羅克強認錯後不甘示弱 投訴楊薇諱AMOK字眼

By 联合日报

发布于 November 12, 2018

（本报古晋12日讯）绅士罗克强勇于承认发表不雅言论，今早于州议会收回“Bullshit”字眼；另一边厢投诉杨薇讳为砂政党联盟（GPS）套上“amok”(狂乱）字眼。

巴都吉当区州议员罗克强今日上午在州立法议会上表示，在重听当天参与财政预算案辩论环节录音后，坦言在一时激动下抛出了相关字眼，故今日在州立法议会殿堂向众人包括记录员道歉。

然而，不甘示弱的他也在州议会上提出朋岭区州议员杨薇讳于上周四（11月8日）在州议会殿堂以”amok”字眼形容砂政党联盟（GPS），并认为后者也应该撤回相关不敬言论。

杨薇讳翻阅当日会议记录后也随即反驳称，会议记录内记载着“国阵在第十四届全国选举败选后，GPS表现amok”，而GPS是一个还未正式注册为合法的政党或团体，是非法的，所以GPS也可以使“guna pun salah”。

她继说，根据议会常规，本身并没有针对和侮辱任何议员，因为”amok”字眼可以在牛津字典里查到，是一般术语。

“我没有像巴都吉当议员，我说的字眼没有带侮辱，这又有什么错？我只是说GPS，而没说GPS政府。”

故此，杨薇讳坚决不收回“amok”字眼，并挑战砂政党联盟，除非承认是非法团体。
在持续和议长拿督阿玛阿斯菲雅纠结于”amok”字眼的同时，杨薇讳也承认有关字眼意思带“gila-gila”的意思，不过她也坚决没有针对任何人，只是指GPS（guna pun salah）。

有鉴于此，议长唯有交给议员们决定是否将对”amok”字眼提出动议，杨薇讳也随后补上一句，这只是小事情（small matter）。

Question: Is Sarawak Independent and Have Always Been?

Question: Is Sarawak Independent and Have Always Been?

If MA63 is not valid and the federation of Malaya 1957 is the only valid one, than when Sarawak was granted independence on 22July 1963, it became free of the British and of any Malayan masters ?

MA63 only came into being on 16th Sept 1963 and if this is not valid, then it means Sarawak was never part of the federation of Malaysia? By right then, we are independent and have always been ?

Lo disappointed with Bersatu’s entry

Lo disappointed with Bersatu’s entry

By : Connie Chieng Posted on : Friday, December 7, 2018 Prime

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang expressed his disappointment with the entry of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to Sarawak as it completes the dominance of Malaya politics in Sarawak.

Lo feared that history will repeat itself as Dayaks will be promised a Dayak chief minister and that their NCR lands would be recognised which will swing the votes to Bersatu.

“In the past, there were honourable Dayaks such as Tun Jugah and Stephen Kalong Ningkan fighting for Sarawak. So the “fights” must continue to ensure Sarawak does not fall under PH,” he said.

Lo also wondered if Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir was setting his eyes again to turn Bintulu into a federal territory, which would mean more lands would be taken away?

“If my memory serves me right, Tun Mahathir did mention in the past that Bintulu could be turned into a federal territory.

“We also have a big piece of land at Telaga Air taken over by the federal government during Tun M’s first tenure as PM. Sarawakians have to be careful. In the past, there were many local banks but now everything is controlled by the federal government. I wish to ask Tun Mahathir whether he agrees with Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) being recognised in Sarawak. We did it, Tok Nan did it. Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Utar) produced so many professionals recognised worldwide but the federal government discouraged and reduced vital finances to Chinese schools,” he added.

Lo is also worried that if PH take over the state government UEC’s recognition would be the first thing that Tun Dr Mahathir scrap.

“Will Tun M agree with Sarawak having immigration control? Lo asked, adding that in 2015 Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said that if the federal government were to take over the Sarawak government, they would abolish the state’s immigration rights.

