TOKEN OF APPRECIATION: Taib receiving a souvenir from Hamed (left) as Regaat (right) looks on. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi)

KUCHING: The state government has always recognised the importance of land to the indigenous people and assures that their needs are met even as it embarks on its hydropower projects.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said that the indigenous people, whose livelihood is dependent on the use of land and the forest, must be considered as a vital component in any successful development of hydropower dam in the tropics.

“This is where the government must play a crucial role in devising the development plan for them,” he said in his speech at the state dinner held in conjunction with the official opening of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) World Congress 2013 at the State Legislative Building on Tuesday.

According to him, there are three components in the proposed resettlement action plan to directly affected communities, of which the first is compensation and livelihood restoration where the government shall pay compensation according to local laws and regulation.

“We shall restore livelihood to the affected community back to where they were before at
least.

“In this case, the government has got to intervene and help the power producing authority to equip itself with some of the ways to help with the resettlement scheme so as to not jeopardise the commercial viability of the proposed project,” he remarked.

The second and third components of the agenda, Taib said, were poverty eradication and development

“We shall put in place a scheme such as the poverty eradication programme in conjunction with the livelihood restoration programme to bring them out of poverty while the third component’s purpose is to help the directly affected communities to generate a steady and significantly higher income stream so that they have sufficient income to save and invest in future.”

Taib, who is also Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, also acknowledged that the biggest hindrance for the directly affected people was the uncertainty of the proposed resettlement and how the proposal could be a
success.

“Therefore, the best cure for this understandable anxiety is constant communication and consultation. Admittedly, they must also adjust and work hard in order to be successful to create a prosperous community,” he said, giving assurance that the government will provide them with temporary support, both in kind and cash.

Among those present were Taib’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and his wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and IHA president Dr Regaat Abdel-Malek.

Apart from giving them 14 hectares of land per family, in addition to the one hectare for the longhouses, the government will also provide `temporary government support’ for about five years which, among others, include food and cash aids.

This support mechanism is put in place to ensure that the transition to self-sufficiency progresses smoothly for the affected people, said Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Assistant Minister of Native Adat and Penan Affairs, yesterday.

This provision is stated in the proposed Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) which was unveiled yesterday and is now available for public viewing at the Sungai Asap Resettlement Office, Belaga District Office, Kapit Resident Office, Bintulu Resident Office, State Planning Unit in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Menara Sarawak Energy, and Sarawak State Library.

Sikie said most of the key elements of RAP had been accepted by the directly-affected communities.

He said the government hoped that the 14 hectares of land for each family would be used to produce crops such as sago and rice for subsistence and cash crops such as rubber and fruit crops for extra income.

“During the interim period when agriculture is being developed on the allocated land, the commitment of the state government will take the form of ‘temporary government support’ to ensure that each family is sufficiently provided for both in terms of food and other necessities as well as in cash during the transition to self-sufficiency.”

He added that this support mechanism would continue for about five years.

“Because the Murum Penan community is still considered to be semi-nomadic and needed time to adjust to modern living, the government is also giving them access to the nearby forest to gather and hunt for their own domestic consumption.”

To ensure that their future is well taken care of, he said primary schools would be built in the new resettlement sites at Tegulang and Metalun.

“A service centre is being planned for Murum near Tegulang in the medium term, whereby there will be healthcare services, and agriculture station and a secondary school.

“A mini-service centre is also being planned for Metalun.”

SETTING RECORDS STRAIGHT: Ding (seated fifth right) reading the statement on behalf of the 22 community leaders on the impact of hydroelectric power projects.

KUCHING: Some 22 community leaders from Batang Ai, Belaga, Bakun, Murum, Sg Asap and Baram yesterday made a joint statement on the impact of hydroelectric power projects in Sarawak.

They were in the state capital attending the International Hydro Association (IHA) World Congress which runs from May 21 to 24 – the first time it is held in South East Asia.

At a press conference yesterday, their spokesperson Ding Juh from Long Nahaah in Baram region revealed the following 13-point statement:

• They are not against hydroelectric power.

• The news reports are not reflective of the wishes of the majority of the community who are also looking for progress, development and access to healthcare, education, clean water, electricity and better future for their children.

• They acknowledge that there could be better implementation of the Batang Ai and Bakun projects for their people and there could still be more that could be done in these areas.

• That they are happy that lessons have been learned from these other HEP projects and the state government (including Sarawak Energy Board (SEB)) are now doing their best to come and listen to their concerns and suggestion.

