GAWAI FAVOURITE: Live old hens are used to prepare the popular dish ‘manok pansuh’ for Gawai.

SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) yesterday warned traders against hiking the price of live old hens.

Its Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh said this item was gazetted among 10 essential items under the seven-day ‘Gawai 2013’ Price Control Scheme, starting May 27.

Live old hens, locally known as ‘ayam tua hidup’, are used to prepare the popular local delicacy —‘manok pansuh’ — which is a must for the Gawai Dayak celebration.

The scheme is applicable not only in Sibu but also Mukah, Dalat, Kanowit and Selangau.

“Errant traders could be charged in court for infringing the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. Upon conviction, they could be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced up to three years in jail.

“For subsequent offence, they can be fined up to RM200,000 or jailed for five years. As for companies, they can be fined up to RM250,000,” Balraj said.

He reminded traders to display pink price tags for the 10 gazetted items to enable consumers to differentiate them from others throughout the duration of the scheme.

Unscrupulous vendors placing water on the pans of their weighing scales to add to the weight of the food items could be slapped with a hefty fine, he warned.

He said the Weigh and Measure Act 1972 could be invoked against offenders.

The ministry has also intensified checks on outlets offering cheap sale.

Balraj cautioned: “Holding cheap sale without approval from the ministry is a serious offence as such action is tantamount to misleading consumers.

“This is an outright contravention of the Trade Descriptions (Cheap Sales Price) (Amendment) Act 2011. Upon conviction, offenders could be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced up to three years in jail, or both.”

Balraj advised consumers to be prudent in their spending, particularly when using credit cards as they may be tempted to purchase more than needed.

“Be smart consumers and learn to compare prices to get the best deals,” he said.

Retail prices for the 10 items under the scheme are live chicken at RM6.70/kg, standard chicken complete with head, feet, liver and gizzard (RM8.50/kg), super chicken without head, feet, liver and gizzard (RM9.50/kg), old live hen (RM6.80/kg), Grade A eggs (RM0.36 each), Grade B eggs (RM0.35 each), Grade C eggs (RM0.34 each), imported beef (RM24/kg), pig’s belly (RM18/kg) and lean and fat pork (RM17/kg).

The public are urged to call 084-329202 or 335622 if they notice any hike in price of essential items or unhealthy business practices.

ARMED MAN ARRESTED: The foreigner (second right) at the police station.

WEAPON SEIZED: The knife seized from the foreigner.

SIBU: Police defused a dicey situation yesterday when they arrested a Thai man found in the vicinity of the court carrying a two-foot long knife, motive unknown.

A woman who first spotted the foreigner at Masjid Road with a long knife, alerted police. He was not seen brandishing the weapon but kept it behind his back.

Policemen, who failed to find the man at Masjid Road, later rushed to the court house on a tip-off. They then saw the man in the court compound and arrested him.

Apparently a disgruntled worker, the foreigner related to police that some locals had bullied him recently at a shipyard job which he lost after an altercation with them.

The jobless man has since been wandering about town, until his arrest yesterday, reeking of alcohol.

The incident was discovered around 7.30pm when the pair returned to their vehicle in the parking lot and realised their bags, which they had kept inside the car, were missing.

Among the items stolen included several smartphones, over RM400 in cash, personal documents and a wristwatch.

A police report has been lodged.

Also on Wednesday, a clerk lost her purse when she fell victim to a snatch thief while she was about to enter her car at a commercial centre near Taman BDC.

The 44-year-old woman told police the incident occurred around 12.30pm when a lone motorcyclist snatched her purse as he rode past her from behind and immediately sped off before she had the chance to scream for help.

She ended up losing several hundred ringgit in cash along with various personal documents and a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, another snatch theft case on Wednesday saw a woman lose her gold necklace to two men at the Batu Kawah New Township.

The 42-year-old victim was waiting inside a photocopy shop when an unknown man ran up to her from behind and grabbed her necklace before dashing out to an accomplice waiting on a motorcycle.

