High-level water tank to resolve low pressure in Batu Kitang by 2026, says rep

January 31, 2025, Friday at 8:02 AM

Lo (third left) tossing the ‘yee sang’ with Abang Johari (centre) and Dr Abdul Rahman (second left). – Photo by Roystein Emmor

KUCHING (Jan 31): The longstanding issue of low water pressure in Kampung Bunga Rampai in Batu Kitang here is set to be resolved by 2026 with the proposed construction of a high-level water tank.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang confirmed that the Kuching Water Board (KWB) would oversee the project.

“The site has been identified, and KWB is prepared to purchase the land for the construction of the high-level water tank, with an estimated cost of RM5 million,” he told reporters during a Lunar New Year open house at his residence in Stapok here today.

He explained that the project is expected to be completed by 2026 and would address the water pressure issues not only in Kampung Bunga Rampai but also in surrounding areas.

Additionally, Lo announced plans for a major water supply improvement project in the Batu Kitang constituency.

He said KWB is set to construct a new water treatment plant in Landeh, Kampung Petong, which will enhance water supply across Kuching, including Petra Jaya.

“This new water treatment plant will help enhance the water supply across Kuching, including Petra Jaya,” he said.

Among the distinguished guests at his open house were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

When asked about his discussions with the Premier earlier, Lo shared that they had focused on policies implemented by the Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“We also spoke about the positive developments taking place in Sarawak under the Premier’s leadership.

“As Sarawakians, we are proud and pleased with the state’s progress in the right direction, ensuring a bright future for us all,” he said.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/01/31/high-level-water-tank-to-resolve-low-pressure-in-batu-kitang-by-2026-says-rep/

古晋水务局拟建高位水槽 改善巴都吉当低水压问题

2025年1月30日

（古晋30日讯）古晋水务局将在巴都吉当兴建高位水槽，以解决当地，尤其是甘榜邦布亚蓝邦义的长期低水压问题。

该项目预计耗资500万令吉，旨在改善长期困扰当地居民的水压不足及供水短缺问题。

巴都吉当区州议员拿督罗克强今日在砂拉越总理拿督巴丁宜丹斯里阿邦佐哈里莅临其开放门户活动后，接受记者采访时证实，水槽的选址已确定，目前正进行土地征用程序。

“我们致力于解决邦加蓝拜及周边地区的低水压问题。”

据悉，该高位水槽预计于2026年完工，而项目的详细规划将在今年进行。

作为短期应对方案，古晋水务局将通过400毫米的主泵扩展至甘榜邦布亚蓝邦义，以缓解该地区当前极低水压的情况。

https://news.seehua.com/post/1275852

Society reaches out to community with food

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Lo and Krishnao make their rounds distributing vegetarian nasi lemak to vendors at the 3rd Mile Wet Market today (Jan 26)

KUCHING: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) held its monthly “Free Food For Life” event here Sunday to coincide with the upcoming Chinese New Year.

The programme held at the 3rd Mile Wet Market aimed to foster unity and assist underprivileged individuals.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang commended ISKCON for their social welfare work.

“Every month, ISKCON members will go to different locations to give out vegetarian nasi lemak as a contribution to society.

“But their work goes beyond food distribution as they support students who need help with tuition and to assist families in need.

“Their dedication to help the community is commendable,” he said.

Lo emphasised that the event was a double celebration, combining the joy of Chinese New Year with a meaningful outreach to the community by sharing food and goodwill.

“This is a double celebration; we are marking Chinese New Year and, simultaneously, reaching out to the community with food and goodwill.

“I wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, good health, and peace in their families,” he said.

Meanwhile, ISKCON’s chairman, S. Krishnarao @ Prabhu Kripa, highlighted the organisation’s broader mission.

“Every month, we distribute approximately 600 packets of vegetarian nasi lemak to various locations, including markets, homes for the elderly, and community centres,” he said.

Also, he noted ISKCON does its part during times of emergencies.

“Whenever a natural disaster occurs, like flooding, we will provide free meals to those affected.

“This is our way of sharing the blessings we have received,” he said.

Besides distributing food, ISKCON provides various services such as free tuition classes, Indian dance classes, yoga and meditation classes, and other cultural activities.

“Our goal is to create unity in diversity.

“We believe that by sharing what God has given us, we can uplift the community and receive more blessings in return,” Krishnarao said.

https://www.sarawaktribune.com/society-reaches-out-to-community-with-food/

Dialogue opens room for attendees to voice out matters about future of Sarawak

Chin (standing, second left) and Lo (seated, fourth right) in a photo-call with the participants of the dialogue. — Photo by Galileo Petingi

KUCHING (Jan 25): A dialogue on ‘A New Approach to Federalism’, held at the House of the Epiphany here today, gathering about 45 participants to discuss Sarawak’s role within the Malaysian federation.

