Abdul Karim (third left) launches the TEDx Kenyalang ‘Shine for Others’ as (from left) Nizam, Nancy, Zaiwin, Dayang Norjihan and Sham look on.   KUCHING: Youth who are already successful but low in cash flow now have the option to go for venture capital (VC) which was set up by the Sarawak government to help youth develop their expertise and skills. Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said successful youth entrepreneurs who had reached a higher level are eligible for more financial assistance. “VC is actually the fund to assist those with talents to further improve on their skills. It is not a scholarship but is an outright gift. “If you apply and it is approved by the committee, you will get it but this is not for those youth who are beginners or just about to start from somewhere,” said Abdul Karim. He told this to reporters after officiating at TEDx Kenyalang ‘Shine for Others’ at a hotel here yesterday which was attended by about 200 local youth.   TEDx Kenyalang is brought by Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak (KOBIS) with support from Ministry of Youth and Sports and many more partners, in conjunction with World TEDx Youth Weekend celebration, which occurs on every third week of November. VC started last year with the sum of RM5 million, and for next year the state government has allocated RM4 million more. “It’s a revolving fund to assist youth who have expertise, skills. For example if the youth is an expert in games or gadgets, they can apply for it but this is just for local market,” he said. Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, said that VC is state owned, and applications can be made through the Ministry of Youth and Sports. When asked if TEDx Kenyalang would be extended to the rural areas, he said the ministry had some specific programmes for the rural areas like ‘Jelajah Belia’, ‘Keluargaku Sayang’ to engage with the youths. “We even have townhall sessions where we do engagement with the rural youths for them to gain knowledge and awareness of what the government is doing,” he said. Meanwhile, he said over the years, the state Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports had fully supported TEDx Kenyalang because it is a good avenue for youths to gather with their peers. “I believe the phenomenal sharing of knowledge and experiences among TEDx participants will give better insight on how we, as individuals, can interact and communicate with one another despite the unique differences that we possess,” he said. A total of 12 speakers are giving talks to the youths. Among them are Uzz Taufek (Digital Jedi), Dona Drury Wee (animal right activist), Purvi Tantia (author/educator) and Jarod Yong (The Jungle teacher). Among those attending the launching were Ministry of Youth and Sports acting permanent secretary Nancy Jolhi, Tedx Kenyalang team advisors Dayang Norjihan Abang Zohari and Kameri Affandi, curator Zaiwin Kassim, programme director Nizam Khalyd and event manager Sham Bujang.

  Participants give the thumbs-up to the programme.   MIRI: The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) e-entrepreneurship programme held here recently proved a great platform to get hands-on experience and to develop knowledge and practical skills in entrepreneurship. Organised by MDEC in collaboration with Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri, the programme featured entrepreneurship workshops and talks by young aspiring entrepreneurs like Nur Rashidah Abdul Rahim from Kuala Lumpur. A participant, who wanted to be known as Rosita, told The Borneo Post the she had picked up many useful tips that could help her in her business. “Through this programme, I learned a lot of things like how to market through social media, auto-replying to customer enquiries, and how to get quality likes and followers,” said the herbalpreneur. Rosita also thanked Nur Rashidah for coming here to conduct the training session. Melati Zaini, who runs a food delivery business, affirmed that marketing via Facebook had helped increase her revenue. “The copy writing technique taught during this session is important in attracting customers. I have also learned how to take good photos of my products which I believe will great help generate customer attention,” she said. The programme was officiated at by political secretary to the chief minister Sarkawi Suhaili, who is also DUBS Miri deputy secretary. In his speech, Sarkawi commended MDEC’s efforts in helping participants – consisting mostly of small and medium-sized business owners – to develop the skills required to be successful entrepreneurs. “Technology is an essential part of our lives today and it’s vital for entrepreneurs, especially those who have just started to do business, to embrace social media strategically,” he said. Sarkawi gave an example of how millionaire Irfan Khairi generated wealth by selling maps in the early days of the internet era. “In Miri, a good example of a webpreneur is Siti Payung, who has sold Sarawak layer cakes through various e-commerce and social media platforms including Lazada, Shopee, Halal Master, Facebook and Instagram,” he added. Sarkawi also encouraged local entrepreneurs to become members of DUBS Miri to get a variety of business benefits and learn about various courses conducted by the government.