Lo also pointed out that when Tun Mahathir was in Bintulu he had asked Sarawak not to insist on 20% oil royalty and added that if it was “promised” in a manifesto, it would be of no use.

“He will just say a manifesto is not the Holy book. This is before the state election. So we need to ask ourselves whether the Pan Borneo Highway project will continue after the state election. Definitley not. It is also possible that after the state election anyone who talks about MA63 and PD74 is likely to be jailed.

“DAP has been fighting Umno for decades and Sarawak has fought successfully to keep Umno out for decades.

“Chong has fallen to the tricks of the Trojan horse. Umno will crawl out of the Trojan horse in the night when all is quiet to take over Sarawak. And Chong is sitting so proudly beside someone who does not respect anything he says and who will not back him up.

Lo also asked: “So how can our country advance when to this day we have submitted ourselves to be led by race-based politics and leadership when we know that meritocracy with one common objective of helping the poor, the destitute, desolate and the less fortunate is the ingredient needed for the country to be competitive?.”

Lo: Sarawak-based opposition party too

Lo: Sarawak-based opposition party too

By : Connie Chieng Posted on : Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Prime, Sarawak Tribune

KUCHING: Sarawak should not only have a 100% Sarawak based ruling party but also a 100% Sarawak-based opposition party to better safeguard Sarawak’s interests, said SUPP assistant publicity and information secretary Lo Khere Chiang.

“This is to ensure transparency and fair governance,” he added. Parroting Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s statement almost word for word, Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, similarly stressed that only Sarawakians and Sarawak-based political parties, both the ruling and opposition parties, would be able to effectively protect and fight for Sarawak’s rights and interests.

In this context, he described state DAP chairman, who is also Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen’s remark saying the chief minister’s statement as a mere political trickery as nothing more than a show of arrogance.

“Just look at Pakatan Harapan. In almost every promise and agenda made, there was a U-turn like the oil and gas revenue of 20%, the return of 50% taxes collected, the return of education and health autonomy to Sarawak, the return of equal status of Sarawak and Sabah with Malaya, the refusal to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate, just to name a few.

“He (Chong) and the rest of the Sarawak MPs from Pakatan Harapan are now ( behaving) quiet like a mouse. Look at his (Chong’s) performance in the last six months. He dared not utter anything that will offend his Malayan masters,” he said.

Lo added that recently the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced a RM30bil dividend from Petronas but Sarawak was again left out. To add salt to the wound, Lo said that Dr Mahathir was reported as saying that Petronas did not feel the pinch with the RM30bil dividend taken out of its coffer. Dr Mahathir was further quoted as saying; “30 billion ringgit is nothing to them (Petronas).” Lo said he would like to ask why Sarawak was never being given any share out of the special dividend when 30% of the country’s revenue from petroleum actually came from the state.

He went onto say that Malaya took 33 years to disburse a total of RM30b accumulative royalty from petroleum to Sarawak but it took Petronas just one single transaction to disburse RM30bil to Malaya. Lo asked: “If PH is really as fair and transparent as they advocate, everything that Malaya gets, we in Sabah and Sarawak should get too. After all the promises PH made before the election, we are still getting a miserable 5% of the RM15b annually.

Where are the promises of equal status and fairness promised to Sarawak and Sabah?” Asking Sarawakians to look at Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian’s recent predicament, Lo said it was a case of Malaya mistreating a Sarawakian and thus the need for a Sarawak-based party to understand and to take care of Sarawakians. “Even before Malaya gathers strength, Sarawak has already been sidelined,” he added.

Lo: Sarawak-based opposition party too | New Sarawak Tribune

Do not speculate on CityOne Megamall blast — MPP chief 

 December 8, 2018, Saturday at 12:42 AM - Borneo Post

Lo Khere Chiang

KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang says the blast incident at CityOne Megamall here was unexpected and unintentional and therefore one should not speculate because nobody knows what caused the explosion yet until the relevant authorities come out with the report.

