Gawai Dayak Bazaar has potential to become tourism product — Jabu

Jabu (fourth left) witnesses the exchange of MOU documents between Lo Khere Chiang(second left) and Rogies. 

KUCHING: The first-ever Gawai Dayak Bazaar here, to be run by Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak (GADS) at Batu Kawah New Township from April 30 to May 22, has the potential to become an economic-multiplier for local businesses, especially those operated by the Dayaks.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, the coming bazaar — a collaboration between GADS, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Batu Kawah New Township Owner’s Association — can be further commercialised as a Gawai Dayak tourism product.

It could also attract more participation from local entrepreneurs which in turn enable them to generate extra income.

The site will house some 100 stalls selling various products including food and beverages, as well as handicraft items and clothing, throughout the period. It will be open from 10am till 10pm daily. Moreover, the closing ceremony on May 22 will feature a parade.

“Most importantly, the collaboration between GADS, MPP and Batu Kawah New Township Owners Association would create good networking among the Dayak professionals and entrepreneurs.

“The Gawai Dayak Bazaar also offers an opportunity for the Dayaks to showcase their culture, handicrafts, delicacies and other native products.

“We believe that as the Dayak community prosper, so is the increase in their purchasing power.
“This will lead to the creation of more business opportunities towards a multiplier effect, which will only do everybody a good service,” he told reporters prior to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between GADS and MPP at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Monday.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and its secretary Andrew Joris, Batu Kawah New Township Owners Association chairman Jeffery Lee, as well as GADS president Gulin Shandom and deputy president Rogies Meringgai — who is also Gawai Dayak Bazaar Kuching 2016 organising chairman — were also present.

Jabu, who is expected to officiate at the bazaar’s opening this May 14, hoped that the event would become an annual affair.

He also suggested that MPP should seriously consider listing the bazaar on the council’s calendar of events.

In his remarks, Lo lauded the initiative by GADS to commercialise Dayak products through the bazaar.

“MPP is honoured to be associated with GADS in holding an event of such capacity. With the help of MPP, we will strive to make this event a success.

“Apart from showcasing Dayak delicacies, handicraft and other products, this bazaar will also host cultural performances and mini concerts in the evening. The council encourages community development programme and this bazaar has the potential to be a good tourism product,” he pointed out.

GADS first held the Gawai Dayak Bazaar in Miri last year. Following the success of the first edition, the Dayak-based movement will hold this year’s Miri bazaar on May 10-25.

March 30, 2016, Wednesday

Borneo Post

沈桂贤攻石角 罗克强战巴都吉东

马来西亚 2016-03-29 09:06 马来西亚78

分享添加喜爱打印增大字体减小字体繁

（新文网马来古晋28日讯）砂人联党石角及巴都吉东选区2位战将明朗化，陈如飞退位让“贤”，由沈桂贤出战石角选区，而罗克强则是领军攻打巴都吉东新选区！
砂人联党于今年农历新年期间所公布的来届州选潜能候选人名单中，拿督沈桂贤、罗克强和陈如飞分别是石角及巴都吉东的潜能候选人，他们之中只有2人是这2个选区的真命天子，另一人则落选被除名。
拿督沈桂贤为砂人联党主席，又是心脏专科权威，而罗克强是现任巴达旺市议会主席，陈如飞则是前任石角区州议员，各有千秋，加上他们频频在2个选区上互相走动，致使外界一直在猜测他们的动向，以及出战权究竟花落谁家？
惟，日前潜能候选人陈如飞脱口呼吁石角选民欢迎和支持沈桂贤出战石角选区，而没提及自己出战的动向，加上沈桂贤已频频到石角和选民交流，令人推测沈桂贤就是代表砂人联党出战石角区的不二人选。
如果沈桂贤真的出战石角选区，他不仅是挑战砂行动党石角区州议员周宛诗，还将可能会面对联民党潜能候选人刘天亮的搅局，后者是联民党在南砂华裔选区唯一潜能候选人，卯足全力瞄准攻打石角区。
再者，罗克强则在昨晚晚宴上向宗亲们拉票，呼吁宗亲让他罗克强能进入州议会做代表，言下之意就是说他已有十足的把握取得出战权，而选区则是新划分出来的巴都吉东。
要知道，罗克强是第一次直接呼吁民众支持他，倘若没把握的话，他应该会说支持人联党所推荐的候选人，不会如此高调连名带姓的拉票。
随着他们3人近日的言行举止所露出的端倪，石角及巴都吉东两个选区的“三角关系”似乎已获得解决，呼之欲出的候选人将是拿督沈桂贤和罗克强。

