Lo Khere Chiang: Adenan the kind of leader people want

KUCHING: Adenan is the kind of leader that the people want, Barisan Nasional candidate for Batu Kitang, Lo Khere Chiang said.

Lo recalled the argument that Milton Foo, the BN candidate for Pending had with Adenan just a few weeks ago and there was gossip that Foo would be dropped from the list of BN candidates.

“But today, Milton Foo and Adenan are friends and they are talking.

“This is the kind of leader we want,” he said at a SUPP ceramah (political talk) at Taman Wawasan Basketball  Court at Capital Garden here on Monday night.  

He added that Adenan is able to accept criticism and he listens. 

“This is the leader that we have and this is the leader that we want,” he said.

Lo also said that voters should give Adenan a chance to lead Sarawak as Chief Minister for  another five years so that he can do more for Sarawak. He added that this is the only five years that the people can give him.

“Adenan had done a lot of practical and positive things for Sarawak and that he should be supported and be given a chance for what he had started and done. This is the time we must let him carry out what he is doing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lo said Padawan Municipal Council is in the process of reducing its assessment rates.

“However it has not been finalised yet. But just pay your assessment rate. In future when there is a reduction, the council will pay you back,” he said.

Sarawak Tribune

Date Posted : Wednesday 04-May-2016

Adenan: Biggest newsmaker in Chinese media

Adenan

KUCHING: It was only to be expected that the Chinese press, like the other media organisations, would give Tan Sri Adenan Satem wide coverage when he took over as Sarawak Chief Minister two years ago.

But what was not foreseen was the unprecedented amount of attention that the four Chinese dailies allotted to him, making him their biggest news maker.

For when it became clear to them that the new man at the helm was lending a sympathetic ear to the aspirations of the community, they competed with one another in giving space to his words and actions.
When Adenan announced in September last year that the State government had decided to recognise the Chinese Unified Examination Certificate, they all had banner headlines screaming the news.

International Times News Editor Chin Sau Leong said Adenan was making headline news in the local media, including Chinese newspapers, with his war on corruption and illegal logging, nepotism, cronyism and religious extremism.

He said Adenan’s announcements of some RM3 million allocation to Chinese independent schools and, certainly, the recognition of UEC were very widely reported.

Chin said the magnitude of coverage the Chinese press gave Adenan was without precedence.

He said the Chief Minister’s approaches and policies had caught the imagination of the Chinese community.
“Adenan is walking the talk. He is sincere in making significant change in the state,” Chin said.

Chief reporter of Sin Chew Daily Sarawak edition Leslie Chin Yik Soon said the newspaper had been giving Tok Nan, as he is called, “good and fair coverage with lots of photos and commentary”.

News of grants to Chinese independent schools and recognition of UEC was among the most welcomed by the community, he said.

Asked about a movement back to BN in the Chinese community, Chin said: “Of course, there is a shift. But how big a shift is too early to determine.

“From my observation, those who voted for the opposition may reconsider, but hardcore opposition supporters will not switch.”

“The people welcome and appreciate Adenan’s policies. Whether it will translate into votes, we have to wait and see.”
A journalist with another Chinese daily said Adenan is always good copy for the media because of his policies.

“His words and actions are loud and firm. Sentiment for him is really good.

Policies introduced and announced by Adenan are welcome by Sarawakians. His popularity is soaring high,” said the journalist, who declined to be named.

“His news always catches attention and therefore his news always gets wide coverage. Overall, the media coverage for the chief minister in the print media and also online is outstanding. His news is always good news in the media.”

After a week of campaigning, the journalist is still reluctant to predict whether Chinese will return to BN.
“Chinese voters are very difficult to predict, the opposition is still strong in urban areas,” He said. “But, but based on Adenan’s popularity, there will be votes for BN though it will be a tough fight against the opposition.” — BERNAMA

May 3, 2016, Tuesday 

Borneo Post

Penans now connected to rest of Sarawak and world

Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak

BELAGA: The Penans, who live in one of the remotest parts of Sarawak, have been well and truly connected to the rest of the state and the world.

They now have cellular coverage and Internet access – thanks to a hi tech telecommunication system that the government has installed at Long Urun near here.

Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak launched the system – a 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication tower – at SK Long Urun, about three hours drive on a part sealed part gravel road from here and more than six hours from Bintulu town.

