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Wee says seafaring is among the most important professions supporting modern life and global trade. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): The Ministry of Transport (MoT), which represents the country in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is serious about looking after the well-being of 6,108 active Malaysian seamen serving on about 4,000 domestic and foreign ships.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said this was because seafaring was among the most important professions supporting modern life and global trade.
“This commitment can be proven through the seriousness of the ministry when the sailors were among the earliest to be vaccinated for the transportation and logistics sector since June 25, which was also the International Seafarers Day.
“To date, 46,616 maritime workers have been vaccinated under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
“Of the total, 4,398 were seamen or 72 per cent of the 6,108 active sailors have received their vaccination to date,” he said.
He said this in his speech when opening the “Fair Future For Seafarers: Challenges And Solution” conference virtually with the theme of the World Maritime Day “Seafarers: At The Core Of Shipping’s Future” organised by the Association of Malaysia’s Maritime Professionals (Ikmal), yesterday.
On the conference, Wee said it was aimed at drawing global attention to the contributions of the seafarers to the world trading sector by ensuring the supply chain was not stunted despite facing grave challenges.
“I hope this conference can boost maritime ties and scrutinise all aspects of challenges faced by the seamen, in terms of physical and psychological, especially during Covid-19,” he added. ― Bernama
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At the time of writing, the deaths averaged at 89 cases a day in the last week, continuing a downward trend that started on Sept 5. ― Photo by Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): The Ministry of Health (MoH) recorded 192 more deaths due to Covid-19 as of 5.30am today.
Of these, 47 people died by the time they were taken to hospital.
The country’s cumulative Covid-19 fatalities now number 26,335 since the pandemic began.
At the time of writing, the deaths averaged at 89 cases a day in the last week, continuing a downward trend that started on Sept 5.
MoH now logs deaths due to Covid-19 including backlogged cases, rather than just daily deaths with Covid-19 detected.
Comparing all states, Penang had the highest fatality rate with 13.7 deaths per 100,000 in the population in the last two weeks.
This was followed by Johor (9.0), Perlis (6.7), Sabah (6.5), with Kelantan and Sarawak tied (5.2).
These five states recorded death rates higher than or equal to the national rate of 5.2.
Yesterday, Malaysia reported 12,735 new Covid-19 cases.
The total active cases stood at 164,536. This was an increase of 301 active cases over the last 24 hours.
Comparatively, 17,725 Covid-19 have recovered in the same period. The total cumulative Covid-19 cases have reached 2,245,695 since the pandemic hit. — Malay Mail
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BINTULU (Oct 1): The Federal government has been called on to provide details on how its RM400 billion budget would be utilised to finance various projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Kota Sentosa representative Datuk Dr Lau Pang Heng said the public would also like to know the success of the 11th Malaysia Plan.
“If there was any shortfall, how Malaysia can learn from the error so that the same mistake will not be repeated during the implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“We would like to have more information on the Federal authorities’ plan to increase the average household income to RM10,000 by 2025. What are the plans to achieve this goal?” he questioned in a statement.
It was reported that the government seeks to reduce gross domestic product (GDP) per capita gap between the Central Region of the peninsula and Sarawak to a 1:1.2 ratio by 2025.
“Why not bring Sarawak to be at par with the development in the central peninsula?” he questioned.
Lau pointed out the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has led many businesses to struggle with reports of 1,200 companies closing and 10,317 declaring bankruptcies.
He asked how the government would assist the 10,317 to recover and become productive contributors to the economy again.
“The 12th Malaysia Plan presented is a disappointment with no specific innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial approach to propel the nation forward,” Lau claimed.
According to him, 4.5 to 5.5 per cent economic growth is moderate and could be achieved even without a five-year plan to propel the economy forward.
“It is no longer enough to just keep up with our neighbours if we want to stay competitive in the global economy,” he said.
For Sarawak, he said the people want the federal authorities to expedite restoring rights and privileges under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“But it was reported that Sarawak is allocated RM4.09 billion for the development of Jendela.
“Members of the public would like to know why the basic development allocation was only 18 per cent of the total RM400 billion budget for the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“We hope that there will be balanced development among Malaysia’s three partners – Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak. We all know Sarawak’s development is behind the peninsula,” he said.
Lau said PSB expected at least a third of the RM400 billion to be allocated to Sarawak as its infrastructure development is well behind the peninsula’s.