“Explosion can occur anywhere, even on the road, in the coffee shop or in the kitchen of a home even when no renovation or testing takes place.

“An old gas tank in the store can explode; an expired fire extinguisher at home also can explode when exposed to heat,” said Lo who is a civil engineer.

The Batu Kitang assemblyman added that accidents do happen anywhere, somewhere, whether there is renovation or no renovation, commissioning and testing.

While he concurred that major renovation work should not be done during operating hours, unfortunate incidents can happen even when there is no work done in the building.

He said for example, there was an incident where the roof of a shopping mall collapsed when there was no renovation or testing work being carried during that time.

He said this when asked if there is a need for the local council to have a by-law requiring renovation, testing and commissioning to be carried out during no operating hours in light of the recent explosion in CityOne Megamall which claimed three lives and several others injured.

Lo said what happened at CityOne was an explosion, an accident, adding that whether there is a by-law or no by-law accident does happen.

While he described the incident as very sad and unfortunate, it was not right to blame anybody for the incident.

He believed works at the building were carried out according to the standard operation procedure, as surely the owner of the building have got its electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer or even chemical engineer to oversee the renovation works.

“I have full trust in our professionals that they will not compromise on safety factor and design.

“But like what I have said, it was an accident, which can happen anywhere, somewhere, even when there is no human activity,” he said.

Lo said the incident at CityOne Megamall should be a stark reminder to all – the industry players, the manufacturers, contractors and professionals that they must not compromise on safety and design.

Assemblyman visits gas explosion victims

Assemblyman visits gas explosion victims

By : NewsDesk Posted on : Friday, December 7, 2018 Prime - Sarawak Tribune

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang visited the victims of the CityOne Megamall gas explosion at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here yesterday.

During the visit, Lo said at the moment all the victims were in a stable condition.

“I have visited 14 victims, some are badly burnt but they are all recovering,” he said.

Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, said financial aids have been given to some of the victims, while others would receive assistance from Tabung Bailtulmal Sarawak (TBS).

“I understand the public also gave cash through the hospital staff. This shows that during a tragedy like this we must all come together regardless of race and religion.”

Last night (December 6), Lo also paid his last respects to 24-year-old Tchee Kiam Jong at the Mile 7 Community Hall. Tchee was among the three who were killed in the blast.

Meanwhile, State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, said that currently all the victims were receiving medical treatment at the hospital, with 20 at SGH, nine at the Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), and two at Timberland Medical Centre (TMC). Ten of those at SGH had already been discharged.
All 41 victims suffered varying stages of burns, including severe burns with respiratory distress, fractures, tissues and muscle injuries, wounds, and shortness of breath.

Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime – Lo

December 7, 2018, Friday at 6:37 PM
Rintos Mail

KUCHING: Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime, regardless of whether there is renovation or commissioning works occurring, says Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.

While Lo concurred with the suggestion that major renovation work should not be carried out during operating hours, he stated that unfortunate incidents can happen even when there is no work being done in a building.

He said for example, there was an incident where the roof of a shopping mall collapsed when there was no renovation or testing work being carried out during that time.

Lo, who is the Batu Kitang assemblyman, believed the incident at CityOne Megamall was unexpected and unintentional and therefore believes that one should not speculate on what has happened yet as nobody knows what has caused the explosion until the relevant authorities come out with a report.

“Explosion(s) can occur anywhere, even on the road, in the coffee shop or in the kitchen of a home even when no renovation or testing takes place.

“An old gas tank in the store can explode; an expired fire extinguisher at home also can explode when expose to heat,” said Lo who is also a civil engineer.

He said this when asked if there is a need for the local council to have a by-law requiring renovation, testing and commissioning activities to be carried out during non-operation hours in light of the recent tragic explosion at CityOne Megamall that ended with three lost lives, and 41 injured.

