（古晋28日讯）坊间盛传峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强将披甲上阵，出战此届国选，对此他坦言，若被赋予机会出战国选，本身绝对会欣然接受！
“若被赋予机会出战，我如何说不？我肯定会‘say yes’！”
他指出，实际上，砂拉越政党联盟-砂人联党，早在六年前就已准备就绪，备战国选。
他称，该党六年前就已开始在基层工作，每日每夜都下至基层服务，以便重新备战全国大选。
罗克强是于今早出席移交休閒公园升级工程活动上，接受媒体询及砂总理阿邦佐昨日宣布，砂人联党除了西连区将由原任议员出战，其馀出战的6个议席，其中3人为新面孔，且其中1至2人为州议员事宜时，如是表示。
此外，他也一再强调，该党非常有信心重夺实旦宾选区。
“为什麽不？没有理由我们不能重夺选区，而我们也有一定的把握！”
虽说如此，他表示，无论如何本身不针对是否出战事宜多做揣测，然而他认为，倘若有新人出战，都会是好事。
Lo Khere Chiang
KUCHING (Oct 29): It is preferable for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to give chance to the new young candidates in the coming 15th general election (GE15) who are capable of winning, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.
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“We have to bring up new leaders, but we must win the election.
“Places where the candidates can win, we prefer to have young capable candidates.
“As leaders, it is our job to train these people up, but if we cannot or don’t have a strong contender to go out and compete, then we might have to use the ADUNs (assemblymen).
“I think that is why our Premier has said that there may be one or two (ADUNs) to be fielded as candidates.
“Dr Sim Kui Hian can be one. I think he’s the best candidate to go out and win this election.
“But don’t ask me to speculate. No speculation,” he told reporters when met after the handing-over of Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) contract for a recreational park project at Sunny Hill Garden yesterday.
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Lo, also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, was asked to comment on what Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had said earlier about the seven seats that Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) would be contesting, of which three might be fielded with new faces.
On whether he would contest if given the opportunity to stand in the general election, Lo said he would.
“Of course – how can I say no? If given the opportunity, of course I would say yes.
“The GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and SUPP have been working since six years ago, on the ground every day and every night,” he said.
Asked further how confident he was in wresting the seat back from Opposition, he replied: “Very confident. We can get this Stampin seat back. There is no reason why we cannot.
“We have to win, and we can win Stampin because there is no other party that will take care of Sarawak except for GPS.”
https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/10/29/ge15-batu-kitang-rep-urges-gps-to-give-chance-to-winnable-young-candidates/
He said he was confident to wrest the Stampin parliamentary seat from the opposition and deliver it to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“Of course, how can I say no? If I’m given the opportunity, of course, I’ll say yes,” he told reporters when asked if he would contest if he was given a chance to stand in the general election.
When asked further how confident he is in winning the seat, which was held by the opposition, he said, “Very confident. we can get this Stampin back. There was no reason why we couldn’t”.
“We have to win, and we can win Stampin. Because there is no other party that will take care of Sarawak unless it is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he said.
Lo, who is also the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman told reporters before witnessing the handover of the park upgrading contract from MPP to the implementing contractor at Lorong Batu Kawah 1C3, Sunny Hill Park here on Friday (Oct 28).
Earlier, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said out of the seven seats that Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is contesting, three of seats might be fielded with new faces.
“As for the Serian seat, it will remain. And maybe one or two of the (SUPP) candidates who hold a state seat, will be the candidate but will for the first time contest in the GE15,” said Abang Johari.
Lo also echoed the Premier’s remarks that younger candidates should be fielded in the general election.
“if we can promote new people. That’s the best. New people mean strong candidates, and strong candidates can win the election.
“We are building up potential young people that will be able to lead this country. So we have to build up stronger, capable young leaders in our midst, so that they will be able to take over, and the Premier has led the direction,” he said.
He added seats that could be won in the general election were better to be fielded with young and capable candidates.
“But if we cannot or don’t have a strong contender to go out and compete, then we might have to use ADUNs (state elected representatives).