He said PSB also wanted Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) included in the upgrading plan together with other public universities.
“We urge the authority to have more funds allocated for academic research, like the coronavirus pandemic, crime, sociology, engineering, climate change, sports, business and medical topics, to enable local universities to be at par with the world’s best universities.
“We would like to know if the authorities would build more competency-based technical institutions of higher learning to train engineers and technicians to meet the needs of the fast-growing industries,” he said.
On the digitalisation of public services and the transformation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he questioned plans to ensure accessibility for all.
“Despite the aim to develop a nationwide 5G network, there are many areas in Sarawak that are not internet accessible.
“The Internet is unstable in urban and suburban areas and little internet access in rural areas. Internet access is very unstable in some of the areas in Kota Sentosa as well,” he said.
He also called for specific and objective plans to end hardcore poverty by the end of the 12MP as well as to ensure the people live in harmony, unity, and peace without racial and religious conflict.
“How can the authorities bring together the divide for the past 58 years? Only when it is realised, we will be able to strive to be among the developed nations in the world,” he said.
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Abdul Karim added that the existing PBB Youth and Women wings may consider forming sub committees or sub-wings to ensure the participation of this age group in their committees. – File photo
KUCHING (Oct 1): There is no need for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) to form new wings for youths, following the lowering of voting age to 18 years.
This is because the party already has existing Youth and Women wings that play the same role, PBB vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah reasoned.
“Maybe the party will make changes to form these wings, but in my opinion, it is not necessary,” he said when met after a Ziarah Belia @ Samariang 2021 youth programme here yesterday.
He added that the existing PBB Youth and Women wings may consider forming sub committees or sub-wings to ensure the participation of this age group in their committees.
The Youth and Sports Minister made these comments when asked on the possibility of setting up new wings for 18-year-olds in PBB.
He said so far, the matter has yet to be discussed in their supreme council meeting, and it might be brought up in the meeting.
“So far, there is no discussion yet, but we believe our youth and women wings have their own plan on how to approach these 18-year-olds, as said by Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, that the women wing has a Beliawanis section,” he said.
For other component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), it is up to them to form new wings, he said.
On Sept 3, Kuching High Court Judicial Commissioner Alexander Siew ordered the federal government through the Election Commission (EC) to expedite the implementation of the lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 latest by Dec 31 this year.
On the Ziarah Belia programme, Abdul Karim said it was the ministry’s programme to try to get closer to the youths.
It aims to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism and responsibility amongst youths to be more caring in the community, he added.
“Youth is a phase that everyone goes through in the passage of life. They are going to inherit our leadership in the future, so we need to build responsible youths who can build strong families, community and the nation,” he said.
“The youths today are the ones who will be taking care of us when we are elderly, and who we entrust out future to.”
He added that the programme also hears the goals and aspirations of youths so that the ministry can hold suitable programmes to help them achieve their dreams.
At the event, 70 youths were given aid to help relieve the burden of cost of living due to the pandemic.
Present were Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Ministry of Youth and Sports acting permanent secretary Nancy Jolhi.
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KLT aims to prepare the next generation for the future with Laila Taib Scholarship for diploma programmes available to students with at least 5Cs in SPM or 4Bs in UEC (terms and conditions apply). – File photo
SIBU (Oct 1): Register for November intake at Kolej Laila Taib (KLT) to enjoy zero registration fees and zero programme fees.
Classes will commence Nov 8, 2021. Students with 2As & 3Bs in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) / Unified Examination certificate (UEC) stand a chance to win a cash prize. (terms and conditions apply).
KLT aims to prepare the next generation for the future with Laila Taib Scholarship for diploma programmes available to students with at least 5Cs in SPM or 4Bs in UEC (terms and conditions apply).
KLT alumnus Timothy Sia Kee Hieng who was a Laila Taib full scholarship holder graduated with Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering in 2015 before pursuing undergraduate study at University of Technology Sarawak (UCTS). He is currently a software analyst with E-gate Messaging Sdn Bhd in Selangor.
Timothy Sia Kee Hieng
“KLT provides the foundation education needed to equip graduates to go further into their respective fields,” said Timothy.
Valerie Layap Joseph, an assistant engineer with the Public Works Department (JKR) Kapit received her Diploma in Civil Engineering from KLT in 2016 with a full Laila Taib scholarship before obtaining a degree with University Technology Malaysia (UTM).