Lo said what happened at CityOne was an explosion, an accident, adding that whether there is a by-law or not, accidents may still happen.

While he described the incident as very sad and unfortunate, he insisted it was not right to blame anybody for the tragedy because it was an explosion.

He believed works at the building were carried out according to the standard operation procedure, as the owner of the building would have gotten its electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer or even chemical engineer to oversee the renovation works.

“I have full trust in our professionals that they will not compromise on safety factors and design.

“But like what I have said, it was an accident, which can happen anywhere and anytime even when there is no human activity,” he said.

Lo said the incident at CityOne Megamall should be a stark reminder to all – the industry players, the manufacturers, contractors and professionals that they must not compromise on safety and design.

TheBorneoPost

巴达旺一马诊所需重开 罗克强吁联邦速解决租金

罗克强（左）与社区领袖及市议员摄于在10哩巴达旺一马诊所前。

（本报古晋3日讯）峇都吉当区州议员兼巴达旺市议会主席罗克强指出，10哩巴达旺的一马诊所有必要继续，因为不仅能方便附近居民获得医药服务，尤其那些患上轻微病状，如伤风咳嗽等，同时也有助于缓解砂中央医院和哥打圣淘沙医院拥挤情况。

他针对10哩巴达旺一马诊所因拖欠一年租金而暂时关闭一事发出文告，恳请联邦政府尽快解决有关租金事宜，并恢复该诊所的服务。

他以自己为例，由于该诊所很靠近巴达旺市议会，当自己咳嗽就会过去拿药，不必大排长龙等待，且其费用也低。

他认为，虽然一马诊所所提供的服务不全面，但却能帮助解决那些状况轻微的健康问题，且收费是可负担起的，不必为了轻微健康问题，到中央医院排队等待，这也减轻中央医院负担，他们可将精力花在处理更紧急的工作上。

专科医生未获分平分配

他补充，目前面对的挑战是国内的专科医生并没获公平分配，多数的专科医生主要分配到西马服务，而砂拉越多个领域缺乏专科医生，尤其诗巫、民都鲁、美里及林梦。

对此，罗克强质问希望联盟政府没遵守承诺，归还砂拉越自主权，包括公共卫生和教育权力？

他相信，如果砂拉越掌握公共卫生及教育自主权的话，砂拉越可像邻国新加坡及汶莱一般的发展。

他指出，砂拉越这些年都被忽略，医疗设施与服务也没获得进一步提升，如今也急需一所癌症中心，以协助来自贫穷家庭的病患，减轻他们经济负担。

原文：诗华日报

The needs for Clinic 1Malaysia to continue operation at 10th Mile Kota Padawan

From right: Kapitan Chong,  CR. Shirley Pui, resident and Yb Lo Khere Chiang

State Assemblyman for Batu Kitang, Lo Khere Chiang said there is need for 1Malaysia clinic to continue on in Padawan Mile 10 as it helps to ease congestion in the Sarawak general hospital and Kota Sentosa hospital.

Lo commenting on 1Malaysia Clinic which is closed due to their failure of the Federal government to pay rental for the past one year in Mile 10,

He explained that patients with minor sickness or flue/fever do not have to queue in the already congested hospitals.

“Based on my own experience, I went to Mile 10, 1Malaysia clinic which is near my office for my cough. It is convenient as I do not have to queue and the fee is minima. I strongly implore the federal government to pay up the rental and re-instate the services of 1 Malaysia clinic as soon as possible,” he said.

Lo added that the main challenge is the uneven distributions of doctors especially specialists across the country. We have a lot of doctors, enough to cater for our population, but they are mainly concentrated in west Malaysia. We are seriously lacking of specialists in various fields in Sarawak, especially in smaller town like Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang.

While the services of clinic 1 Malaysia may not be absolutely comprehensive, it serves its purpose of providing necessary health care for simple sickness and affordable medicine. There is no need to queue at the general hospital and relieves the general hospital from the burden to entertain small cases and have the time and energy to deal with major cases.