MPP, GADS meterai MoU anjur Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2016

N

TERMETERAI: Jabu (tengah) menyaksikan pertukaran perjanjian antara Lo (dua kiri) dengan Rogies (lima kanan) selepas sidang media di Kuching, semalam.

KUCHING: Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP) menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) dengan Gagasan Anak Da-yak Sarawak (GADS) bagi penganjuran Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2016 yang bermula 30 April hingga 22 Mei akan datang.

Pemeteraian perjanjian tersebut jelas membuktikan usaha sama itu akan membuahkan hasil serta impak positif terhadap ekonomi perniagaan tempatan dan masyarakat Dayak, khasnya.

Ia juga dilaksanakan ke-rana Pusat Komersial MJC Batu Kawa di sini, terpilih sebagai venue sepanjang berlangsungnya Gawai Da-yak Bazaar 2016 itu.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang berkata, beliau menyambut baik penganjuran bazar seumpama itu memandang-kan ia telah menunjukkan kejayaan dalam penganjuran sama di Miri pada tahun lalu.

“Dengan adanya bazar seumpama ini, ia sudah pasti bakal melonjakkan peluang ekonomi khususnya kepada para usahawan Dayak.

“Malah, ia juga diyakini serta boleh dikomersialkan menjadi produk pelanco-ngan Gawai Dayak yang mana akan menarik lebih ramai masyarakat Dayak untuk menceburi bidang keusahawanan dan perniagaan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media tentang penganjuran Gawai Dayak Bazaar Kuching 2016 di pejabatnya di Wisma Bapa Malaysia di sini, semalam.

Bakal menempatkan sebanyak 100 gerai jualan pelbagai barangan termasuk pakaian, makanan, kraf tangan dan banyak lagi, jelas Jabu bazar itu membuka peluang besar kepada profesional Dayak dan para usahawannya untuk membina jaringan kerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) serta perniagaan tempatan untuk sama-sama melonjakkan perkembangan ekonomi.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Presiden GADS Rogies Meringgai (presiden GADS Wilayah Selatan) berharap acara julung kali diadakan di Kuching itu akan menjadi satu acara yang akan diingati sampai bila-bila.

“Orang ramai diharap dapat sama-sama meme-riahkan penganjuran Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2016 yang pertama di Kuching ini sebagai mana yang pernah diadakan di Miri pada tahun lalu dan menjadikannya sebagai ingatan sampai bila-bila,” jelasnya.

Manakala Pengerusi MPP Lo Khere Chiang pula berkongsi rasa teruja untuk menjalinkan usaha sama tersebut dan menjadikan ia sebagai acara yang sangat dinantikan penduduk tempatan dan di sekitarnya.

Katanya, beliau mewa-kili Batu Kawa MJC Ow-ners’ Association bersedia menyediakan tapak untuk menjayakan bazar itu.

Antara lain, pelbagai aktiviti sampingan turut diadakan termasuk persem-bahan kebudayaan dan persembahan nyanyian serta beberapa aktiviti lain yang bertujuan menarik orang ramai memeriahkannya.

Hadir sama ialah Presiden GADS Gulin Shandong.