Developed by DIGI in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the tower uses the latest SmallCell (Doppler 5000) and VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technologies and is touted as the first of its kind in the country, able to penetrate very interior areas “to connect the still unconnected”.

Penan Joseph Usan, of Uma Dikan in Long Dulit in Long Uran, who was among 15 long house chiefs invited to the launch, including four from the Kenyah Badeng community, was overjoyed at being “connected”.
“This project is very good. Now everyone can call someone far away. The young people will be very happy they can access the Internet,” he said.

“This project proves the government is not negelecting even a very small community like ours which is very deep in the interior. We are not being treated as ‘anak tiri'(step children)”.

“Like a good father, the Barisan Nasional government is giving us what it gives to others in the family,” he added.

Long Urun is a settlement of 10 Penan and four Kenyah longhouses with a population of around 1,200 people. Penans in Sarawak are estimated to number about 10,000.

Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong appreciates what the project does for the constituency, which is the size of Pahang and the biggest in Malaysia.

Ugak said he could now communicate with his supporters and arrange meetings with the people.

He said the project showed the emphasis of the Federal and state governments on rural development.
Chuk Pai Ugon, the BN candidate for Murum, which is in Hulu Rajang, is happy too with the attention given to rural development.

The businessman and PRS branch leader is the first from the state minority Kenyah (Orang Ulu) community to contest in a state election.

Murun, with 7,648 registered voters, is one of the 11 new seats and one of the six constituencies where DAP clashes with PKR. The other candidate in the four-cornered fight is former Belaga assemblyman Stanley Ajang Batok, who is contesting as an independent.

Chuk said he would ask for better telecommunication coverage in Murum besides more roads and amenities like treated water and power supply as well as the upgrading of schools.

He also envisages developing new padi and oil palm areas, apart from the setting up of a Fire and Rescue Department office in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Centre, the biggest in Belaga district with over 10,000 people.– BERNAMA

May 3, 2016, Tuesday

Bornedo Post

Ongkili: Sarawak privileged to have Adenan as chief minister

Ongkili (in Orang Ulu head gear) and others give the thumbs-up together with Uma Daro folk.

Ongkili mingles with Uma Juman folk when campaigning for the Belaga and Murum seats.

KUCHING: Sarawak has grown by leaps and bounds under the administration of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem since he took the helm as chief minister just two years ago.

Describing Adenan as a ‘strategic thinker and smart political craftsman’, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili also said the chief minister had always been sincere in what he did for Sarawak.

“Adenan has proven to be the man of the hour. Sarawak is privileged to have him as the chief minister,” said Ongkili in addressing Sungai Asap folk when campaigning for the Belaga and Murum seats yesterday.

Ongkili, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president, said Adenan’s leadership had been inspirational to many, including leaders in Sabah.

Since his appointment two years ago, Adenan had made some 50 important initiatives and actions, making him a leader with growing and well-respected stature, especially in resolving problems and issues faced by the state.

Among his achievements were abolishing tolls, reducing electricity rates, addressing illegal logging, reintroducing Malay-English bilingualism in Sarawak’s administration and strengthening the Malaysia Agreement 1963 in regaining the state’s autonomy through well-structured negotiation.

“Even the uncompromising position he took to defend the use of the word ‘Allah’ for Christian worships and publications in particular is reassuring to both Sarawak and Sabah Christians.”

Ongkili noted that Adenan’s stand on the autonomy issues for Sarawak and administrative empowerment had redefined the East Malaysian states’ position in the Federation of Malaysia.

“He once told me that he is living on borrowed time from God, and he has no other agenda but to see Sarawak develop better by tapping on the resources from the federal government.

“He is indeed a great defender of Sarawak’s rights, and he deserves to be given the full support and mandate for another solid victory for Barisan Nasional in Sarawak. His heart is with the people of Sarawak,” said Ongkili, adding that the opposition in fact could not help to develop Sarawak.

May 4, 2016, Wednesday 

reporters@theborneopost.com

Adenan: Opposition’s GST promise is a lie

BINTULU: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem yesterday urged the people not to fall for the opposition’s promise to withdraw the goods and services tax (GST) if they come to power.

The chief minister said the GST was a federal matter and the opposition would not have the power to withdraw it.

“The opposition seems to exploit the so called GST in their manifesto. They say the people of Sarawak are suffering because of GST.

“They said if they won (the state election), they will withdraw GST. They have no power to withdraw GST. If they have the power, why they cannot do it in Penang or in Selangor?” he asked during a gathering with Tanjong Kidurong industrial players at Bintulu Civic Centre yesterday.