Suhaili speaks to a lorry driver during the safety campaign.       SARATOK: Lebuhraya Borneo Utara (LBU) Sdn Bhd held a safety campaign at the junction to Saratok town on Tuesday. LBU project manager Suhaili Salleh said the campaign was held in connection with Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. “This road safety campaign is aimed to create awareness among all classes of road users plying the Pan Borneo Highway, especially during this double festive season. “As everyone knows, incidents of road accidents are always higher than normal during festive seasons when people are rushing back home,” he said. He said LBU has come up with a traffic management plan and systems to improve safety, adding LBU accords top priority to ensuring the safety of road users during construction. Suhaili called on motorists to cooperate by exercising extra care, especially when passing sections where works are in progress. Works on the 64.486km portion of the Pan Borneo Highway, stretching from Sungai Awik in Saratok, Betong Division to the Bintangor junction in Sarikei Division are now in progress.

The Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2019 gives opportunity for adventurous nature lovers to be close to Mother Nature while experiencing the environmental and adventure tourism aspects of Padawan (including Borneo Highlands Resort). A journey back to Nature…… Main Objectives To promote the interest for nature, adventure, sports and healthy lifestyle to the general public. To promote Padawan area (including Borneo Highlands Resort) as a place for eco-adventure tourism. To promote and encourage collaboration between public and private sector to promote eco-tourism in Sarawak. More information at https://gritevent.com/padawan/     @##@Padawan Municipal Council@##@Borneo Highlands Resort@##@2019-10-20@##@2019-10-20

Wan Junaidi (third right) being briefed on the measures to tackle riverbank erosion during an inspection on Kampung Sungai Bako Hulu. KUCHING: Relocating villagers living along the riverbank of Sungai Bako to a safer area is the best way to deal with homes being eroded at the riverbank. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said: “This is better than spending up to RM20 million to build concrete walls using the ‘sheet pile’ concept. This matter will be brought to the state government when I meet the chief minister (Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg) later.” “Erosion will continue as long as there are tides. The step we have taken is to move residents living up to 200m from the riverbank to a new and safer village settlement.” Wan Junaidi was met by reporters after a site visit to inspect the eroding banks of Sungai Bako Hulu yesterday. He said after relocating the villagers, the residential area would be turned into Sungai Bako Waterfront with basic facilities such as clinic, hall, mosque and schools. The Santubong MP added that he would get the information, feedback and agreement from affected villagers assisted by village chiefs and party leaders in the area. On the new village settlement, Wan Junaidi said the suggested location would be by the roadside near Bako Bridge, which is near completion. “If this suggestion is agreed upon and accepted, we estimate that some 1,000 villagers living along the riverbank will be relocated,” he said. “I will get the consent of villagers involved before bringing this matter to the top with the cooperation of Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, who is the elected representative here,” he added. Wan Junaidi reiterated that this would be the best long term measure for Kampung Bako Hulu. Kampung Bako consists of Kampung Bako Hulu and Kampung Bako Hilir with a population of about 3,000 people living in 400 houses.