Borneo Post

29 March 2016

沈桂贤攻石角 罗克强战巴都吉东

（新文网马来古晋28日讯）砂人联党石角及巴都吉东选区2位战将明朗化，陈如飞退位让“贤”，由沈桂贤出战石角选区，而罗克强则是领军攻打巴都吉东新选区！

砂人联党于今年农历新年期间所公布的来届州选潜能候选人名单中，拿督沈桂贤、罗克强和陈如飞分别是石角及巴都吉东的潜能候选人，他们之中只有2人是这2个选区的真命天子，另一人则落选被除名。

拿督沈桂贤为砂人联党主席，又是心脏专科权威，而罗克强是现任巴达旺市议会主席，陈如飞则是前任石角区州议员，各有千秋，加上他们频频在2个选区上互相走动，致使外界一直在猜测他们的动向，以及出战权究竟花落谁家？

惟，日前潜能候选人陈如飞脱口呼吁石角选民欢迎和支持沈桂贤出战石角选区，而没提及自己出战的动向，加上沈桂贤已频频到石角和选民交流，令人推测沈桂贤就是代表砂人联党出战石角区的不二人选。

如果沈桂贤真的出战石角选区，他不仅是挑战砂行动党石角区州议员周宛诗，还将可能会面对联民党潜能候选人刘天亮的搅局，后者是联民党在南砂华裔选区唯一潜能候选人，卯足全力瞄准攻打石角区。

再者，罗克强则在昨晚晚宴上向宗亲们拉票，呼吁宗亲让他罗克强能进入州议会做代表，言下之意就是说他已有十足的把握取得出战权，而选区则是新划分出来的巴都吉东。

要知道，罗克强是第一次直接呼吁民众支持他，倘若没把握的话，他应该会说支持人联党所推荐的候选人，不会如此高调连名带姓的拉票。

随着他们3人近日的言行举止所露出的端倪，石角及巴都吉东两个选区的“三角关系”似乎已获得解决，呼之欲出的候选人将是拿督沈桂贤和罗克强。

马来西亚 2016-03-29 09:06 马来西亚78 United

Gawai Dayak Bazaar has potential to become tourism product — Jabu

Jabu (fourth left) witnesses the exchange of MOU documents between Lo (second left) and Rogies. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The first-ever Gawai Dayak Bazaar here, to be run by Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak (GADS) at Batu Kawah New Township from April 30 to May 22, has the potential to become an economic-multiplier for local businesses, especially those operated by the Dayaks.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, the coming bazaar — a collaboration between GADS, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Batu Kawah New Township Owner’s Association — can be further commercialised as a Gawai Dayak tourism product.

It could also attract more participation from local entrepreneurs which in turn enable them to generate extra income.

The site will house some 100 stalls selling various products including food and beverages, as well as handicraft items and clothing, throughout the period. It will be open from 10am till 10pm daily. Moreover, the closing ceremony on May 22 will feature a parade.

“Most importantly, the collaboration between GADS, MPP and Batu Kawah New Township Owners Association would create good networking among the Dayak professionals and entrepreneurs.

“The Gawai Dayak Bazaar also offers an opportunity for the Dayaks to showcase their culture, handicrafts, delicacies and other native products.

“We believe that as the Dayak community prosper, so is the increase in their purchasing power.
“This will lead to the creation of more business opportunities towards a multiplier effect, which will only do everybody a good service,” he told reporters prior to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between GADS and MPP at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Monday.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and its secretary Andrew Joris, Batu Kawah New Township Owners Association chairman Jeffery Lee, as well as GADS president Gulin Shandom and deputy president Rogies Meringgai — who is also Gawai Dayak Bazaar Kuching 2016 organising chairman — were also present.

Jabu, who is expected to officiate at the bazaar’s opening this May 14, hoped that the event would become an annual affair.

He also suggested that MPP should seriously consider listing the bazaar on the council’s calendar of events.

In his remarks, Lo Khere Chiang lauded the initiative by GADS to commercialise Dayak products through the bazaar.

“MPP is honoured to be associated with GADS in holding an event of such capacity. With the help of MPP, we will strive to make this event a success.

“Apart from showcasing Dayak delicacies, handicraft and other products, this bazaar will also host cultural performances and mini concerts in the evening. The council encourages community development programme and this bazaar has the potential to be a good tourism product,” he pointed out.

GADS first held the Gawai Dayak Bazaar in Miri last year. Following the success of the first edition, the Dayak-based movement will hold this year’s Miri bazaar on May 10-25.

Borneo Post

March 29, 2016

Anti-drug volunteers needed to combat drug abuse

An anti drug campaign was recently held at Summermall, Kota Samarahan. Also present for the campaign was Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, Lo Khere Chiang (fourth from the left).

