MPP chairman: Pan Borneo Highway streetlight maintenance under Sarawak Energy, not JKR
KUCHING, Feb 24: Maintenance work involving streetlights along the Pan Borneo Highway is not under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR) but, that of Sarawak Energy.
According to a news report from TV Sarawak (TVS) today, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang in a statement said that the faulty streetlight along Liu Shan Pang road in 7th Mile was due to the damaged cables caused by Pan Borneo Highway construction works which took place in May or June 2022.
“Sarawak Energy has also provide a replacement for the streetlights using temporary electricity supply, however it was affected again several times in June and October last year,” he was quoted by TVS as saying.
Currently, he said, only eight of the streetlights along the road which is marked with yellow paint have yet to be repaired to give way for the Pan Borneo Highway construction works.
He also said the contractor has promised to re-install new cables on all eight streetlights once the works have been completed.
He added that Sarawak Energy is following the development closely and urged the contractor to speed up the cable installation process so that all eight streetlights can be used again.
Meanwhile, Lo urged Opposition politicians not to tarnish MPP’s good name by blaming the council for the faulty streetlights and encouraged them to get authentic information from Sarawak Energy.
He explained that although in principle it is clearly JKR’s responsibility, the maintenance process is under the responsibility of Sarawak Energy and MPP does not have any authority or responsibility over the problem of streetlights along the Pan Borneo Highway. — DayakDaily
PAC visits Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant at Curtin Malaysia
MIRI (Feb 23): Members of the Sarawak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) led by its chairman Razaili Gapor recently visited the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot Plant (SBPP) situated at the Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) campus.
Curtin Malaysia, in a press statement, said the biotechnology research facility, which was completed in 2019 at a cost of RM60.6 million, is owned by the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) and managed and operated by Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Curtin Malaysia.
“The audit visit was carried out as part of the PAC’s duties to ensure that public money is spent prudently and projects meet the objectives set for them. It was also part of the PAC’s commitment to go to the field and visit at least one development project each year,” read the statement.
Hosting the visit was SRDC general manager Dr Peter Morin Nissom, Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd director Assoc Prof Pieter Willem Pottas and the SBPP’s team of management staff and researchers.
“This project is in line with the National Biovalley Plan to meet our biotechnology needs. It has a high potential for developing products based on the biodiversity resources of Sarawak,” said Razaili.
He added that while the audit has found some weaknesses in the project’s initial stages, the PAC members were satisfied with the long-term planning and 2022 achievements of the SBPP’s new management following a briefing and tour of the facility.
Among the PAC members were Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Serumbu assemblyman Miro Simuh, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat, Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir and PAC secretary Pele Peter Tinggom.
They also noted that several significant research projects were either underway or in the pipeline at the plant, including projects to produce animal feed from palm oil waste, extract protein from algae for injection into animal feed, and produce natural food flavourings and preservatives from indigenous plants.
Designed to bridge lab-scale studies and commercial production in bio-economy, SBPP provides the opportunity to capitalise on Sarawak’s rich potential in valuable products from indigenous plants and planted crops by harnessing the biosynthetic capabilities of microorganisms for products such as chemicals, inocula and biological control agents.
It allows researchers to scale up using industry-relevant processes and equipment and produce quantitative data to evaluate whether commercial production of such products will be justifiable against the investment needed for full-scale production.
SBPP is available to the industry for the development of new bio-based products and processes, providing high quality testing and development facilities in product analysis, product enhancement and quality assurance, as well as infrastructure and facilities for incubators. In addition to ultra-modern phyto-process and bioprocess floors, equipment at the SBPP is of a scale and type appropriate for assessing economic viability for commercial production.
Thus, the SBPP adds significance to the research carried out in Sarawak on its bio-resources in that it can proceed beyond lab and benchtop research to research and development that is more targeted towards making a real contribution to the bio-economy.
For more information on the SBPP and Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd, visit biovalley.curtin.edu.my, call +60 85 628356 / 528342, or email cbv@curtin.edu.my.
KUCHING: The new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) headquarters is only a component of a carefully designed development that falls under a new town planning initiative, which will ultimately provide long-term benefits to the people.