• That they attended the IHA congress because the state government and SEB have made it clear they wanted to listen to their suggestions on how to make it the best HEP project in Malaysia.

• In return, they want to give their views and suggestions based on experience, what the community needs and how to be the best HEP in the world.

• That they understood that there are people within their communities who have strong concerns on the implementation of hydropower projects perhaps due to a lack of or misleading information.

• That they will work with all parties to find the best solutions and balance and they strongly reject foreign interference and instigation among their people that will disrupt the on-going discussions and progress thus far.

• They appeal to their communities to come together to discuss how they can together put their case forward to the state government constructively – ‘Bersatu Kita Teguh, Bercerai Kita Roboh’

• That it is okay to have concerns or different viewpoints, which must, however, be done in a constructive manner and not by protesting.

“We are not here to battle; we are here to create a better future together for our children.”

• They want to stress that whatever the outside world is thinking, they are not stupid and neither can they be easily misled. They pointed out that asking them to remain as they are is like locking them to stay in poverty.

• They are not prepared to be exhibits in a living museum and that they have dignity.

• They thanked the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for trying to highlight some of the concerns but reminded them that this is also their land, their life and their community.

They wanted NGOs to trust them to have the wisdom and integrity to do what is right for their people.

Among those present with the community leaders were newly-elected Baram MP Anyi Ngau and renowned Orang Ulu entrepreneur Temenggong Datuk Hassan Sui .

Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah told reporters here yesterday that the prime minister had confidence in the abilities and capabilities of women in nation building.

She pointed out that the recent appointment of two women from Sarawak to the federal cabinet formed part of that recognition for women.

“We would like to thank our prime minister for such recognition. This is the first time a woman from Sarawak was elevated to a full minister at the federal level.

“This is indeed a tremendous development for women, especially women of Sarawak,” she said when asked for her view on women representation in the new federal cabinet line-up when she visited Yap Fang Ling’s residence in Cempaka Road here.

Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim is Minister of Women, Family and Community Development while Nancy Shukri is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Fatimah noted that the representation of women at decision-making level in the peninsula had achieved the target of 30 per cent, adding that the trend there was now moving towards the private sector.

“Whereas in Sarawak, we are doing our best to play catch up.”

On another matter, she said the Welfare Department had initiated a satellite office to reach folk in the far-flung villages and longhouses to provide their services. This, she added, would greatly lessen the burden of these folk travelling to the nearest office to seek assistance.

“We will inform them when we are coming so that they could gather together to obtain the services required. The same services would be given to them like that in the office such as registering the OKUs and handing out forms for single mothers and so on to complete.

“Our challenge is to ensure that people who received assistance from the department are as reflected in our database. We want to ensure those eligible for assistance are not left out.”

Fatimah disclosed that with the MoU with Bomba, known as the Info Blast system, the Welfare Department could now also render help to fire victims faster.

She also revealed that there was a special officer to comb through cases highlighted by the media.

“This will enable us to act and investigate on the matter speedily.”

Fatimah stressed that concerted efforts, including cooperation with the media, was necessary to reach out to the people.

Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong said this when responding to SUPP Youth chief Tan Kai’s challenge to DAP on the issue of charitable NGOs claimed to have lost up to RM24 million in minor rural project (MRP) grants in lieu of six parliamentary seats lost to Pakatan Rakyat in the recent 13th General Election (GE13).

“A caring government will fairly distribute aid according to needs through various channels, and not use the availability or lack of grants to punish or reward the people,” Ling said.

He noted that non-profit charitable NGOs like Lions Club and Rotary International raise their own funds for charity projects, and not rely on grants.

“Their members comprised respectable and successful folks from various professions who volunteer their time and money to charitable causes, and their committees are rotated and re-elected every year,” he explained.

He pointed out that many NGOs do not own income-generating assets like rental properties or own premises, but are still able to carry out charity projects every year from proceeds of their own fundraising programmes.

“Even their junior school clubs like Leo Clubs or Interact Clubs raise their own funds rather than wait for grants from the school or government.

“The NGOs use their own creative resources rather than wait for grants or donations,” he said.

He opined that it is wrong to imply that charitable NGOs are in dire straits because charity is voluntary and done out of compassion, and there should be no motive like for personal gain or to get government handouts.

“I believe enlightened voters especially in urban areas do not see money or grants as the reason to exercise their rights to vote in a democracy,” he added.