In February this year, The Borneo Post reported that the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) recorded about 22,000 drug addicts throughout the country last year.

According to AADK director-general Datuk Suhaimi Abdullah, 60 per cent of them were new addicts while the rest were repeat offenders.

 Photo above: Present at the campaign was Mr Lo Khere Chiang,  Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairma.

Members of AADK Negeri Sarawak and Skuad 1Malaysia aims at spreading the message of the awareness of drug abuse

New offenders are teenagers aged 15 and above, whose causes for addiction range from family problems, the thrill to the availability of drug supply.

An alarming problem not only among the youths, efforts to curb drug abuse and spreading the awareness is crucial to combat the problem from further damaging the minds, especially of the younger portion, of the community.

The one day campaign was also held at uptown Kota Samarahan aiming to reach to more people on the message of drug abuse.

On March 19th, AADK Negeri Sarawak along with Skuad 1Malaysia team held an anti drug campaign which aims on spreading the messages of drug awareness and also recruiting new volunteers.

The Skuad 1Malaysia team, an anti-drug volunteers team is made up of Rakan Antidadah (RADA), Masyarakat Wanita Antidadah (MAWADAH), Jawatankuasa Pemulihan Dadah Daerah (JKPD), Ahli Lembaga Pelawat (ALP), Persatuan Alumni Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan (PENDAMAI) and Persatuan Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS).

Members of the public are encourage to register as volunteers to educate more people on the dangers of drug.

Among the role of Skuad 1Malaysia volunteers is to spread awareness on the dangers of drug abuse to the community, lending out help and support to those with drug problems and act as informants and promote the services AADK has to offer.

The one day campaign was held at Summermall and uptown Kota Samarahan where the volunteering team started the campaign to encourage more anti-drug messages to be spread throughout the public in Sarawak.

Also present at the campaign was Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman Lo Khere Chiang who supported the campaign on educating the public of drug awareness and encouraging more youths to help spread awareness on the harm that stems from drug abuse.

More is hope to volunteers to combat drug abuse.

An active campaign, AADK Negeri Sarawak and Skuad 1Malaysia hopes that more volunteers will come forward in the future and collaborate together to curb drug abuse.

The next anti drug campaign will be held in Lundu today (March 26).

To those who are interested in becoming a volunteer, check out their campaign this weekend or may also register online at www.adk.gov.my

by seeds · March 26, 2016

By Danielle Sendou Ringgit
danielleringgit@theborneopost.com
@danitbpseeds

Dr Sim confirms SUPP gets Batu Kitang

KUCHING: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian has confirmed that the only new Chinese majority seat – Batu Kitang – has been allocated to the party.

When asked if the party would also be claiming either Bukit Semuja or Serembu Dr Sim, “We are not sure of Bukit Semuja or Serembu. We hope for both so that I can have 22 (seats).”

He was speaking to the press after four hours of central working committee (CWC) meeting at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.

When asked who would contest in Pujut as the seat has been allocated to SUPP, Dr Sim said the party’s candidacy for the 19 seats were all stated in the list he sent out during Chinese New Year.
In that list Adam Yii will be standing as SUPP candidate in Pujut, a seat presently held by former DAP lawmaker Fong Pau Teck who later turned independent after being expelled by the party.

Apart from two new seats, SUPP has been claiming all the 19 seats traditionally allocated to the party.

The list of seats and candidates is : Batu Lintang (Sih Hua Tong), Kota Sentosa (Wilfred Yap), Batu Kawah (Datuk Tan Joo Phoi/Lo Khere Chiang/Dr Sim), Batu Kitang (Datuk Tan Joo Phoi/Lo Khere Chiang/Dr Sim), Repok (Teng Yng Wu), Meradong (Ding Kuong Hiing), Bukit Assek (Chieng Buong Toon), Dudong (Dato Sri Lee Chung Fatt @ Benny), Bawang Assan (Robert Lau Hui Yew), Pelawan (Michael Tiang), Tanjung Batu (Soo Li Ching), Piasau (Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew), Pujut (Adam Yii Siew Sang) and Senadin (Datuk Lee Kim Shin).