Organised by The Sarawak Initiatives and led by speaker and political analyst Prof James Chin, the session served as a platform for attendees to voice out their opinions and concerns on the future of the state.

Discussions centred on economic rights, autonomy, and the structure of federalism.

“Everybody in the group agrees on the following: the first point is that to move forward, Sarawak must have a strong economy – we must regain our economic rights,” the academician told reporters when met after the dialogue.

Chin added that oil and gas resources, in particular, were mentioned multiple times as critical assets for Sarawak’s economic development.

Autonomy in key areas was another major theme, as he said that the attendees agreed that the state must have autonomy in key areas like education.

“Education was mentioned a few times, and also people mentioned about security. And, you know, we must also try to take back as much of our resources as possible.”

Concerns about the current federal structure were also discussed during the session, particularly on the Ninth Schedule of the Malaysian Constitution.

“A lot of people believe that the current structure of federalism – the Federal List, State List and Concurrent List – is problematic. Even though that was the topic, a lot of people spoke outside the topic.

“I think the reason for that is not because they don’t want to talk about it; it’s because many people lack the understanding of the legal mechanism of the federal-state relationship.”

The dialogue also highlighted the need for greater public understanding of Sarawak’s position within the federation, in which Chin said there should be more education on understanding this matter.

He then commended the attendees for spending their time at the session and voicing out their concerns and opinions.

“This shows that Sarawakians do care about their future, and that they hope for good things for the state,” he added.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang was among those attending the dialogue.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/01/25/dialogue-opens-room-for-attendees-to-voice-out-matters-about-future-of-sarawak/

共组马来西亚联邦61年 砂拉越人忧世代受制联邦

2025年1月1日

砂拉越峇都吉当区议员拿督罗克强近日表示，澳洲专栏作家穆雷亨特（Murray Hunter）在《冲突与和平研究期刊》上发表的文章《砂拉越加入马来西亚联邦61年后：未来何去何从？》深刻分析了砂拉越在马来西亚联邦中的地位，并准确指出了当前砂拉越所面临的挑战。

罗克强在一份声明中指出，随着砂拉越人民对自身权益与自主意识的觉醒，越来越多的人担忧，如果不采取果断行动，未来的世代将继续受到以马来亚利益为主的制度束缚。

他强调，马来亚方面拒绝承认砂拉越在1958年实施的《砂拉越石油开采法令》（OMO58）下对天然气的唯一控制权，以及联邦政府持续声索砂拉越大陆架的权益，已对砂拉越的经济与主权构成严重侵犯。

关于大陆架的权益，罗克强引用了砂拉越总理拿督巴丁宜阿邦佐哈里的言论，强调《1963年马来西亚建国契约》（MA63）并未将砂拉越大陆架的土地权交予联邦政府，这些权益依法应归属于砂拉越。他进一步提到，2009年《大陆架（修正案）》法令明确保护砂拉越对海床和底土的权利，而砂拉越对石油与天然气资源的主张，具备法律与历史依据。

此外，罗克强还批评联邦政府未能履行《1963年马来西亚建国契约》中的承诺。他指出，建国契约本意是为了确保砂拉越在联邦中的平等地位，但随着新加坡退出后，议会席位的重新分配使得砂拉越与沙巴的代表性大幅下降。他批评历任首相仅做出口头承诺，但至今仍有许多条款未得到落实，使得砂拉越的地位沦为附属地。

对于砂拉越的未来，罗克强认为，如果今天举行公投，许多砂拉越人会支持独立。他以新加坡成功的例子为例，指出砂拉越拥有丰富的自然资源、和谐的多元人口及卓越的领导力，完全有能力成为一个独立且繁荣的国家。他呼吁砂拉越人民团结一致，迎接挑战，实现自主与繁荣的梦想。

他进一步指出，砂拉越的政治环境必须由真正关心砂拉越利益的领导者主导。他呼吁停止让马来亚政党介入砂拉越事务，认为本土反对党应成为推动“砂拉越优先”政策的有效监督力量。

