SIBU : 120kg overpriced sugar at RM1.80 per kilo seized

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism here recently seized 120kg sugar from a vendor for selling the price-controlled item beyond its ceiling price

Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh revealed this yesterday, saying the trader had priced the sugar at RM1.90 per kg – 10 sen higher than the ceiling price of RM1.80 per kg.

He said his ministry had conducted a raid following a tip-off from a complainant.

From November last year until March, the ministry has taken action against two wholesalers and seven retailers for pricing sugar above the government approved price.

“There was no issuance of warning letter or reminder as this trader had contravened the Price Control Act 1946,” he told reporters after an inspection at the Sibu Express Wharf Terminal, adding that this was the first case for May.

The case has been referred to ministry headquarters for further action.

An offender could be fined not exceeding RM15,000 or sentenced to two years’ jail or both.

Meanwhile, over 30 officers accompanied Balraj and Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee for a spot check to ensure express boat operators did not hike their fares.

The enforcement team was also at the Sibu Central Market earlier to ensure traders did not raise prices of essential items and that pink price tags were clearly displayed.

Balraj warned traders against marking-up prices to take advantage of the Gawai Dayak.

He said consumers these days are better informed, adding that his office would be open during Gawai Dayak to receive complaints.

“We have enforcement officers on stand-by to take down complaints and act on them speedily,” he said.

He urged the public to call his office on 084-335622 or 084-329202 if they come across any hike in prices of essential items or other related issues.

The Price Control Scheme for 12 controlled items will run until June 2.

PEMBANGUNAN DI SARAWAK 2010 : RM5.72 bilion tingkat infrastruktur asas

Kerajaan Persekutuan telah memperuntukkan sejumlah RM5.72 bilion kepada Sarawak bagi mempertingkatkan infrastruktur asas luar bandar (RBI) di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Nasional (NKRA) bagi tempoh 2010 hingga 2012.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang berkata, peruntukan tersebut bagi melaksanakan 19,205 Projek Jalan Luar Bandar (JALB), Projek Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB), Projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) dan Projek Program Bantuan Rumah (PBR).

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar Sarawak menjelaskan, daripada jumlah tersebut sebanyak RM2 bilion diperuntukkan bagi melaksanakan 163 JALB manakala RM1.75 bilion pula untuk melaksanakan 1,977 BELB dan RM1.50 bilion bagi 321 projek BALB.

‘‘Bagi projek PBR pula, kerajaan Persekutuan telah memperuntukkan sejumlah RM469.1 juta untuk melaksanakan 16,744 projek terbabit.

‘‘Di bawah NKRA ini, sepanjang 889 kilometer jalan luar bandar dijangka siap dibina pada hujung 2012 manakala liputan elektrik 24 jam di luar bandar akan meningkat daripada 64 peratus kepada 95 peratus.

‘‘Pada masa sama akses kepada bekalan air bersih atau air yang dirawat di luar bandar pula dijangka meningkat daripada 57 peratus kepada 90 peratus menjelang hujung 2012,” katanya ketika menggulung perbahasan pada Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) di sini hari ini.

Sementara itu Jabu berkata, di bawah NKRA bagi meningkatkan taraf kehidupan isi rumah berpendapatan rendah (LIH) pula, penekanan diberikan kepada ketua isi rumah yang miskin dan miskin tegar yang didaftarkan dalam e-Kasih.

Jelasnya, kumpulan itu akan diberi bantuan yang sesuai di bawah projek dan program Satu Azam yang meliputi Azam Tani, Azam Niaga, Azam Khidmat dan Azam Kerja.

‘‘Pada tahun ini sejumlah RM120 juta telah dimohon menerusi program berkenaan,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu Jabu memberitahu, bagi memastikan semua projek dan program di bawah NKRA dilaksanakan dengan jayanya, kerajaan negeri menubuhkan NKRA-RBI Delivery Task Force dan Kumpulan Fokus Kemiskinan Negeri Sarawak dengan dipengerusikan oleh Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri.

Di samping itu menurutnya, kerajaan negeri juga memperkenalkan Program Transformasi Kerajaan Negeri melalui pelaksanaan Aktiviti Fokus Utama (KFA) dan Perkhidmatan Negeri Bertaraf Dunia.

Jelasnya, program transformasi itu bukan sahaja memberi fokus kepada sistem penyampaian yang cemerlang dan berprestasi tinggi dalam melaksanakan pembangunan di Sarawak, bahkan ia juga merupakan landasan serta kerangka proses inovasi dalam perkhidmatan


Kerajaan negeri lulus RM500,000 biayai program sumber manusia


Kerajaan negeri telah meluluskan peruntukan RM500,000 bagi membiayai pelaksanaan program pembangunan sumber manusia luar bandar di Sarawak.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang berkata, projek yang dilaksanakan itu adalah kursus-kursus berkaitan penghayatan komputer dan program RIGHT iaitu Rural ICT Guided Home-Based Technopreneur Programme.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar berkata, program itu bertujuan meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai kepentingan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT) dan melahirkan usahawan tekno desa dalam produk-produk yang berkaitan ICT.

''Pada tahun ini, kementerian akan menganjurkan sebanyak 24 siri pelbagai kursus penghayatan komputer dan satu siri Program RIGHT.