However, the list did not include all the seats the party will be contesting as a notable absence was the Padungan seat while Deputy President Datuk Richard Riot has been tasked of identifying party’s candidates for the Bumiputera majority seats.

Earlier this month SUPP announced Peter Pau as the candidate for Padungan.

March 25, 2016, Friday
Borneo Post 

Juggling between two ‘high chance’ seats

BATU Kawahconstituency and the new seat of BatuKitang are two Chinese-majority electorates where the BarisanNasional (BN) stands a high chance of winning.There are challenges but not without advantages.

BatuKawah has about 16,000 voters, 60 per cent of whom are Chinese, and out of the remaining 40 per cent, Iban voters take up 80 per cent.

This new seat of Batu Kitang, carved out of BatuKawah and Kota Sentosa, has about 17,000 voters and similar to Batu Kawah, Chinese voters take up 60 per cent of the total while the Bidayuh voters make up 80 per cent of the remaining 40 per cent non-Chinese voters.

Both seats are considered “safer” for BN than the other Chinese-majority seats in Kuching because of their high number of bumiputera voters. However, at this stage, it’s not certain which holds the higher winning percentage over the other for the ruling coalition.

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang has also thrown his hat into the ring by working equally hard in both areas so that no one is certain who is the candidate for which area. This is done mainly to pave a sure way for Dr Sim to hold sway — by fielding him in one of the two areas where he has highest chance of winning. It could be Batu Kawa or Batu Kintang.

Much, of course, will depend on the final assessment from the ground.

The move is seen as SUPP’s strategy to ensure its survival via an all-out readiness to make sacrifices in order to get Dr Sim into the State Legislative Assembly and, hopefully, even the State Cabinet ,to counte rthe influence of UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Both Batu Kawah and Batu Kitang are deemed winnable (for BN) for different reasons.

In the case of Batu Kawah, it is said to be due to the soft-spoken DAP representative for the area, Christina Chew. In the 2011 state election, at the height of opposition’s Wind of Change or the Political Tsunami, she managed to scrape through with a majority of only 543 votes.

Despite the slim majority, it was a giant-killing feat as Chew was only 27 years old then. Politically green as she was, she was still able to bring down a seasoned politician in Datuk Tan Joo Phoi who was made an Assistant Minister after he was first elected in 2006.

Over the years as an elected representative, Chew’s performance has not been impressive — both on the ground as well in the State Legislature. Of the 11 DAP elected representatives, Chew, perhaps due to her inexperience and young age (now 32), has been perceived to be easy prey. That’s why Dr Sim is said to be also eyeing her seat.

Batu Kawah is considered reclaimable by BN due primarily to the overwhelming ‘Adenan effect’–provided it’s a direct fight against DAP.  Whether it’s Dr Sim or Lo in the fray, both pose as strong candidates — Dr Sim in his capacity as SUPP president and Lo as MPP chairman who knows every nook and cranny in the area.

Both are now working hard in the two constituencies. If Batu Kawah offers a higher winning chance nearer the day Adenan is to announce the finalised BN lineup, then it is highly likely Dr Sim will be fielded there while Lo will go for Batu Kitang and vice versa.

With both serving the two areas, there is the luxury of making a last-minute decision that best suits the situation.

The apparent complication is the emerging leadership of UPP’s aspiring candidate Pemanca Liu Thian Leong who is also a formidable force in the area.  As chairman of the United Association of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese Primary Schools Board of Management, Liu has contributed much to Chinese education where his leadership has been well-established and accepted by the Chinese community as a whole.

Liu, like Dr Sim and Lo, has been working hard on the ground and managed to garner substantial support in Batu Kawa.

Against the gentle and sweet Chew, Liu is also considered a winnable candidate.

Rightly or wrongly, the problem that State BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem faces in Batu Kawah is not the lack of winnable candidates but a tat too many. To win the seat, Adenan will have to make sure there is only one BN candidate and strictly no proxies from any BN component or BN-friendly parties.