She estimated her loss at RM2,000 and lodged a police report later the same afternoon.

The victim, in her 20s, told reporters the incident happened around 10.30am when four men arrived at the outlet on the first floor of a shopping mall at Jalan Song.

Two of the men subsequently entered and headed to the rear of the store, prompting the worker, who was alone at the time, to follow them as she was suspicious of their presence inside a women’s clothing outlet.

At that point, she said, one of them whipped out a small knife and placed it against her neck before ordering her to open the cash register.

When she refused, the second man took out a penknife and threatened to slash her if she continued to resist.

Fearing for her safety the victim did as she was ordered to.

The two robbers quickly grabbed the contents of the drawers —amounting to slightly over RM150 — and dashed out of the store, escaping together with the other two men who were acting as the lookout outside.

The victim, who sustained minor scrape on her forearm, immediately made her way to the police station to lodge a report.

Police are investigating.

Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said out of the total cases, 571 cases were recorded in Kuching, Samarahan (157 cases), Sri Aman (41 cases), Betong (81 cases), Sarikei (77 cases), Kapit (23 cases), Mukah (53 cases), Sibu (278 cases), Bintulu (206 cases), Miri (304 cases) and Limbang (62 cases).

“The estimated value of property lost as a result of fires last year was RM68.2 million while the estimated value of the property saved was RM802.1 million,” he said in responding to a query by Abu Seman Jahwie (BN-Jemoreng) during the question-and-answer session at State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri advised the residents living in the Batang Ai Resettlement Scheme longhouses not to do rewiring themselves or engage unqualified electrical contractors to avoid the risk of electrical hazard that could cause fires and injuries.

“The registered electrical contractors are available at the Ministry of Public Utilities and SEB’s website,” he said in responding to a query by Malcolm Mussen Lamoh (BN-Batang Ai)
who wanted to know who else besides SEB is qualified to do rewiring to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Malcolm pointed out that most of the residents of Batang Ai Resettlement Scheme longhouses who renovated their houses (ground floors) needed to do rewiring with additional electrical points.

“Most of them prefer to move the distribution board from upstairs to the ground floor,” he said.

Malcolm in his supplementary question also wanted to know whether SEB conducts awareness programme on the safety of electricity supply to rural villages and longhouses.

In his reply, Entri said SEB consistently conduct awareness programmes to highlight to customers the importance of safety in relation to using electricity.

“The programmes include conducting briefings in schools, rural villages and longhouses besides spreading safety information through the distribution of pamphlets, websites and media publications.”

On whether SEB could assist in rewiring of all electrical supplies to the longhouses in Batang Ai Resettlement Scheme longhouses, Entri stated that the external mains wiring is under SEB’s maintenance.

“Thus, SEB will inspect and check the condition and integrity of these external mains wiring and will replace them if found defective or faulty.

“On the subject of internal re-wiring of all electrical installations after the meter points at these long houses in the hydro resettlement of Batang Ai area, the residents can request for SEB to inspect the internal wiring and if they are found to be defective and faulty, SEB would assist with the re-wiring,” Entri added.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) who said this added that the government has not complied with its duty to table this report for the past few years and only managed to come up with five booklets of the account statements at this year’s State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

“On the first day of sitting this year, the cabinet tabled these five booklets for the government’s contribution to Approved Agencies’ Trust Fund from 2006 to 2010.

“They were supposed to table the account in May 2011 but they are only doing it this year due to a reprimand from the Auditor-General.

“They have to do it otherwise it is unlawful,” he told reporters during a press conference at the sideline of the DUN sitting here yesterday.

Chong also regarded what has been tabled as ‘the joke of the century’ stating that the statement of account was the shortest in respect of any government authority.

“According to government accounting procedures, every sen spent has to be stated but there are no details whatsoever in the statement.