“I think that is why our Premier said there may be one or two (ADUNs) to be fielded as candidates. So anybody can be, Dr Sim Kui Hian can be. I think he’s the best candidate to go out and win this election. But don’t ask me to speculate. No speculation,” he said.
On another note, Lo also said it loud and clear that in this coming general election, Sarawak will compete under GPS.
“Sarawak will go in under GPS led by Abang Johari. This has nothing to do with the Semenanjung-based parties – UNMO, PKR, AMANAH, PAS, DAP BERSATU. Nothing.
“We are going to win a majority together with Sabah – 54 seats, and we’re going to make a difference in Parliament,” he stressed.
“Whoever is right, GPS support, whoever is wrong, then sorry. Because, GPS will go in as a kingmaker to represent the interests of not only Sarawakians but Malaysians.
“Whoever takes care of Sarawak, whoever acknowledges and respects the (agreement) stated in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). We will (give our) support. That is our stand and the stand of all Sarawak,” he said.
By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Oct 28: The recreational park at Lorong Batu Kawa 1C3 Sunny Hill Garden will be given a facelift for its residents.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang hoped that with the new facelift, the park will attract more residents to visit it not just to exercise but also to relax and socialise.
“The park will have new footpaths for people to jog, six cement benches, 14 solar lamps, three new gym sets, an upgraded gazebo, rubber tile flooring as well as upgraded and new drains.
“The overall cost is RM150,000 and it will be carried out under my Rural Transformation Project (RTP) fund,” he said after he handed over the contract papers during his site visit today.
Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman said the project work had started today and is expected to be completed within four months, or by the end of February 2023.
Explaining the reason behind the park’s facelift, Lo said it was earlier requested by the residents around the area.
“I want everyone to know that I am not a magician nor do I have billions. I cannot fulfill everyone’s wishes overnight, but what I can do is grant them in stages. We will slowly improve one recreational park after another.
“We assemblymen get a RM5 million RTP fund per year from our Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) therefore on my side, they are meant for the whole of Batu Kitang constituency,” Lo added. — DayakDailyKUCHING: Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Batu Kitang Lo Khere Chiang bersedia untuk merebut kembali kerusi Parlimen Stampin sekiranya diberi peluang bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-15 (PRU-15).
Menurutnya, sekiranya diberikan peluang beliau tidak akan menolak perkara tersebut.
“Jika saya diberikan peluang, sudah tentu saya akan menerimanya dengan mengatakan ya. Bagaimana saya boleh mengatakan tidak?,” katanya kepada pemberita semasa Penyerahan Projek Transformasi Luar Bandar (RTP) Menaik Taraf Taman di Taman Sunny Hill, dekat sini, hari ini.
Ditanya sejauh mana beliau yakin dapat merampas kerusi Parlimen Stampin daripada pembangkang, Lo Khere Chiang memberitahu beliau sangat yakin Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) boleh mendapatkannya semula.
“Tiada sebab mengapa tidak dapat, kita perlu menang dan boleh memenangi kerusi Parlimen Stampin. Kerana tidak ada parti lain yang akan menjaga Sarawak melainkan GPS,” ujarnya.
PRU-14 pada 9 Mei 2018 meyaksikan Pengerusi DAP Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen berjaya meraih undi 33,060 dengan majoriti 14,221 sekali gus berjaya menewaskan Presiden SUPP Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian yang mewakili Barisan Nasional (BN) ketika itu dengan hanya memperoleh 18,839 undi.
https://suarasarawak.my/2022/10/pru-15-lo-khere-chiang-sedia-jika-diberi-peluang-bertanding0/?fbclid=IwAR0ca1OWIkjvfmVAt2-Pv8Db-eYRE4w-BvLRPSjS_RWlKZROBoEJzSoe9_o
BERI PERHATIAN... Lo Khere Chiang meminta Kerajaan Persekutuan membantu penyelenggaraan Tadika Kemas.
CONNIE CHIENG
KUCHING: Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Batu Kitang, Lo Khere Chiang maju pihak Kerajaan Persekutuan melihat sendiri keadaan Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak (Tadika) Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (Kemas) di Batu Kitang yang memerlukan bantuan.