Adenan is open-minded and allows for fair play and democratic freedom in the other constituencies where BN is contesting but apparently not in Batu Kawah if BN is to wrest back the seat. The important thing is to ensure bona fide BN candidates and those from BN-friendly parties do not work at cross purposes and end up shooting themselves — and the ruling coalition–in the foot.The need to batten down the hatches and close ranks can be over-emphasised.

In any case, according to the scheme of things, SUPP is a BN family member while its splinter UPP is a BN friend. When it comes down to the choice between ‘family’ and ‘friend’ in the Batu Kawa scenario, the pertinent question is who should be given priority?

The answer is quite obvious – as a matter of principle, of course.

March 25, 2016, Friday Lian Cheng, reporters@theborneopost.com

Juggling between two ‘high chance’ seats

Juggling between two ‘high chance’ seats

BATU Kawah constituency and the new seat of BatuKitang are two Chinese-majority electorates where the BarisanNasional (BN) stands a high chance of winning.There are challenges but not without advantages.

BatuKawah has about 16,000 voters, 60 per cent of whom are Chinese, and out of the remaining 40 per cent, Iban voters take up 80 per cent.

This new seat of Batu Kitang, carved out of BatuKawah and Kota Sentosa, has about 17,000 voters and similar to Batu Kawah, Chinese voters take up 60 per cent of the total while the Bidayuh voters make up 80 per cent of the remaining 40 per cent non-Chinese voters.

Both seats are considered “safer” for BN than the other Chinese-majority seats in Kuching because of their high number of bumiputera voters. However, at this stage, it’s not certain which holds the higher winning percentage over the other for the ruling coalition.

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang has also thrown his hat into the ring by working equally hard in both areas so that no one is certain who is the candidate for which area. This is done mainly to pave a sure way for Dr Sim to hold sway — by fielding him in one of the two areas where he has highest chance of winning. It could be Batu Kawa or Batu Kintang.

Much, of course, will depend on the final assessment from the ground.

The move is seen as SUPP’s strategy to ensure its survival via an all-out readiness to make sacrifices in order to get Dr Sim into the State Legislative Assembly and, hopefully, even the State Cabinet ,to counte rthe influence of UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Both Batu Kawah and Batu Kitang are deemed winnable (for BN) for different reasons.

In the case of Batu Kawah, it is said to be due to the soft-spoken DAP representative for the area, Christina Chew. In the 2011 state election, at the height of opposition’s Wind of Change or the Political Tsunami, she managed to scrape through with a majority of only 543 votes.

Despite the slim majority, it was a giant-killing feat as Chew was only 27 years old then. Politically green as she was, she was still able to bring down a seasoned politician in Datuk Tan Joo Phoi who was made an Assistant Minister after he was first elected in 2006.

Over the years as an elected representative, Chew’s performance has not been impressive — both on the ground as well in the State Legislature. Of the 11 DAP elected representatives, Chew, perhaps due to her inexperience and young age (now 32), has been perceived to be easy prey. That’s why Dr Sim is said to be also eyeing her seat.

Batu Kawah is considered reclaimable by BN due primarily to the overwhelming ‘Adenan effect’–provided it’s a direct fight against DAP.  Whether it’s Dr Sim or Lo in the fray, both pose as strong candidates — Dr Sim in his capacity as SUPP president and Lo as MPP chairman who knows every nook and cranny in the area.

Both are now working hard in the two constituencies. If Batu Kawah offers a higher winning chance nearer the day Adenan is to announce the finalised BN lineup, then it is highly likely Dr Sim will be fielded there while Lo will go for Batu Kitang and vice versa.

With both serving the two areas, there is the luxury of making a last-minute decision that best suits the situation.

The apparent complication is the emerging leadership of UPP’s aspiring candidate Pemanca Liu Thian Leong who is also a formidable force in the area.  As chairman of the United Association of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese Primary Schools Board of Management, Liu has contributed much to Chinese education where his leadership has been well-established and accepted by the Chinese community as a whole.

Liu, like Dr Sim and Lo, has been working hard on the ground and managed to garner substantial support in Batu Kawa.

Against the gentle and sweet Chew, Liu is also considered a winnable candidate.

