War of political flags raging in Mambong constituency

June 19, 2021, Saturday at 8:00 AM

GPS and PSB flags are seen flying at one of road junctions in Mambong constituency.

KUCHING (June 19): The war of the political flags has started in Mambong although the state election may only be held after August when the Emergency Order is lifted.

Hundreds of flags representing mostly the ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) can be seen at road junctions along Jalan Puncak Borneo.

Many have wondered if the flags should be displayed before the campaigning period even begins is legal or otherwise.

When contacted, the Election Commission (EC), said they could take any action now as the acts (putting up the flags) did not violate any provision under the Electoral Offences Act 1954.

Its head of Corporate and Communication Unit Mohammad Azlan Charles Abdullah said the displaying of political flags before the campaigning period began was not an offence under the Electoral Offences Act 1954 (Act 5).

He said the Act only applied during an election and therefore, political parties did not commit any offence stipulated under it.

“Nevertheless, putting up political flags at road junctions and roadsides prior to the official announcement of an election may be against the rules under the local councils.

“Political parties should refer to and comply with any regulations imposed by the councils, if necessary,” he said.

Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) Lo Khere Chiang also said they would not take any action against any political parties putting up flags at this time since it did not contravene the Electoral Offences Act.

“I would, however, advise that the putting up of flags should not cause any inconveniences to road users or block driver’s view,” he said.

A multi-cornered fight is expected in Mambong in the coming state election.

Apart from GPS and PSB, other political parties that have expressed their intention to join the fray are Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).

GPS is likely to renominate Datuk Dr Jerip Susil to defend the seat while PSB’s potential candidate for Mambong is practising lawyer Sanjan Daik.

DAP will field businessman Chang Hon Hiung, 57, from Siburan. Chang is said to have been on the ground ever since DAP decided to contest Mambong in the last state election, helping to campaign for the candidate mainly in the Chinese areas.

PPK president Voon Lee Shan said they would field a candidate in Mambong, but declined to reveal the name of its potential candidate.

Mambong saw a three-cornered fight in the last state election, which was won by Dr Jerip Susil by 3,333-vote majority, defeating Sanjan from DAP and Willie Mongin of Part Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/07/06/batu-kitang-rep-hopeful-emco-at-kpg-tematu-will-end-on-july-12/

Less littering of used face masks, observes Lo

June 19, 2021

Lo Khere Chiang. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: Improper disposal of used face masks appears to have lessened lately compared to last year, observed Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.

He attributed the improvement to increasing level of public awareness that the indiscriminate disposal of used face masks might pose health hazards to people and also negatively impact the environment.

“The council does have concerns regarding this issue, as littering of used face masks would affect the environment.

“Placing more garbage bins at public places could be one of the council’s initiatives towards overcoming this issue,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.

He said just like smokers who littered the streets with their cigarette buds, there were also people who had the bad habit of disposing their used face masks indiscriminately.

He pointed out that it was compulsory for all people to wear face masks whenever they were out in public.

Touching on the issues that arise from the improper disposal of face masks, Lo explained that used face masks might carry harmful pathogens. As such, he said improperly discarding them might accelerate the spread of Covid-19.

“Face masks take a longer time to degrade, especially those which are made of plastic materials as plastics take decades to be fully degraded,” he said.

“Furthermore, face masks that end up in nearby water bodies such as streams or rivers may contribute to garbage pollution and eventually cause effects towards aquatic life as they would mistakenly consume the face masks as food,” he said.

He said single-use face masks, which are made of plastic materials, would degrade into microplastics over time and increases the chances of being ingested by aquatic life.

“Individuals that consume seafood that contain microplastics would suffer from health issues such as obesity and delay of growth among children in the long run,” he said.

Lo stressed that proper disposal of used face masks was one of the crucial keys in preventing the spread of Covid-19 among the community.

“To the public, I would urge them to dispose their face masks in a civic-minded and clean way so that we can be ensured of a safe, clean, green and healthy environment with healthy people,” he said.