Beliau memaklumkan bahawa tapak Tadika itu milik Kerajaan Persekutuan tetapi penyelenggaraan sekolah diserahkan kepada kerajaan Sarawak, manakala pendidikan pula di bawah Kerajaan Persekutuan.
“Pihak sekolah sedang membina gazebo, tempat menunggu bagi ibu bapa apabila mengambil anak, pada masa sama mengecat semula pagar sekolah.
“Kerajaan Persekutuan mendapat banyak manfaat daripada minyak dan gas Sarawak tetapi memberikan kembali lina peratus daripada cukai jualan sahaja,” katanya.
Lo berkata sedemikian pada majlis penyerahan Program Transformasi Luar Bandar (RTP) di Tadika Kemas Kampung Tematu di sini semalam.
Beliau berkata, sebab itulah dalam Pilihan Raya Umum ke-15 (PRU-15) ini, rakyat perlu memastikan mereka mengundi calon Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) untuk menang semua 31 kerusi supaya suara lantang mewakili rakyat di Parlimen.
“Kita mempunyai 31 kerusi dan Sabah 25 kerusi dan jika kita bergabung dan menang semua, kita boleh menuntut kembali autonomi pendidikan dan kesihatan, “ katanya.
Beliau berkata, rakyat Sarawak mesti bijak dan bersatu hati jika mahu menuntut sesuatu dari Kerajaan Persekutuan.
Katanya, dengan kemenangan besar, rakyat boleh menyuarakan keluhan dan menuntut apa yang termaktub di bawah Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) dan juga boleh meminta cukai jualan sebanyak 15 peratus.
Projek RTP itu menelan belanja sebanyak RM30,000 yang akan siap dalam tempoh tiga bulan.
Lo turut menyaksikan penyerahan projek dari Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP) kepada kontraktor yang dilantik untuk menyiapkan projek berkenaan.
https://www.utusansarawak.com.my/?p=36033
此系列拍摄视频内容包括石隆门新景点如：碧湖、石迷公园、巴谷温泉、新尧湾老街、石隆门镇、石联埠生态度假村、石隆门仙洞、婆罗洲开心农场、布拉达山遗产中心。
你准备好在第15届全国大选投票了吗？说起选举投票，一些选民难免心情澎湃，恨不得赶紧履行公民义务，让国内政局恢复稳定。然而变化莫测的政党结盟，加上首投族及中间选民，可能左右新政府的产生，只希望选民善用5年一次的选票，想好好才投，以免典当未来的5年时光。
政治没有对与错，只有朝野政党之分，在民主选举制度下，选民没有被强制要投哪个政党；国家是由好政府或是烂政府执政，都是选民的抉择。根据选委会最新公布的选民册显示，有2117万3638名合格选民将在今届大选中履行公民义务，决定哪个政营能入主布城。
可以确定的是，没有政党有信心能单独执政，届时依然出现联合政府情况，堪称造王者的砂盟将在希盟、国阵或国盟之间，寻求政治结盟以组成新政府。随着年满18岁自动登记成为选民和参与投票，选民已不吃选人不选党或选党不选人、州投执政党国投反对党或国投执政党州投反对党的这一套理论，反而可能深受家人或友人的影响来投票给候选人；政治冷感者，可能索性不投票。
候选人若要胜出，除了靠铁票稳住、期望对手流失选票外，只要再加把劲吸收首投族及中间选民的选票，就有一定胜算。现时代选民已具备成熟的政治智慧，不再轻易相信无法兑现的竞选宣言；再不然的话，就审视原任国会议员的政绩，否则就只能一代旧人换新人。
能选上与民同在、行动做事及以德服人的国会议员是选民们的福气，地方上的基建发展及社区拨款都一概到位。若其任期的关键绩效指标（KPI）给选民评估的话，可说是无可挑剔，相信可轻易过关斩将，选民可不想失去一名好代议士。
候选人在胜选后，其所提出的竞选承诺都必须兑现，否则信誉破产不说，也难以向支持者及选民交代，别认为口说无凭、讲爽而已；一旦选民认真起来，摊开候选人竞选期间的演讲视频、竞选宣言、个人承诺，就难辞其咎。
无论是投给哪位候选人，选民都必须为本身当下的投票决定、未来5年的选区发展变化、国家政局等负起一定责任，毕竟政治影响全民的生活环境、政府的政策及法令，都要通过国会议员投票通过，因此不要让手中的选票轻易失去价值，也没有多少5年的人生可以被浪费。
（星洲日报．砂拉越．评论．作者：许向伟）
https://www.sinchew.com.my/?p=4123154
(古晋26日讯）古晋中中校董会主席拿督黄良杰表示，砂拉越政府的常年拨款，大大舒解了独中和华社的经费负担，特别是在这几年的疫情期间是更为重要。
