KUCHING, 19 Nov: Calon Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Lo Khere Chiang turun membuang undi di Pusat Mengundi Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SK) Garland di sini, jam 10:05 pagi tadi.
Menurut Lo, beliau ditemani oleh ahli keluarganya yang turut membuang undi di pusat mengundi yang sama.
Pusat mengundi SK Garland dibuka pada jam 7:30 pagi, terdapat sembilan saluran di pusat mengundi ini.
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia turut menempatkan pegawai kesihatan di pusat mengundi bagi membantu proses individu positif COVID-19 menunaikan tanggungjawab undi mereka.
Kerusi Parlimen Stampin meyaksikan pertandingan tiga penjuru antara Chong Chieng Jen dari parti DAP, Lo dari SUPP dan Lue Cheng Hing dari Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
Lo Khere Chiang juga merupakan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Batu Kitang dan Pengerusi Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP). – TVS
KUCHING: The voting process at SK Garland Batu Kawah voting centre here was hampered when early voters were not properly informed on the proper point of entry and location of registration counters.
It is learnt that one of the two gates at the voting centre was left closed for two hours.
However, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Stampin candidate Lo Khere Chiang, who was present to cast his vote, made quick work of the issue which affected a number of voters who were waiting in front of the closed gate.
“I called the Election Commission (EC) staff who were on duty to open the gates because they were used to using the entrance beside the traffic light,” he said.
He said the gate was closed to avoid traffic congestion in the area.
Lo also assured that electorates are also being properly briefed on the location of the registration counters, which were stationed at the back entrance of the school.
In the meantime, Democratic Action Party (DAP) Stampin candidate Chong Cheng Jen also expressed his disappointment with the situation.
“Such a situation should not be happening in the first place and I am very disappointed.
“I hope this will not happen again in the future,” he said.
Voters forced to use a small route to make their way to the polling centre
Padawan council on mission to change toilet culture starting with schools
Lo (right) presents a prize to SMK Sri Matang’s representative. Also seen is MPP deputy secretary (planning and development) Goh Thiam Ho.
KUCHING (Dec 9): Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is working to change the public’s attitude towards toilet cleanliness by focussing on schools.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said schools are the best place to encourage the proper use of toilets.
Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman, said basic toilet manners must be taught from a young age.
“If we can continue the toilet cleanliness programme in schools, students will be able to tell their parents and elders on the importance of keeping the toilet clean at home, in public places, and anywhere.
“By having such a good habit, flush the toilets after use, others also can enjoy clean toilets,” he said at the public toilet cleanliness and poster drawing competition for primary and secondary schools today.
He pointed out that keeping toilets clean in public areas, shopping malls, and coffeeshops should come naturally without constant reminders and warnings.
He said if everyone played a part in improving the condition of public toilets, over time, dirty and unhygienic toilets would be a thing of the past.
A total of 40 students from 16 schools participated in the poster drawing competition, while 15 schools took part in the public toilet cleanliness competition.
Cherlin Ong Jin Ding from SMK Jalan Arang won the poster drawing competition, while schoolmate Annabel Ch’ng Wan Yii and Xaviera Hannah Harmizan from SMK Sains Kuching Utara were second and third respectively.
Kolej Vocational Matang topped the public toilet cleanliness competition (secondary schools), followed by SMK Sri Matang in second place, and SMK Agama Matang 2 in third.
For the primary school category, SK Telaga Air emerged champion, SK Temenggong finished second, and SK Chung Hua Pangkalan Baru was third.
Bau gets Christmassy with special decor including 30-foot tree, Nativity scene
Lo (second left) officiates at the lighting ceremony. Ng is at second right.
BAU (Dec 9): The Bau District Council (MDB) has gone all out to decorate the town for Christmas with the centrepiece being a 30-foot Christmas tree.
The tree, Christmas Globe, and Nativity scene were officially unveiled during a lighting ceremony last night.
Council secretary Ng Siang Wei said decorating the town for Christmas began last December after the Covid-19 situation improved.
Following a positive response from the public and sponsors, he said organisers hope to make the event better, brighter, and more lively for Bau folk each year.
“I was given to understand by our sponsor that this year’s Christmas tree is taller than the one last year. This year the tree is 30 feet high, last year was 20 feet high.
“Today (Dec 8) is our second Christmas Tree Lighting Up Ceremony and this year we have added in the launching of Christmas Globe and Christ’s Manger as additional Christmas structures this year.
