RM5.2 bln for Sarawak

Allocation to build more roads and expand electricity, water supplies — DPM

Sarawak will be given a total of RM5.2 billion for roads, electricity and water under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Of that RM2 billion will be to upgrade rural roads and build 906km of new roads by 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who stated this on Saturday night, said the total length of roads in the state would increase from 20,333km to 21,239km in the next two years.

He added that RM1.7 billion had also been allocated to increase electricity supply from 66 per cent to 95 per cent by 2012, so that 77,788 households throughout the state would enjoy power supply.

Another RM1.5 billion would be spent to provide clean water to 95 per cent of rural households, also by 2012.

At present, only 59 per cent of rural households have access to clean water.

“In the context of Sarawak, the most relevant National Key Result Area (NKRA) is to improve the rural basic infrastructure, particularly the road network, treated water supply and electricity,” he said when opening the Gawai Carnival Redeems 2010 at Apar near here.

He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as prime minister would pay more attention to the needs of the people in Sarawak.

“There is still a lot more that needs to be done in Sarawak in our efforts to fulfil our responsibility as the government that look after the people.

“And I believe, with the mandate given by the people to BN, we will be able to fulfil our responsibility to ensure Sarawakians can live in prosperity. We do not want Sarawakians to be left behind from the development process and economic progress in this country,” he said.

Muhyddin was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.

Also present were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, federal and state ministers and Redeems president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.

Iban language as a subject at UPSI

Iban language will be one of the subjects offered in the Language Faculty of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) at Tanjung Malim, Perak, beginning August this year

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu revealed this at the Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration 2010, held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday.

He would be going to UPSI in August to launch the subject, an optional subject for TESL teachers who would eventually serve in Sarawak. There is a growing interest in the language outside the Dayak community and over in Peninsular Malaysia, he revealed.

“The Dayak community is thankful as this is positive for of the development of the Iban language,” Jabu told reporters.

He said it was timely for it to be recognised by the federal government and education ministry.

“I think the use of Iban in the higher institution of learning will open up a

lot of literary interest,

whether oral or written tradition,” Jabu commented.

In his speech earlier, Jabu said the Gawai-Kaamatan celebration was significant to Sabah and Sarawak as it showed the unity between them regardless of ethnic background.

Also present at the celebration were Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok; Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili; Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Alli

Masri Matajam; Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo

Moggie; Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum; Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister

Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang.

Pendidikan 2010 : Boleh tangguh yuran IPT

PUTRAJAYA 23 Jun – Pelajar baru universiti dan politeknik yang kurang berkemampuan boleh menangguhkan pembayaran yuran pengajian bagi sesi kemasukan yang bermula pada 3 dan 4 Julai ini.

Yuran pendaftaran kemasukan bagi universiti ialah antara RM1,600 hingga RM2,000 (ijazah) manakala politeknik pula RM400.

Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, penangguhan pembayaran yuran itu boleh dilakukan menerusi perbincangan dengan pihak universiti.

“Keperluan menjelaskan yuran pendaftaran kemasukan ke universiti seperti yuran sekali termasuk wang hemat diri, yuran minggu haluan siswa dan kad matrik tidak harus menjadi halangan kepada pelajar meneruskan pengajian.

“Dalam hal ini, mereka terutamanya pelajar yang kurang berkemampuan tidak perlu khuatir mengenai perkara tersebut.

“Jika mereka mempunyai kesulitan untuk membayar yuran berkenaan, perbincangan boleh dibuat dengan pihak universiti,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di pejabatnya, di sini, hari ini.

Mohamed Khaled berkata, dijangkakan seramai 200,000 pelajar baru bakal mendaftar di institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) dan politeknik di seluruh negara mulai awal bulan depan.

Daripada angka tersebut, katanya, sebanyak 403,660 pelajar bakal melanjutkan pengajian ke peringkat ijazah, 36,900 pelajar di peringkat diploma manakala 28,311 pelajar bakal memasuki politeknik.