''Kita menyasarkan seramai 650 orang penduduk di kawasan luar bandar akan mengikuti latihan tersebut," katanya pada sesi penggulungan Sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak Ke-16 di sini hari ini.

Jabu berkata, kementeriannya juga akan menganjurkan latihan atau kursus secara kerjasama melalui konsep rakan kongsi bijak dengan beberapa buah agensi Kerajaan Pusat dan pertubuhan bukan Kerajaan (NGO) pada tahun ini.

Katanya, antara program tersebut adalah masing-masing satu siri Kursus RIGHT dan Khemah ICT Desa dengan kerjasama Sarawak Information System Sdn. Bhd. (Sains).

Selain itu tambahnya, Institut Kemajuan Luar Bandar (INFRA) bersetuju untuk melaksanakan dua siri pelbagai Kurus Pembangunan Insan Luar Bandar sementara Felcra juga bercadang menganjurkan satu siri Program Pembangunan Minda Insan luar bandar.

''Program itu akan membabitkan seramai 60 orang ketua isi rumah (KIR) miskin tegar di Pusat Sumber Pembangunan Desa (PSPD).

''Pada tahun ini juga, Pihak Berkuasa Kemajuan Pekebun Kecil Perusahaan Getah (RISDA) bersetuju untuk menganjurkan beberapa siri program peningkatan pendapatan rakyat luar bandar secara kerjasama dengan kementerian saya," katanya.


22 projek bangun kawasan industri

Kerajaan memperuntukkan RM1.02 bilion bagi melaksanakan 22 projek untuk membangunkan lebih banyak kawasan perindustrian di seluruh negeri dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh (RMK10).

Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam berkata, ia adalah usaha untuk menampung keperluan yang semakin meningkat daripada pelabur serta perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (SME).

''Kita akan melaksanakan kesemua projek ini secepat mungkin selepas bajet tersebut diluluskan.

''Ahli perniagaan, pemain industri dan usahawan perlu mengeksploitasi peluang-peluang yang diwujudkan oleh kerajaan ini," katanya pada sesi penggulungan Sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak Ke-16 di sini hari ini.

Hong Nam yang juga Menteri Pembangunan Perindustrian negeri berkata, Sarawak memerlukan penglibatan lebih banyak sektor swasta dalam membantu mempercepatkan proses pembangunan ekonomi di negeri ini.

Katanya, kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri di bawah pimpinan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud sentiasa mengutamakan persekitaran perniagaan yang mesra pelabur dan proaktif bagi meningkatkan ekonomi negeri ini.

''Ia adalah satu langkah bagi memastikan Sarawak sesuai untuk pelaburan domestik dan asing," katanya.

Sementara itu, beliau memberitahu, kementeriannya juga menerima geran berjumlah RM17 juta daripada Kerajaan Persekutuan untuk membina tiga unit tangki simpanan air tinggi di Sama Jaya.

Menurut beliau, kerja-kerja pembinaan dimulakan pada Jun 2008 dan dijangka siap pada awal tahun depan.

Jelasnya, perkembangan kemajuan pembinaan sehingga April tahun ini berada pada tahap 58.32 peratus.

''Tangki simpanan di Sama Jaya itu akan meningkatkan simpanan air untuk tempoh 24 jam bagi keperluan industri berteknologi tinggi yang beroperasi di kawasan itu.

''Permintaan air sedia ada di Sama Jaya adalah kira-kira 18 mega liter setiap hari manakala tangki sedia ada hanya mampu menampung 4.5 mega liter air," katanya.



Sarawak terima pelaburan modal RM2.86 bilion membabitkan 48 projek


Sarawak menerima pelaburan modal sebanyak RM2.86 bilion membabitkan 48 projek dalam tempoh Januari hingga Mei tahun ini, kata Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Nam.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pembangunan Perindustrian berkata, ia meliputi 17 projek dengan nilai pelaburan RM2.79 bilion yang diluluskan Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI) manakala 31 projek berjumlah RM68 juta diluluskan oleh Jawatankuasa Penyelarasan Perindustrian Negeri (ICC).

Menurutnya, pelaburan itu banyak menumpukan kepada empat industri utama iaitu Produk Pengeluaran Makanan berjumlah RM1.62 bilion, Peralatan Elektrik dan Elektronik (RM710 juta), Produk Berasaskan Logam (RM369 juta) dan Produk Peralatan Pengangkutan (RM82 juta).

''Daripada jumlah RM2.86 bilion itu, RM2.2 bilion atau 77 peratus merupakan pelaburan langsung asing manakala RM650 juta (23 peratus) adalah pelaburan domestik," katanya pada sesi penggulungan Sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak Ke-16 di sini hari ini.

Hong Nam berkata, Taiwan merupakan sumber utama yang menyumbang kepada pelaburan RM1.12 bilion iaitu dalam Industri Makanan (Tanjung Manis-Taiwan Food Park Sdn. Bhd.).

Katanya, ia diikuti oleh Amerika Syarikat dengan pelaburan RM710 juta dalam Industri Elektronik (MEMC Kuching Sdn. Bhd.) dan Jepun berjumlah RM350 juta dalam Industri Berasaskan Logam (Asia Mineral Ltd).