“Yes, only here in Bau, we have the privilege to have all of these structures in public places like this when normally you can find this in hotels or shopping malls,” he said in his speech.
Ng said the event would not be possible without sponsors and funds from well-wishers, including those from outside Bau.
Members of the public take photos with the Christmas decorations.
“With the contributions by the sponsors and the support by our YB Datuk Henry (Harry Jinep), we can see that all the Christmas structures that have been put up and the event here tonight will certainly make Bau town more vibrant, especially during this upcoming festive season.
“We can see on social media where all these decorative Christmas structures have gone viral,” he added.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang officiated at the event on behalf of Henry, who is Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Marine).
Lo also represented Henry to present Christmas goodie bags to the Bau, Sinar Harapan Kampung Duyoh, Singai, Siniawan, and Cahaya Kasih Serasot community-based rehabilitation centres.
In his speech, the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman said he was impressed with the great atmosphere and turnout for the event.
He added this showed Bau is a vibrant town with many activities and big tourism potential.
Father Paul Herry from St Stephen’s Church blessed the Christmas decorations.
The programme for the night included Christmas carols by a band and a fireworks display.
Matang’s Petra Vistana housing project due for completion in 2030
(From left) Khor, Fathi, Dr Sim, Hii and Lo are pictured performing a symbolic launch at the groundbreaking ceremony for Vistana Housing Project.
KUCHING (Dec 8): Petra Vistana or Taman Koperkasa housing project in Matang here is expected to be completed by 2030, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced.
The housing project will include 739 units of terraced houses, 68 units of semi-detached houses, 28 units of detached houses and 40 units of shophouses, said the Premier in his speech, delivered by Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented him at the groundbreaking ceremony here yesterday.
“I sincerely hope that this project involving four blocks of housing projects with 835 mixed development units will provide a comfortable home for its residents and to help alleviate housing problems in the Kuching urban area,” he added.
Dr Sim, also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government represented the Sarawak Premier for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Vistana Housing Project at its site near Taman Kopodims in Matang.
According to Abang Johari, the 35.5 hectare project land was given to Koperasi Koperkasa Sarawak Berhad (Koperkasa) in the 1980s but the housing project was delayed due to unavoidable issues.
“In that regard, I must congratulate Koperkasa for being able to carry on with this project and I sincerely hope that the success of this project will be another success story in Koperkasa’s efforts to benefit its members,” he said.
On a related matter, Abang Johari expressed hope that the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) introduced by the state government will help potential home buyers pay a deposit of RM10,000 for their housing loan.
“This is a unique scheme and is only available in Sarawak to help those from the B40 and M40 groups,” he said.
Also present at the groundbreaking ceremony were Padawan Municipal Council Chairman and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang; Chief Executive Officer of Green Summit Development (GSD) Southland Sdn Bhd James Hii Sing Lung; Koperkasa Sarawak Berhad chairman Fathi Hambali and GSD Managing Director Khor Ooi Long.
Lo hopes SUPP represented in Anwar’s unity govt administration
Lo Khere Chiang
KUCHING (Dec 8): Sarawak United People’s Party (Supp) deputy secretary-general Lo Khere Chiang is hopeful that the party will be represented in the federal unity government administration.
He said as deputy ministers had yet to be appointed, the party could have an MP appointed but acknowledged it is the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Let’s leave it to the wisdom of our leaders and the will of God. There is a saying … man proposes … God disposes,” he said in response to reports Anwar may announce deputy ministers this week.
The Batu Kitang assemblyman said SUPP may not have a full minister post, but its partners in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lead five ministries and the coalition also holds a deputy prime minister post.
He pointed out politics has always been a numbers game.
“That’s why I had hoped that GPS would win all 31 seats in Parliament to send a strong and formidable force into Parliament to protect the interests of Sarawak.
“Ministers’ and deputy ministers’ posts are an advantage but what is more important is our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and all that is written under the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGCR),” he said.
In the recently concluded parliamentary election, SUPP contested in seven seats — Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Lanang, Sibu, and Miri, but only won Serian and Sarikei.
However, this was one seat more than during the 2018 parliamentary polls when the party only won Serian.
Last month, SUPP deputy president Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem won Serian for a record eighth term, while Repok assemblyman Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii managed to wrest Sarikei from the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
