Batu Kitang rep says trans-Borneo railway will boost development in S'wak, Sabah

SHARON LING

KUCHING: The Federal Government should seriously consider building a Trans-Borneo Railway to accelerate development and provide alternative public transport for Sarawak and Sabah, says a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) backbencher.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had been pushing for the proposal to go through and Transport Minister Anthony Loke had agreed to a feasibility study.

"However, we would like to emphasise the need for prompt and tangible action, not just carrying out years of feasibility studies which could be flushed down the drain any time there is a change of government," he said when debating the budget speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (Nov 22).

Lo said it was high time for the Federal Government to recognise the need for a Trans-Borneo Railway linking Sabah and Sarawak to Brunei and Indonesia as both states were lagging behind Peninsular Malaysia in road and rail transportation.

"The railway project is of utmost importance to boost Sarawak's economy. Indonesia is already improving its railway system in Kalimantan and if Sarawak is not doing it, we stand to lose a great deal," he said.

Besides connecting cities across Borneo, Lo said the railway could also provide access to the interior for mining operations and transportation of raw materials.

He said this would speed up the development of rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah.

"The Federal Government cannot give lame excuses such as low population density in Sarawak and Sabah and non-profitability and try to shelve the proposal based on these excuses.

"Implementing public transport such as the one and only railway network in Sarawak should not be considered for profit but as an investment by the Federal Government to improve the region's wider economy," he said.

Lo also said the railway was estimated to cost RM63.3bil, less than the RM110bil estimated for the proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project.

"Because Sarawak contributes RM80bil annually to the national coffers, the KL-Singapore railway project should be set aside for now to ensure that the Trans-Borneo Railway takes precedence," he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/22/batu-kitang-rep-says-trans-borneo-railway-will-boost-development-in-s039wak-sabah

Batu Kitang rep: Amendment Bill gives Petros 100 pct control over gas distribution in S’wak

November 22, 2023, Wednesday at 6:23 PM

Lo Khere Chiang

KUCHING (Nov 22): The Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 serves as a crucial step towards ensuring a more efficient, equitable and sustainable distribution of natural gas in Sarawak, said Dato Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang).

This, he said, will establish a new role of gas aggregator, Petros, which will be responsible for procuring gas from various sources and supplying it to distribution companies.

“This will help break the monopoly of current gas suppliers under Petronas and provide consumers in Sarawak with more choice and greater control over our own energy resources,” he said in his debate on the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 at the august House here Tuesday.

With the amendment of the Bill, Lo said this reaffirms Petros’ position and ensures that the distribution of gas will be done 100 per cent by the state.

As the appointment of Gas Aggregator is a key provision of the Bill, he said the aggregator will be responsible for procuring gas from various sources, including domestic producers, importers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

“They will also be responsible for negotiating gas prices with suppliers and ensuring that consumers get a fair deal,” he added.

He said the Bill will also promote the development of the domestic gas industry. This includes encouraging investment in gas exploration, production and transportation, as well as supporting the development of downstream gas-based industries, such as petrochemicals and fertilisers.

“Thanks to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg that we are able to come this far today by promoting the development of Sarawak’s domestic gas industry and today we have complete rights over the distribution of gas in Sarawak.

“This Bill will most certainly create jobs, boost economic growth and diversify Sarawak’s economy,” he said.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/11/22/batu-kitang-rep-amendment-bill-gives-petros-100-pct-control-over-gas-distribution-in-swak/

Jerip: Sarawak govt conducting due diligence on MASWings as part of takeover bid

The Sarawak state government is currently conducting due diligence on MASWings Sdn Bhd in preparation for its acquisition, the Sarawak state legislative assembly was told today (November 23). - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KUCHING: The Sarawak state government is currently conducting due diligence on MASWings Sdn Bhd in preparation for its acquisition, the Sarawak state legislative assembly was told today (November 23). 

State Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said negotiations are also ongoing with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Khazanah Nasional Bhd to acquire the shares in MASWings.

"The takeover will be in stages and the operation of the Sarawak-owned airline will only commence once the whole takeover process is completed and finalised," he said in a reply to Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) who wanted to know when Sarawak's own airline will start operating.

On October 27, Sarawak-owned company Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd and MAG inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expedite the acquisition of the shares in MASWings for the management of rural air services.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had said the MoU will pave the way for detailed discussions between both parties to ensure that the state acquires the majority stake in the airline.