The event was organised by Bintulu Resident’s Office and Land and Survey Department, and among those present were Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Bintulu Resident Muhamad Yakup Kari, and BN candidates Datuk Talib Zulpilip (Jepak), Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (Kemena), Datuk John Sikie Tayai (Kakus), Datuk Pau Chiong Ung (Tanjong Batu) and Majang Renggi (Samalaju).

On another matter, Adenan said he had gone to many rural and urban places the last three weeks, and response from the ground was that the majority of the people were still with the BN.

Hence, he said, he was confident that BN would continue to remain in power come May 8.

Turning to the Chinese community, Adenan said they had to decide whether they wanted to be in or outside the government.

“If you don’t vote BN Chinese candidates, I will have no Chinese representation in the government.”
At the gathering, Adenan presented Bumiputera Communal Reserves Land gazette under Section 6 of the state Land Code, land title certificate under Section 18 of the state Land Code (for NCR new initiative) and land title certificate for traditional villages under Section 18 of the state Land Code (for residential purposes).

May 4, 2016, Wednesday 

reporters@theborneopost.com

Giving ‘Sar Kuan’ another chance

Dr Sim (centre) speaks at the news conference. Also seen are Pau (right) and Foo. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi (File Photo)

KUCHING: If he can lead SUPP to a good performance in the Sarawak polls on Saturday, Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian could get to walk in his father’s footsteps.

Tan Sri Sim Kheng Hong was the state’s longest serving deputy chief minister, for 16 years. The senior Sim, who died in 1992 aged 70, was a state assemblyman from 1963 to 1990 and held several state ministerial posts including finance minister.

For his only son, however, the path to the legislative house is fraught with obstacles. The cardiologist turned politican is not only battling to resuscitate SUPP but also staging his second attempt to enter the legislative house.

Once a power-broker in Sarawak politics, Sarawak’s oldest political party is a pale shadow of its former self, its dominance of Chinese politics usurped by the DAP opposition, and several party stalwarts left to form a splinter, the UPP.

With a do-or-die mission in this election, “Sar Kuan” as the Chinese call SUPP due to its triple circle logo, is asking the community to give the party another chance under Dr Sim, who took over as president in 2014, and work alongside popular Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Members admit that the party was partly to blame for its past failings, including infighting that cost the party heavily at the ballot box in 2006 and 2011.

But that’s in the past they say, the party has reformed and Adenan is throwing his full support behind the 13 SUPP candidates, including Dr Sim.

In Tok Nan, SUPP cannot find a bigger supporter. Since taking over as chief minister, Adenan has held his arms wide open to the Chinese and in the past few days, he has asked the Chinese to vote for all SUPP candidates because he wants the community to be represented in his Cabinet.

“We are working very hard. One of the criticisms in 2011 was the party’s geriatric leadership. In the last two years, we’ve got a lot of young candidates from 30 years to 50 years old,” said Sim, himself 49 years old.
Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, Kuching’s highest ranked Chinese community leader, hoped the factions could resolve their differences and send the message to Chinese voters that they are working together.

“The Chinese comunity does not want a politcal party that is fighting, the sentiment on the ground is when you guys are fighting, I will not support you because you have no time to serve the people. So, stop bickering,” he added.

Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir agrees.

“To be fair, SUPP has turned over a new leaf and put in a lot of professionals. But with their fighting with UPP, I don’t think there will be much impact on the Chinese electorate even if the carrot of a Chinese deputy chief minister is dangled before them.”

“With Adenan, there will be a swing but not a big one, at best four Chinese seats could return to BN.”
The 13 SUPP candidates are Dr Sim (Batu Kawah), Peter Pau (Padungan), Milton Foo (Pending), Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang), Wilfred Yap (Kota Sentosa), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (Repok), Diing Kuong Hiing (Meradong), Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek), Datuk Pau Chong Ung (Tanjong Batu), Datuk Sebastian Ting (Piasau), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin) and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis (Simanggang). Over half are new faces and all the constituencies are Chinese areas expect for Simanggang, a Dayak constituency, and the mixed seat of Senadin.

Dr Sim had made a lot of changes to SUPP and given more opportunities to branches and younger members, said Yap, who is making his debut in a David versus Goliath fight against state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.

“If you look at the current profile of the SUPP leadership, it is totally new. We hope the public will give SUPP the chance to prove themselves once again,” said Yap, a lawyer.