  Uggah (left) looks on as one of his staff types on a computer keyboard prior to delivering his winding-up speech. Also seen is permanent secretary to the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, Datu Ik Pahon Joyik (centre). — Photo by Chimon Upon       KUCHING: The government will continue to improve infrastructure facilities in the rural areas through the implementation of people-centric Rural Transformation Programme (RTP). Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah thus said a total of RM1.54 billion had been allocated in the 2015-2017 period to implement 4,836 RTP projects in Sarawak. “As at June 30 of this year, 3,929 projects or 81.2 per cent of the total number of projects have been completed while the remaining 907 projects are still at various stages of implementation,” he told the august House during the winding-up speech of the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, yesterday. He also revealed that in 2015, 1,812 projects out of the 1,853 approved projects or 97.8 per cent of the total number had been completed. In 2016, out of 1,346 approved projects, 1,236 of them (91.8 pct) had been completed; and in 2017, out of the 1,637 approved projects, 881 projects (53.8 pct) had been completed. “The government acknowledges there are some shortcomings in the implementation of RTP projects. The most common being the frequent changes of projects.” To date, 2,168 projects or 45 per cent of the total 4,836 projects involved changes in project scope, cost and location. Uggah added that the ministry was committed to transforming agriculture and rural economy into one that’s progressive and generating high income. “This can be achieved through the adoption of modern, commercial and sustainable agricultural practices including human-centric, inclusiveness and balanced development. “The primary objectives of my ministry are to eradicate the remnant of rural poverty; increase the income level of rural farmers; attract youth to agriculture sector; and make Sarawak a net exporter of food.” The biggest challenge, he added was to eradicate rural poverty, which decreased from 1.6 per cent in 2014 to 1.1 per cent in 2016. “The (decreasing) figure is proof that the government’s anti- poverty programme is a success story. We have reduced poverty rate from 59 per cent in 1970 to what it is today.” Uggah also told the august House that the monthly household income in the rural areas had increased by 4.4 per cent yearly from RM3,387 in 2014 to RM3,695 in 2016. “The previous BN government at federal level introduced the 1-Azam programme as one of efforts to fight poverty. “Last year, the Department of Agriculture (Sarawak) assisted 90 households under 1-AZAM with an allocation of RM711,900,” he said. Uggah is, however, not certain whether the new federal PH minister will continue the (1-AZAM) programme. If it’s discontinued he said his ministry would consider bidding for funds from the (Sarawak) government to undertake this poverty eradication programme. On the oil palm industry in Sarawak, Uggah said it’s largely a private sector-driven. “The private sector is now the largest contributor in terms of hectarage, contributing 74 per cent (1,148,309ha) from the total acreage of 1.56 million hectares as at Dec 31, 2017. “The government, through various land development agencies such as Salcra and Felcra contributed 7 per cent (108,956ha) while joint-venture companies under LCDA contributed 5.6 per cent (86,431ha). The independent smallholders contribute 13 per cent (212,142ha),” he said. The biggest challenge for the industry, Uggah said, was to introduce the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme among smallholders to comply with international standards and environmental requirements. “As of March this year, a total of 728 independent smallholders with a total area of 4,071ha have been certified under MSPO.” The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has introduced oil palm smallholders planting schemes under the Socio-Economic Transformation Programme (SETP) in 2017. “To date, a total of 1,464ha have been approved for planting which involves 758 participants. “The oil palm industry in Sarawak is becoming very popular among smallholders as it is able to generate an average monthly income of RM1,000 per hectare. On rubber, Uggah said DoA had implemented rubber planting programme since the 7MP, which resulted in 57,312ha being planted with high-yielding clones involving 20,768 participants at a total cost of RM544 million. “From the total acreage, 30,149 hectares are tapable. This programme will be continued,” he said. Uggah also said that most rubber holdings were now too old and no longer productive, driving the export value for rubber products in Sarawak downward from RM265.7 million in 2012 to only RM102.86 million in 2017. On coconut, Uggah said that since 2016, RM20.5 million had been spent on coconut development programme covering an area of 1,765ha involving 1,409 farmers. Touching on pepper industry, Uggah said a socio-economic transformation programme (SETP) was introduced in 2017 involving 6,000 participants on a 600ha site at a total cost of RM15.6 million. On another subject, Uggah said a total of 97 E-Kasih participants had been assisted under SETP for Edible Bird Nest (EBN) production. Each participant is given assistance of RM20,000 for the construction of bird’s houses and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) is monitoring the progress of the programme. Uggah talked on many other industries and government initiatives in his 61-page speech that took him almost one hour to deliver.