“Just one sentence describing the sum involved every year between 2006 to 2010.

“Throughout these past five years, the statement of accounts prepared by the state government and laid in the august House in the sitting shows they are doing it in a suspicious manner as well as trying to cover up how they spent the money.

“It’s impossible for an average RM1 billion of the state money spent only to have one page on expenditure,” he exclaimed, adding that no organisation irrespective of whether the government or companies, can accept such an account.

Chong said he will unquestionably be raising the matter in the upcoming parliament sitting and demand that the Auditor-General look into the matter.

“They’ve already been caught not complying with regulations when they table it in one page.

“The more they try to hide, the more it shows that there’s something very fishy about this,” he added.

The bill was passed after the second and third reading which was tabled by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday.

Wong said that the approval of the additional ordinary expenditure of RM104,280,090 for 2012 was meant to meet the additional running cost incurred by various ministries and departments last year.

“For the development expenditure of RM39,888,542, the additional amount was required to cover the additional expenditure incurred by the various ministries and departments in 2012,” Wong said.

As for the development expenditure for this year, the Bawang Assan assemblyman said an additional sum of RM263,733,874 was required to meet the additional requirements for the implementation of various development programmes and projects for the year.

“The additional RM263,733,874 for development expenditure represents an increase of eight per cent over the original development expenditure estimates of RM3,407,339,183 for 2013.”

Of the development expenditure for 2013, Wong said that RM27 million was required by Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communications. From the total, RM10 million is meant for the incubation grant to Tanjung Manis Port Authority which was approved by the cabinet in January this year.

“Another RM17 million is meant for various projects such as upgrading of Jalan Kubah Ria/Kampung Pinang Jawa junction (RM5 mil); Jalan Kuala Serupai/Kuala Tatau and proposed bridge over Kuala Tatau, Kampung Seberang in Bintulu (RM5 mil); extension to Jalan Casuarina (RM2 mil); Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) ‘Blue Line: Survey, Investigation and Detailed Design (RM5 mil).”

For the implementation of various water supply projects throughout the state, Wong said the Ministry of Public Utilities required RM127,970,778. Out of the total amount, RM18,570,778 was for the disbursement of federal loan to Kuching Water Board and Sibu Water Board.

“RM43.8 mil is required for the Bengoh Resettlement Project to meet the 2013 actual requirement where additional fund is for the infrastructure works, land acquisition and compensation.

“RM20 million is required for the implementation of Simunjan Raw Water Source Development and RM26 mil for Samalaju Water Supply. RM19,600,000 is also required as compensation for the Bakun Resettlement Scheme Project.”

He said the Ministry of Industrial Development required RM6,360,000 for the implementation of state projects funded through federal loan.

“RM37,671,496 is required by the Ministry of Rural Development to implement various projects in Beladin, Sundar Awat-Awat and Semop Rural Growth Centres.

“The projects are the construction of Beladin Community Hall (RM1,834,460); proposed Rimbunan Kaseh project at Rural Growth Centre at Sundar, Lawas (RM5 mil); construction of business complex and waterfront at Awat-Awat (RM4,376,576) and the preparation of site and basic infrastructure of ‘Rumah Sesebuah’ at Kampung Semop, Mukah fishermen village (RM26,460,460).”

He said RM30,371,600 was required by the State Financial Secretary – RM23,731,600 of which is soft loan to Land Custody Development Authority for the land acquisition for redevelopment of Jalan Haji Taha, Kuching, RM2 mil is for the Bako Master Plan Study and RM5 mil for the planning and designing of Inner Ring Road and Feasibility Study for Outer Ring Road.

As for the Ministry of Social Development, Wong said it required RM32 mil for the construction of the Aquatic Centre at the State Sports Complex in Petra Jaya in Kuching and RM2 mil is required by the Ministry of Tourism to implement the River Taxi project at Sungai Sarawak.

Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) said she was dismayed at the lack of facilities at the centre where only one air-conditioner worked round-the-clock and provided no seating area for the public.