Its chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the 20-acre land near the Agriculture Research Centre in Semenggok will be developed with a focus on long-term planning.
“It is going to be not just a new building for the staff and administration, but there will be a comprehensive development plan that includes a huge park, water retention facilities, public amenities and a new road,” said Lo.
“As the place gets developed, at least there is a park in the centre of this development. Sometimes as we develop we tend to forget about open spaces, which often results in a concrete jungle, similar to what is seen in Kuala Lumpur,” Lo said, highlighting the importance of planning to create green spaces, citing examples such as St James’s Park in London and Central Park in New York.
In addition to the park, the development will also include an auditorium and a hall that will be available for use by the local community, including schools.
“Many times, our schools want to hold end of year graduation ceremonies, they don’t have conducive venues. This is going to be a place where all schools can hold their graduation in a conducive environment,” said Lo.
The development will also feature landscaping and water retention facilities. Lo, who is also the Batu Kitang assemblyman, stressed the importance of retaining natural features such as the 12th Mile area.
“We need a huge area to retain water, either through underground construction or open space, to prevent flash flooding from occurring.”
The 12th Mile area, being a low-lying area and a natural retention pond, is a prime example of such natural features that need to be preserved.
The development will also link up with the Semenggok Wildlife Centre and an international school, and a new road will be built from Semenggok to Kuching-Serian highway in order to reduce traffic congestion.
“We will bring them out to the Kuching-Serian highway with this new road opening. Everybody doesn’t have to congest at the 10th Mile in order to get into the highway,” added Lo.
“So all this will come in, a well planned development. An entire town planning. We need good town planning,” Lo added.
Yesterday (Feb 19), he was the guest of honour and distributed 600 vegetarian packed foods to traders at the 3rd Mile wet market.
The food was provided through the Hare Krishna Food For Life programme initiative by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which is aimed at giving back to the community.
KUCHING: 19 feb 2023 :-Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has come out to clear the air following opposition assertions on who is responsible for street lighting in the Kota Sentosa area.
According to its chairman Lo Khere Chiang, street lighting on minor roads falls under the jurisdiction of the MPP, while the federal road along the Pan Borneo Highway is managed by the Public Works Department (PWD).
He was responding to recent claims raised by Michael Kong, the special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, about faulty street lights in Kota Sentosa.
Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman explained that the Liu Shan Bang main road in Kota Sentosa is under the responsibility of PWD, whereas the internal and small roads surrounding the main road are managed by MPP.
But regardless whether the street lighting is managed by PWD or MPP, he said that Syarikat Sesco Berhad (a subsidiary of Sarawak Energy Berhad) is responsible for all street lights in the state.
“Sesco is the one who puts up the street lights, replaces bulbs, attends to transformer breakdowns and accidents involving lamp posts,” said Lo.
It is crucial to bear in mind that the installation of street lights is subject to limitations due to the cost of electricity bills, which is borne by residents through their assessment rates, he said.
Lo explained that street lights should be installed every 300 feet and not too close to each other.
“If there is not enough street light, local representatives can come in to assist as far as minor roads are concerned. If there are not enough street lights on PWD roads, then we can request PWD to put up the street lights,” added Lo.
However, it is noteworthy that the bills for the consumed electricity will be the responsibility of the council or PWD, depending on the road’s location.
As Sesco is the maintenance authority for all street lights in Sarawak, residents can also report any faulty street lights to the company for prompt attention.
Fitness, linguistic training among programmes lined up by JCI Sarawak for 2023
Lo (fifth right) accepts a memento from Bong, as Siew (fourth right), Tan (fourth left) and other JCI members look on.
KUCHING (Feb 19): Fitness and linguistic training are among the programmes that the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia Area Sarawak will be running throughout this year.
In this regard, JCI Malaysia national executive vice-president Johnny Bong says although the movement has always been focusing on youth leadership, it also upholds the importance of having a healthy lifestyle as well as soft skills.
“Fitness and linguistic training, in addition to management and organisational skills, can really enhance an individual’s capability and competency as a young leader,” he said in a statement released in connection with a courtesy call on Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang at Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) here recently.