MIRI: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made travelling through Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah smoother by putting up the request to the Sultan of Brunei. The present system whereby passports are stamped 14 times at the CIQs of Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah respectively will be a thing of the past when  Malaysia and Brunei introduce digital scanning at their respective Immigration checkpoints. On Nov 1, the chief minister at the earth-breaking and launching of second Limbang Bridge project at Pabahanan in the Ranggau Valley Development area said he would like to see travellers to and from Brunei enter both countries without too much hassle. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak brought the matter up during the government-to-government meeting with the Sultan of Brunei in Brunei recently. Deputy Chief Minister and Bukit Sari assemblyman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said he and the Chief Minister had earlier briefed the Prime Minister on the matter. “The prime minster and chief minister later flew to Brunei for this meeting while I stayed back to officiate at the closing ceremony of World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), and we are glad that the sultan has consented to the proposed seamless travel with digital technology system as in the European Union countries.” He said the chief minister informed him of the decision upon his return from Brunei and announced that it might kick off next year. The decision was relayed to the delegates and observers of the four PBB branches in northern Sarawak at their delegates meeting in Lawas last Saturday by the chief minister himself. The decision has put an end to the eight-year long issue. Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah had first made the call for seamless travel without frequent passport stamping between Limbang and Brunei, and proposed the state and federal governments take it up with the government of Brunei. A traveller from Miri to Sabah would require Immigration clearance at Sungai Tujuh, Tedungan/Kuala Lurah, Pandaruan and Mengkalap and Merapok CIQs on the Malaysian side. Regular travellers use the restricted blue Malaysian passports instead of the red Malaysia international passport due to the multiple stampings on each return trip.

Peter (third left) presents a token to the ailing national hero while other exco members look on. KUCHING: One of the very few remaining surviving national heroes, Awang Raweng, has called on all Malaysians especially the young ones to give the best they can to preserve peace and harmony in the country in conjunction with National Day celebration tomorrow. Awang, 86, the nation’s only George Cross recipient, was warded at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) since last Monday for stomach pain but even in that situation he was still in very jovial mood. He was apparently both happy and proud that the country’s sovereignty that he and many others have fought for still stayed until this day, saying the hard-fought peace should never be destroyed. With a smile on his face the soft spoken ex-Iban Tracker said: “My hope is that what we have achieved through our efforts in the early days will be preserved till the end. It wasn’t easy and therefore my advice to all Malaysians is that we should remain united and continue to work together as one family.” He said disunity and disharmony should be avoided at all cost as it would not do anyone any good but instead could be disastrous for the society and country. “So once again my humble advice to all Malaysians in conjunction with this year’s National Day celebration is to stay united and have high respect for one another.” He told reporters this from his hospital bed after receiving a visit by a delegation from the Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces (PVATM) Sarawak led by the advisor Major (rtd) Peter Runin yesterday. Speaking to the media after the visit, Peter said visiting ailing veterans was their normal routine to show their concern and care for the less fortunate members. “Today (yesterday) we take the time off to visit one of our greatest heroes, Awang Raweng, at the hospital. We are glad to hear that his situation has improved and we are hoping that he will be able to recover soon because on Sept 20 he is supposed to be in England to have an audience with the Queen. “We are unsure whether he can go or not but we were made to understand that the British High Commissioner to Malaysia will be visiting him on Monday to check whether he is fit to travel or not,” he said. Peter, who is a political secretary to the prime minister, said the good news was that Awang had shown tremendous improvement since he was admitted. This was supported by his grandson Tony Mat who has been with him at the hospital since day one. Tony, 24, said his grandfather had improved a lot compared with the first time he complained of stomach pain. “We sent him to Sri Aman Hospital last Monday four days after he complained of being unwell and vomited after each meal. On the fourth day he could not even get up or walk by himself. Now he is returning to his normal self. “He can go to the washroom by himself but just as a precaution I have to hold and guide him, just in case,” Tony said. State Veteran Affairs Department director Lt Col Monday Juhid, state PVATM chairman Spencer Birai, treasurer Captain Mohd Henderi Hashim and other executive committee members were among those in the visiting delegation yesterday.