Beliau berkata, keputusan mengenai penangguhan bayaran itu boleh dibuat ketika pelajar berkenaan hadir untuk pendaftaran kemasukan.

Utusan 24/06/10

Time we grew to love our country

ALTHOUGH our National Day is still some time away, I find there is a need to impress upon the readers how important it is for us to love our nation.

We sing the national anthem every day in school. We join in the march past to pay respect to those who went to the battlefields to defend our nation in times of troubles. We cry out ‘Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka’ every year echoing thousands of others in the heat of the Merdeka celebrations.

But how deep does our patriotism go? I am not talking about running to the battlefront at the drop of a hat when summoned.

And I am not just talking about paying tribute to the past heroes (political figures and soldiers alike) who so gallantly fought for the freedom of our nation. I am talking about how proud are we of our nation.

I am talking about holding our head up high when we talk about our country. How much do we really love our country? Perhaps we should ask ourselves: “Do we love our country at all?”

I am not advocating that we Malaysians should only speak Bahasa Malaysia. It is a subtle example of how patriotism can manifest in many forms. We are quick to pay lip service, saying that we love our country. But teenagers these days sing the national anthem because they have to and not because they want to.

They look forward to leaving the country to further their studies, not knowing that there is no place like home, in every sense of the word. Some say they dislike their own country for the many reasons only best known to them. Yet, they’ve grown up in this country, enjoyed subsidised healthcare and more importantly peace and serenity in the neighbourhood.

Imagine growing up in a war battered country. We often see on TV and read in the newspapers how these people protest against the invasion of their motherland at the expense of their lives.

They still stick it out despite being constantly bombarded with shrapnel and explosives, and despite their homes being riddled by bullets. Now, why do we find it so hard to love our own country when we don’t have to bleed or die to do so?

Australia gets 1st female PM, Rudd ousted

New Australian PM Julia Gillard, left, leaves a Labor Party meeting with new Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan in Canberra, Australia, Thursday, June 24. Australia got its first female prime minister after the ruling party dumped Prime Minsiter Kevin Rudd and installed his deputy, Gillard, as leader.


Australia got its first female prime minister on Thursday after the ruling party dumped Kevin Rudd and installed his deputy as leader.

Julia Gillard will lead the government to elections due within months.

She stood unopposed at a vote of the Labor Party's 112 lawmakers at a meeting Thursday, hours after a revolt against Rudd.

"I feel very honored," she told reporters afterward.

Rudd didn't even stand for reappointment in the vote - a signal that he knew his support had collapsed.

Rudd had ridden high in opinion polls as one of the most popular Australian prime ministers of modern times until he made major policy backflips, including a decision in April to shelve plans to make Australia's worst polluters pay for their carbon gas emissions.

The leadership change is unlikely to alter Australia's key policy positions, such as its troop commitment to Afghanistan.

Since she is leader of the majority party in Parliament, Gillard's swearing in as prime minister is a formality.

Rudd, who won a landslide election victory less than three years ago, appeared composed after the meeting, but declined to speak to the media.

The government's key financial minister, Treasurer Wayne Swan, was elected deputy prime minister unopposed.

Gillard was born in Barry, Wales, in 1961, the second daughter of a family who migrated to Adelaide, Australia, when she was a four-year-old child in search of a warmer climate for her lung complaint.

A former successful lawyer, she has been attacked by some opponents as unsuitable to lead because she is childless and therefore out of touch with most Australians.

Gillard supporter Sen. Kate Lundy said Gillard will turn around the government's poor polling which triggered the leadership challenge.

"I think she'll inspire a new confidence in Labor," Lundy told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

"I think we were at risk (of losing the next election) and I think Julia presents a much stronger opportunity for us," she added.

Despite Australia's weathering the global downturn, recent polling puts the center-left government neck-and-neck with the conservative opposition.

One poll earlier this month showed Labor trailing the opposition for the first time in more than four years.