Hornbill Skyways, which has been operating air charter services in Sarawak since 1977, was mandated to take over the ownership of MASWings and operate rural air services in Sarawak and Sabah.

Abang Johari said the state government aims to make Kuching the airline's main hub and expand the carrier's routes to regional destinations, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and India.

However, he said MASWings would not be profit-oriented as the aim of the expansion is to serve the people. — BERNAMA

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/981722/jerip-sarawak-govt-conducting-due-diligence-maswings-part-takeover-bid

Dr Jerip: Sarawak’s airline will only start operations once takeover process is completed

November 23, 2023, Thursday at 11:29 AM

Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the state’s takeover of MASWings will be carried out in stages.

KUCHING (Nov 23): The operations of Sarawak’s own airline will only commence once the whole takeover process is completed and finalised, said Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.

The Deputy Transport Minister said the state’s takeover of MASWings will be carried out in stages.

“The Memorandum of Understanding between the Sarawak government, Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) was signed on Oct 27, 2023.

“In this regard, the Sarawak government is in the process of conducting due diligence on MASWings Sdn Bhd and negotiating with MAG and Khazanah Nasional Berhad to acquire the shares in MASWings,” he said.

Dr Jerip said this in response to a question from Dato Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today.

To a supplementary question from Lo on the purpose of an MoU signed by the Sarawak government with the federal government on July 20, Dr Jerip said the MoU was for the acquisition of Rural Air Services (RAS) by the state government.

“Through this MoU, the federal government has given their assurance to continue the RAS subsidy and the acquisition of RAS by the Sarawak government will not affect the rural air services on all existing RAS routes as stipulated in the RAS agreement,” he said.

He said based on the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 (Act 771), a total of 40 routes were approved as RAS routes.

“These included 30 routes for internal Sarawak; six routes for internal Sabah; and four routes for interstate Sarawak and Sabah,” he added.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/11/23/dr-jerip-sarawaks-airline-will-only-start-operations-once-takeover-process-is-completed/

Put aside KL-S’pore HSR project and build Trans-Borneo Railway instead, Lo tells Putrajaya

November 22, 2023, Wednesday at 2:26 PM

Lo said it was high time the federal government recognised the need to have a Trans-Borneo Railway to accelerate development and provide an alternative public transport option for Sarawak and Sabah.

KUCHING (Nov 22): Dato Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) has urged Putrajaya to put aside the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project and build the Trans-Borneo Railway linking Sabah and Sarawak to Brunei and Indonesia instead.

He said it was high time the federal government recognised the need to have a Trans-Borneo Railway to accelerate development and provide an alternative public transport option for Sarawak and Sabah.

“Our visionary leader, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been pushing for this proposal to go through and the federal Transport Minister has agreed to a feasibility study.

“However, we would like to emphasise the need for prompt and tangible action, not just the carrying out of years of feasibility studies, which could be flushed down the drain again and again anytime there is a change of government,” he said when debating the 2024 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here today.

He told the august House that the Trans-Borneo Railway project is estimated to cost RM63.3 billion while the HSR between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore has been estimated to cost RM110 billion.

“This Kuala Lumpur-Singapore railway only serves to bring added comfort to elite travellers.

“I hope our Stampin MP (Chong Chieng Jen) can remind our federal Transport Minister that because Sarawak contributes RM80 billion annually to the national coffers, the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore railway project should be set aside for now and ensure that the Trans-Borneo Railway takes precedence,” he said.

Lo said the railway project is of utmost importance to boost Sarawak’s economy.

“Indonesia is already improving its railway transport in Kalimantan and if Sarawak is not doing it, we stand to lose a great deal.

“In addition to connecting cities around Borneo Island, it can also provide access to the interior for mining operations and transportation of raw materials, thereby speeding up the development of the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said adding that rail is a smart, sustainable and efficient way to move freight and people.

He hoped that the federal government will not try to shelve the proposal based on their “lame excuses” such as low population density in East Malaysia and non-profitability.

“Implementing public transport such as the one and only railway network in Sarawak should not be considered for profits at all, but as an investment by the federal government to improve the region’s wider economy.