Whats the point of Prime Minister to take over Sarawak when the promises of returning Sarawak's rights and Sarawak's wealth have not been fulfilled?

Lo asked where were those promises to return authority and rights under public health and education back to Sarawak.

if Sarawak were to determine our own policies on public health and education, maintain English as the language of information, science and technology, Sarawak will undoubtedly excel, just like our neighbours, Singapore and Brunei.

“Sarawakians has been neglected all these years and our advance health care has been underdeveloped and is in dire need of a cancer centre. Despite asking for money for ages from the Federal government and till now there is nothing. We are also in serious need for a university hospital for Unimas and again it has been 20 years since the start of medical school in Unimas and we have no hospital there too. This is very disappointing and embarrassing. Where is the 20% oil royalty promised by PH and the return of public health and education autonomy back to Sarawak? Not a cent till today and PM still wants to take over Sarawak!

Cancer centre is really needed as I know of a lot of Sarawak poor patients begging for money to travel to KL for transplantation and various types of treatment. If we have one, we can help a lot of local people here. A cancer centre will also attract many local good specialist to return to Sarawak, just like Datuk  Dr Sim Kui Hien who has groomed many cardiologist in Sarawak with his heart centre.

晋南北市长 . 任期延长至明年8月

晋南北市长 . 任期延长至明年8月

（古晋2日讯）星洲日报探悉，古晋南市市长拿督曾长青及北市市长拿督阿邦华合的任期，将延长至明年8月。

全砂26个地方议会的市长、议会主席和议员的任期，将于今年12月31日届满。星洲日报记者今日就此事询问古晋南北市长即曾长青及阿邦华合，2人均表示目前尚未接获正式通知，需待州内阁会议讨论后才知道最后结果。

不过，根据可靠消息，古晋南北市市长的任期，将获延长至明年的8月。至于巴达旺市议会主席罗克强任期是否再获延长，则还是个未知数。

而预计于周四（12月6日）召开的州内阁会议，将针对各政党所推荐名单作出讨论及批准。

较早前，砂地方政府及房屋部长拿督沈桂贤受访时指出，地方议员的任期原在今年6月30日就已届满。不过，以副首长拿督阿玛道格拉斯为首的委员会决定延长地方议员的任期，前后共延长了2次，直到今年杪。

文章来源 ： 
星洲日报／砂拉越 · 2018.12.03 

Rep hopes Ministry of Works implement proposed road link

 November 30, 2018, Friday at 10:03 PM

Lo holding a picture of the proposed road project.

KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang hopes that the federal Ministry of Works will implement the proposal to link Sg Empit, Jalan Muara Tuang in Samarahan to Stutong Baru.

Lo pointed out that the road project was mentioned by Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian before the 14th general election, and also mentioned by Works Minister Baru Bian after the election.

Lo said the road project, including access road to Kuching Internatoonal Airport which is less than nine kilometres is estimated to cost about RM372 million and is essential to provide alternative route for vehicles coming from 4th, 6th and 7th mile.

“For this particular road project,  which was mentioned by Dr Sim before the 14th general election and also mentioned by Baru after the election, the people hope that the project will be implemented.

“The people are keen to know whether this project will continue and I hope that Baru will announce to the public when will the project start,” Lo told reporters yesterday before making a site visit to the four flyover projects at 4th, 6th, 7th and 10th mile of the Kuching-Serian road.

Accompanying him for the visit were senior staff from the state Public Works Department (JKR), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Lebuhraya Borneo Utara (LBU)  and contractors for the flyover projects.

Lo pointed out that the road project should not face similar fate like the RM250 million flood mitigation projects which was anmounced by then Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, which was than scrapped by the new Pakatan Harapan federal government.

“I fear that new road projects in Sarawak, including this particular road project will not be implemented, which I hope will not happen.