The meeting was meant to brief Lo, who is also MPP chairman, on JCI Malaysia Area Sarawak and its programmes lined up for the present fiscal year, as well as future collaborations.
Bong, who is also JCI Malaysia Area Sarawak chairman, took the opportunity to thank Lo for being very supportive of the movement over the years.
“YB Lo has been great in helping us run many activities, from grassroots level up to national programmes. His kind support has brought numerous positive impacts not only to our movement, but also to the local community,” said Bong.
Others in the visiting delegation comprised JCI Malaysia Area Sarawak deputy chairman Siew Young Ming, its treasurer Victor Tan, its business and economic affairs director Chin Vun Siong, its international affairs director Yap Kuoh Haw, as well as representatives of the Padawan and Damai chapters.
Proposed new MPP headquarters will benefit people, promote devt in Semenggok, says Lo
KUCHING (Feb 19): The proposed new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) headquarters in Semenggok will not merely be a council office building but will benefit the people and promote development in the area, said its chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
According to him, the building, which will be built on 20 acres land, will include a park, running track, cycling track, hall and an auditorium which will benefit the community.
There will also be a water retention facility so that the surrounding area will not get flooded due to development, he said.
“It is a well planned development for the area, not just building the MPP headquarters.
“The new MPP headquarters will bring development to the area like the current building. Back then there was nothing there before it was built. Now the area is developed,” he said when met after the Hare Krishna Food For Life programme at Mile 3 Market today.
Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman, said the current council building in Kota Padawan is too cramped for around 460 staff and the parking spaces are insufficient.
It also does not have a hall nor auditorium, he added.
In the long-term plan, Lo said that a new road will be opened from Semenggok to Kuching-Serian Road to ease the traffic congestion there.
He said the project is currently at the planning stage and the planning process is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the Hare Krishna Food For Life programme saw 600 packets of vegetarian friend rice packets being distributed to hawkers and patron of the market.
According to International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Kuching chairman S Krishnarao, the programme is one of their monthly activities.
He said besides holding the programme at the markets, they will also be visiting other places like Sarawak Cheshire Home, the old folks home and the home for the disabled.
“It is a charity programme, and also to promote vegetarian food,” he added.
KUCHING: The new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) office is a long-term plan to complement development plans, said Lo Khere Chiang.
The MPP chairman said the existing old MPP office does not have an auditorium, multi-purpose hall or gardens.
Hence, the building that will be built on a 20-acre site will be equipped with a natural detention pond and public facilities such as an auditorium, multi-purpose hall, library, rooftop garden, and walking or running tracks.
“As the area surrounding this new office flourish with commercial and housing developments in the years ahead, the building promises to provide a conducive avenue for the communities to meet, interact and use the facilities for the benefit of the communities,” he said.
Lo, who is also the Batu Kitang assemblyman, said this in a statement today (Feb 6). He was responding to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s remarks.
Chong in a news report yesterday (Feb 5) said that it would be better to spend on improving infrastructure in areas under the council’s jurisdiction instead of constructing a new headquarters for MPP.
The opposition leader stressed that one of the most pressing issues faced by residents under MPP’s jurisdictions was flash floods and the financial allocation should instead be channelled towards improving the local drainage and irrigation system.
Lo said that Chong should encourage more development plans in Sarawak as the DAP, being in the unity government, should lobby for more development funds for Sarawak.
“Chong should lobby for more projects and funds from the federal DID to meet the challenges faced by Sarawak to mitigate flood-prone areas, particularly Stampin constituency where Chong is now the member of parliament,” he said.
He also said that flood mitigation is under the purview of the federal government and these major drainage studies and projects cost hundreds of millions to implement and funds should be provided by the federal government.
“The council takes care of secondary roads and drains which discharge into major drains after these major drains have been designed for and constructed by the federal government in collaboration with the Sarawak government,” he said.
Advocate for more funds from federal govt to fix flood woes, MPP chairman tells Stampin MP
KUCHING, Feb 6: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen should advocate for more projects and funds from the federal Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to address Sarawak’s flood-prone areas, particularly in the Stampin federael constituency, says Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
This came from Lo in a statement today in response to Chong’s statement yesterday (Feb 5). The latter stated that rather than spending RM60 million of Sarawak taxpayers’ money to build MPP’s new office building, the funds could be better spent on improving the drainage and irrigation systems in areas under MPP’s jurisdiction.