Addressing 64 members of the auxiliary police following the completion of their basic training at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol), Puncak Borneo yesterday, the deputy director also reminded them that it was their duty to ensure their firearms are well-maintained and properly secured at all times.

“If you are given the responsibility to carry a firearm during the course of your duties, whether it is to defend yourself, or to protect lives or property, you must ensure the weapon is properly maintained and securely kept,” he said.

Shabudin also stressed the need to be able to make the correct choice on whether or not to discharge a firearm, adding it was imperative that they never fire their weapons without due reason.

The 64 auxiliary police personnel comprised of 44 from the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and 20 from Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) who underwent a nine-week basic training course.

The ceremony was witnessed by state police commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Resource Planning and Environment Ministry security advisor Datu Wan Alwi Datuk Wan Hashim, STIDC chief executive Datu Sarudu Hoklai and BDA general manager Datu Mohidin Ishak.

STIRRING CONTROVERSY: SAVE Rivers chairman Peter Kallang addressing the participants at the IHA World Congress during yesterday’s morning plenary session.

KUCHING: The International Hydropower Association (IHA) World Congress tasted controversy on the first day when its first plenary session was abruptly interrupted by a local non-government organisation (NGO) protesting against the construction of mega-dams in Sarawak.

Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network (SAVE Rivers) chairman Peter Kallang waited until the session was just about to close before standing to address the audience of 500 international delegates representing governments, developers, NGOs and other major hydropower industry interests.

“We are against the dams. And we are not alone. The majority of people who are affected by the dams do not agree with the dams,” Peter said, claiming to speak on behalf of the communities affected by the dams.

The plenary session was meant to give an overview of key issues affecting the hydropower industry as well as set the tone of debates and discussions that will take place throughout the three-day congress.

Among those who had spoken earlier in the session were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Sarawak Energy Berhad chief executive officer Torstein Sjotveit, who watched silently from the stage as Peter spoke.

He informed the delegates of the 300-strong group of protesters gathered outside who could not enter the conference and expressed his disappointment that he himself was told to leave when he wanted to attend workshops held the previous day.

Peter said that for this reason the protestors would be holding an alternative conference which is scheduled to be held at a major hotel here today.

“All the delegates here and journalists are invited to come and listen to their side of the story. What Torstein and the state secretary are saying is not the full story,” he told delegates, who listened mostly in silence.

Peter alleged that the IHA congress in Sarawak was being used to ‘green wash’ the negative impact of the dams and human rights abuses that were taking place.

He reiterated the NGO’s demands that the state government and SEB halt all construction of mega-dams in the state and to uphold the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Malaysia is among the countries which has adopted the Declaration.

He also demanded that the government resolve the outstanding problems at Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum.

Peter also urged the IHA not to support the promotion of Sarawak as a prime location for hydropower in light of the abuses of human rights and to kick out SEB from the association and Torstein as IHA director.

Although there was no Q&A session scheduled, Peter was allowed by the session chairman IHA president Dr Refaat Abdel Malik to finish saying his piece without interruption.

After finishing his speech, it was believed Peter left the hall immediately to join the group of protestors gathering outside.

When approached by reporters after the session, both Morshidi and Torstein refused to comment.

The IHA World Congress is organised with the support of the Sarawak Government. SEB is one of the main sponsors.

SOUND AND KICKING: Wong (third left) poses for a group photo with other SUPP leaders at his office after lunch.

KUCHING: Second Minister of Finance Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh says he is alive and kicking, thus dispelling rumours that he is seriously ill and treated at the intensive care unit (ICU).

Wong said he knew about the rumours when he returned to his office at Masja Building here during a lunch break of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday. He said many people had called him to check if he was alright.

“Among them were a police officer and a reporter based in Sibu who called to check after hearing of rumours that I was in the ICU,” he said.

Although he regarded it as just a joke, he said that whoever started it should stop the rumour mongering.

“For all you know my relatives overseas may start calling me after picking up the hoax from online services and this is not good.

“I really don’t have any idea who started the rumours and what they motives are. But, don’t worry I am here busy with the DUN sessions. I am fine and kicking,” he said.

Joining him for lunch at his office yesterday were all of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) assemblymen, namely Datuk Francis Hardin Hollis (Simanggang), Datuk Lee Kim Shin (Senadin), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (Engkilili).

State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani said the state has not only the right but the duty to develop its resources through hydroelectric power (HEP) projects for the benefit of the present and future generations.