Orang ramai dijemput hadir untuk memeriahkan aktiviti kemasyarakatan bertempat di Restoren Wei Thian, Siburan pada hari 13 December 2014 (Sabtu) Antara aktiviti yang dijalankan adalah seperti: 1. Seminar Keusahawanan dan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) 2. Pemeriksaan kesihatan percuma termasuk pemeriksaan kanser dan suntikan HPV 3. Pameran karftangan, kesihatan dan sebagainya. Penyertaan adalah percuma, makanan dan minuman turut disediakan. Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila hubungi: Pejabat Daerah Kecil Siburan - 082-864 222 Majlis perbandaran Padawan - 082-615 566@##@Koperasi Bidayuh Kuching Berhad (KOBIB)@##@Restoren Wei Thian, Siburan@##@2014-12-12@##@2014-12-13

A section of the public who attended the event. A member of the public has his blood pressure checked at the event.   KUCHING: The government stands ready to provide the necessary support whenever possible to intensify diabetes education in the state, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said. “Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a silent killer. By the time we feel the symptoms, irreversible damages have already been done to all of our body,” he said during the World Diabetes Day 2019 event organised by Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak branch at KTS Garden, here yesterday. His text-of-speech was read by Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented the chief minister to officiate the event. Abang Johari said one in two people suffering from diabetes is unaware of their condition, but pointed out that if the disease is properly controlled, complications such as kidney failure, blindness, leg ulcers and stroke can be avoided. He also expressed gratitude to Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak branch for contributing to society by holding blood sugar tests in the city and outskirts, and welcomed the association to provide feedback to the government in the fight against diabetes. Dr Sim, meanwhile, thanked those who had been working tirelessly behind the scene to spread awareness on diabetes. “Through the ‘blue-ing’ of the Darul Hana Bridge at Kuching Waterfront, it can send a message to the world that even in the jungles of Borneo, we also face the issues of diabetes and will continue to be a part of the global battle against the disease,” he said, referring to the bridge which has been turned ‘blue’ for four days starting Nov 14 in conjunction with World Diabetes Day. Lions Club International Sarawak Region 1 chairwoman Helena Lim, who also spoke at the event, said diabetes is one of the five global causes of the organisation. She shared that Lions Club International and International Diabetes Federation came together last year in March for the first time to organise campaigns to prevent the disease. “This year, in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation, our Lions Club International is on a mission to make our mark by screening one million people for Type 2 diabetes,” Lim said. The one-day ‘World Diabetes Day 2019’ event at KTS Garden was open to the public, who were able to undergo free health screening such as blood pressure and blood glucose checks. See Hua Marketing Sdn Bhd was the media partner for the event.

Abang Johari (third left) receives his specially-designed shirt from Dzamaluddin, as Jamilah (second left), Azizul (second right) and others look on.     KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to declare open Kembara Pemuda N8 Satok 2018, set to take place in Lundu this Sunday. The event is jointly organised by N8 Satok Youth and N3 Tanjong Datu Youth movements. The invitation was announced during a courtesy call conducted by members of the organising committee – led by Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu – on Abang Johari yesterday. The chief minister also received a specially-designed shirt, complete with his name embroidered on it, from the delegates. Satok Youth Tour 2018 programme chairman Dzamaluddin Zainuddin and N3 Tanjung Dato Youth chief Azizul Adenan were among members of the delegation. Earlier, Abang Johari received a visit from state Information Department director Abang Sardon Abang Hashim. The purpose of this courtesy call was to invite the chief minister to the ‘United We Stand – Harmony Night’ programme that would take place at Sentosa Square here this Saturday.  