他感谢砂副总理拿督斯裡沈桂贤今日代表砂拉越政府移交总数 225万6304令吉的拨款给该会属下三间中学，分别是一中 90万4635令吉;三中 72万8492令吉以及四中 62万3177令吉。
他说，作为砂拉越政府成立的砂拉越华教事务单位的负责人，拿督斯裡沈桂贤长期来在华教事务方面给子非常多的帮忙，一直是砂拉越政府和砂拉越董总之间的协调人。
他强调，砂拉越14所华文独中之所以能够得到砂拉越政府的重视，拿督斯裡沈桂贤扮演关键的角色。除此之外，拿督斯裡沈桂贤私下也一直关心中中的发展，每年提供拨款或者其他方面的协助，比如支持独中的义卖会、回校晚宴、徒步竞走等活动，以协助筹募办学经费。
他表示，作为民办的华文独中，中中的办学经费过去一直依赖华社的支持，因此也成为华社的负担，有人说华校是华社所缴交的第二所得税。儘管长期没有得到政府的支持，甚至某些时候遭到打压，但是在华社的坚持下，华文独中依然发展到今天。
拿督黄良杰今日在出席砂副总理拿督斯裡沈桂贤移交砂政府拨款给属下三间独中之仪式上致词时，如是表示。
他表示，当已故丹斯裡阿迪南出任砂拉越首席部长后，立刻跟砂拉越董总建立联繫，在了解了情况后，当机立断宣布承认华文独中统考文凭，而且提供常年拨款。
“这是马来西亚立国以来，第一个从制度上承认统考文凭的政府，华社将永远铭记在心。”
他补充，在砂总理拿督巴丁宜丹斯裡阿邦佐哈裡接任后，不但延续了丹斯裡阿迪南的良政而且给予华社和华教更多的支持，除了延续增加常年拨款的承诺，也履行了拨地给独中的承诺，拨出了三马拉汉省的地段给独中作为以地养校的用途，目前砂拉越董总正在和有关当局安排地契转移的手续。
砂拉越政府从 2014 年开始拨款给砂拉越14所华文独中，从最初的 300万到今年的1000万,每年增加，对此，他深表感谢砂拉越政府以实际行动支持华教办学。
https://news.seehua.com/?p=890599
(古晋26日讯）古晋中中校董会主席拿督黄良杰表示，砂拉越政府的常年拨款，大大舒解了独中和华社的经费负担，特别是在这几年的疫情期间是更为重要。
他感谢砂副总理拿督斯裡沈桂贤今日代表砂拉越政府移交总数 225万6304令吉的拨款给该会属下三间中学，分别是一中 90万4635令吉;三中 72万8492令吉以及四中 62万3177令吉。
他说，作为砂拉越政府成立的砂拉越华教事务单位的负责人，拿督斯裡沈桂贤长期来在华教事务方面给子非常多的帮忙，一直是砂拉越政府和砂拉越董总之间的协调人。
他强调，砂拉越14所华文独中之所以能够得到砂拉越政府的重视，拿督斯裡沈桂贤扮演关键的角色。除此之外，拿督斯裡沈桂贤私下也一直关心中中的发展，每年提供拨款或者其他方面的协助，比如支持独中的义卖会、回校晚宴、徒步竞走等活动，以协助筹募办学经费。
他表示，作为民办的华文独中，中中的办学经费过去一直依赖华社的支持，因此也成为华社的负担，有人说华校是华社所缴交的第二所得税。儘管长期没有得到政府的支持，甚至某些时候遭到打压，但是在华社的坚持下，华文独中依然发展到今天。
拿督黄良杰今日在出席砂副总理拿督斯裡沈桂贤移交砂政府拨款给属下三间独中之仪式上致词时，如是表示。
他表示，当已故丹斯裡阿迪南出任砂拉越首席部长后，立刻跟砂拉越董总建立联繫，在了解了情况后，当机立断宣布承认华文独中统考文凭，而且提供常年拨款。
“这是马来西亚立国以来，第一个从制度上承认统考文凭的政府，华社将永远铭记在心。”
他补充，在砂总理拿督巴丁宜丹斯裡阿邦佐哈裡接任后，不但延续了丹斯裡阿迪南的良政而且给予华社和华教更多的支持，除了延续增加常年拨款的承诺，也履行了拨地给独中的承诺，拨出了三马拉汉省的地段给独中作为以地养校的用途，目前砂拉越董总正在和有关当局安排地契转移的手续。
砂拉越政府从 2014 年开始拨款给砂拉越14所华文独中，从最初的 300万到今年的1000万,每年增加，对此，他深表感谢砂拉越政府以实际行动支持华教办学。
https://news.seehua.com/?p=890599
Lo (front right) is seen in a group photo taken during the delivery of donations last Saturday.
KUCHING (Oct 25): Fifty single-parent families from Kampung Haji Baki received daily necessities, food, and stationery from the Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City last Saturday.
The event marked the end of a year-long project.
Club treasurer Esther Hu said many people lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic, which put a lot of pressure on groups with low household incomes.
“So, we decided to provide short-term relief to these single-parent families. Since 111 families are not a small group, we divided this donation project into four times of deliveries according to the donations received.
“We are very happy to see many breadwinners from these families have found new jobs and their lives are back on track,” she said.
Club president Mok Yong Yaw said the last donation came mainly from two companies – premium car dealer Regas Premium Auto Sdn Bhd and event planning company Red Velvet – as well as about 50 individual donors.