“The gap between the circumstances of Sarawak and communities in the developed world remains significant,” he said when addressing a plenary session on behalf of the state government on the third day of International Hydropower Association (IHA) 2103 World Congress.

He revealed that in Australia, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was USD41,000 and Malaysia USD 9,800 per capita while in Sarawak the GDP per capita was USD 12,400.

According to him, 50 per cent of the state’s population is under 25 years old and the young people are enthusiastic consumers of education and training that amplify the need to create new economic opportunities such as the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Morshidi explained that SCORE was developed to harness Sarawak’s sustainable strategic advantage in the production of bulk electricity at globally competitive prices to attract foreign investment to the state.

This massive investment, he pointed out, would generate new employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, thus providing opportunity for people to achieve higher income and better standard of living.

He cited Bintulu, which was developed in 1980s with a single industry through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), as an example of a small town of 5,000 people that had turned into a modern town of 200,000 people generating at least 50,000 jobs.

Morshidi further elaborated that contrary to some reports SCORE had been highly successful as all the energy from Bakun and Murum HEP projects had already been sold to its aluminium, silicon and manganese industries.

He believed that energy intensive industries from around the world were investing in Sarawak because it offers abundant, stable and competitively priced electricity, excellent location in the middle of Asean and midpoint between India and China, young and educated workforce and political stability and attractive investment incentives.

He was optimistic about the energy industries as customer demand to date suggested that the state could sell perhaps as much as a further 8,000 megawatts of electricity to SCORE and export customers.

He disclosed that with lessons learnt from earlier hydropower developments in Sarawak and elsewhere around the world, the state had established a disciplined process of community engagement for the new projects including the employment of people from directly affected communities.

On the building of HEPs, he said the state was guided by relevant international lending safeguards and the International Hydropower Association’s Hydro Power Sustainability Assessment protocol.

Meanwhile, chief executive of Sarawak Energy Berhad Torstein Dale Sjotveit said energy is the path of growth and prosperity that has been proven to be valid globally.

“If we don’t allow developing countries to develop their energy resources we are taking away their opportunities for prosperity and growth.”

On Murum HEP, Sjotveit pointed out that it would provide the government a platform to help Penans in Murum uplift themselves from poverty – a lesson learnt from Batang Ai and Bakun.

“SEB and the state government are not perfect and will make mistakes on the route of learning how best to achieve their targets and SEB is willing to listen and cooperate with anyone willing to make constructive contribution but not with those who don’t want us to do anything,” he said.

Wong, who is SUPP Sibu chairman, told reporters yesterday that there had been no contact between both rival factions even after ROS director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman dropped the bombshell last week.

“No, at the moment we have not heard anything from the other side. So far we have not been in contact with each other, but as far as our group is concerned we will just wait for the letter.

“Once the letter is issued we will work from there. For the time being we would not like to speculate on anything,” said Wong, who is also Finance Minister II and Minister of Local Government and Community Development.

He made this comment when asked whether there had been any attempts by party leaders to save SUPP from deregistration.

Abdul Rahman had told The Borneo Post on May 14 that the show cause letter was already prepared, but it had not been served on SUPP as they (ROS) wanted to brief the new Home Minister, who was not appointed then.

“We have concluded with our investigations and a show cause letter will be served accordingly on the party to explain why it should not be registered.

“Right now we are still waiting because we need to brief our new minister on the subject first before sending out the letter or else he will be unaware of what is happening.”

SUPP is facing major problems with the ROS following complaints by several branches on irregularities in the run-up to its triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) in 2011.

It was believed that the party had committed over 20 offences and, therefore, it would be rather difficult for the party to escape deregistration.

SEEKING JUSTICE: Masniza shows a copy of the police report over the alleged rape.

KUCHING: A 17-year-old girl, who recently found out she was four months’ pregnant, wants the police to take action against her ex-boyfriend for allegedly raping her.

Wishing to be known only as Masniza and hailing from Sematan, she said she only found out about her pregnancy during a check-up at Sarawak General Hospital on May 9, and later went to look for her ex-boyfriend at his house in Tabuan Dayak but found he had disappeared.

She added she had tried calling her ex-boyfriend, known as Chad, but to no avail, while his friends and his family members had been unable to locate his whereabouts.

According to Masniza, she had previously lodged a police report over the alleged rape but there had been no follow-up action to date.