Rudd called a late night news conference to announce Thursday's vote of Labor lawmakers after Gillard said she would challenge him for the leadership.

She had been approached by key factional power brokers in the party who told her that they had abandoned Rudd to support her, Australian Associated Press and Nine Network television reported, without citing sources.

Rudd was due to fly to a summit of Group of 20 major economies in Canada hours after the ballot.

It is unclear who will now represent Australia.

Rudd is a Labor hero, having led the party to victory at 2007 elections after 11 years in opposition. - AP

Earlier report

Australia gets its 1st female PM

CANBERRA, Australia: Australia has its first female prime minister after the ruling party dumped Kevin Rudd and installed his deputy as leader.

New leader Julia Gillard will lead the government to elections due within months. Gillard stood unopposed at a vote of the Labor Party's 112 lawmakers at a meeting Thursday, hours after a revolt against Rudd.

Rudd didn't even stand for reappointment in Thursday's vote - a signal that he knew his support had collapsed.

Since she is leader of the majority party in Parliament, Gillard's swearing in as prime minister is a formality.

Gillard is unlikely to alter Australia's key foreign policy positions such as its troop commitment to Afghanistan.

Rudd won a landslide election victory less than three years ago but suffered a recent plunge in opinion polls. - AP

The Star 24/06/2010

Matlamat pembelajaran bukan lulus cemerlang

Lebih penting lahir murid inovatif asas jadi generasi holistik

ISU mengenai kedudukan Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) timbul semula apabila Timbalan Perdana Menteri merangkap Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin semalam membayangkan kemungkinan dua peperiksaan itu dimansuhkan. Beliau melihat ada kewajaran pemansuhan itu kerana aspek pembelajaran ketika ini lebih berorientasikan kepada peperiksaan sehingga tujuan utama untuk memberikan pendidikan holistik tidak dapat dilakukan sepenuhnya

Cadangan terhadap pemansuhan UPSR dan PMR ini bukan perkara baru, sebaliknya sentiasa timbul apabila ada perbincangan mengenai keberkesanan sistem pendidikan kebangsaan dalam melahirkan generasi cemerlang. Satu daripada cadangan ialah menggantikan UPSR dan PMR dengan Sistem Penilaian Pendidikan Kebangsaan (NEAS).

Pada Mei 2007, Menteri Pelajaran ketika itu, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein bagaimanapun dilaporkan berkata, masih terlalu awal untuk membuat ketetapan terhadap cadangan memansuhkan dua peperiksaan itu. Kementerian Pelajaran, katanya, masih lagi dalam proses menilai pilihan terbaik jika mahu berbuat demikian.

“Salah satu cara ialah membandingkan sistem pendidikan kita dengan negara jiran sebelum memansuhkan peperiksaan ini,” katanya sambil menambah, perbincangan peringkat demi peringkat dilakukan sebelum kerajaan memutuskan untuk memansuhkan peperiksaan berkenaan.

Pada Julai tahun lalu, Naib Ketua Pemuda Umno, Datuk Razali Ibrahim menyarankan UPSR dimansuhkan kerana ia hanya menjurus kepada konsep pencapaian pendidikan menerusi peperiksaan yang memerlukan pelajar lulus subjek tertentu untuk layak ke sekolah berasrama penuh.

Cadangannya itu turut mendapat sokongan Pro Canselor Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad, yang percaya langkah itu dapat mengelak murid kurang kebolehan terus tertinggal jika peperiksaan setara pada peringkat pusat diteruskan.
Muhyiddin semalam pula berkata, jika peperiksaan UPSR dan PMR diteruskan, ia hanya sebagai penilaian pencapaian pelajar pada peringkat sekolah, bukannya sebagai peperiksaan awam. Secara peribadi beliau berpendapat perlu ada satu peperiksaan awam saja bagi menilai pencapaian pelajar, iaitu pada peringkat akhir persekolahan atau sebelum memasuki institusi pengajian tinggi.