''Kita yakin pembangunan pelbagai projek di negeri ini akan menarik lebih banyak rangkaian perindustrian dan industri sokongan ke Sarawak sekali gus menyediakan peluang yang luas untuk aktiviti huluan dan hiliran," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, mengulas mengenai pelaburan MEMC, Hong Nam memberitahu, pelaburan syarikat tersebut menandakan permulaan teknologi baru di Sarawak untuk menuju kepada industri lebih inovatif dan mempunyai nilai tambah.

Menurut beliau, pelaburan MEMC dalam industri solar akan menyumbang kepada pembangunan modal insan dan kepakaran negeri ini berkaitan industri berteknologi tinggi.

''Ia akan menjadi pemangkin kepada pelabur asing lain di samping dan membantu menarik pemain industri wafer silikon melabur di negeri ini," jelasnya.

SARAWAK : RM3.25 bilion untuk bekalan elektrik, air luar bandar

KUCHING 24 Mei - Sarawak menerima peruntukan RM3.25 bilion bagi pelaksanaan projek Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB) dan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (BALB) di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA).

Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber II Sarawak, Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hasan berkata, daripada jumlah itu, RM1.75 bilion diperuntukkan kepada BELB manakala RM1.5 bilion lagi bagi projek BALB.

Beliau berkata, bagi projek BELB, sasaran kerajaan ialah untuk meningkatkan liputan bekalan elektrik di kawasan luar bandar daripada 64 peratus pada masa ini kepada 95 peratus menjelang 2012.

Menurutnya, ini bermakna kira-kira 78,000 buah rumah tambahan akan dapat dibekalkan dengan bekalan elektrik penghujung tahun 2012.

''Untuk projek BELB setakat ini, sebanyak RM250 juta diperuntukkan untuk beberapa projek Skim Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (RES) yang dijangka siap pada awal 2011 dengan melibatkan 12,500 rumah di seluruh negeri.

''Kerajaan turut memperuntukkan RM165 juta untuk projek RES di kawasan Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong dan Sarikei yang melibatkan 5,200 rumah," katanya ketika menyampaikan ucapan penggulungan pada Sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak di sini hari ini.

Dalam pada itu, Awang Tengah berkata, bagi program BALB pula, sebanyak 321 projek akan dilaksanakan dan daripada jumlah tersebut, 154 telah pun diluluskan pada tahun ini termasuk 89 projek dalam peringkat tender dan reka bentuk.

Menurutnya, kerajaan menyasarkan untuk mencapai sasaran 90 peratus liputan bekalan air bersih menjelang tahun 2012.

''Dengan adanya peruntukan tersebut, kerajaan menjangkakan sejumlah 89,074 rumah akan mendapat kemudahan bekalan air bersih," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Awang Tengah memberitahu, untuk mengatasi masalah jalur lebar dengan kadar penembusan jalur lebar pada tahap 21.2 peratus kepada 39 peratus, Kerajaan Persekutuan telah mengumumkan beberapa inisiatif kepada Sarawak baru-baru ini.

Menurut beliau, inisiatif tersebut termasuk penubuhan 33 Pusat Mini Jalur Lebar dan Pusat Maklumat Rakyat di setiap daerah, pengagihan 60,000 komputer riba kepada golongan kurang berkemampuan, penubuhan Pusat Jalur Lebar Komuniti dan membangunkan 257 menara telekomunikasi di bawah projek TIME 3.

Najib: Avoid projects that burden people

Development projects should not burden the people, especially those that result in the relocation of squatters, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Ordering squatters to relocate – even when their homes have not been completed – should be avoided because it would only burden the people further, he said.

“For example, if tractors from the Land and Mines Department demolish houses, such as as was the case in Kampung Buah Pala in Penang, then it will not help the people.

“Such action is an example of unfulfilled promises by PKR and thus, we must remind ourselves to prevent such an incident,” he said in his speech before launching the relocation project for Malay villages in Iskandar Malaysia here yesterday.

He also announced that the salaries for 15,000 postmen nationwide would be in­­creased by July 1 as part of the New Economic Model’s policy of assisting the lower-income group, adding that these were currently below the acceptable level

Cuepacs masih mahu kerajaan kaji bonus dua bulan

Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) masih menaruh harapan kerajaan akan menimbang semula pemberian bonus dua bulan kepada penjawat awam selepas ekonomi negara menunjukkan perkembangan memberangsangkan.
Presidennya Omar Osman berkata beliau berharap rayuan pemberian bonus itu akan dipertimbangkan tahun ini.

“Kami faham bahawa pada tahun lepas, ekoran kegawatan ekonomi global kerajaan terpaksa menolak permintaan tersebut tetapi kami berharap kerajaan akan menimbang semula permintaan kami tahun ini kerana ekonomi negara semakin pulih,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas sesi taklimat di Hospital Pulau Pinang di sini semalam.

Beliau berkata sejak Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengumumkan bahawa ekonomi negara telah merekodkan pertumbuhan sebanyak 10.1 peratus bagi suku pertama tahun ini, Cuepacs berharap permintaan bagi pemberian bonus dua bulan kepada penjawat awam akan dapat dipenuhi.

Omar berkata Cuepacs juga mahu kerajaan menimbangkan semula cadangan memanjangkan tempoh cuti bersalin kepada 90 hari berbanding 60 hari ketika ini.