In his signature yellow SUPP shirt with the tagline “United We Can”, Dr Sim said issues critical to the Chinese community were being steadily addressed by Adenan and SUPP had contributed its ideas to the 15-point BN manifesto.

“Issues like a clean and accountable government, business, job opportunities and education are very dear to the Chinese community,” he said.

“The Chinese must decide whether they want to stay outside the government and have no say in government policies and no say to improve policies. Give us the chance to deliver what we promise, and I can assure the Chinese they will not be disappointed.” — BERNAMA

May 3, 2016, Tuesday
Borneo Post

‘Opposition good for empty talks only’

KUCHING: The opposition parties only know how to deliver empty talks, yet they have nothing to contribute to the people, said Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Patinggi Dato’ Hajah Jamilah Haji Anu.

“If you (voters) vote for opposition party all this while, did you get anything from them or do you see any development contributed?,” she asked when delivering her speech at a meet-with-the- people session at Kampung Batu Kitang, here yesterday.

The opposition could not get any allocation from the government if they get elected, and they only know how to accuse the government, she added.

“The opposition even tries to poison the mind of the people by saying that Barisan Nasional is devil, but we are human and we are not devils.

“Are all the developments in the state done by devils? Only the fools listen and believe all those statements,” she stressed. 

Jamilah said that she believed and felt confident that people in Batu Kitang were not among those fools who believed such slander statements by the opposition that came from outside the state.

“Our CM, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Adenan Haji Satem has a desire to help people and to give all development and assistance needed by the people,” she added.

“It is very important for the voters to go for voting on the polling day as one vote is very meaningful.

“Do not get too comfortable and think BN will win and cause you choose to not to vote; we do not want that to happen, we want to make sure you and your family members that are eligible to votes to perform your responsibility as voters,” Jamilah pointed out.

Batu Kitang has a very potential candidate to contest for BN who will fight for the people.

“Cr. Lo Khere Chiang is the candidate that could plan and develop Batu Kitang area. He knows well about Batu Kitang as he is now the Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP),” she pointed out.

Therefore, Jamilah urged for Batu Kitang people to give the full cooperation and support to Lo for him to win the seat.

“Batu Kitang is a new seat and this is an effort by our CM to extend the allocations by the government to ensure that people in rural areas have the allocations similar to those who get the allocation in other areas that have been developed,” she said.

Also present were Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Hajah Nancy Shukri and BN candidate for Batu Kitang Lo Khere Chiang.

Sarawak Tribune

Date Posted : Tuesday 03-May-2016

Leave peninsular-based parties, DAP veteran tells opposition leaders

Lim Khim Boon

MIRI: DAP veteran Lim Khim Boon, 66, challenged local opposition leaders of DAP and PKR here to leave their peninsular parties, if they truly are “sons of Sarawak”, as he termed it.

Lim, the father of chairman of DAP Senadin branch Lim Su Kien, said there is nothing much for both parties to fight for in Sarawak due to the limitation of powers, especially in making decisions.

“If they want to fight for Sarawak, they have to leave DAP and PKR and join the local opposition parties who know what is best for the people in the state,” he told The Borneo Post in an interview here today (May 3).

The ex-special assistant for DAP incumbent for Tanjong Batu (Bintulu) Chiew Chiu Sing said he gave his total support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to fight more for autonomy for Sarawak and to defend the state’s rights on immigration autonomy.

May 3, 2016, Tuesday

 reporters@theborneopost.com

罗克强：虽然关係良好 阿德南不会盲从纳吉

马来西亚 2016-05-03 11:40 联合日报26

分享添加喜爱打印增大字体减小字体繁

第十一届砂州选

（新文网马来古晋2日讯）砂人联党N13巴都吉当候选人罗克强“万众一心，捍卫主权”政治演说顺利于四哩半首都花园篮球场举办，同时也获得现场民众上台分享心得。

罗克强是于大约晚上8时左右开始进行演说时强调，拥有好首长的砂人民非常幸福，也呼吁选民一定要支持砂首长拿督巴丁宜阿德南，因为他所做的都是为砂人民好。

他坦言，虽然砂首长与首相纳吉拥有良好关系，但这并不代表阿德南将盲目跟随纳吉政策，同时在承认独中统考文凭方面，阿德南不顾非议，坚持给予独中生一个公平待遇。

“如果这次我们不支持阿德南，他再多5年就85岁了，我们是否还有5年可以支持他？”