Muhyiddin memberi jaminan Kementerian Pelajaran tidak akan gopoh dalam membuat keputusan dan sentiasa mengalu-alukan pandangan semua pihak mengenai perkara itu.

Isu mengenai pendidikan sentiasa dekat di hati rakyat bukan semata-mata ia secara langsung membabitkan mereka, tetapi kerana sistem pendidikan yang bakal menentukan masa depan negara. Sama ada bersetuju atau tidak UPSR dan PMR dimansuhkan, perkara yang kita harus akui masyarakat hari ini berusaha sedaya upaya untuk memastikan anak lulus cemerlang dalam kedua-dua peperiksaan itu.

Jika dulu calon peperiksaan hanya menghadiri kelas tambahan yang disediakan sekolah beberapa minggu menjelang peperiksaan, kini sudah menjadi kemestian anak dihantar ke pusat tuisyen sejak Tahun Satu lagi bagi memastikan mereka mendapat semua A dalam UPSR dan kemudian PMR. Malah, ada sekolah dan negeri tertentu menumpukan perhatian khusus bagi mengekalkan rekod kecemerlangan dari segi pencapaian akademik murid sehingga mengabaikan aspek sosial dan kesukanan.

Kita tidak tahu sama ada ribuan murid yang lulus cemerlang dalam kedua-dua peperiksaan itu terus cemerlang dalam kerjaya mereka atau sebaliknya. Apa yang kita pasti, sejak beberapa tahun lalu, amat sukar bagi industri tertentu mendapatkan pekerja baru, walaupun lulus cemerlang sukar memiliki kelayakan sesuai.

Industri media dan komunikasi misalnya, bukan saja menghadapi masalah dalam mendapatkan graduan Melayu fasih berbahasa Inggeris, malah berkomunikasi dengan baik. Anehnya, kebanyakan mereka dipanggil untuk ditemuduga berdasarkan kelulusan cemerlang atau melebihi paras biasa pada diploma atau ijazah masing-masing. Bagi menghadapi fenomena ini, industri terpaksa memperkenalkan kursus khas bagi melengkapkan graduan ini dengan aspek keyakinan diri, komunikasi dan kemahiran berbahasa.

Bagaimanapun, ia bukan bermakna ujian tidak diperlukan lagi. Peperiksaan perlu untuk menilai pencapaian seseorang pelajar, tetapi matlamat pembelajaran tidak seharusnya bertumpu kepada lulus cemerlang semata-mata.

Yang lebih penting ialah bagaimana mahu melahirkan murid yang lebih kreatif dan inovatif, sebagai asas mewujudkan generasi bersifat holistik. Kita bukan saja mahu generasi cemerlang dalam akademik, tetapi juga yang mempunyai jati diri, sahsiah dan akhlak mulia sekali gus mampu menghadapi pelbagai cabaran masa depan.

Justeru, yang perlu dipersoalkan bukannya UPSR dan PMR dimansuh atau tidak, tetapi sama ada dasar dan strategi pendidikan kebangsaan sekarang benar-benar boleh melahirkan satu bangsa Malaysia seperti diimpikan menerusi Wawasan 2020. Tidak kurang pentingnya ialah sistem pendidikan kita tidak harus menjadi modal politik kelompok dan golongan tertentu.

Rencana BH 21/6/2010

UPSR, PMR mungkin dimansuh

Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) mungkin dimansuhkan kerana sistem pembelajaran kini dilihat terlalu berorientasikan peperiksaan berbanding memberi pendidikan holistik kepada pelajar.

Bagaimanapun, peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) akan dikekalkan sebagai satu-satunya peperiksaan awam di sekolah.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata, kerajaan kini sedang mengkaji dengan teliti cadangan pemansuhan kedua-dua peperiksaan itu sebelum membuat keputusan muktamad.