“I went there last week, the place is so run-down and stuffy. There used to be chairs for the public but now, we can only see a couple of wooden tools in corners.

“The condition at the One Stop Centre is just so pathetic. The people waiting there were already frustrated and it is made worse when no chairs are provided,” she said yesterday.

Yong said she was made to understand that the computers used at the centre had been out of order on a regular basis. She wondered how the police personnel working in such an environment could achieve efficiency.

“People go to the police to deal with their problems, solve crimes and give them a helping hand. Now, I doubt people have confidence in the police at a run-down One Stop Centre.”

“What have the police top guns at Badruddin headquarters been doing all this while?
The police management should see that basic amenities are provided rather than to sit comfortably in their office.”

To enhance road safety, Yong urged the government to erect an overhead bridge facing the Timberland Specialist Centre where many fatalities had been reported over the years.

She said there would be no other way for pedestrian to cross the six-lane road in a safe manner unless there was a overhead crossing.

Photo by Penerangan

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (right) exchanging greetings with the first Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, during a courtesy call by the latter at the State Legislative Assembly Complex yesterday.

Marino, an American, was appointed to the post after the Vatican decided to open a nunciature (embassy) in Kuala Lumpur early this year.

Kuching Catholic Archbishop John Ha and Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin accompanied Marino during the visit.

REKINDLING MEMORY: Taib (middle) reminisces the good old days of using this antique telephone model as he browses through the exhibition booths prior to launching the event. At left is Ibrahim. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The time has come for Sarawak Museum to broaden its role from just an anthropological museum to a new direction that is in sync with the changes brought by the current pace of development and economic progress, said Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

In line with this, Taib revealed that a taskforce headed by Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan would be set up to guide the re-development of Sarawak Museum to make it more friendly and attractive especially to the younger generation.

He pointed out that even though Sarawak Museum was world-renowned and famous as an anthropological museum since its inception in 1883, long term and strategic planning must be made now to ensure that it could still play a very important role in Malaysia.

“Of course, this is much bigger role than assigned to the Sarawak Museum in the past, and may require very extensive re-thinking of what we ought to do with the extension of the museum.

“As we celebrate our 50 years in Malaysia and the 130th anniversary of the museum, I think something much more long term and very strategic must be thought of to make sure we can still play very important role in the development of museums of Malaysia,” he said when officiating at the launch of national-level Museums Day Celebrations at Dewan Tun Abdul Razak of the Sarawak Museum yesterday.

Taib, who is also Finance Minister, gave his assurance that necessary financing would be in order to effectuate this new approach within the next five to 10 years.

“An immediate five years plan must be charted out so as to have a new approach for the museum to make it very friendly and very attractive to our people especially the young so that patronage from them will enhance the importance of the role of the museum in our society,” he said.

“That’s what I would like to say here. A lot of follow-ups have to be done and I hope you (the ministers, department and agencies involved) will rise to the occasion.”

Taib hoped the relevant department and agencies would also learn from the experiences of foreign participants from Indonesia and Australia on how they had adapted the old concept into a new role that inculcated growth of social development.

Meanwhile, participants came from 21 museums throughout Malaysia and also two museums from Indonesia and a museum from Australia. Programmes comprised a seminar, talks and sports carnival while the closing will be this Sunday.

This year also marks the second time Sarawak Museum has played host to this national-level celebration after the first time in 2003.

Also present at the event yesterday were Mawan, Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, National Museums director general Datuk Ibrahim Ismail and state Museum Department director Ipoi Datan.

WE DECLARE OPEN: Taib (centre) together with Awang Tengah (left) and Bujang Nor launching Kohati.

KUCHING: Harwood Timber is an exemplary timber organisation with smooth operation in the state.

In saying this, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud added the state has succeeded to produce timber companies with international reputation and experiences.

Taib said this at Harwood Timber’s 28th anniversary dinner at Riverside Majestic hotel here on Wednesday.