“Tempoh 60 hari cuti bersalin sedia ada jelas tidak memadai kepada pekerja wanita kerana kebanyakan mereka cenderung mengambil cuti tanpa gaji untuk menjaga anak dan menguruskan hal-hal keluarga yang lain,” katanya. — Bernama

A bird of passage

DELICACY: Original bird’s nests can command a price tag of RM7,000 to over RM9,000 per kilo.

Sibu-based bird’s nest processing company Golden Lung Birdnest Centre (Golden Lung) is gearing up towards further diversifying its business into other areas of food manufacturing and processing.

Its managing director Robert Wong said apart from bird’s nest processing, the company had already been engaged in canned and packaged food businesses since last year.

“All this, I believe, was triggered by the ‘halal’ certifications received for all our food products from Jais (State Islamic Affairs Department) last year. After having been in the business for about 10 years, I believed that it was time to branch out into other food segments,” he related to thesundaypost recently.

“Nevertheless, I still focus on my bird’s nest business since it’s what I started with.”

A self-taught entrepreneur, Wong had never received any formal training or courses on processing methods of bird’s nests.

“With an initial capital of RM30,000, I started as a one-man show back in 2000 with no experience at all. It took me six month to master the extracting process, after which I began to employ staff and taught them the very same way I taught myself.

“Now, I employ seven full-time staff. Our monthly production can reach between 20 to 30 kilos (kilogrammes), depending to availability. Sometimes, demand does exceed supply, of which the company manages by shipping extra supplies from China,” he outlined.

When asked on the company’s annual turnover, Wong did not really put forth the exact amount. Rather, he described it in a very ‘you-do-the-math’ way.

“Our products follow market prices: for black bird’s nests, they can fetch between RM1,500 and RM2,000 per kilo whereas for the higher-quality original bird’s nests, they can command a price tag of RM7,000 to over RM9,000 per kilo.

“I can tell you that we don’t have monthly backlogs except for a few kilos that we reserve as our samples. Our monthly orders have always been met, so far. Relating that to market prices, I can say that we’re doing quite well,” he responded with a smile.

Moving on to his spin-off businesses, Wong branded his canned food products under the Golden Lung name, while the packaged food under the Tong Hing name.

“These products have been well-received across Kuching, Sibu. Miri and Bintulu markets. They’re available in many grocery shops and supermarkets.”

Although Golden Lung’s canned food products were meant for the local market, Wong said the manufacturing process was actually done in China through a partnership with a Fujian-based plant ZhangZhou Tan Co Ltd (ZhangZhou).

“ZhangZhou began its operations since August last year, after receiving halal accreditations from both Jakim (Malaysia Islamic Development Department) and China Islamic Association. Up until now, the plant’s production has reached over 70,000 cans of food products.

“Following halal manufacturing methods isn’t an easy task where every aspect has to be shariah-compliant. But to me, it’s vital for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to be halal-certified, as their products would have a wider marketshare. It’s more of a long-term investment,” he explained.

On the other hand, Wong’s packaged products were locally-made.

“Tong Hing’s dumplings and ‘dim sums’ are manufactured at our Pending plant, which commenced in June last year. Initially, all products were handmade, but we just got two new units of machinery that would increase our production capacity,” he pointed out.

Currently, its packaged food business produces an average of 200 packets daily.

Wong also highlighted the role and support of the government through agencies like SME Enterprises Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) towards the progress of small businesses like Golden Lung.

Looking ahead, Golden Lung planned to introduce a new line of food product this coming August.

“This is actually endorsed by Jais, in its support to encourage more SMEs to come up with locally-produced products slated for the local halal market. Our new product range, also under the Golden Lung brand, will include tomato and chilli sauce, white and black vinegar as well as soy sauce.

“Right now, we’re still in the course of attaining halal-certification for these products, but it’s likely to come out this August,” he said.

Pilihan raya Sibu 16 Mei 2010 :Jadikan kekalahan di Sibu peluang BN bangkit semula: Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata, kekalahan Barisan Nasional (BN) dalam pilihan raya kecil kerusi Parlimen Sibu semalam harus dijadikan sebagai satu peluang untuk BN bangkit semula dengan semangat dan kekuatan baru supaya dapat merampasnya kembali pada pilihan raya umum nanti.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di sini hari ini, Perdana Menteri berkata, kekuatan BN di Sibu masih kekal kerana penyokong-penyokong tradisional tetap bersama BN. Calon DAP, Wong Ho Leng menewaskan calon BN, Robert Lau Hui Yew dengan kelebihan 398 undi bagi kerusi yang sebelum ini diwakili oleh BN. Sambil melahirkan rasa kecewannya, Najib berkata, sebenarnya kekalahan itu terlalu tipis dan apa yang BN perlu lakukan sekarang ialah mengkaji segala kekurangan yang mungkin wujud dan melakukan pembaharuan dan penambahbaikan termasuk kepada jentera BN.

"Kita terima keputusan itu kerana sebagai sebuah parti yang berpegang kepada prinsip demokrasi berparlimen maka keputusan pengundi adalah keputusan yang perlu diterima dan dihormati," katanya selepas memberikan ucapan khas pada mesyuarat pertama Forum Pegawai Institusi Kewangan dan Monetari di Bank Negara Malaysia di sini.