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has decided to continue bearing the cost of allowances to be paid to all the ketua kaum (village chiefs) in the state. The Chief Minister’s Office in a statement said this decision is made following a circular issued by the federal Rural Development Ministry that payment of allowance and other related matters such as appointments are now temporarily deferred. The circular from the federal Rural Development Ministry stated that it is now temporary deferring any administrative matters regarding village security and development committees (JKKK) or its federal equivalent JKKKP until new policy and direction is received from the new minister. “The state government will facilitate the payment of this allowance to all ketua kaum (village chiefs) in conjunction with the coming Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,” said the statement from the Chief Minister’s Office yesterday. The JKKKP was one of the government-linked agencies and institutions to be disbanded following an announcement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday after he chaired the new federal cabinet’s first meeting in Putrajaya.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (JPVS) will be holding a Rabies Disease Vaccination Programme at eight villages in Serian division today. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) secretariat in a statement yesterday said these villages are Kampung Bantang, Kampung Kakeng, Kampung Jenan, Kampung Lanchang, Kampung Labak Tungan, Kampung Riih Daso, Kampung Benat and Kampung Plaman Nyabet. It also reported that as of 3pm yesterday, 206 dogs at eight villages in Bau district were vaccinated against the disease. “This brings the total number of vaccinated pets to 30,511 of which 22,869 are dogs, 7,597 cats and 45 other animals.” The statement also noted that a total of 34,315 active surveillance acts and 733 passive surveillance acts to curb the outbreak of rabies have been carried out by JPVS in Serian, Kuching and Sri Aman divisions. “A total of 181 samples comprising 163 dog samples, 17 cat samples and one bat sample obtained from Kuching, Sri Aman, Serian, Samarahan, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu and Miri have been sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Ipoh, Perak to test for rabies virus. “Thus far, the positive Rabies test samples conducted through the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) remains at 33 dog samples and six cat samples out of the 157 samples received at VRI,” it said. Meanwhile, the State Health Department reported a total of 96 cases of new dog bites yesterday of which 73 cases involved pets (55 dogs and 18 cats) while the remaining 23 cases were from strays (16 dogs, six cats and one bat). These cases were from Kuching Division (74 cases), Serian (18 cases), Samarahan (three cases), and Sri Aman (one case). This brings the cumulative number of dog bite cases since April 1 until yesterday to 2,298 cases while a total of 922 people have received the anti-rabies vaccination.

Dr Chen Shiun SEMATAN: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has set aside RM1.56 million as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) solar project for Tanjung Datu National Park, Pulau Talang Talang Besar and Pulau Talang Talang Kecil. From the amount, RM700,000 is set aside for Tanjung Datu National Park, while Pulau Talang Talang Besar and Pulau Talang Talang Kecil  receive RM560,000 and RM300,000 respectively. According to SEB vice president (Research and Development) Dr Chen Shiun, the projects, which started in May last year, have been completed. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to launch the project at Pulau Talang Talang Besar today. “This CSR project is our engagement with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to support the turtle conservation programme, and looking after the national park,” he said at a briefing with the media at Palm Beach Resort here yesterday. He added that the project would eliminate noise from the generators, which were used before the completion of the project, and disturbed turtles during the nesting process, adding that using generators also incurred higher cost. The capacity for the Tanjung Datu project is 21.2KWp/ 400KWh per day using lead acid, while the Pulau Talang Talang Besar (10.62KWp/ 20KWp/ 20KWh per day) uses lithium-ion, and Pulau Talang Talang Kecil (7.08KWp/15KWh per day) uses lead acid. About 10 SEB staff were involved in the project, which Chen said helped to promote volunteerism among the staff.

Information and Communication Technology Unit

KUCHING: SarawakPay, a cashless mobile payment solution implemented by the state government to empower Sarawak’s digital economy agenda, is now officially launched. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the electronic wallet (e-wallet), licensed under PaymentGalaxy Wallet and governed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here today. Apart from e-wallet, SarawakPay also enables payment by way of credit card and Internet banking. SarawakPay is not only the first e-wallet in the state government but also the first of its kind implemented in the country by a state government. The SarawakPay e-wallet can be topped up through Internet banking or credit card. For the first phase of the pilot rollout, BNM only allows a maximum of RM200 for each top-up. However, the state government will apply to BNM to expand the balance capacity up to a maximum of RM1,500 next year. SarawakPay has a ‘Scan & Pay’ feature that allows each payment to be initiated by scanning the QR code on a biller’s bill or scanning the QR code displayed by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) hotels. The feature will be deployed for payments of monthly consumption bills of Sarawak Energy and Kuching Water Board, all 26 local councils assessment bills as well as 10 outlets of Grand Margherita Hotel and 14 outlets of Riverside Majestic Hotel. At the launch, Abang Johari said the state government’s digital effort was not to show that Sarawak has become technology-savvy but aimed at meeting the aspirations of young Sarawakians and the general community at large. “The future is for the young people and we are doing this not for us but for the young to be able to embrace the global economy,” he said. Abang Johari added that the state had no option but to embrace technology in its efforts to develop Sarawak and “give a better future for Sarawakians”. The SarawakPay app can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store.