“We have a good structural organisation in the timber industry where players comply with all the procedures,” he said.

“On this matter, Harwood has also succeeded to create a sustainable administration which prioritise the welfare of its staff and were not solely profit based,” he further said.

“Harwood in fact allows their staff to indulge in other recreational activities which creates a healthy working environment,” he said.

Taib later launched Harwood Timber cooperatives, Koperasi Harwood Timer (Kohati).

Among those present were Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and wife Datin Amar Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud, assistant ministers and Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor.

THE CHAMPION: Awang Tengah presents a mock cheque to Norhaniza.

KUCHING: The government has never stopped the people from expressing themselves, provided it is done through the proper channel, said Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said public demonstration was not the best solution to solve any issue, which could be done through discussion.

“We give them many options, channels for them to use to voice their opinion on certain issue. They should fully utilise the options not through demonstration,” he told reporters after closing the state-level 1Malaysia Debate Competition at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) P Ramlee auditorium here yesterday.

He was commenting on the peaceful protest by 300 indigenous people against the Murum and Baram Dams, which he said was incited by external elements.

“They were being used by certain people for their own interest. Even though we are taking into account views from all, basically we also take into account the view of the majority,” Awang Tengah said.

He explained that even though the opposition had highlighted the dam issue during the just-concluded 13th general election in Baram parliamentary constituency, it had failed to affect the voters there.

“The opposition failed to influence the voters and Barisan Nasional’s winning shows the people’s strong support towards the construction of the dam which will be benefiting them in future,” he added.

On the debate competition, the Bukit Sari assemblyman hoped more youth would be involved.

Norhaniza Hanafi, 19, from Sarikei won the competition and received a cash prize of RM1,500, a certificate and trophy. Second place went to Dr Mary Chalang from Bintulu-Miri and third was Sila Robin of Samarahan.

Mary received RM1,000 while Sila received RM500, and both also received a certificate and trophy each.

Also present were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Stephen Rundi and RTM director Salmah Ibrahim.

Its publicity officer Kenneth Numan said they are gradually seeing results.

However, he said the current supply of blood is low.

“We have called and even texted donors to come and give blood but only a few responded,” he said, adding that they need to act with urgency for the coming long holiday break.

He said: “On Wesak Day (today), our blood bank unit will be open from 9am till 2pm. We appeal to the public to come forward to donate to help save lives.”

Other drives will be at Sibu Nursing College tomorrow, starting 8.30am.

On Sunday, there will be one at Delta Mall at 9am, organised in collaboration with Sibu Life Care Society.

The blood bank officer also reminded donors to take more than five hours of sleep to avoid getting rejected from donating.

“They must not be on medication and that their last date of donating was more than three months ago.”

Kenneth mentioned that donors need to also stay clear of alcohol at least a day before donating.

Donors may call 084-343 333 ext 2010 for more information.

CASH CROP: Uggah reaches for a stalk of pepper berries while Noriah (right) and Nurmala look on during their visit to the pepper processing factory. — Bernama photo

KUCHING: Malaysia is targeting to increase pepper export value to RM650 million in 2020 from RM245 million this year.

According to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Dato Sri Douglas Uggah, this is the long term plan under the National Commodity Policy (2010-2020), which also focuses on the expansion of pepper plantation.

“We are overseeing an expansion of pepper plantation to 20,000 hectares. At the moment Sarawak has the biggest plantation with a total of 14,603 hectares,” he told a press conference after visiting the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) headquarters here yesterday.

“Our pepper commodity last year alone saw an export of 10,555 tonnes worth RM245 million to countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, China, United States and European countries.

“If we succeed in meeting the target in 2020, we will be looking at production of 42,000 tonnes,” he said.

Uggah added that with export to various countries, it is equally important to bring in more technology to improve the production and quality of local pepper.