Prior to that, her boyfriend had threatened to harm her and her family members if she reported the matter to the police.

She went on to say she wanted nothing more to do with ‘Chad’, except to see him face the law over what he did.

Opar is the 11th RGC centre in the state approved for development under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. A total of RM9.3 million has been allocated in 2010, whereby RM4.1 million was spent on land compensation, surveying work, soil studies and environmental impact assessment (EIA).

Another RM5.2 million was allocated in 2011 to the Public Works Department for the building of a 2.6km road access from Lundu which was completed on Aug 2 last year. Service centre components will be developed subject to the government’s financial situation.

“Plans are in place to develop Opar RGC to become a developed and competitive economic growth area,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said in response to question raised by Ranum Mina (BN-Opar) on the development of the township during the question and answer session yesterday.

Answering to similar question raised by Dennis Ngau (BN-Telang Usan), Jabu said the government’s main focus in the development of Long Lama RGC was the provision of basic infrastructure such as treated water, electricity supply, clinic and administration office.

Other infrastructure would be built in phases in line with the economic activities in the area to stimulate growth, he added.

To meet to the increasing need of electricity demand in Long Lama, Jabu said Sesco had embarked on upgrading works on the Long Lama power station. Power supply has been connected to the clinic and district office while works to prepare connection at the RGC site would commence soon.

Touching on water supply, Jabu said the water treatment plant at the Long Lama clinic had been completed. Connection work scheduled for January this year was delayed for some repair work due to some damage.

“The Long Lama mini district office will operate at Long Lama RGC from July. The clinic was expected to operate once the water treatment plant is fully restored,” he said.

To a question of the provision of a police station at Opar RGC, Jabu said this is subject to the efficient coverage of the police force. On the building of a clinic, he assured that his ministry
would support the building of healthcare facilities if the population (in Opar) justified its placement.

“A clinic is justifiable when the population of the RGC reaches 5,000 people,” Jabu continued.

However, Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip said its success depended very much on the cooperation of the general public to keep the river clean and not to treat it as a dumping ground.

He told Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (BN-Pantai Damai) during question-and-answer time yesterday that flood mitigation infrastructure and river embankment projects had been implemented by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

“Other projects include beautification of the waterfront, involving landscaping, pedestrian walkway, street lighting and garbage trap by Kuching North City Commission (DBKU).”

Talib also told the august house that tourism infrastructure like the Heritage Trail, elevated walkway and waterfront extension had been carried out by the Tourism Ministry.

“On top of that, we are also upgrading the existing jetties and constructing new ones at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and Kubah Ria to encourage the use of river transport such as river taxi, `tambangs’ and Sarawak River Cruise.”

In addition, Talib said the government was also encouraging water sports such as regatta, dragon boat race, wakeboard, water and jet-ski and kayaking at the Sarawak River so as to woo crowds to the waterfront.

TAKEN FOR A RIDE: (From left) Pemanca Tony Kulleh, Gruka (fourth left), Pemanca Unek and three other Penan villagers of Long Wat, Belaga at The Borneo Post’s office in Kuching.

KUCHING: The Penans from Long Wat, which is one of the villages affected by the proposed Murum Dam project in Belaga, want the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) to stop using them to champion their cause as it did not benefit them.

Long Wat’s spokesman Gruka Beti, 46, said his people had never benefitted from BMF’s programmes and fundraising campaigns.

“Dia orang ada kasih Maggi mee saja (They have given us Maggi noodles only) when we experienced food shortage previously. That’s all. We understand they used it as part of their propaganda to show that they had actually assisted us,” Gruka complained to The Borneo Post at its office here yesterday.

He said if BMF was serious in assisting the Penan community they should share with the Penans whatever they had received from donors globally.

“If they come to assist us, such as with our children’s education and other necessities, they would be most welcomed, but so far they have not.

“So, I would like to urge them to stop selling the name of our (Penan) community worldwide and reap benefits from it.”

Gruka was accompanied by three other Long Wat villagers, namely Pasang Pao, 37, Usat Karang, 47 and Gali Suding, 35.

They were brought down here by an NGO who had told them they would be attending the ongoing International Hydropower Association (IHA) 2013 World Congress at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) but instead ended up being part of a demonstration outside BCCK.

“We felt cheated (by the NGO) as they told us that we will attend a conference for just a day. That’s why we didn’t even bring our clothes with us,” they said.