SK Melayu Pusat Limbang is decorated with the national and state flags. LIMBANG: The town has been bursting with activity for the past two days as it gears up for the state level National Day celebrations centred here tomorrow (Aug 31). The Jalur Gemilang and the state flag adorn every corner and the crowd is getting bigger as people from all over, including Brunei, begin arriving for the festivities. Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Toh Puan Dato Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu, state cabinet ministers, heads of government departments, state assemblymen and others are scheduled to visit. They will attend the thanksgiving ceremony at Masjid Bahagian this evening. Tomorrow, the Merdeka Rally event will start as early as 8am. Minister in charge of the celebrations Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan will then deliver his welcoming remarks. After that, the chief minister will present his speech followed by a symbolic presentation and the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang accompanied by the national anthem. Meanwhile, other interesting activities which have already started here are the two-day power boat race, the Limbang Regatta and a public concert. This evening, another concert will be held featuring a top Malaysian singer Ziana Zain at Dataran Jubli Emas. The powerboat race at the Limbang River was a crowd-puller yesterday. — Photos by Penerangan

Dr Yii (right) accompanies one of the victim’s parent to lodge a report at MCMC   KUCHING: Parents and teachers should be aware of a growing scam happening quite rampantly on Facebook, affecting children and students. In Kuching, hackers reportedly threatened underage students to send nude or compromising photos of themselves through the internet. “We received a few complaints from parents regarding how their children’s Facebook accounts were hacked and being used to send personal messages through Facebook Messenger to their friends, pretending to be them to ask for things or to obtain certain private information including personal photos of themselves,” said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii in a press statement yesterday. According to Dr Yii, the hackers will first send a private message on Facebook through an account of a friend or a familiar person which they have hacked earlier, asking the victim to click on a link with an excuse to help them verify something. Once they have clicked on the link, the hacker will then gain full control of that particular Facebook account, then use this account to trick others on the victim’s friend list again, and the cycle continues. “We have received multiple cases since last year of such scam where these hackers have often used such Facebook accounts to obtain personal information of a person or even ask for money. Many have fallen prey to such scam because they thought the person asking was really their friend or relative based on the Facebook account that contacted them.” However, the scam has escalated, and now such hackers are even threatening secondary school students to send nude videos or photos of themselves in compromising positions. Sadly, some have fallen prey to such scam and have uploaded such photos to the hackers. “When we received such news, we urged the parents to immediately lodge a police report and also, we accompanied them to lodge a report at Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). “We view this very seriously as it involves blackmail and worse, child pornography as underage children were threatened to send these compromising photos. “We thus strongly urge the police department together with MCMC to view this matter urgently and take immediate actions to protect our children and students from such cyber attacks and cyber scams. Imagine the trauma our students and children, including the parents, will have to go through if these photos are leaked to the public. “I also encourage all parents and teachers to be aware of such happenings and to protect their children, especially with their interactions online. While we see the benefit of the internet and other social media applications, we must also exercise caution and also not to reveal too much of our personal information on the internet, even on Facebook.” He encouraged victims and their parents to come forward and said he would do his best to assist them through the necessary procedures while protecting the identity and confidentiality of the victims. “We must work together inorder to protect our children from such heinous crimes against them,” he said.      