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/less-littering-of-used-face-masks-observes-lo/

几近完工开通单向道 . 4哩半高架桥试通车

古晋4哩半高架桥接近竣工，并测试通车及开放单向车道。

（古晋2日讯）古晋4哩半高架桥接近竣工，目前已开放测试通车，可有效疏解交通流量。

在初步测试通车时，4哩半高架桥上的来往车道，以及高架桥衔接朋尼逊路路段，皆已开通单向路道让民众使用。此外，桥下的红绿灯也已启用。

峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强告诉星洲日报记者，尽管受疫情和行动管制令影响，高架桥工程承包商仍尽一切努力完成工程。

“4哩半高架桥测试通车后，可大大疏解交通拥挤。尤其是朋尼逊路4哩半来往路道能直通，避免交通阻塞。”

罗克强说，4哩半高架桥坐落在巴达旺市议会管辖区，该地点也是西连、石隆门、三马拉汉来往古晋的主要道路。

“砂政府继续监督其他高架桥工程，即6哩高架桥、7哩高架桥及10哩高架桥。”

https://www.sinchew.com.my/content/content_2487772.html

Mile 4 1/2 Flyover open to public; bid farewell to traffic jam

Jun 2, 2021 @ 22:24

The much awaited Mile 4 1/2 flyover in Kuching is finally completed and open for public.

By Nancy Nais

KUCHING, June 3: Road users who frequent the Mile 4 Interchange can say goodbye to horrid traffic congestion or at least, travel with smoother traffic flow from now on.

This is made possible following the completion of Mile 4 1/2 Flyover which is now opened to public on May 27.

Although only one lane is opened on each side, the traffic situation around that flyover at Mile 4 1/2 has eased.

Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) in a statement said the interchange is among three others along the Kuching – Serian Road (KSR) project, which is part of the Pan Borneo Highway.

“Even though only one lane has been opened to public, the traffic situation around the Mile 4 1/2 Flyover seems to be running smoothly.

“The traffic management team of JKR Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway Unit recently conducted a four-day survey during peak hours working days.

“The congestion which usually occurs from Jalan Datuk Amar Kalong Ningkan towards Serian has decreased,” JKR project manager for Work Contract Package 02 (WPC02) south zone Chee Yuann Foong said.

As the contractor is still working to iron out other details on the other closed lane, members of the public are advised to drive carefully and adhere to the speed limit when using the flyover.

“Be careful while driving on the route as final works are still being carried out. Please comply and pay attention to all traffic safety,” Chee cautioned, adding that the same alert attitude has to be applied when driving on the Servan-Kuching Road which has been opened to the public since March this year.

Meanwhile, the public will be informed about any changes in date or areas of focus which 4the contractors may be working on to allow road users to plan their trips effectively.

For any complaints or further inquiries, members of the public can contact either Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway Unit at 082-230 879, Audi Munir at 016-8792057 or Isin Senada at 017-8504026. — DayakDaily

https://dayakdaily.com/mile-4-1-2-flyover-open-to-public-bid-farewell-to-traffic-jam/?fbclid=IwAR35Ud6IHQrjXzh1N9kz-C09Rpiwh5i-brGZm4EQPbV8Y6Yzi1h-tgjNtaA

Lo appreciates telcos’ free internet access for needy students

June 2, 2021

Lo Khere Chiang . Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang welcomes the decision of telecommunication companies to provide free internet dongles and free internet access via SIM cards for disadvantaged students. 

“I would be happy to hear from the donors if they think they can be of help to the students in our community,” he said, noting that the Covid-19 pandemic had posed many challenges, not least the closure of schools causing students to adapt to online learning. 

He said based on feedback from people who had been in contact with them, he was fully aware that there were disadvantaged students who do not had access to computers or internet access at home. 

“We are exploring avenues of donations of computers or tablets for disadvantaged students in our community,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune. 

He also said he had designated a specific helpdesk in his constituency to deal with problems his constituents might have with regard to this matter.

“The people have been going to them, via phone or in person. Most of the time, they are questions about internet access and some about technological devices,” he said.

He said his staff members tried to help by providing links to online educational tools. 

“Fortunately, most of my staff are familiar with various videoconferencing and online collaboration tools and are able to point anyone who is a bit lost in the right direction. 

“We may not be able to help everyone, but we do what we can,” said Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman.

He said it was a blessing that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had been advocating and pushing for Sarawak to go digital years prior to this pandemic.

“That is why you have probably seen me praising the rapid rise of the use of broadband provided by Unifi around Padawan. I hope this positive attitude and push towards digitalisation will continue,” he said.

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/lo-appreciates-telcos-free-internet-for-needy-students/?fbclid=IwAR1UmBPcgLBIWHDSu3IoawmwooEOhVLztgDkqOFQldoGePDGkO5RLtmqDwM