“Di Malaysia, kita terlalu berorientasikan peperiksaan. Umumnya sepanjang 11 tahun murid masuk ke sekolah ada tiga peperiksaan awam. Ada pihak berpendapat ini menyebabkan cara pembelajaran lebih menjurus usaha mencapai keputusan yang baik dalam peperiksaan awam.

“Maka sebab itu di Malaysia selain di sekolah, ibu bapa hantar anak ke tuisyen sebab hendak keputusan cemerlang dalam UPSR, PMR dan SPM.

“Pihak kami sedang fikirkan sama ada akan kekalkan atau perlu hanya satu sahaja peperiksaan awam, seperti di peringkat SPM sahaja,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Pagoh di Kompleks Seri Pekembar dekat sini hari ini.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata, pelaksanaan UPSR dan PMR adalah baik namun disebabkan terlalu menjurus kepada peperiksaan, tujuan utama menuntut ilmu secara kreatif, interaktif dan menimba pengetahuan secara holistik tidak tercapai sepenuhnya.

Beliau berkata, disebabkan terlalu berorientasikan peperiksaan, fokus utama guru dan pelajar tertumpu kepada keputusan cemerlang pada peperiksaan awam dan mereka turut dibebani dengan peperiksaan penilaian di peringkat sekolah.

“Dalam soal kerjaya dan kerja, orang tidak pakai lagi PMR dan UPSR. Orang (majikan) tidak tanya pun berapa ‘A’ yang dapat dalam PMR dan UPSR, sebaliknya hanya keputusan SPM dan di peringkat universiti saja orang ambil kira,” katanya.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, kebanyakan negara lain hanya mempraktikkan satu peperiksaan awam sepanjang persekolahan dan contoh itu boleh diambil Malaysia dengan memberi lebih penekanan kepada penilaian di peringkat sekolah.

“Saya sendiri berpendapat adalah lebih wajar kalau perlu adanya penilaian, kita buat di peringkat yang terakhir, selepas belajar 11 tahun (di sekolah rendah dan menengah) sebelum masuk universiti.

“Saya mengajak golongan pakar pendidikan dan masyarakat untuk memberi respons kerana kita belum ada keputusan tetapi banyak pihak mencadangkan untuk mengubah sistem kepada hanya satu sahaja peperiksaan awam,” katanya.

Namun menurut Muhyiddin, sekiranya peperiksaan UPSR dan PMR diteruskan, ia hanya sebagai penilaian pencapaian pelajar di peringkat sekolah dan bukannya sebagai peperiksaan awam.

Tegas beliau, banyak perkara harus diteliti terlebih dahulu dan penstrukturan semula perlu dilakukan bagi membolehkan keputusan penilaian di peringkat sekolah dapat diguna pakai oleh pelajar untuk memasuki sekolah berasrama penuh.

“Ini ada hubung kait dengan rombakan sistem pendidikan negara untuk mengubah bentuk kurikulum supaya lebih banyak masa terluang untuk fokus kepada subjek-subjek utama serta aktiviti sukan.

“Di peringkat kementerian, kita sedang meneliti dan memerlukan input dari warga akademik, pendidik dan masyarakat. Debat sihat dalam media juga bagus untuk perkara ini,” katanya

Utusan 21/6/10

Varsity places for 40,506

Twenty local public universities will admit 40,506 students in the new intake beginning next month.
Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the intake was 0.38 per cent more compared with last year's.

A total of 61,228 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and matriculation students as well as others with equivalent qualifications had applied for admission.

Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, he said that this year, more emphasis was given to those under the socially disadvantaged group such as the Orang Asli.

"We received up to 66 Orang Asli student applications but only 44 met the required standards," he said after announcing this year's successful applications for first degree programmes at his office yesterday.

He said admission was based on merit with academic scores accounting for 90 per cent of the points and co-curriculum activities making up the balance 10 per cent.

Of the successful applicants, 28,633 are Bumiputeras, 9,569 Chinese and 2,304 Indians and other races.

Of this number, 22,967 are from the science stream and the rest from the arts stream.