According to its website, BMF is striving to safeguard the tropical rainforest and the Penan people in Sarawak with whom Bruno Manser had lived for six years.

Its activities include a land rights programme and aid projects in Sarawak, international campaigns and the operation of a documentation unit in Basel, Switzerland.

At present, the Fund is bent on thwarting the state’s plan to construct 12 dams and halt the destruction of the rainforests.

Meanwhile, both Pemanca Tony Kulleh and Pemanca Unek Jeno, who accompanied the four Penans, urged the relevant authorities to look into the compensation claims made by the Penans affected by the RM3.5 billion Murum hydropower dam project.

“They need start-up capital to start a new life at the new settlements at Matalun and Tegulan. Just like us in Sg Asap, it takes at least 15 years to see the fruits of our labour through our rubber and oil palm cultivation. It has been very challenging to start a new life in a totally a new environment.

“To gauge the success of the any dam project also means the success of resettling the people affected by the project,” Tony pointed out.

Besides other benefits, the 1,000-strong Penan families affected by the Murum dam have been demanding at least RM500,000 cash compensation per family from the government before they are ready to relocate to new resettlement areas.

“This project, sited within the compound of Miri Hospital, has already been approved under the 3rd rolling plan of 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

“Upon completion, it will benefit the local people and ease congestion at the existing clinic. The new clinic will be able to serve more than 800 patients a day,” he said in replying to Fong Pau Teck (DAP-Pujut) during question-and-answer session yesterday.

Fong has said that the polyclinic in the town centre was always congested and he wanted to know the government’s plan to resolve the issue.

To a supplementary question from Fong, Dr Jerip told the august House that the tender for the proposed project was still under documentation, and hopefully to be called for tender by next month.

“I am unable to say when the project can be implemented and completed but from our experience it will usually take around two years to complete,” Dr Jerip said.

Baru Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan) said the security issue had been on the people’s mind ever since the troubles in Lahad Datu cropped up just a few months ago.

He said that now the Immigration personnel in Ba Kelalan were sharing their office with the soldiers.

“I hope the construction of an Immigration post be done immediately to ensure smoother flow, check and control of human traffics between Sarawak and Kalimantan,” he told the august House yesterday.

On a related matter, Baru said he was made to understand that a GPS reading taken on the Bario-Ba Kelalan road showed that the road was built too close to the international border.

He was wondering if such a distance was permissible with the security laws.

“We must not be complacent where security is concerned after the bitter experience of Lahad Datu,” he said.

On environmental issue, Baru said that protection of the environment was the responsibility of everyone.

He also urged the government to put more effort into protecting the environment of this land, especially the rivers and streams in Sarawak.

“Many a times, projects commenced without EIA reports, provisional leases are issues for large tracts of land to be logged and rivers are being polluted,” he said.

“The sight of the Sarawak River evokes a little sadness in those of us who remember a time when the water was actually the colour of water and not this undignified muddy brown hue,” he added.

Baru said the Bario-Ba Kelalan road project had now contaminated the nearby water catchment areas and the once clean waters of the rivers and streams, making life difficult for the people who depended on the river for their crops and their daily needs.

As such, he urged the government to put more effort into rehabilitating the whole rivers in Sarawak which is blessed with great potential for tourism.

On healthcare, Baru said healthcare in Sarawak was woefully inadequate despite allocation from the federal government, which was used for various purposes including the building of hospitals and clinics.

According to the Social Statistics Bulletin Malaysia 2012, he said Sarawak had only seven rural clinics (Klinik Desa), 197 health clinics and 8 1Malaysia clinics, making a grand total of 212 clinics.

“But compared this with Perak which has about the same population as Sarawak, they have 328 clinics out of which 242 are rural clinics,” he said.

“It cannot be denied that Sarawak has not been getting a fair share of allocation, resulting in deprivation of adequate healthcare for her people’” he added.

Baru expressed hope that the government would fight for sufficient allocations in this aspect from the federal government.

ALLEGING ABUSE OF POWER: Chong (left) addressing the press conference. Also seen are (from second left) state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng, Ting and Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei.

DAP yesterday accused deputy speaker of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn of abusing his power for instructing that portions of Ting Tze Fui’s (DAP-Meradong) speech during her debate on the Head of State’s address be expunged from the Hansard.

Ting had her speech twice censored from the Hansard when she brought up issues on the recent general election, delineation of constituency boundaries and crony companies, which Sagah considered as matters under the federal government.