Najib, yang juga Pengerusi BN, berkata walaupun kalah, tidak perlu berlaku sebarang proses menuding jari sebaliknya semua pihak dalam BN perlu melihat secara mendalam apa yang telah berlaku terutama sekali sekiranya ada kelemahan yang perlu diatasi manakala mesej sebenar pengundi Sibu perlu dihalusi.

"Tapi gelombang perubahan di bandar yang kita selalu sebut itu satu fenomena yang perlu kita kaji dan mengetahui sebab musababnya berlakunya fenomena ini," katanya.
Najib, yang turut berkempen pada pilihan raya kecil itu, berkata satu daripada faktor yang beliau lihat menyumbang kepada kekalahan BN ialah cara jentera BN yang masih bergerak pada kaedah dan cara lama.

"Sepatutnya mereka perlu lebih kreatif dan bertenaga lagi," katanya.

Najib berkata, BN di semua peringkat termasuk bahagian dan negeri perlu menggunakan kekalahan ini sebagai satu pengalaman dan pengajaran untuk melakukan pembaharuan yang perlu.

"Kerana salah satu daripada kekuatan BN selama ini ialah jenteranya tapi kalaulah jentera BN ini kurang bertenaga dan kurang dari segi kreativitinya, maka kita agak kehilangan kelebihan kita," katanya.

Mengulas sama ada berlaku trend penolakan masyarakat Cina terhadap BN melalui pilihan raya ini, Najib berkata, BN kena mengkaji segala-galanya.

"Sama ada ini merupakan apa pertimbangan mereka sebenarnya, adakah isu nasional, isu tempatan atau isu negerikah? Semua perlu kita ambil kira," katanya.

Najib juga berkata, antara sebab lain punca kekalahan BN ialah kerana ramai juga penyokong BN tidak turun mengundi dan ini juga BN perlu mengkaji.

Ditanya impak keputusan di Sibu pada pilihan raya negeri Sarawak akan datang, Perdana Menteri berkata: "Kita akan menghadapi cabaran lebih besar, oleh itu semua pihak terutama di Sarawak harus mengambil kira apakah yang harus kita lakukan untuk menghadapi pilihan raya negeri nanti."

Mengulas sama ada kempen memburukkan kerajaan oleh DAP berjaya mempengaruhi pengundi, Najib berkata, parti itu berkempen secara agresif dan menggunakan isu sensitif selain menjalankan banyak program dan perjumpaan.

"Dan tentu apa yang mereka lakukan sedikit sebanyak telah mempengaruhi pengundi di Sibu, sebab tindak balas daripada jentera kita agak tidak setimpal dengan apa yang mereka (pembangkang) lakukan," kata Najib. - Bernama

P.212 Sibu by-election - Robert Lau Hui Yew for May 16

Behind the success of every politician, there is always a touching story of how he begins his career. It could involve a woman whom he loves, or a guarding hand that cares, but for Robert Lau Hui Yew, he found his political career begin in stinking toilets.

That was about six years ago when his late cousin Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew was the chairman of Sibu Municipal Council. Senior Lau knew his younger cousin had a burning desire to bring changes. He brought him into Sibu Municipal Council because his Sibu BN Visionary Development Team was then in the process of transforming Sibu.

Young Lau did not hesitate. He jumped on the opportunity. But after just a month of joining, things changed. The Senior Lau was appointed the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing. He had to leave for Kuala Lumpur, leaving the green boy behind.

Not knowing this would become a blessing in disguise, young Lau just went about his business as the head in the council’s Public Health Standing Committee.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, the new Deputy Local Government Minister chanced on an agenda on the culture of clean toilet to upgrade the standard of living.

He found this was what Sibu needed and he quickly formed Malaysia Quality Restroom Association. In Sibu, he tasked Hui Yew to form Sibu Toilet Council on Sept 12, 2005 to lead the town in washroom hygiene.

The toilet council was also to promote what was known as the ABC Toilet Concept – Architecture, Behaviors and Cleanliness.

This commitment opened a new page in Hui Yew’s life. Looking back, Junior Lau found it a simple calling – “Do what you can and never look back”. In fact, in his burning desire, he had already told himself then, “I want to build five-star toilets for Sibu.”

Hui Yew remembered how his sons had complained about stinking toilets in schools.

“Just imagine. A child will spend 17 years growing up there, and we are showing him this is what a toilet is – stinking, unhygienic and stuffy.”

Through the channel of his late cousin, Hui Yew exposed himself to toilet innovation in world conventions to understand why he needed to start at such a lowly place in community service. He called his work the toilet revolution.

He attended the World Toilet Summits in India and Singapore, and he found the answer in India, as 60 per cent of the people there did not have access to proper toilets.

Hui Yew gathered a few persons to work on the idea. He was happy with the commitment of the council’s staff members.

Being inexperienced, he said they asked for professional opinions, and from there, they started designing modern public toilets themselves.

“It all boils down to the concept of having a toilet that is hygienic, airy and one where natural light can penetrate.”

Since then, numerous modern public toilets have been built, like the ones at Sibu Town Square Phase II, the SEDC Food Hawker Centre, SMC Central Market and Lake Garden.

Through him, his group built a model toilet for SRK Bandaran Sibu No. 4, he channelled in a RM20,000 federal government grant.