“This is because of considering the fact that Sarawak contributes 30 per cent of the oil revenue and RM15 billion is siphoned from the state every year, hence it is illogical for the projects to be scrapped,” Lo, who is MPP chairman stressed.

In view of the significant contribution from the state towards the nation’s coffer, Lo pointed out that it was grossly unfair for the federal government not to continue with the projects in the state.

Lo also said that the announcement by Baru saying that there would be a limited allocation for protocol road for next year was a great disappointment indicating gross unfairness on the part of the federal government.

Recycling raises environmental awareness among students 

 December 1, 2018, Saturday at 12:01 AM

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Lo (second right) presents a certificate of participation to Jong witnessed by Tan (left) and Phang.

KUCHING: SJK (C) Pangkalan Baru recently concluded its joint recycling programme introduced by Trienekens and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for the second year.

Introduced last year, the programme aims to introduce best practices in solid waste management and boost recycling awareness among students.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council’s focus was to raise public awareness on the importance of proper management of solid waste.

“With the increase in population, development, infrastructure and economic activities, the volume of waste also increase.

“There are many approaches we can take collectively to achieve a satisfactory level of cleanliness including increasing the current recycling rate. We need to change our mindset and start teaching our children to recycle at home and in school to ensure the sustainability of environment for the future generation.”

Trienekens’s group general manager for Finance and HR Tan Show Boon explained that the programme is in line with the company’s effort to provide a platform where best practices in solid waste management and recycling can be introduced and incorporated into the school’s learning environment.

“In Trienekens, awareness and education are important in changing attitude and behaviour. We hope that with this programme, students have gained useful information and knowledge about recycling.

“Remember that we are throwing our waste responsibly to conserve the Earth and its environment. Share the message with your parents and family members. Let’s keep our environment clean and healthy together,” she urged.

She also thanked MPP and the school for their support and commitment in ensuring the success of the programme and hoped that such collaboration would continue.

Meanwhile, SJK (C) Pangkalan Baru headmistress Jong Siaw Hui concurred that the programme is important in helping raise environmental awareness among the students.

“They can spread the good habit of recycling from school to their own homes and ultimately, to the community.”

Under the joint programme, several environment-related activities were carried such as waste separation practices and scheduled collection of recyclables, awareness talk, Amazing Green Race game, inter-class most collected recyclables contest, colouring, poster design and eco-fashion competitions as well as other green initiatives.

Also present was school board chairman Phang Jee Khing.

Knowledge, education key to changing life, mindset — Lo

 November 29, 2018, Thursday at 12:01 AM

Lo (left) presents an appreciation certificate to SMK Wira Penrissen teacher Phang Hui Kien, who is also the school’s public examination secretary for SPM. Looking on is co-curriculum senior assistant Juhari Pawi.

KUCHING: Knowledge and education are powerful tools that not only change people’s life but also their way of thinking, hence the need for teachers, students and parents to work together towards achieving a common goal.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, who said this, pointed out that education has the ability to not only change and determine one’s future livelihood, but also chart the future of the nation.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. To destroy a nation, all you need is to destroy its education system. The collapse of education is the collapse of a nation.

“Parents cannot just leave everything to the teachers. It’s a joint effort between teachers, parents and students. Parental support and cooperation are equally important in order to ensure the children’s academic excellence,” he said when officiating at SMK Wira Penrissen’s student excellence award ceremony, here recently.

Recipients of the excellence award listen to Lo delivering his speech.

Lo said apart from nurturing good discipline in their children, parents need to also ensure necessary provisions such as tables, chairs, books and references are available at home to facilitate a better and favourable learning environment.

“Teachers, on the other hand, should always attempt to upgrade their skills and knowledge with the current teaching and learning techniques and technology,” he added.

He also congratulated SMK Wira Penrissen teachers and students for their good disciplinary reputation as well as achieving encouraging results in public examinations and co-curriculum activities despite facing challenges such as inadequate classrooms, tables and chairs due to the large student population.