For competitive programmes, 962 students were offered medicine, 178 dentistry and 287 pharmacy courses.

A total of 978 students will study chemical engineering, 2,336 electrical and electronic engineering, 1,609 mechanical engineering, 301 law and 941 accountancy.

Radin Umar said 56 new programmes relating to engineering, education, management and entrepreneurship, applied sciences, arts and fine arts, economy, marketing and statistics had been introduced.

Offer letters will be issued from tomorrow.

Unsuccessful applicants can make an appeal within 10 days from today.

For more information, they can go into the websites http: //jpt.uum. edu.my, http://www.jpt.utm.my/ or http://upu.mohe.gov.my.

For enquiries, call the ministry's hotline at 03-88835858, its helpline at 03-88835848 or send SMS by typing UPU RESULT (MyKad number) to 15888.


NST 18/6/10

PERHENTIAN SIMPANG SRI AMAN-KUCHING-SIBU MENYAKIT MATA MEMANDANG

Gerai makan & kedai runcit
Jalan keluar masuk

Begini lah keadaan jalan masuk dan keluar di pusat perhentian di persimpangan Sri Aman -Kuching-Sibu sejak setahun lalu tanpa diselanggara oleh pihak berkuasa tempatan. Yang aneh nya ini sebegini sejak setahun lepas. Difahamkan pihak berkuasa tempatan membiarkan ia berkeadaan sebegini walaupun ia menimbul masalah kepada rakyat yang mengguna tempat ini. Pusat ini menempatkan gerai makan, tandas awam, kedai kesatuan petani dan surau. Ia sentiasa dipenuhi oleh pemandu yang menjadi nya sebagai pusat persinggahan sebelum meneruskan perjalanan ke Sibu, Miri mau pun ke Kuching.

Harus kah pihak berkuasa tempatan membiarkan keadaan ini berterusan sehingga timbul kemalangan ???

Fomca: Prices of essential goods up at 5% per year

Prices of essential goods are still rising at a rate of 5% annually, according to Fomca’s consumer research and resource centre.

“Generally, prices of goods fluctuate in the short term but increases annually at an average rate of 5%,” said the centre’s chief executive officer, Datuk Paul Selva Raj.

Until March, consumer prices continued its upward trend, led by increases in food prices and utility bills.

Last month, the Statistics Depart-ment said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 111.5 to 113.2. Consumer prices rose 1.5% in April from a year ago.

Food prices, accounting for 31% of Malaysia’s inflation index, rose 1.7% in March while the cost of housing, water, electricity, gas and otherfuels rose 1%.

Prof Tan Eu Chye of Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Economics and Administration said any removal of subsidies would not only cause a spike in the country’s inflation rate but also a sustained hike in the cost of living.

Fomca is backing the Government’s move to gradually cut subsidies but said the Government should draw up alternative measures to protect consumers.

Its secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah said it was vital that the Government implement safety net measures by pumping funds into other social sectors.

“Prices of goods and fuel may go up. In return, why not increase aid for education, healthcare, public transport and housing?” he asked.

“By helping these sectors, the Government would be able to acco­mmodate and cushion the pressure felt by consumers.”

Sex service with China dolls on offer via MMS

In a move to evade constant raids by the authorities, sex syndicates here are offering China dolls to customers via the multimedia message service (MMS).

It was learnt that the message contains the image of a scantily clad China doll, her age, sex services menu, working hours and contact numbers of the pimps. The pictures are said to have been taken at a photo studio.

However, it was also learnt that only selected or frequent customers would receive such MMS from the syndicates.

Once a deal was struck between a potential customer and the pimp, sources said the women would be sent to a hotel to meet up with the customer, with each customer charged at least RM200 per session.

Sources said the syndicates resorted to using the MMS as they could no longer afford to lose their China dolls in raids carried out on budget hotels and entertainment outlets.

“They have spent thousands of ringgit to bring them here. This latest method will at least enable them to recover their investments,” said the sources.

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?