With the experience gained, the ‘toilet architect’ and his group started helping out two schools and a kindergarten.

The commitment of the two Roberts with others had not gone unnoticed. In the closing Ceremony of the World Toilet Summit & Expo 2009 in Singapore, the World Toilet Organisation’s (WTO) Hall of Fame Toilet Award went to the late Datuk Lau for championing clean toilet and its education in Malaysia, particularly Sibu.

Meanwhile, in Sibu, the public toilet at Town Square Phase II was also awarded by the Sarawak Tourism Federation and the State Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism for its outstanding contribution to the Tourism Industry Model Toilet.

For the same town square toilet, Sibu Municipal Council and Sibu Toilet Council also won a Bronze Award in the National Quality Toilet Competition 2008.

The efforts of Hui Yew and his group had become so popular in pushing for hygienic and clean modern toilets that his friends jokingly called him the toilet chairman of Sibu.

Those who knew him had already seen him as a young leader rising from the base of the community – a lowly place where a revolutionary idea rose from stingy toilets.

Upon the invitation of his late cousin, young Lau said he joined SUPP a little earlier, but it was his toilet revolution that made him outstanding.

Young Lau is today SUPP Sibu treasurer and the chairman of SUPP Sibu Town Service Centre.

In the local council, he now heads the traffic standing committee and is currently reviewing the major traffic restructure in Sibu planned by his late cousin in 2000.

“The traffic restructure is 10 years old now. We need to fine-tune it.

“Things have changed in a decade.”

He said there were a few strategic points of the traffic flow under review now by a consultant from Kuala Lumpur. “One is the traffic flow in Sungei Merah and the other outside booming Li Hua Jaya where the bus terminal is.”

Hui Yew comes from a family of 10. He is the number six and the third of four boys. Born in the Teku where the present Ding Lik Kwong Road is, Hui Yew said there was no road to Sibu then.

His family moved out when he was still a toddler, and the boy spent his early childhood at Emplam Lane.

Hui Yew said he still cherished his early childhood memories in the densely populated residential area and he still used to pass by that terraced house and told his children ‘this is where daddy grew up.’

The lawyer-turned-politician began his education at St Elizabeth’s Kindergarden. He studied in Sacred Heart English Primary School and Sacred Heart Secondary School.

As a boy of Emplam Road, Hui Yew grew up quite independently. “It is understandable when there are 10 siblings in a family. My parents were busy and at times we had to work things out ourselves.”

That helped develop his character. Not only he liked to carry out tasks his way, he drew others in for job efficiency too.

His leadership had grown as a boy even before Hui Yew realised it.

He recalled, “I used to volunteer running errands for teachers. When there was a need I would gather classmates for the tasks.”

That continued into his secondary education. The Junior Lau loved sports. “I played basketball, football, rugby, badminton, table tennis and squash.”

Because of his passion in sports, Hui Yew is today the vice-president of Squash Racquet Association Malaysia and the president of its Sarawak branch.

Robert Junior studied law in Hull University, England, after his pre-university studies in Canada. He returned in 1989 before proceeding to Singapore to practise law. He returned in 1991 and stayed put until today.

In politics, he said the late Datuk Lau, whom he referred to as ‘My brother’, had shown him commitment.

“My brother also let me see what service is. I learnt from his philosophy – Never ask too many questions. Just do it.”

He said his elder cousin had known of his chronic disease in 2008, but he kept it to himself.

“He was already preparing me to take over from him then. Each time he met me he asked me to prepare for it. But I did not know he was asking me to prepare to take over from him.”

Hui Yew confirmed the senior Lau had summoned him to his deathbed. “He asked me to carry on. He told me to be brave and have courage.”

Like when his older cousin had called him into the council and left him alone after a month, Hui Yew found elder Lau had left him alone again, and this time, with a bigger task.

On whether he had prepared for it, he said there was no turning back now.

From stinking to five-star toilets and to his political mission, the people of Sibu now see Hui Yew getting onto the political platform.

In the first election ceramah after his nomination, Lau went up the rostrum and told the crowd, “I am Lau Hui Yew. I am your candidate from SUPP-BN. Vote for me on May 16.”

Massage Palours Offer "Sex Service"?

Local authorities have the right to withdraw the operating licence issued to massage parlours if they are found to be contravening the terms of the licence.

Lets us look around and see whether they are really compiling to these rules?

Points To Ponder : Publish SPM Results in the Media

I WOULD like to propose that the names, identity card numbers and results of students who sit the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination be published in the media.

There have been complaints of a few top scorers not getting places in local universities.

So what better way to be transparent than to have the names of SPM candidates published in the newspapers?

John Ho Masai, Johor

2010/05/06 NST Letter To editor


View :
This was a practice in the ealier years... Or through the intenet maybe.

Pilihan Raya Kecil P.212 - Sibu cabaran kepada BN - Najib

SIBU 2 Mei - Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengingatkan jentera pilihan raya Barisan Nasional (BN) bahawa Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) bagi kerusi Parlimen Sibu, 16 Mei ini merupakan satu cabaran yang perlu diambil serius.

Beliau bagaimanapun yakin atas semangat setiakawan dalam BN pusat dan Sarawak, jentera pilihan raya BN akan bergerak dengan lancar untuk mencapai kejayaan dalam mengekalkan kerusi Sibu.