Lo subsequently announced an allocation of RM2,000 to the school for the purchase of chairs in response to a request by senior assistant Kerine Gadep, adding he would also assist in the construction of an open multi-purpose hall in the school to accommodate the operation of the school’s various curriculum and co-curriculum activities.

Earlier, Kerine in his welcoming speech highlighted some of SMK Wira Penrissen’s physical needs such as classrooms, tables and chairs, as well as an open multi-purpose hall to accommodate the school’s 2,305 students.

He also mentioned the need to upgrade the teachers’ toilets as well as the overcrowded staffroom besides touching on the daily traffic congestion in the school compound.

Kerine presents a special award to Nur Natasha Bintang Mohammad Jad, who scored 9As in last year’s SPM examination.

SMK Wira Penrissen, built on a 30-acre land, is a double-session institution with 176 academic and non-academic staff.

Among those present at the ceremony were SMK Wira Penrissen parent-teacher association (PTA) chairman Pengiran Samsudine Pengiran Tambi; Shabini Saini who represented the Samarahan district education officer, PTA exco members, teachers, parents and students.

‘Big no to shipping of waste into Sarawak’

 November 30, 2018, Friday at 12:13 AM Abdul Hakim Bujang, reporters@theborneopost.com

KUCHING: Sarawak government will not allow the state to become a dumping ground for developed countries, said to be bringing in their waste here on the pretext of undertaking ‘luxurious’ recycling industry worth RM30 billion.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian points out that Sarawak treasures its environment, and insists that developed countries must manage their own waste.

“We will not support (import of foreign waste for recycling industries) as our environment and our nature are princely! We must learn from the mistakes of the Western countries. Manage your own waste,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Dr Sim was asked to comment on reports about Malaysia taking in 754,000 tonnes of plastic waste from over 19 countries this year.

The information is based on data from the Department of National Solid Waste Management, which shows that the US is the top plastic waste exporter to Malaysia, followed by Japan and Britain.

Greenpeace Malaysia revealed this data in its ‘The Recycling Myth’ report uncovering regulation violations in the plastic waste disposal, following news surrounding illegal plastic waste recycling factories mushrooming in some parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

A quick check with the federal Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin has confirmed that a Kuching-based company is doing waste recycling of foreign waste, albeit in smaller quantities.

“Sarawak is also importing. Only one company – Unify Five Sdn Bhd, Kuching. Plant capacity very small, only 200 tonnes per month,” Zuraida wrote on a WhatsApp message.

Dr Sim, when informed about the existence of the industry in Sarawak, pledged to find out more about the issue.

“Will look into it as we should protect our environment,” he stressed.

Dr Sim also said he would bring the matter to the attention of his colleagues in the Sarawak cabinet.

“I will discuss with Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah (Ali Hasan) as environment is under his ministry,” he said.

In view of the 754,000 tonnes of plastic waste taken in from 19 countries this year – with US, Japan and Britain billed as the highest exporters – is Malaysia literally the ‘world’s rubbish bin’?

Malaysia Parliament has been told that plastic waste processing business is a RM30-billion industry that cannot be ignored.

Meanwhile, a national English daily reported that Kuala Langat residents, who are in the middle of the fight against over 40 illegal plastic recycling centres in the area, saying that this venture comes at the cost of their health.

“We are the ones bearing the environmental risk of this plastic waste,” said resident Pua Lay Peng.

“Even if we avoid the dumping grounds and install water filters, we cannot avoid the acrid smell in the air,” Pua said.

Kuala Langat folk said the illegal plastic recycling factories are producing solid waste while the water pollution has forced fish and prawn farms to stop operations.

They claimed that villagers are developing chronic respiratory diseases from the open burning of unrecyclable waste. These fac­tories, mostly illegal facilities owned by China companies, mainly hire foreign workers.

Pua added that its environmental impact would reduce the value of property in the area, as well as affect local businesses.