently located. According to him, the government wants to redevelop the area because the flats were built during the colonial era and his administration has new ways of developing the area. He believed that a redevelopment project will create a new environment in that section of the city centre. Abang Johari pointed out that it was the responsibility of a government to initiate efforts to help the people, and that he would do his best to transform Sarawak similar to what the first Prime Minister of Singapore, the late Lee Kuan Yew, had done for Singapore. “Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore from a swampy and muddy island into what it is today. We also want to transform Sarawak into an advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.” Abang Johari, who is state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, also urged all BN component parties to stick together to safeguard the interest of Sarawak. “I’m learning from Deng Xiaoping (Chinese revolutionary and statesman), who had a famous quote that it doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white for as long as it catches mice. “We–PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP–must be together. Political cohesion must be there so that we work together to look after Sarawak ourselves, and Umno can look after their own side. “We do not need people from outside Sarawak to look after Sarawak because PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP can look after Sarawak,” he said.

Dr Annuar (second right) listens to a briefing on intelligent remote control cars at the centre. Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit is at second left, while Wong is at left. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus marked a new milestone in its innovation and research works with the opening of its Centre for Digital Future yesterday. Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said the opening of the centre is timely due to the state government’s vision of a digital economy. “The move to gather researchers under a roof is timely as we can move the initiative, and at the same time focusing on research, especially with the country embracing Industry 4.0, where there are operations focused on robotics and less human operations,” he said when opening the centre. “Such a move would require creativity. We need to ensure that the state is not left behind in this area.” Swinburne Sarawak Research, Consultancy and Future Projects director Associate Professor Dr Wallace Wong said digital technologies are constantly changing and Swinburne is addressing several key digital strategies. “Among it were preserving indigenous heritage via mobile technologies, for example through a virtual museum where it was curated and verified by the people themselves,” he said. Wong added Swinburne is also looking at the possibility of a fully-automated and intelligent plantation estate, where machines pluck, plant, harvest and transport oil palm fruit branches and such machines are connected via the Internet and managed by artificial intelligence. On the centre, he said it is for researchers, innovators, industry, and community collaborators to come and develop ideas. “It is a centre which provides expertise, facilities and resources to translate ideas into reality. At the same time, we work closely with our researchers in Melbourne campus on digital lab innovation, factory of the future, design factory and Swinburne Innovation Precinct,” he added. Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Swinburne also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to research natural bio-fertiliser for forest replantation, and development of new national park management model. Swinburne also signed an memorandum of understanding with ClickAcademy Asia to translate industry and academic know-how into short professional development training courses.

SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) is on the lookout for any sale of fake infant formula though there has been no complaint of such product being sold in Sarawak. According to KPDNKK Sarawak chief enforcement officer Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahim, the steps taken include checking on premises dealing with infant milk powder. He disclosed this to The Borneo Post when asked if there were any cases of baby milk powder suspected to be fake being sold in the state. “So far, Sarawak is still okay (no circulation of such product). Not available yet. So far, we have yet to receive any complaint from any quarters on the suspected fake product. “Nevertheless, we are still monitoring closely and inspecting each premises selling infant formula (in the state) to ensure that they obtain their supply from valid and trusted sources,” Abdul Hafiz said. He further said that to gather information on suspected fake infant formula would require the manufacturer to work closely with the ministry – to determine if the product is authentic or fake. Meanwhile, according to Bernama, the Johor Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry recently seized 210 boxes of products suspected to be fake baby milk powder worth about RM42,000. Johor director Khairul Anwar Bachok reportedly said the items were confiscated from drug stores and convenience stores in five different locations in Johor Baru.This followed a report regarding a baby who suffered severe vomiting after taking an infant formula which was later found to be fake by the producer. ,” Khairul Anwar was quoted as telling reporters at the KPDNKK store in Senai last week. Separately, on Wednesday, a national English daily quoted Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as saying that the Chemistry Department had received samples of the fake baby formula for analysis. Hamzah was further quoted as saying that they would wait for the analysis results so that they would know the actual content of the product before taking any action. He also reportedly said they would discuss the matter further with the Health Ministry since it is the authority that gives the approval for any baby formula to be sold in the market.

Wan Ali (second right) presents a hamper to Abang Johari during the closing of the competition, witnessed by others. — Photo by Tan Song Wei KUCHING: Revenue collected from the imposition of sales tax on petroleum products in Sarawak from Jan 1, 2019 will be partially channelled to develop coastal areas in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said his administration would not need to request for funds from the federal government when it comes to developing these areas. “For example, if they (people) want the Kemena Bridge, I say go ahead and build it. We have revenue from the sales tax (on petroleum products next year). “With the revenue from this sales tax, we can further develop our state of Sarawak. We can pursue our coastal highway project to link Lundu, Simunjan all the way to Bintulu. “This is for the benefits of all Sarawakians and especially the coastal areas,” he said when closing the ‘Marhaban’ competition organised by Sarawak Malay National Association (PKMS). The event, held at CIDB Convention Centre Kuching yesterday, was also attended by PKMS deputy president Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi. Abang Johari said once the coastal highway is in place, he believes the household income of rural folk as well as farmers will go up accordingly. He said not only will the Sarawak government bring about development in coastal areas, but it will also make sure every household across the state is eventually equipped with electricity and treated water supply. During the tabling of State Budget 2019 at the State Legislative Assembly sitting last month, the chief minister announced that a five per cent sales tax would be imposed on petroleum products in Sarawak from Jan 1 next year. Such tax will be imposed on crude oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, chemical-based fertilisers and gas-to-liquid products. The revenue expected from the imposition of the tax is estimated to be more than RM3.8 billion next year.