"Persaingan yang kita (BN) hadapi mungkin sengit dan akan tertumpu pada kesungguhan dalam usaha yang kita lakukan,” katanya di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir, Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air, Datuk Peter Chin; Panglima Tentera Darat, Jeneral Tan Sri Ismail Jamaluddin dan calon BN, Robert Lau Hoi Yew (Robert Lau Junior).

Ditanya peluang BN untuk mengekalkan kerusi Sibu, Perdana Menteri berkata, BN akan berusaha sedaya upaya dengan kerjasama semua parti-parti komponen BN.

- Bernama

Najib minta penduduk Sibu undi BN demi masa depan lebih terjamin

Datuk Seri Najib bermesra dan bersembang bersama rakyat


SIBU: Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, hari ini memberikan mesej yang mudah tetapi amat penting kepada penduduk Sibu, iaitu undi Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya kecil bagi kerusi Parlimen Sibu 16 Mei ini.

"BN patut menjadi pilihan demi harapan dan masa depan lebih terjamin," katanya pada majlis pemimpin bersama rakyat di bandar Sungai Merah di sini.

Turut mengiringi beliau ialah calon BN, Robert Lau Hoi Yew; Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam; Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan pemimpin parti komponen BN.

Najib berkata, beliau, Taib dan semua menteri dan wakil rakyat BN akan memberikan sokongan padu kepada Lau, yang lebih mesra dengan gelaran Robert Lau Junior di kalangan penduduk, dalam menjalankan tanggungjawab jika dipilih.

Beliau juga berkata, Sibu mempunyai potensi untuk membangun lebih pesat lagi berdasarkan kemahiran keusahawanan yang dimiliki penduduknya.

"Penduduk Sibu, terutamanya kaum Foochow, memang terkenal dengan kemahiran berniaga, mahir dalam perdagangan, sedia untuk bekerja keras dan semangat kental mereka untuk berjaya, yang diwarisi daripada nenek moyang mereka," katanya.

Semua kualiti itu, kata Najib, ditambah pula dengan komitmen dan keupayaan BN untuk melaksanakannya, selaras dengan bandar itu untuk membangun dengan lebih pesat lagi.
Najib berkata, ahli Parlimen Sibu dan Timbalan Menteri Pengangkutan sebelum ini, mendiang Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew adalah contoh terbaik semangat Foochow yang dipaparkan melalui khidmatnya kepada rakyat, bandar, negeri dan negara.

"Mendiang adalah seorang daripada pemimpin yang benar-benar komited untuk memperbaiki kehidupan penduduk Sibu dan pentadbiran BN.

"Saya hanya mendapat tahu baru-baru ini bahawa beliau sebenarnya sakit ketika beliau mengiringi saya melakukan tinjauan mesra di Sibu Central Market dalam lawatan saya kira-kira sebulan setengah lalu. Namun beliau tetap mengiringi saya," katanya.

Semangat mendiang akan terus hidup dalam diri penggantinya, Robert Lau Junior, yang akan menunjukkan komitmen sama untuk berkhidmat kepada rakyat, katanya.

Najib juga berkata, beliau menjadikan Sungai Merah sebagai perhentian pertamanya dalam melakukan tinjauan mesra itu kerana beliau mahu memberi pengiktirafan terhadap sumbangan kaum Cina yang juga penduduk awal di kawasan itu dalam membangunkan bandar itu khususnya, dan negeri dan negara amnya.

Bandar itu yang terletak kira-kira 7 kilometer dari sini, adalah kawasan pendaratan pertama kaum Foochow di bawah pimpinan ketua mereka, Wong Nai Siong pada 1901, dan kaum Heng Hua apabila mereka tiba dari China pada awal abad lalu.

Dari sini, mereka kemudiannya berpindah ke kawasan lain di negeri ini.

Terdahulu, sejurus tiba di sini, Najib menghabiskan masa kira-kira sejam beramah mesra dengan ratusan penduduk yang datang menyambut ketibaan beliau.

Beliau juga sempat menikmati kopi di dua kedai kopi.

Kemudiannya, pada majlis pemimpin bersama rakyat di SK Bandaran Sibu No 3 di Kampung Bandong, Najib berkata, semua rakyat Malaysia tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama atau sama ada mereka dari Semenanjung, Sabah atau Sarawak akan mendapat manfaat daripada konsep 1Malaysia yang diilhamkannya.

"Ia umpama seperti berteduh di bawah satu bumbung, terlindung daripada bahang matahari dan hujan. 1Malaysia ialah ikatan perpaduan bagi kita semua," katanya.

Najib berkata, beliau mengilhamkan konsep itu kerana terdapat keperluan untuk semua untuk saling berkompromi jika mahu negara terus menikmati pembangunan pesat dan lebih makmur lagi.

"1Malaysia adalah satu ikatan yang tak boleh dirungkai, dimaki hasut atau dibawa ke hala tuju yang lain," katanya.

Najib turut menyentuh mengenai pertemuan beliau baru-baru ini dengan Presiden Amerika Syarikat, Barack Obama dan berkata, beliau adalah satu-satunya pemimpin dari Asia Tenggara yang diberikan peluang itu.

- Bernama

PESTA BENAK : Dare to surf in Sarawak’s Batang Lupar?