“It is time to give back to Sarawak what is rightfully ours after 60 years of independence,” he remarked.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/11/22/put-aside-kl-spore-hsr-project-and-build-trans-borneo-railway-instead-lo-tells-putrajaya/

聯邦拖延維修砂殘校 羅克強促歸還教育自主權

 by tanchokbui

 

 November 22, 2023

 

in 砂州新闻

罗克强盼能尽快向联邦索回砂教育自主权.

分享分享

（本报古晋22日讯）人联党巴都吉当区议员罗克强指出，联邦政府在砂拉越残旧学校急需维修课题上一直拖延。因此，当务之急是将教育自主权归还给砂拉越，以便尽快解决这些紧迫的问题，特别是这攸关学生和教师安全。

他说，联邦教育部副部长在回答实旦宾区国会议员提问时证实，教育部在发放残旧学校维修资金方面进展缓慢，砂拉越共有462所残旧学校需要获得即刻关注，但只有其中11所学校将在2024年获得维修。按照目前此进度，联邦团结政府需要耗时42年时间，才能维修砂拉越所有残旧学校。

罗克强说，联邦教育部在2016年至2023年期间，仅花费25亿令吉，而砂拉越的总理于2020年至2023年期间，在砂拉越教育事务上就花费27亿令吉。

所以，现在是时候将教育自主权及资金立即归还给砂拉越，以便我们能马上维修我们的学校，并决定自己的教育课程大纲。

罗克强今天在砂议会参与辩论财政预算案时坦言，当砂拉越索回教育自主权后，砂拉越不再需要遵循联邦政府朝夕令改的教育政策，如从英语至国语不断转变。

他说，多年来，这些优柔寡断的联邦教育政策，给学生和家长带来很大困惑，导致学业成绩严重下降。

在2020年，砂拉越政府根据总理指示采取重大举措，注资1千100万令吉在砂拉越所有小学实施英语教授数学及科学计划。这项投资至关重要，因为它提高学生对这些科目的熟练程度，使他们与全球标准保持一致。

“这些领域的英语熟练程度不仅有利于国际交流，而且还为学生在日益发达的科技世界中，开拓更广泛教育和职业机会。我们很幸运有一位致力于维护砂拉越使用英语权利的总理。然而，我也鼓励各族砂拉越人努力提高国语熟练程度，因为这是我们的国语，也是我们必须尊重，可团结马来西亚各族的语言。”

https://weareunited.com.my/12095584/

聯邦拖延維修砂殘校 羅克強促歸還教育自主權

（本报古晋22日讯）人联党巴都吉当区议员罗克强指出，联邦政府在砂拉越残旧学校急需维修课题上一直拖延。因此，当务之急是将教育自主权归还给砂拉越，以便尽快解决这些紧迫的问题，特别是这攸关学生和教师安全。

他说，联邦教育部副部长在回答实旦宾区国会议员提问时证实，教育部在发放残旧学校维修资金方面进展缓慢，砂拉越共有462所残旧学校需要获得即刻关注，但只有其中11所学校将在2024年获得维修。按照目前此进度，联邦团结政府需要耗时42年时间，才能维修砂拉越所有残旧学校。

罗克强说，联邦教育部在2016年至2023年期间，仅花费25亿令吉，而砂拉越的总理于2020年至2023年期间，在砂拉越教育事务上就花费27亿令吉。

所以，现在是时候将教育自主权及资金立即归还给砂拉越，以便我们能马上维修我们的学校，并决定自己的教育课程大纲。

罗克强今天在砂议会参与辩论财政预算案时坦言，当砂拉越索回教育自主权后，砂拉越不再需要遵循联邦政府朝夕令改的教育政策，如从英语至国语不断转变。

他说，多年来，这些优柔寡断的联邦教育政策，给学生和家长带来很大困惑，导致学业成绩严重下降。

在2020年，砂拉越政府根据总理指示采取重大举措，注资1千100万令吉在砂拉越所有小学实施英语教授数学及科学计划。这项投资至关重要，因为它提高学生对这些科目的熟练程度，使他们与全球标准保持一致。

“这些领域的英语熟练程度不仅有利于国际交流，而且还为学生在日益发达的科技世界中，开拓更广泛教育和职业机会。我们很幸运有一位致力于维护砂拉越使用英语权利的总理。然而，我也鼓励各族砂拉越人努力提高国语熟练程度，因为这是我们的国语，也是我们必须尊重，可团结马来西亚各族的语言。”

https://weareunited.com.my/12095584/