“We get from society and should also give back to society so that our community will gradually improve, and the people who are helped can see the hope of life,” he said.
Delivery project lead Desmond Tiong thanked Penghulu Sabtuyah Yusof and her team for helping identify those in real need of help and also Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang for sharing the events via social media to promote acts of kindness.
“Besides, under the lead of our immediate past president Mr Chew, we also built a mini library cum literacy centre here last month as a joint project with Rotary Club of Sri Kenyalang and Kuching Jaya.
“We will also set up few more at other rural areas to improve local literacy rate. Therefore, we need RM250,000 donation from public to set up these library-cum-literacy centres as our upcoming projects,” he said.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubKuchingUnityCity/ or contact Hu on 017-8266535.
https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/10/25/rotary-club-of-kuching-unity-city-presents-aid-to-single-parent-families/
KUCHING, Oct 24: The Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City once again demonstrated its compassion on Saturday (Oct 22) by providing 50 single-mother families in Kampung Haji Baki with donations of food, stationery, and daily necessities.
According to a press release, the event also marks the end of a year-long project.
“The main reason for donating necessities is that many people lost their jobs during the pandemic, putting a strain on groups with low family income, so we decided to provide short-term relief to these single-parent families.
“Because 111 families is a large group, we divided this donation project into four delivery times based on the donations received.
“We are delighted that many breadwinners from these families have found new jobs and their lives have returned to normal,” Rotary Club of Kuching Unity Club treasurer Esther Hu said.
Furthermore, Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City president Mok Yong Yaw stated that the most recent donations were primarily from two companies — premium car dealer Regas Premium Auto Sdn Bhd and 10-year-old event planning company Red Velvet.
“There are also 50 individual donors. We receive from society and should also give back to society, so that our community gradually improves and those who are helped can see the light of life,” Mok noted.
Meanwhile, Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City project leader of the delivery Desmond Tiong, said he is grateful to Penghulu Madam Sabtuyah and her team for assisting them in identifying people who truly need assistance, as well as Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, who is always there to cheer them up and share the events on social media to promote acts of kindness.