“In order to achieve the target, productivity at ground level will need to be increased while attracting more investments from smallholders. We are looking at challenges ahead to ensure the target for year 2020 will be achieved,” he said.

To a question from a reporter, Uggah said the Malaysian oil palm industry complies with world standards and all related policies.

“The government is closely monitoring the industry which we believe is working towards a sustainable environmental policy,” he added.

Uggah earlier visited the MPB production and research factory, and was introduced to several pepper-based products such as sauce, perfume, and food.

Also present were Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Noriah Kasnon, the ministry’s secretary chief Datin Paduka Nurmala Abdul Rahim and MPB director general Grunsin Ayom.

Its minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly that the ministry had decided to extend the terms of present members for their abundant experience.

“The members, consisting of professionals and experts such as lawyers, engineers, architects as well as those from various disciplines and professional bodies, deserve another term to carry on the work,” he said.

The present tenure expired on April 30.

The Sarawak Housing Claims Tribunal was set up in May 1, 2010, under Section 17A (2) Housing Developer Ordinance (Control & Licensing) (Amendment) 2009.

Effective May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2016, the reappointed members are chairman Dato Hajjah Maznah Dasmi, deputy chairman Peter Lim Thiam Seng, as well as ordinary members Alhadi Ibrahim, Morni Wahie, Mike Boon Chee Khian and Robert Elone Sireng.

“Also, one new member will be appointed soon,” he added.

On the performance of the Tribunal since its establishment, Abang Johari revealed that the Tribunal has received 100 complaints from the period of June 2010 to May 2013.

“Issues range from late delivery of vacant possession, lousy workmanship and lack of understanding of the specifications stated in the Sale and Purchase (S&P) Agreement,” he explained.

Out of the number of complaints received, Abang Johari said 23 cases were settled in court and 21 cases were settled out of court through negotiations while the rest were not within its authority.

“Kuching recorded the highest number of cases totalling 62, Sibu (22), Miri (9) and the rest were from Sri Aman, Kapit, Betong and Sarikei,” he added.

Compensation totalling RM82,114 had been paid off by developers to claimants, of which RM64,114 were through court hearings and RM18,000 through negotiations.

Noting several weaknesses in the regulations pertaining to the Housing Ordinance, Abang Johari pointed out that improvements on certain provisions would need to be made before tabling the Ordinance, which is supposed to be done in this DUN session.

“The tabling of the Ordinance was deferred as discussions to improve or amend certain provisions stated under the Ordinance are still in progress with SHEDA and other relevant parties,” he said.

“We have made request to look further in various aspects into new and existing laws including regulations on housing development,” he added.

Therefore, Abang Johari emphasised that the mechanism has to be streamlined to ensure developers comply with the terms and conditions of the approved project, especially for the low cost and low cost plus housings.

“The most common problems are with the low cost and low cost plus housing where in some cases owners were not fully aware of the terms and conditions stated in the S&P Agreement as well as late delivery of houses, sometimes up to 24 months,” he said.

Abang Johari, however, said most of the discussions had been completed and he would likely be tabling the new Ordinance in the DUN session to come.

It is expected to run two foundation programmes starting next month, and will make a couple of master’s programmes available from 2014.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the university college was constructed at a cost of RM357.7 million.

“UCTS is a new university college in Sarawak and a culmination of the state of Sarawak’s vision and commitment in establishing a higher learning institution that would spearhead the development and production of human capital in the state, particularly technical and skilled manpower,” he told the august House here yesterday.

He was replying to Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek), who inquired into the amount spent on constructing and improving UCTS.

Ho Leng also asked the curriculum and degrees offered to be named as at 2015.

For this year, Soon Koh said UCTS would offer Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Technology (Electrical and Electronics), Bachelor of Environmental Design and Bachelor of Quantity Surveying.

“More programmes will be established in future. By 2014, the university college will have Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Food Technology, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Information Technology and Master and PhD programmes by research.”