“Chong, being the unity government, should lobby for more development funds for Sarawak.
“Chong should lobby for more projects and funds from DID federal (sic) to meet the challenges faced by Sarawak to mitigate flood prone areas, particularly the Stampin constituency, where Chong is now the Member for Parliament,” the MPP chairman asserted.
He also emphasised that flood mitigation is under the purview of the federal government, that major drainage studies and projects cost hundreds of millions of ringgit to implement, and that funds should be provided by the federal government.
“The council takes care of secondary roads and drains which discharge into major drains after these major drains have been designed for and constructed by the federal government in collaboration with the Sarawak government,” he added.
Lo also disclosed that the old MPP office currently lacks an auditorium, multi-purpose hall, and gardens.
“The new office is not just an office. It’s a long-term plan over 20 acres of land to complement development plans for the future.
“As the area surrounding this new office flourish with commercial and housing developments in the years ahead, these 20 acres of greens and parks with a natural detention pond and public facilities like an auditorium, multipurpose hall, library and rooftop garden, walking or running tracks, promises to provide a conducive avenue for the communities to meet, interact, and use the facilities for the benefit of the communities themselves,” he added. — DayakDaily
Get more projects, funds from federal DID for flood mitigation, Lo tells Chong
KUCHING (Feb 6): Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen has been told to lobby for more projects and funds from the federal Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to meet the challenges faced by Sarawak in mitigating flood prone areas, particularly in Stampin constituency.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said Chong should do so since he is also a member of parliament (MP) in the unity government.
He pointed out that flood mitigation is under the purview of the federal government and major drainage studies and projects cost hundreds of millions to implement, and funds should be provided by the federal government.
He said the council takes care of secondary roads and drains which discharge into major drains which are designed for and constructed by the federal government in collaboration with the Sarawak government.
“The Stampin MP should encourage more development plans in Sarawak.
“Being in the unity government, Chong should lobby for more development funds for Sarawak,” he told The Borneo Post in a response to Chong’s statement against the proposed new MPP building project.
Chong in a statement published in The Borneo Post yesterday had said that “Instead of spending RM60 million of Sarawak tax payers’ money to build a new MPP new office building, the fund should be better spent to improve the drainage and irrigation system in the MPP areas”.
Lo said presently the old MPP office does not have an auditorium, multipurpose hall and gardens.
He said the new office is not just an office but “It’s a long term plan over 20 acres of land to complement development plans for the future”.
“As the area surrounding this new office flourish with commercial and housing developments in the years ahead, this 20 acres of greens and parks with a natural detention pond and public facilities like auditorium, multipurpose hall, library and roof top garden, walking or running tracks promises to provide a conducive avenue for the communities to meet, interact and use the facilities for the benefit of the communities themselves,” he said.
Monsoon drain along Jalan Stakan to overcome flooding, soil erosion
KUCHING: The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak is building a monsoon drain along Jalan Stakan to overcome the problems of flooding and soil erosion in the area.
Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the flood mitigation project, which consisted of the construction of a reinforced concrete drain and reinforced wall costing RM7mil, was expected to be completed by next year.
“There will be a reinforced concrete wall, and at the end of the day when the project is completed, it will also act as a retaining wall for land on both sides of the drainage reserve.
“The houses, including Lot 68F, will be behind this wall and there should not be any erosion issue. In addition, the flooding issue will be reduced tremendously,” he explained.
Lo said this in response to a statement by Michael Kong, the special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, after witnessing the handover of appointment letters to the community here on Friday (Feb 3).
The Batu Kitang assemblyman acknowledged that there was soil erosion in the area as there is no concrete drain but just earth drain.
“There has been flooding and erosion has been there for the past many years. That is why there is this flood mitigation project to overcome the issue.
“Once the project is completed, we are going to see a much improved situation.”
Earlier, Kong in a statement urged the authorities to come up with an urgent plan for the safety of the residents along Jalan Stakan.