与此同时，他也呼吁选民们应将选票投给本地政党。“我们这些年轻候选人都没有任何企图，只知道努力为民服务。”

他补充，本身在巴达旺市议会服务了20年，倘若是为金钱和地位早已撑不住，但为了提供民众更多服务，让他坚持到今天。

罗克强表示，如今砂人联党的团队具备律师、工程师及医生等人才，因此希望大家务必要全力支持，让阿德南团队拥有多5年的机会。

此外他表示，屋税目前仍需照单付还，直至政府及市议会将税务安排好后，自然会主动扣回给已经付还的民众，因此希望民众不要担心太多。

‘Don’t fall prey to independents masquerading as BN-friendly’

Jamilah (second row fourth right) joins RPR Batu Kawa Phase Two residents for a photo call. She is flanked by Dr Sim and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri.

KUCHING: Independent candidates are claiming to be friends of Barisan Nasional (BN) merely to confuse and hoodwink voters.

When on the campaign trail for BN’s Batu Kawah candidate Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian yesterday, Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu reminded voters that there is only one BN candidate.

“Do not get confused with the independent candidates, who claim that they are BN-friendly. What is most important is we must support the BN,” she said.

Jamilah, the wife of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, urged Batu Kawah constituents to vote out the opposition, which had failed to bring development to the area.

“I see that a lot needs to be done here. Before this Batu Kawah was under DAP and there were not many changes,” she said.

“We all want development. What is important now is to ensure a big win for BN. We don’t want this place to continue to be abandoned and lagging behind under the opposition’s administration.

May 2, 2016, Monday
Borneo Post

Aziz is a dreamer, says Adenan

Adenan

BEKENU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem laughed off a statement made by DAP candidate for Batu Kitang, Abdul Aziz Isa who claimed that he would make a better chief minister than Adenan during a recent political talk.

He described the statement made by Aziz as merely “a dream that can never be achieved by someone who had only just started to dabble in politics”.

“I waited for 42 years to become the chief minister. Before that I was an MP, assemblyman, state minister and even federal minister,” he said in his address at the Kedayan Makan Taun, or annual feast event in Kampung Jambu in Bungai, Bekenu today (May 2).

Adenan also joked that Aziz is like a grandchild who does not respect his elders.

“Sak nya tulah,” he said in Bahasa Sarawak, which roughly translated means ‘let him be cursed’ for disrespecting his elders.

May 2, 2016, Monday
 reporters@theborneopost.com

After suffering a political whitewash in 2011, SUPP on the

 By David Isaiah -SarawakVoice

May 1, 2016

Sunday, 1 May 2016

After suffering a political whitewash in 2011, SUPP on the 

road of discovery

All indications are that Sarawak’s oldest political party, 

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), is showing signs of 

recovering from its 2011 political setback at the hands of 

the Opposition parties.

There are reasons to believe that those supporters who 

deserted the party in 2011 are slowly, but surely making a 

comeback. We do not know, for sure, the percentage of 

them returning, but at party’s political rallies held thus 

far in Kuching, large crowds turned up.

Of course, it is not an indication that the party is assured 

of winning the five seats it lost in 2011. But it is a positive 

indication that SUPP is on the road of recovery.

SUPP is contesting in Padungan (Peter Pau), Pending 

(Milton Foo), Batu Kawah (Dr. Sim Kui Hian), Kota Sentosa 

(Wilfred Yap), Batu Lintang (Sih Hua Tong) and the new 

seat of Batu Kitang (Lo Khere Chiang).

In the 2011 election, the party was almost wiped out, 

losing 13 out of the 19 seats it was contesting throughout 

Sarawak. In Kuching alone, it lost all the five to the 

opposition.

So, it was a worst defeat for the party in its 57-year 

history.

On the other side of the political divide, crowds attending 

the main opposition DAP’s political rallies are getting 

smaller, unlike in 2011, where huge crowds, at times by 

the thousands, turned up.

From the feedback that I have received and from the few 

that I have attended, the crowds at the DAP’s rallies were 

smaller than the ones held by SUPP. Again, it is not an 

indication that the opposition party will lose in those five 

seats it is contesting.

I am referring to Pending (Violet Yong), Padungan 

(Wong King Wei), Batu Kawah (Christina Chiew Wang See),  

Kota Sentosa (Chong Chieng Jen) and Batu Kitang (Aziz Isa).