“Besides that, under the leadership of our immediate past president, Mr Chew, we constructed a mini-library and literacy centre here last month as part of a joint project with the Rotary Clubs of Sri Kenyalang and Kuching Jaya.
“We will also establish a few more in other rural areas in order to increase local literacy rates.
“Therefore, we require RM250,000 in public donations to establish these libraries and literacy centres as upcoming projects,” Tiong highlighted.
Meanwhile, Lo was also present to support the charitable work.
For more information, please visit the Rotary Club of Kuching Unity City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubKuchingUnityCity. — DayakDaily
https://dayakdaily.com/50-single-mothers-in-kg-haji-baki-receive-daily-necessities-as-short-term-relief
（古晋21日讯）巴都吉当州议员罗克强炮轰联邦教育部对其州议席范围的5所中小学校内损坏、残破的设备不闻不问，甚至化粪池已经严重下陷对学生安全造成威胁。
他说，巴都吉当州选区共有11间的中小学，而当中的华小和教会学校都分别在砂政府、其他宗教单位的协助下完善管理，剩下的政府学校理应是联邦教育部的责任，校内设备残破迄今却没有获得关注和维修。
他了解到校方已经多次向教育局申请维修校内的残破设备，迄今仍无下文。
他今日在记者会上这麽表示。
另外，也是巴达旺市议会主席的他也提到，其中一所学校的化粪池已经严重下陷，曾经有学生不小心掉入积水的化粪池，所幸并无大碍。
“如果化粪池裡面都是积水，那麽高过一个人深度的化粪池，掉下去肯定会造成伤害。”
他说，在其能力范围，也尽量为校方维修一些小破损，但是，沟渠、化粪池、天花板等这些校内硬体设施都是联邦教育部的责任，而教育部却对此问题多年来不闻不问。
另外，他也提到，一些校内的足球场已经地势下陷长期积水，导致学生无法使用；沟渠也损坏排水不良。
“这些学校算是市中心的学校，我更难想象那些在偏远地方的学校是怎样情况。”
对此，他呼吁人民在来临的国选中，要让砂政盟的代表都进入国会，并争取回砂拉越的权益，尤其是教育自主权，让砂拉越能自己管理好在砂拉越内的学校。
https://news.seehua.com/?p=888886
By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Oct 21: There is no point in sending over one or two more DAP (Democratic Action Party) representatives from Sarawak to Parliament, opined Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) deputy secretary general Lo Khere Chiang.
According to Lo, DAP already has 30 to 40 of its members in Parliament.
“I am asking Sarawakians to look at the big picture and instead send all 31 Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members to represent them in Parliament.
“What is the point of sending another two from Sarawak to join them over there? Think about it,” he said during a press conference held at an eatery in Mile 7 here today.
“Sarawakians now know the importance of voting for GPS.
“This is why in this 15th General Election (GE15), we must deliver 31 seats in Parliament under GPS,” he added.
He pointed GPS is also not in any coalition with any other Peninsular Malaysia-based coalitions, such as Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“It is for the sake of Sarawak. That is what we are doing, and that is what Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is doing,” he said. — DayakDaily
Lo shows pictures of some of the dilapidated school facilities in Batu Kitang constituency.
KUCHING (Oct 21): Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang today questioned the federal Education Ministry (MoE) for not taking any effort to repair dilapidated school facilities in his constituency.
He said repeated requests were made by the affected schools to MoE through the Education Department to carry out repairs on their roads, drains, septic tanks and football field, among others, but the requests fell on deaf ears.
“I feel very disappointed because there were cases in some of the government schools in Batu Kitang where roads, drains and septic tanks were damaged and sunk or the football field was soggy.
“Requests to repair them were made but the Education Department is not making any effort to repair them. Given the schools are already over 20 years old, we expected the MoE through the Education Department to improve the facilities but I am disappointed as nothing has been done,” he told a press conference at Mile 7 here today.
Lo said if schools in Batu Kitang, which is considered an urban area, are in such a sorry state, the situation in rural and remote areas must be even worse.
“If in the urban areas you can have schools operating under these kinds of conditions, I cannot imagine how bad the condition of other schools in rural areas are,” he lamented.
He said there were six primary and secondary government schools in his constituency in need of such repairs but could not disclose them as the headmasters could be victimised.