“In November 2022, a few trees were uprooted and fell into the river along Jalan Stakan. One of the trees even fell into the compound of Lot 68F, Jalan Stakan and DAP contacted MPP to remove all the trees. Unfortunately, nothing has been done since November 2022.
“These trees which fell into the river then became an obstruction to the flow of the river. The recent heavy rainfall during the Chinese New Year period then caused a substantial volume of water from the river to rush onto Lot 68F and caused the collapse of the retaining wall along this riverbank.
“As a result of this incident, a significant portion of the riverbank has since eroded away. The original retaining wall and riverbank were originally approximately 15 feet away from Lot 68F but since the incident, the last pillar of Lot 68F is now merely six feet away from the riverbank,” he said.
Kong said the frequent heavy rain in Kuching, especially during the current rainy season, raised a major concern because the river, which runs along Lot 68F, would overflow its banks.
“If this continues, we may see the land eroding further until the foundation and/or structure of the house is affected.”
Perlahankan kenderaan ketika lalu jalan berhampiran RCBM: Lo
KUCHING: Pengguna jalan raya digesa untuk memperlahankan kenderaan dan mengutamakan keselamatan orang ramai semasa melalui Jalan Puncak Borneo di sini, terutamanya berhampiran Hospital Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial (RCBM).
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Batu Kitang Lo Khere Chiang berkata, kereta dan kenderaan berat dilihat melalui jalan itu pada kadar kelajuan yang membimbangkan, terutamanya mereka yang menuruni cerun dari arah Kuching menuju ke Puncak Borneo.
Menurutnya, perbuatan memandu laju di sepanjang jalan ini mengancam nyawa pejalan kaki yang meletakkan kenderaan mereka di tempat letak kereta Persatuan Warisan Hospital RCBM baharu dan hendak melintas ke Hospital RCBM di seberang.
Malah katanya, Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Sarawak telah berbesar hati meletakkan lintasan zebra untuk memudahkan pejalan kaki melintasi jalan itu.
Turut menyuarakan kebimbangan sama mengenai perkara ini adalah Presiden Pertubuhan Warisan Hospital Memorial Rajah Charles Brooke (HSoRCBMH) Angelina Jong.
Beliau tidak berpuas hati kerana walaupun tempat letak kereta luas telah disediakan oleh pihaknya kepada orang ramai yang berkunjung ke Hospital RCBM, masih terdapat pemandu ingkar dan berdegil meletakkan kenderaan mereka di tepi jalan utama.
Perkara ini katanya, menghalang pandangan pemandu yang keluar dari Hospital RCBM dan akibat kelakuan tidak bertanggungjawab ini, banyak kemalangan telah berlaku di situ.
Malah, Angelina mengingatkan orang ramai bahawa tempat letak kereta baharu Persatuan Warisan Hospital RCBM hanya boleh diakses oleh pemandu yang turun ke Hospital RCBM dari arah Kuching.
Pemandu yang datang dari arah Puncak Borneo tidak dibenarkan membelok ke kanan iaitu ke tempat letak kereta kerana terdapat garisan berkembar di sana.
Kegagalan pengguna jalan raya mematuhi peraturan ini akan menimbulkan bahaya bagi mereka yang memandu menuruni cerun dari Kuching.
Menurutnya juga, walaupun terdapat papan tanda amaran dipasang di situ, ramai pemandu memilih untuk tidak mengendahkannya.
Angelina juga menambah, orang ramai terutamanya mereka yang meletakkan kenderaan di tempat letak kereta baharu Pertubuhan Warisan Hospital RCBM digesa menjaga kebersihan kawasan tersebut.
Tempat letak kereta katanya, adalah percuma untuk semua tetapi pihaknya berharap orang ramai juga boleh lebih berfikiran sivik dan bertanggungjawab ke arah memastikan tempat itu bersih untuk digunakan oleh semua orang.
Tegas Angelina, tempat letak kereta Hospital RCBM telah dimulakan oleh HSoRCBMH, yang merupakan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan tidak berorientasikan keuntungan.
Tiada dana khusus untuk membersihkan dan menyelenggara tempat letak kereta itu, justeru adalah menjadi harapan pihaknya agar orang ramai dapat membantu dalam menguruskan tempat itu dengan baik.