SRI AMAN: Would you dare to be on a surfing board and battle a tidal bore in Sarawak’s Batang Lupar, famed for its crocodile-infested waters?

Dare-devils should look no further then Sri Aman, 170km from Kuching. The tidal bore here, or “benak”, could be a big tourism draw in which it could be known as a fantastic extreme sport.

So far only one man has dared to take up the challenge in battling the benak. He is Frenchman Antony Colas, a hardcore tidal surfer and author of the World Stormrider Guide, a guide book on the best new surfing locations worlwide.

His feat in October last year was reported in a recent edition of Hong Kong-based Action Asia magazine, a respected travel and adventure publication.

“Sri Aman’s tidal bore rates among the best bores in the world. Although not as powerful and destructive as Brazil’s Pororoca or China’s Guanchao, the benak breaks for several hours, reaching 1.52m-high at some stages,” he said in an e-mail interview.

This, he said, made a fairly nice wave for surfers.

Giving the thumbs up to the annual Pesta Benak (Benak Festival) held to promote the Sri Aman’s tidal bore phenomenon, Colas called for a special tourism package that allows tourists to surf on the tidal bore.

This would be similar to what was being done in Brazil and Canada, he added.

“Estuarine crocs can intimidate potential wave-riders but safety issues can be dealt with by using rescue boats and pick-up canoes.”

Inaugurated in 2001, the Benak Festival is one of the major events in Sarawak’s tourism calendar and is celebrated along with water sports, cultural shows and handicraft exhibitions.

This year’s five-day Benak Festival ends tomorrow. The event’s growing popularity has led to all hotels here being fully booked.

The tidal bore usually occurs on the 3rd and 18th days of the Chinese lunar calendar. Boatmen and youths usually try to ride the gigantic waves that lash Sri Aman town’s waterfront.

The tidal bore is a high wave caused by the meeting of two tides or by a tide rushing up the narrow river estuary. Its height depends on the time of the year, weather and phase of the moon.

This phenomenon is known to occur at 66 locations worldwide, three of them in Malaysia, including Sri Aman.

Pesta Benak organising committee public relation officer Zaidi Sarkawi said plans were underway to improve tourism infrastructure in Sri Aman.

This would include a proposed three-star hotel and a walkway along Kampung Hulu and Hilir.

The festival also features a race in which boats would surf the tidal bore and is expected to lure 5,000 tourists to Sri Aman.

Zaidi said Sri Aman had 11 hotels offering 183 rooms. Homestay packages are available, too.

Tourists unable to get hotel rooms could stay at nearby Iban longhouses or Malay villages that take part in the homestay packages, he said. — Bernama

Concern over teenagers hanging out late at night

They have become a common sight in the wee hours of the morning – youngsters hanging out with friends in various spots in the city.

The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah by police has now put in the limelight this growing phenomenon of teens staying out late.

Parents, educators and activists are concerned that many teens are disobeying their parents by hanging out with friends all night.

Data in the Malaysia Community and Family Study 2004 by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) – conducted every 10 years – reveals that staying out late at night is the top activity disapproved of by parents that teenagers love to indulge in (13.5%).

Taking drugs (1.3%) and illegal racing (2.9%) ranked much lower.

For this section of the study, the LPPKN spoke to over 1,000 youth separately from the rest of their family members.

“We compiled 10 activities on pareShe attributed this trend to the change in the lifestyle of the young today as well as the many 24-hour eateries, cybercafes and increased late-night activities.

“Now we have various programmes that encourage them to go out and stay out late like midnight movies, night futsal matches, concerts and live football games,” she added.

Aminah said parents must be responsible for their children’s whereabouts.

Assoc Prof Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association Collaborative Council, agrees that the tragic incident in Shah Alam should be a wake-up call for parents and guardians on the importance of knowing where and what their children are doing late at night.

“Some parents are being hoodwinked by their children who come up with various excuses, saying they are doing schoolwork with others when in truth, they are hanging out with friends and getting up to no good,” he said, proposing that Malaysia implement a national curfew to safeguard our children as practised in countries like Japan, Britain, Iceland, Germany and Singapore.

“I think no minor should be out after 11pm. To help ensure this rule is followed, we can recruit some social workers or police to check their ID after 11pm.”

Arfidah Abdul Latiff, manager and outreach worker with youth shelter Sinar Salam concurred.

“Having a curfew might help curb the problem. From what my fellow activists in Singapore say, it has been effective in reducing the crime rate among the young there.

Aminah, however, does not think that having a national curfew will help.

“Sometimes we cannot talk about punitive action or enforcement. It should be the last measure. The more important thing is to instil responsibility and good character in our young,” she said.

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Vice-Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye agrees that parents have the biggest responsibility in disciplining their children. A curfew by the government would deny youths their basic rights, he said.

“To be fair, not all teenagers who are out late are involved in crime. Some just hang out with their friends and are able to differentiate between right and wrong,” he said.

nts’ No-No list and asked the respondents to rank their likelihood of participating in activity against their parents’ wishes,” said LPPKN director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman.

“Teens staying out late at night are a common thing. Six years ago, it was the top disapproved activity and now, although we don’t have the actual figure, it seems to be growing.

“It may not be critical yet to cause panic but we should be aware of the