罗克强总结道，砂拉越面临的挑战包括天然气资源的控制权、石油收入分配比例（95:5）、大陆架权益的否定、不公平的议会代表比例，以及《1963年马来西亚建国契约》未兑现的承诺等问题。他呼吁砂拉越领导人团结一致，勇敢发声、果断行动，以确保砂拉越未来更加公平与繁荣，并鼓励全体砂拉越人民支持阿邦佐哈里领导，共同为“砂拉越优先”的愿景努力奋斗。

https://reddot.my/42980/

罗克强：再不采取果断行动 . 砂人忧世代受制联邦

罗克强：砂人民对权益与自主意识逐渐提高，许多人担忧如果现在不采取果断行动，未来世代将继续受制以马来亚利益为优先的制度。

（古晋31日讯）峇都吉当区议员拿督罗克强表示，澳洲专栏作者穆雷亨特（Murray Hunter）本月29日在《冲突与和平研究期刊》发表的文章《砂拉越加入马来西亚联邦61年后：未来何去何从？》，他认为该文章深刻剖析砂在马来西亚联邦中的处境，并准确点出砂目前所面临的挑战。

罗克强今日发文告表示，随著砂人民对权益与自主意识逐渐提高，许多人担忧如果现在不采取果断行动，未来世代将继续受制以马来亚利益为优先的制度。

他强调，马来亚拒绝承认砂在1958年砂拉越石油开采法令（OMO58）下对其境内天然气的唯一控制权，以及联邦政府对砂大陆架的持续声索，是对砂经济与主权的严重侵犯。

大陆架权益应归属砂

罗克强进一步引用砂总理拿督巴丁宜阿邦佐哈里近期的话，重申1963年大马建国契约（MA63）未将砂大陆架的土地权交予联邦政府，这些权益依法归属于砂。

https://sarawak.sinchew.com.my/news/20250101/sarawak/6186066

Lo highlights S’wak’s ongoing challenges in M’sian Federation

Dato Lo Khere Chiang

KUCHING (Jan 1) Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang underscored Sarawak’s ongoing challenges within the Federation of Malaysia, referencing an analysis by former Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) lecturer Murray Hunter.

Citing Hunter’s article, ‘Sarawak After 61 Years in the Malaysian Federation: Where to Now? – Analysis’, published in the Journal of Conflict and Peace Studies last Sunday, Lo highlighted that the report had offered a ‘sobering’ examination of the state’s position after six decades within the Federation.

“The article accurately highlights the ongoing challenges Sarawak faces within the Federation. Judging from the many discussions and articles circulating today, it is clear that sentiments among Sarawakians regarding our rights and autonomy are growing stronger,” said Lo in a recent statement.

Furthermore, he highlighted Peninsular Malaysia’s refusal to recognise Sarawak’s legal rights under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, to recognise Petroleum Sarawak Berhad as the state’s sole gas aggregator.

“This matter, details of which are yet to be fully divulged to the public by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, directly impacts Sarawak’s economy. It exemplifies how our resources are being managed and controlled in ways that deprive us of vital funds necessary for Sarawak’s development,” he said.

Similarly, Lo highlighted Peninsular Malaysia’s claim over Sarawak’s continental shelf, even after the lifting of emergency rule, as another example of the disregard for the state’s constitutional and territorial rights.

“The continental shelf, rich in untapped resources, is critical to Sarawak’s future economic growth. Yet, this wealth continues to be contested, diminishing Sarawak’s ability to chart its own course.

“As Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised in a recent address, (Malaysia Agreement) 1963 did not vest any land comprising the continental shelf within Sarawak’s boundaries in the Federation or the federal government.

“Hence, the federal government has no property rights to Sarawak’s seabed and sub-soil or its continental shelf, as these were vested solely in the state of Sarawak by operation of law,” he claimed.

Lo further pointed out that the boundaries of Sarawak, protected under Article 2 of the Federal Constitution, cannot be altered without the consent of the state legislature, thereby reaffirming that the federal government has no property rights to Sarawak’s seabed, subsoil, or its continental shelf.

“Sarawakians need to know that the Continental Shelf Amendment Act 2009 explicitly protects state rights over the seabed and subsoil within state boundaries, reinforcing Sarawak’s sovereignty.

“Sarawak’s claim to its oil and gas resources within its territory is neither baseless nor unreasonable. These rights have been historically exercised both during British colonial rule and post-independence,” he added.

Moreover, Lo claimed that the longstanding failure to fulfil the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has “hindered Sarawak’s equal status within the Federation, particularly in regards to fair parliamentary representation”.

In this regard, Lo pointed out that the growing awareness of the state’s injustices have sparked a collective desire for independence, stating that many Sarawakians are likely to support it in a referendum.

To this end, he underscored Sarawak’s potential to thrive independently, drawing on Singapore’s success as an example.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/01/01/lo-highlights-swaks-ongoing-challenges-in-msian-federation/