Lo said if the federal government does not want to take care of schools in Sarawak, it should return autonomy on education back to the state.
“By saying this, I mean all funds for education in Sarawak including teachers’ salaries should be given to Sarawak.
“Give us back our money you collected and allocated for us and let us do it ourselves. I believe we can do a better job,” he said.
Batu Kawah and Batu Kitang are SUPP strongholds but Kota Sentosa was held by DAP under its Sarawak chairman Chong Chien Jen for three terms from 2006 until 2021 when Wilfred Yap finally won it for SUPP.
BATU Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang declared at a function on July 26 Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) will wrest back the Stampin parliamentary seat from DAP in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Lo’s optimism is well founded as for the first time since 2006 all the three state seat –, Batu Kitang, Batu Kawah and Kota Sentosa – within Stampin parliamentary constituency are under SUPP.
Batu Kawah and Batu Kitang are SUPP strongholds but Kota Sentosa was held by DAP under its Sarawak chairman Chong Chien Jen for three terms from 2006 until 2021 when Wilfred Yap finally won it for SUPP.
Lo’s declaration led to speculations that he is interested to stand in Stampin as he was overlooked for a ministerial post in the state cabinet after the last state election and he could see victory in Stampin as a route to at least a federal deputy ministerial post.
This speculation was reinforced by the recommendation of SUPP Batu Kitang branch for him to stand in Stampin.
However, Lo put paid to that speculation on October 16 when he told The Borneo Post that his president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian is the most winnable candidate to represent Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in Stampin in GE15.
It is likely that Dr Sim would want a second bite at the cherry in Stampin as in 2018 in the last General Election (GE14) SUPP tried to wrest the seat from DAP by fielding him but he was defeated by Chong by 14,221 votes.
The obstacle to Dr Sim’s Stampin candidacy is the GPS policy of not allowing a state assemblyman to hold both parliamentary and state seats.
However, that ruling was broken when Bintulu MP, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Seri Tiong King Sing stood in Dudong in the last state election and won.
The precedent set by Tiong could pave the way for state assemblymen to stand in parliamentary seats in GE15.
Ironically, the objection to Dr Sim standing in Stampin came from the Batu Kawah SUPP branch in his own state constituency.
On the same day that Lo touted Dr Sim as the most winnable candidate for Stampin, the Batu Kawah branch chairman Lim Ah Ted said that the SUPP president was not one of the candidates recommended by the branch to stand in that constituency.
Lim said the branch had recommended Tan Kai, the Party’s former Youth chief,to stand in Stampin as Dr Sim is already the state Deputy Premier.
If Tan was chosen it would be his second foray into the parliamentary election.
In 2013, he stood against Chong in the Kuching in GE13 and lost.
It was reported that the Kota Sentosa SUPP branch had also decided on their recommendation for the party’s candidate for Stampin but has yet to announce its decision to the press.
Surprisingly, the SUPP Stakan branch is the first to announce its preferred candidate for Stampin.
On July 19 the branch endorsed its chairman, Datuk Sim Kian Chiok, for the Stampin parliamentary seat.
Despite being the first to throw his hat into the ring, Sim faces an uphill task in securing GPS candidacy for the Stampin seat as the Stakan SUPP branch is in the neighbouring Samarahan parliamentary constituency.
In the face of nominations from the three Stampin SUPP branches and the possibility of Dr Sim standing there, Sim’s chances of getting the nod for the seat is very slim.
Stampin parliamentary seat which has 120,334 electors is one of the seats traditionally allocated to SUPP in the GPS parliamentary constituencies distribution.
SUPP won the seat in 1999 and held on to it for three terms under Datuk Yong Khoon Seng until 2013 when DAP’s newcomer Julian Tan Kok Ping won the seat beating Yong with a comfortable majority of 18,670 votes.
However, with SUPP capturing all the three state seats in the constituency in the last state election any candidate SUPP nominates to stand there would stand a great chance of wresting the seat from DAP.
Stampin Parliamentary constituency is ripe for the picking for SUPP.
* Francis Chan is The Borneo Post’s former executive editor.