  Abang Johari (front row, fifth right) together with Abdul Karim (front row, third right), Morshidi (front row, fourth right) and Ik Pahon (front row, right) pose for a group photo with Idris (front row, fifth left) and Melaka exco members. KUCHING: The struggle of freedom fighters during the Brooke and Colonial eras should serve as an inspiration and motivation for the present generation of Sarawakians to work together towards the development of the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking at a special dinner in Melaka on Sunday, he also pointed out that it was crucial that present leaders view the struggle of elders and leaders of yesteryears as the driving force for them to continue with the efforts to look after the interest and wellbeing of the people. Abang Johari and his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang were on a two-day official visit to the historic state, which also coincided with the gathering of hundreds of descendants of Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Ghafor Abang Qahar from all over the country which culminated in Sunday’s dinner. “The struggle is not only for us (descendants of Datuk Patinggi Abdul Ghafor) but for all the people at large who need a good and fair leadership that is able to secure a bright future for Sarawak,” said the chief minister, who is the fifth generation descendant of Abdul Ghafor. Abdul Ghafor was one of the leaders including Sherip Masahor, Rentap and Sawing who went against the rule of Rajah James Brooke in the mid 1800s out of their discontent of being ruled by the White Rajah who took over from the Brunei Sultanate. Regarded as rebellious by the White Rajah, he was banished to Melaka where he later remarried and died of old age. He was buried at the Tok Gambon Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Limbongan in Melaka. Also present during the dinner were Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Prior to the dinner, Abang Johari and scores of extended family members visited the grave of Abdul Ghafor. Meanwhile, Abang Johari and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on his Melaka counterpart Datuk Seri Utama Idris Haron at the Chief Minister’s Office in Ayer Keroh yesterday where they were given a development briefing. Apart from that, they also visited the Melaka History Museum as well as attended a dinner hosted by the state government of Melaka at a leading hotel there. Among those in the entourage were Abdul Karim, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.

Abang Johari places his palm on the tablet to symbolically officiate the summit and ManaDr app while Dr Sim (third left), Ling (third right) and others look on. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi KUCHING: Mobile health technology is a rapidly expanding field in the digital health sector providing healthcare support, delivery and intervention via mobile technologies, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. He pointed out that the advancement in digital technology has made healthcare an increasingly digital affair which can be easily accessible from the palm of one’s hands. “Patients are increasingly capable of accessing, monitoring and adding information to their healthcare records via mobile devices such as mobile phones, which are currently the most popular platform for mobile health delivery. “By using recent innovations such as healthcare apps, patients can play a more active role in managing health conditions, sending information in real-time to update professionals and receive advice directly without having to attend to clinics,” he said in his keynote address at the Asean Digital Mobile Health Summit 2019 at a leading hotel here today. In view of this, he stressed that there is a need to have reliable digital infrastructures in order to be able to transmit and receive real-time signal from one place to another. “Our internet connectivity must have real-time capability in order for the mobile health industry or any other mobile industry to work. “For this reason, Sarawak is laying a big capital expenditure to upgrade its digital infrastructure across the length of state via fibre optic, satellite communication, transmission towers, undersea cables and international gateways,” he said, adding that the state is also working towards engaging private sector to invest in setting up a data centre in Kuching given the advantage the state has over other countries such as Singapore which is already congested as a data and network centre. On the summit, Abang Johari said it should pave the way in cooperation towards an Asean-wide telemedicine guideline and ultimately to build a cross border ecosystem that fosters business opportunities in digital healthcare services as well as medical tourism among Asean countries and beyond. He added that through this event, it is also to raise awareness on the latest development in global digital and mobile health care industries with sharing from domain experts from around Asean region. Abang Johari also launched the ManaDr Malaysia app, a user-friendly mobile application which enables patients to see their healthcare providers from the comfort of their own home. Through the app, he said patients can now have chat and video medicinal consultations with their trusted healthcare providers. “If a follow-up consultation is required, the patient can either use this app to book an appointment to personally visit the healthcare provider at the clinic, initiate chat, do video consultation, arrange for house visit. “Apart from that, they can also get their blood test result on their mobile phones,” he remarked. The inaugural summit was organised by the Asean-China Entrepreneurs Association with support from the Ministry of Health, Sarawak government and the Malaysia Medical Association. Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Asean-China Entrepreneurs Association president Dato Stanley Ling.