Published Friday, 31 Dec 2021, 11:09 pm •Modified Friday, 31 Dec 2021
18Shares
Share
Tweet
Email
Share
Lo (second right) presents an aid to a recipient as Yap (right) looks on.
BY JACINTHA JOLENE
KUCHING: A total of 260 recipients received their Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 6.0 for petty traders under the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) jurisdiction here at MPP’s office on Friday (Dec 31).
MPP, in a statement today, said the payment to the 260 recipients had been made through electronic fund transfers.
It said another three recipients received their BKSS aid via cash presentation because they did not have any bank accounts.
The handing over of the aid was presented by MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
Also present at the handing over ceremony was Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin.
The council will also hand over the aid via cash to those who are yet to receive it and are without bank accounts.
MPP’s smart traffic light system wins 2021 Sustainable Development Award
Lo (centre) holds up the 2021 Sustainable Development Award trophy while others look on.
KUCHING, Dec 31: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has won the 2021 Sustainable Development Award (SDA) for its Smart Traffic Light System (SCATS) project under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said with SCATS, the public can now travel smoothly especially during peak time and thus, cut short their travel time.
“Furthermore, by reducing their travel time, it can also contribute to reducing air and noise pollution. Well managed traffic also can minimise the occurrence of accidents, especially at junctions.
“By having the smart signalised junction, road users can enter in and out smoothly and also the system can reduce vehicle idle times by having more green waves,” he said at a press conference held at MPP headquarters today.
This is the third consecutive year that MPP has won the Junior Chamber International (JCI) award as it was crowned champion of all 17 SDGs categories with its ‘Green Market, Green Community’ project in 2019 and winner of SDG 11: No Poverty with its ‘House Repair for the Poor Programme’ project in 2020.
At the same time, Lo informed that MPP have made Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang 6.0 (BKSS 6.0) payment through electronic fund transfers to 260 petty traders that have submitted their bank account to the MPP for the purpose.
He also presented the BKSS payments to three recipients, Atut Nyis, Normalati Samsudin and Chai Khin Joon, as they didn’t have bank accounts.
Lo also mentioned that MPP has set up a special committee in preparation for flash floods.
The roles and functions of the committee in flood operations included desilting soil ditches and removal of culvert pipes, removing landslides blocking the road, installing flood benchmarks at high-risk areas, providing mobile toilets and Trienekens bins at temporary evacuation centres (PPVs), cutting and removing fallen trees and cleaning up the remnants of fallen trees as well as carrying out clean-up works in flood-affected areas. — DayakDaily
Lo: SUPP reach its goals with Dr Sim appointed as Deputy Chief Minister
Lo speaking to reporters at the event.
Follow and subscribe to DayakDaily on Telegramfor faster news updates.
KUCHING, Dec 30: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) finally reach its goal with the appointment of its president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian as Deputy Chief Minister, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.
According to Lo, this is something that all members in the party look forward to, and will appreciate as well as treasure the opportunity that has been given.
“Together as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and SUPP, we will try to deliver the best to our people,” he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) at SMK Arang, here today.
Meanwhile, Lo also congratulated Pelawan assemblyman Micheal Tiang for his appointment as Assistant Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, which is also under Dr Sim.
“This is important because Michael Tiang together with Dr Sim will be able to ensure that the agenda of the local government will get delivered not only in Kuching and Miri, but in Sibu as well,” he added.
Lo (center) witnessing the handing over of RTP worksite between MPP and the contractor.
Earlier on, Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman witnessed the handing over of RTP work site from MPP to the contractor.
The project involved the construction of about 200 meter shed walkway along the road side of SMK Arang, with the cost of RM50,000. The project will commence on Jan 3, 2022, and expected to be completed in three month, by April 2, 2022. — DayakDailyhttps://dayakdaily.com/lo-supp-reach-its-goals-with-dr-sim-appointed-as-deputy-chief-minister/
Sarawak encouraged by implementation of major projects
Abang Johari, flanked by Batu Kawah elected representative Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian (front, right) and Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang, is seen in this photo where the background shows the towering ‘Sky Window of Batu Kawah’. — Photo by Chimon Upon
THE year witnessed the implementation of many major projects in Sarawak, ranging from public infrastructure such as roads to specific facility such as a disease centre.
Whether scheduled for completion in the near term, being a long-haul development or still on the drawing board, these projects signify ‘more things to come’ as Sarawak strives towards achieving a ‘developed economy’ status by 2030.
Abang Johari performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the Batang Lupar bridge, in this photo taken on March 23. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
1. Batang Lupar Bridge ⦁ Costing RM848 million, this structure aims to become the longest river bridge in Malaysia, at a length of 4.8km. Meant to connect Kuching, Sebuyau and Maludam, it is scheduled for completion by 2025, with the project cost being fully borne by the state government after it was initially cancelled by the then-Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led federal government. The Batang Lupar Bridge would significantly shorten the travelling time; at present, the only way to travel across the river is via ferry.
2. Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) ⦁ It is said that this centre, located in Kota Samarahan, would catalyse the development of biomedical industries in Sarawak and pave the way towards the establishment of a bio-hub integrating hospitals, research centres, academics and also a bio-park. Reported to cost about RM200 million, the SIDC would function as a research facility under the purview of Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC). To be operational by 2024, the centre would be equipped with Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories, meant to facilitate research and development (R&D) works on BSL-3 infectious agents and subsequently, product-testing meant to ensure the commercialisation of the R&D output.
3. Sungai Sarawak-Sejingkat Bridge ⦁ The 1.281km dual-carriageway cable-stayed bridge, which would go across Sarawak River at Sejingkat, is set to be the third-longest of its kind in the country.
This RM485-million structure, upon its completion, would be the final link to the ambitious, 896km Sarawak Coastal Highway. The bridge would provide an alternative route linking Kuching and Samarahan, aimed at addressing traffic congestion during peak hours. The bridge is being built according to R5 standard specifications under the Public Works Department (JKR), and it is scheduled for completion by July 2023.
An artist’s impression of Bebuling STOLport in Spaoh, Betong.
4. Bebuling STOLport ⦁ The RM108-million short take-off and landing airport (STOLport) in Spaoh, Betong, is part of the initiatives towards attaining the state’s goal of becoming a net food producer by 2030. With design features comprising a 790m runway and a 185m taxiway, two units of aircraft parking spaces, a terminal building and a watch tower, the STOLport is scheduled for completion by September 2023. It has been reported that this facility is meant to cater for the immediate transportation of the agriculture produce from the agro-park in Bebuling to the markets.
5. Access road to south of Kuching International Airport ⦁ The RM112.9-million project, comprising the construction of a 6.2km road, was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) Third Rolling Plan.
Supervised by Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, the project is aimed at mitigating traffic congestion in the surrounding areas, as well as providing an alternative route for motorists from different directions, including those from and going to Samarahan and Serian districts. As a part of the works, concrete single-carriageway bridges would be built across Sungai Kuap, Sungai Stampin and Sungai Sangkoh, and an underpass would be constructed through the airport. The completion date is set on Aug 1, 2024.
The new Satok Suspension Bridge has maintained the design of the original structure.
6. Satok Suspension Bridge ⦁ Costing RM14.3 million, this 213m pedestrian bridge was reconstructed after the original structure collapsed on Oct 7, 2004. The predecessor was built during the Rajah Brooke era in 1923, at a cost equivalent to US$52,000 – it reached completion in 1926. Due to wear-and-tear, the bridge was closed to public in 1992, and remained so until its collapse in 2004.
In 2017, the Sarawak government decided to rebuild the bridge, and the works commenced on Sept 19 that year.
Suspended 18m above the Sarawak River and having somewhat maintained the original design, the Satok Suspension Bridge now ranks alongside the iconic Darul Hana Bridge at the Old Kuching section of the river.
7. Batu Kawah Riverbank Park ⦁ The RM8.8-million development features the latest landmark in the Batu Kawah area of Kuching, namely a 10-storey structure named the ‘Sky Window of Batu Kawah’, towering over what was once a wasteland covering 15.6 acres. The project is divided into five phases – the park provides a 2km walkway starting from Point 1, passing the Chinese temple at the Batu Kawah Old Bazaar, and reaching Kampung Rantau Panjang on the other end. Padawan Municipal Council is the implementing agency of the project.
8. Proposal to set up Sarawak’s own boutique airline ⦁ On Nov 30, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed airline would be for business and leisure travels, and it would be parked under Hornbill Skyways, an established regional chartered air service operating in Sarawak. The airline aims to penetrate tourism hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok and Hong Kong, and it would focus on small-scale carriers able to accommodate between 100 and 120 passengers each.
The Chief Minister said he had calculated the cost and was confidence that this airline would be economically viable.
SUPP Stakan branch chairman wants CM to consider Lo to be in the state Cabinet
Dato Sim Kiang Chiok
KUCHING (Dec 30): Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok hopes that his colleague, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, would be considered to be appointed into the state Cabinet.
“Overall, it is a balanced cabinet and consists of a good mix of experience and youth, and we only ask that the chief minister to look at the possibility of adding maybe one more SUPP elected representative, possibly YB Lo Khere Chiang from the southern zone into the cabinet,” said Sim in a statement.
Nonetheless, he said the SUPP Stakan branch was delighted that their party president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian had been appointed as a deputy chief minister.
“SUPP Stakan is delighted to note that the post of Deputy Chief Minister had been afforded to our party president and for this we convey our utmost gratitude to the chief minister,” said Sim.
Sim also remarked that SUPP members were happy to note that their party youth chief Michael Tiang was appointed to the state cabinet and he wished Tiang all the best in his future undertakings.
“We hope that the new cabinet once sworn in will fulfil its potential and drive Sarawak forward and assist our Chief minister to administer our fairyland Sarawak to greater height.”
Sim said SUPP Stakan branch trusted the judgement and choices of the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in appointing state cabinet members, and was confident the team assembled will be able to fulfil the chief minister’s vision and mission for Sarawak.