However, Ting insisted that the issues were state affairs. The argument between Ting and Sagah angered Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) when Sagah insisted that Ting move on to another topic, prompting Chong to stand up and question Sagah on the Standing Order that he evoked in making his decision.

At a press conference later on, Chong who is also state DAP secretary said the deputy speaker did not cite any specific Standing Order when instructing that part of Ting’s speech be expunged.

“This is clearly an abuse of power, to expunge speeches during the proceeding. However untrue or wrong the accusations brought up by members of this august house (during the sitting), let it be recorded in the Dewan, in the proceedings, in the minutes of the Hansard because Hansard is part of the history of this House.

“You cannot simply expunge it as though nothing has been said. The Speaker has abused his power by expunging the speeches of the Meradong member of the august house. We urge the speaker not to freely use such a power to expunge the speeches,” he pointed out.

Chong opined that if the DUN Speaker were to be strict, nothing could be said in the august house as one would not be able to talk about police (security) matters, army (defence), finance, education, corruption, crime and much more.

“These are all federal matters which were allowed to be talked in this house,” continued Chong, who perceived the incident as selective ruling by the deputy speaker.

MBKS said in a statement yesterday that ratepayers under the council’s jurisdiction are reminded to pay their assessment rates by the deadline.

The statement said assessment bills for the first and second half of this year have been issued and posted to ratepayers, and those who have yet to receive the bills or misplaced them are required to go to MBKS’ One-Stop-Service Counter on the ground floor of the council building or the Rating and Valuation Division on the second floor.

Under Section 74(1) of the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996, the council will impose a default fee for late payment of 1 per cent per month or part thereof on any rates remaining unpaid after the due dates as printed on the assessment bills.

“On no account will consideration be given to waive the default fee on the ground of non-receipt of the assessment bills,” said the statement.

To avoid paying the default fee, ratepayers are strongly urged to pay the assessment rates before the due dates, it said.

Payment can be made at the MBKS office on weekdays from 8am until 4pm.

Alternatively, payment can also be made at Sesco, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching Water Board, Kedai Telekom and post offices here.

E-payment can be made by accessing www.paybillsmalaysia.com or www.mbks.gov.my or through HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd, CIMB Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia via internet banking.

Credit cards can also be used at the MBKS payment counter.

General manager Steven Yii said among the items on special discounts are LG LED 84-inch television at RM69,999, Samsung 75-inch LED television at RM39,999, Samsung 925-litre refrigerator at RM13,999 and LG 905-litre refrigerator at RM15,999.

“The Gawai Canopy Sales will be taking place at three places simultaneously, namely at CL Khoon Electronic Palm Road branch, MJC branch and Seventh Mile branch.

“The sale features various brands of electronic items like Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Elba, MEC, Sharp, Faber, Alpha, Toshiba, Electrolux, Cornell and Upson,” he said yesterday.

Yii said customers can purchase items either by ‘cash and carry’ or AEON Credit installment, with just RM1 for downpayment.

However, he said, terms and conditions apply.

Customers can also have a choice of extended warranty (terms and conditions apply).

Business hours are from 9am to 9pm daily.

Grand Margherita placed second during the prestigious Fifth Nestle Golden Chef Hat Award in Kuala Lumpur last year and the dinner promotion features its winning menu for RM68.90 nett.

Crafted with dabai (black olives), midin and local mangoes, the menu features river prawn salad with tomato noodle, roasted golden eggplant soup with enoki and chicken, pan-seared salmon fillet served with garlic mash, midin and aged dabai salsa and lapis yoghurt cream with mango puree.

The fifth Nestle Golden Chef Hat Award competition required participants to bring their own halal ingredients to create a four-course Western menu.

Judges for the competition included Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur executive chef Juan Antonio Rodriguez, Malaysian Master Chef Sabri Hassan, Chefs Association Malaysia president Chern Chee Hoong and Chefs Association Malaysia Penang Chapter chairman Peter Chan.

Other judges were Chefjo Culinary Consultant principal consultant Johari Edrus, German Delicatessen owner Ludwig Gaisbauer, Nestle Professional Malaysia executive culinary chef Ricky Chan and Nestle Malaysia corporate wellness manager Cher Siew Wei.

For enquiries or reservations, call Orchid Garden coffee house at 082-423111 or 082-532111 extension 1158.

Grand Margherita Hotel stopped imposing its 10 per cent service charge in January this year.

All its kitchens are certified halal.