By 2015, UCTS will offer Bachelor of Technology (Construction), Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, Master of Civil Engineering and Master of Project Management.

Ho Leng posed a supplementary question, which Soon Koh responded: “Datuk Amar Speaker, I cannot hear what the honorable member for Bukit Assek has asked. And I do not think it is relevant to the question (on UCTS).”

“At Ulu Sg Merah Lorong 38-48, residents have moved in five years ago and yet the road between lane 38-48 are still without lamp posts,” said Wong.

“Then there is the middle two-km stretch of Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce linking Salim road to the Sibu-Bintulu road to the airport where there are no lamp posts. Countless accidents had happened over the years and lives were lost because of that,” he said in his debate on the Head of State’s address yesterday.

Wong pointed out that too many issues had remained unresolved in Sibu, specifically in his constituency.

“Some of the drains in the constituency of Pelawan are upside down, imagine that! Only in Sibu can one really see amazing sites like these. When the rakyat complain to the authorities concerned, they would be told ‘No money’.

“Now the rakyat know that the government would only pave certain stretches of road if there is an election coming.

“The government’s best excuse would be Sibu is located on peat soil area and thus it is costly to build proper roads and drains and the maintenance is very expensive. If that is the way of governing, who would need a government?” he questioned.

Assistant Minister of Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the capital city of Sarawak had six major types of public transport including 150 public buses, 440 school buses, 544 taxis, 120 ‘kereta sewa’ and 1,500 ‘van sapu’.

“On top of these, there are five bus companies operating in the city. We have more than enough public transport,” he said when replying to See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.

On commercial bus Rapid Kuching, Len said the Kuching-Bako-Kuching route it had operated since April 3, 2010 had benefited 547,500 passengers as of December 2012.

“This goes to show that the bus service has successfully provided an alternative form of transport, which in turn helps reduce traffic congestion in the city.”

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa), in a supplementary question, lashed out at bus companies for being “profit-motivated and covering only popular routes”.

He suggested that the state government nationalise the public bus services here to reach out to more city dwellers.

“Even though we have five bus companies operating in Kuching, many customers are still neglected because the bus companies do not cover unpopular routes which are not making profit.

“So when will the state government provide an organised and efficient bus service for all in the city?”

Responding to this, Len pointed out that a study, which looked at covering all routes in and around Kuching, had been completed in 2009.

He said the authorities “are in the midst of reorganising some routes so that all areas will be served by public buses.”

Alan Ling (DAP-Piasau) said the Asean Bridge over Baram River provides the direct land access to neighbouring Brunei, and serves as the only land link to Limbang and Lawas towns in the northern part of the state.

He pointed out that the one-way toll rate of RM10 was too expensive considering the short distance of the bridge and that had deterred frequent travellers from making trips to Miri.

In this respect, Ling had suggested that the government should consider abolishing the tolls, apart from upgrading the facilities near the borders to boost tourism and commuter flow of more visitors from neighbouring Brunei and Sabah by land.

He stated this when debating on the TYT Speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.

On another tourism issue, Ling informed the August House that most Mirians wished for Piasau Camp to be preserved as a green lung and to turn it into a permanent nature park or camp called ‘Hornbill Park’.

“The urgency to get the camp gazetted as a Hornbill Park is because the forest is home to a family of Oriental Pied Hornbills,” he suggested.

According to him, the local residents were all against building development projects there, as that will destroy the unique natural environment and habitat of the hornbills.

“Miri and Piasau Camp came about as part and parcel of the oil and gas industry that can be traced back 100 years ago. Thus, preserving Piasau Camp will also add another unique eco-tourism product top Miri as a resort city right at its doorstep,” he noted.

In his speech, Ling also highlighted the alleged negligence on the part of the Miri Hospital which he claimed had caused a miscarriage when the operation for childbirth was delayed by a day and the parents were told that the mother’s foetus had died two days before the operation.