Follow and subscribe to DayakDaily on Telegramfor faster news updates.
By Lian Cheng and Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 30: Batu Kawah assemblyman Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has been appointed a deputy chief minister in Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s new Cabinet.
Historically and traditionally, with the Chinese community being one of the largest ethnic groups in Sarawak, a Chinese was always appointed as deputy chief minister, with the practice starting in 1970 when Tan Sri Stephen Yong was appointed as one.
Apart from having a deputy chief minister appointed from among its members, the Chinese community was also given the responsibility of holding the portfolio of Finance and Infrastructure Ministry. As Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) is the strongest Chinese-based political party, appointed individuals, without fail, have come from the party.
Yong was the deputy chief minister for only one term following his defeat in the following Sarawak Election.
Dr Sim’s late father, Tan Sri Sim Kheng Hong who was elected then, was appointed to the position instead. Kheng Hong held the post for three terms, from 1974 to 1991 before Tan Sri Wong Soon Kai took over.
Like Yong, Soon Kai however, held office only for one term from 1991 to 1996 after being unexpectedly defeated by Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Wong Ho Leng at the State polls.
After the defeat, Soon Kai resigned as the president of SUPP with Tan Sri Dr George Chan succeeding him not only as the president of SUPP but also as deputy chief minister.
Chan held the position for three terms from 1996 until 2011. He faced the same fate as Soon Kai after he lost to a young rookie politician from DAP, Alan Ling in the 2011 Sarawak Election.
The year 2011 was annus horribilis for SUPP as the party was almost wiped out in the State elections.
Out of the 19 seats SUPP contested, it managed to retain only six seats, out of which four were the Bumiputera-majority seats of Opar, Sri Aman, Engkilili and Bengoh.
Of the 15 Chinese-majority seats then, the party only managed to defend Bawang Assan and Senadin, while losing all other seats including Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawah, Repok, Meradong, Bukit Assek, Dudong, Pelawan, Kidurong, Piasau (where Chan stood) and Pujut.
In the same year, following SUPP’s defeat at the polls, no Chinese lawmakers from the party were appointed as deputy chief minister. SUPP was at its lowest, and rifts within the party subsequently led to a faction pulling out to form United People’s Party (UPP) which was later renamed as Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
In the 2016 Sarawak Election, the then Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak chairman Pehin Sri Adenan Satem implemented many popular policies and projects, which succeeded in regaining the confidence of the Chinese community.
In this election, SUPP managed to wrest back Batu Kawah, Piasau, Repok, and Meradong while defending Senadin and Simanggang. It added a feather to its cap by also capturing the newly created seat of Batu Kitang.
UPP candidates contested as BN direct candidates and managed to retain five seats comprising Opar, Bawang Assan, Bengoh (later Mambong), Dudong and Engkilili.
The combined number of 12 seats held by SUPP (7) and UPP (5) was enough to lead to calls for the appointment of a deputy chief minister from the Chinese community. However, as both parties failed to reconcile, the Chinese community again failed to see a deputy chief minister appointed from its ranks.
For the 2021 Sarawak Election, as SUPP managed to wrest back the six seats of Opar, Kota Sentosa, Bukit Assek, Pelawan, Tanjong Batu and Pujut, giving it a total of 13 seats, it is thus no surprise that its president Dr Sim has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister.
Sarawak Federation of Associations president Dato Richard Wee lauded the appointment as a sound decision by Abang Johari.
“The Chinese community deserves a Chinese deputy chief minister in view of the overwhelming support and the return of Chinese voters to the ruling coalition.
“We thank our Chief Minister for responding positively to the request from the community and the increase of Chinese representation within the Cabinet in general,” said Wee. — DayakDaily
Lo (third right) cuts the ribbon to officially open the hawker centre.
KUCHING (Dec 19): Hawkers at Kampung Haji Baki can now trade in comfort in a new hawker centre that opened Friday.
“The project which cost RM395,000 has 10 dry stalls, eight wet stalls, public toilets and car park.
“The hawker centre will allow Kampung Haji Baki folks to trade and improve their living standard,” said Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang said during the handover.
He stated that the area will be beautified later to encourage people passing by to drop by for a drink or meal.
He added that the Public Works Department (JKR) will complete the collapsed embankment soon to ease traffic close to the hawker centre.
Hawkers will start trading early January as water and electricity have been connected.
GPS’ Lo remains assemblyman in Batu Kitang, wins high majority against DAP’s Aziz
Lo Khere Chiang
By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Dec 18: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang will remain the assemblyman for N13 Batu Kitang for another five years after securing 6,307 votes in the 12th Sarawak Election.
He won the seat with a high majority of 4,163 votes, defeating rival Abdul Aziz Isa from Democratic Action Party (DAP) who garnered 2,144 votes.
While Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) Liu Thian Leong came in third with 1,812 votes, Wong Tun Teck from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) lost his deposit with only 675 votes. — DayakDaily
Share
Tweet
Email
Share