Rightly or wrongly, the problem that State BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem faces in Batu Kawah is not the lack of winnable candidates but a tat too many. To win the seat, Adenan will have to make sure there is only one BN candidate and strictly no proxies from any BN component or BN-friendly parties.

Adenan is open-minded and allows for fair play and democratic freedom in the other constituencies where BN is contesting but apparently not in Batu Kawah if BN is to wrest back the seat. The important thing is to ensure bona fide BN candidates and those from BN-friendly parties do not work at cross purposes and end up shooting themselves — and the ruling coalition–in the foot.The need to batten down the hatches and close ranks can be over-emphasised.

In any case, according to the scheme of things, SUPP is a BN family member while its splinter UPP is a BN friend. When it comes down to the choice between ‘family’ and ‘friend’ in the Batu Kawa scenario, the pertinent question is who should be given priority?

The answer is quite obvious – as a matter of principle, of course.


March 25, 2016, Friday
reporters@theborneopost.com

罗克强援助独居老翁

居住在石角新市镇的独居老年人蔡振华因为中风，造成生活起居和行动不便，虽然每个月有领取砂福利局提供的300令吉援助金。但200多令吉却用于摊还租金后就所剩无几，三餐成了大问题。

作为人联党石角区与峇都吉当区潜能候选人之一的巴达旺市议会主席罗克强日前得知对方的困境后，特地打包饭盒探望他，以了解对方的苦情。

他也鼓励社会众施出爱心，伸出援手，帮助蔡氏脱离困境，捐赠蔡氏日常必需品和食品，让其度过难关。

suppadmin | March 24, 2016

Senior citizen Mr Chai Zhen Hua needs help

Senior citizen Mr Chai Zhen Hua lives in the area of MJC, Kuching Sarawak. 

Down with a stroke, leaving alone on a wheelchair with no income except for the OKU Rm300 monthly assistance. Using RM200 for rental, he was left with little to survive. He had biscuits for 6 days, till i learnt of his plight and visited him with a pack of rice and to understand his situation. 

Padawan Municipal Council are trying to contact the proper authorities to seek help for this senior citizen. 

We encourage the public to help him out on his plight. Donations of daily essentials and food stuff can also be made.

Helping out the unfortunate

Senior citizen  Chai Zhen Hua got a surprise visit from Padawan Chairman Lo Khere Chiang yesterday morning.

Lo was in MJC yesterday when he heard about Chai’s plights and went to see him. Chai was down with a stroke and had to move around on a wheel chair.

He lives alone and received RM300 monthly assistance.

Lo then brought him some food and urged members of the public to assist Chai in kind. He said Chai rented room costs him RM200 monthly.

suppadmin | March 23, 2016

Sarawak wants more funds for road maintenance

FMT Reporters

 March 22, 2016

Putrajaya urged to match or exceed state's allocation for road maintenance.

PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak state government spends around RM500 million on road maintenance work annually and wants the Federal Government to match or exceed its allocation for road maintenance in the state.

 According to a Borneo Post Online report, state Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Michael Manyin Jawong said the state government allocated RM2,800 per kilometre a month to maintain roads and RM750 per kilometre a month for substandard roads in the state.

 On the other hand, Putrajaya, through the Malaysian Road Records Information System, allocates RM2,500 per kilometre a month to maintain roads and RM700 per kilometre a month for substandard roads in the state.

 Manyin said out of 30,000 kilometres of roads in the state, the Federal Government maintained 9,500 kilometres.

 “As such, I hope the federal side will match or exceed the state’s rate as the allocation of RM5 million to the state this year is not sufficient.

“Especially this year when floods have caused massive road damage in Kuching and Serian,” he said at an event in Kuching that was also attended by federal Works Minister Fadillah Yusof.Meanwhile in another report, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said restoration of telecommunication towers and WiFi communities in Sarawak was at 90 per cent and 98 per cent respectively.This brings the number of restored telecommunication towers to 135 and WiFi communities to 429.

It had been previously reported that some telecommunication towers and WiFi communities in the state were unconnected.

The WiFi community initiative is aimed at providing wireless Internet access to rural areas.