“The parents were however refused the documents on the foetal echo-cardiogram the day before to prove that the foetus was alive and this situation is a mockery to the professionalism of our hospitals,” he said.

He also cited that prior to the case, he encountered a case where a young man had went into coma and almost died because a doctor in Marudi Hospital injected the wrong side of his lung.

“For that he was offered a compensation of a mere RM3,600 only, which is clearly an insult to the risks taken by the victim, the trauma that he went through, which nearly caused him his life.

“I believe that these two cases are enough to set alarm bells ringing on the quality of medical services our hospital are offering to the people,” he said.

In this respect, Ling suggested that the quality of medical services provided in Miri and throughout the state be seriously looked into.

He told reporters here yesterday he was reserving comments for now and would only say something on the matter at an appropriate time, saying: “No comments (for now), ask me again later.”

Talks of another round of merger talks between SPDP and PRS emerged after PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing told an Internet news portal that he wanted such talks to resume as soon as possible in view of the current political situation in the country.

Masing had said that after analysing the cabinet appointments by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, there was an urgent need for Dayak-based political parties to get together and form an inclusive Dayak pact.

“Loose ends need to be tied up, and it must be inclusive where all the Dayak MPs are roped into the new Dayak entity. Until and unless we do this, we will continually be sidelined by future leaders of Malaysia. This is the only way to strengthen Dayak unity, and also to restore its dignity,” said Masing, obviously disappointed with the appointment of one full minister and one deputy minister from the party even though PRS delivered six seats for Barisan Nasional in the just-concluded 13th general election.

The merger was first mooted in 2005 by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who wanted the two parties to merge into one political entity. SPDP is a breakaway party from now defunct Sarawak National Party (SNAP), formed in 2002, while PRS was formed following the deregistration of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in October 2004.

Discussions between the two parties on the issue suddenly died down during the 2008 general election. However, the discussion resumed before the April 2011 state election but nothing moved after that even though both sides have their respective merger negotiation committees.

On another matter, Mawan still firmly believed the prime minister was saving the best for the last in federal cabinet appointments for SPDP.

He was of the opinion that the cabinet announced by Najib on May 15 was not the final line-up as there would be subsequent announcements to be made soon and more ministerial posts would be created.

“Maybe (it will be) after UMNO convention in September. The cabinet will be more inclusive, taking into consideration all political needs and the new thrust of our government. The relevant ministries will then have to be created to spearhead that programme. I believe so.

“That’s why we (SPDP) are not rushing, except that the backlash is there and it was expected. Some say I am very cool (over the matter). I am not trying to be cool, I just want to make sense before I just get angry. You can’t get angry with your boss,” he said.

He also mentioned that he had always been in contact with the prime minister, and disclosed that Najib even agreed to visit his longhouse again this time on June 9 for a Gawai programme.

“I will be meeting him soon. I have the confirmation that I will be seeing him (in Putrajaya), definitely before Gawai,” he said.

Asked on fellow state BN component Sarawak United People’s Party which was given a full minister post despite winning just one parliamentary seat, Mawan said disappointments from SPDP members were expected but they had to accept the decision.

“We should not look at things that way – ‘they got this, but we don’t’. Maybe the appointment (given to SUPP deputy president and six-term Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot) was due to political merit that PM has to consider, and I believe it was fair,” he said.

He also vowed that once SPDP is represented in the cabinet, its ministers or deputy ministers would serve for all Malaysians and not just for a particular race or region. Asked how many posts SPDP was aiming for, he jokingly said “as many as possible” although the least expected would be the previous quota of two deputy ministers.

SPDP won all its four seats – Mas Gading, Saratok, Bintulu and Baram – in the recently concluded 13th general election. The victors included two new faces – Anthony Nogeh in Mas Gading and Anyi Ngau in Baram.

Mawan, who is also a senior minister in the state cabinet and Pakan assemblyman, was the other new face when he won in Saratok while Bintulu was successfully retained by deputy president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.