Valerie Layap Joseph
“KLT helps Sarawakian students financially and that was why I chose KLT,” she shared.
Another full scholarship holder, Ho Zau Phin who graduated with Diploma in Business Management from KLT in 2016 before obtaining a degree in corporate management from University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) said his experience in KLT has made his undergraduate study a lot easier.
Ho Zau Phin
For more details, contact KLT at 084-311 888 or send WhatsApp message to 016-380 9818.
Alternatively, visit KLT official website at www. KLT.edu.my to book one-to-one virtual course consultation.
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Fatimah (centre) speaks during the press conference.
KUCHING (Oct 1): Another Covid-19 quarantine centre will be set up at Mukah Indoor Stadium in Mukah in view of the increasing number of positive cases in the district.
“There are already three quarantine centres in Mukah and l only managed to visit the quarantine centre at Mukah Community Sports Complex today (yesterday),” Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah told reporters in a press conference yesterday.
“The new quarantine centre will start operation end October or beginning November. It will have capacity for about 200 patients. We are grateful to Sarawak Sports Corporation for the use of the Indoor Stadium as a quarantine centre.
“We want to ensure that the facilities and environment at the quarantine centre will be conducive for the patients,” she said.
The Dalat state assemblywoman was pleased to note that Mukah has achieved the highest rate of Covid-19 vaccination (99.6 per cent) compared to other districts in the state.
Fatimah added that 100.7 per cent of adolescents aged 16 to 17 years in Mukah had received their first dose of Covid vaccine with the second dose being administered starting yesterday.
“The vaccination rate for children aged 12 to 15 is 82.6 per cent and the vaccination programme has been carried out,” she added.
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Liaw hands over duties to Dzokarnain (third right) witnessed by Awang Tengah (centre), Naroden (second right) and others.
BINTULU (Oct 1): Dzulkornain Masron is the acting Permanent Secretary of Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (Mintred) effective today (Oct 1).
Outgoing permanent secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng handed over duties to Dzulkornain yesterday witnessed by Mintred minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneurs & SMEs Datuk Naroden Majais and other officials.
Liaw who had served the Sarawak state civil service for over 41 years started as administrative officer at Kanowit District Office in 1979. He was appointed as Mintred’s permanent secretary June 9, 2009.
His extensive experience in industrial and entrepreneurship had helped secure investments in the manufacturing sector. Among outstanding achievements of the Ministry during his leadership are AKPANS gold medal, Accountability Index (5 star rating), Treasury Inspectorate (5 Star Rating), Scorecard Management (100 per cent score) and Mintred Website (5 Star rating)
Dzulkornain was the former head of Entrepreneur Development Division in the ministry.
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Sarawak’s 24-hour Covid-19 PICK Hotline which started operating Feb 25 was supposed to end in September said a spokesperson from the State Health Department.
KUCHING (Oct 1): The Sarawak State Health Department’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Program (PICK) Hotline will be temporarily closed from Oct 1 until further notice according to a notice sighted in C19 Media whatsapp group.
The state 24-hour Covid-19 PICK Hotline which started operating Feb 25 was supposed to end in September said a spokesperson from the State Health Department.
He said the hotline service may reopen when the government starts giving Covid booster shots.
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Abang Johari cutting a bunch of balloons to symbolically launch the Le Tour de Restoration (Greening Sarawak Campaign) at the State Legislative Assembly building yesterday.
KUCHING (Oct 1): Sarawak will use the ‘Seed Ball’ approach to further strengthen tree replanting or forest restoration in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
This initiative by the Sarawak Forest Department (SFD) would use drone technology to sow or drop seedlings in targeted areas, which is seen as very appropriate to facilitate tree planting activities in areas that are difficult to enter such as hilly areas.
“We congratulate the SFD on this because it is an innovation to strengthen the forest restoration programme in Sarawak,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Le Tour de Restoration (Greening Sarawak Campaign) launching ceremony here held at the State Legislative Assembly building yesterday.
He said each seed ball coated with tree seeds can reach a sprouting rate of up to 90 per cent after seven to 14 days of sowing and the cost of preparing the seed ball is cheaper compared to other methods.
In addition, he said SFD will also hold a smart collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus to create a forestry research hub in Sarawak.
He said all the efforts were in line with the state’s 2030 Post Covid-19 Development Strategy which also emphasised forestry sustainability by replanting trees in degraded forests.
Commenting further on the state’s Forest Restoration Programme, he said the state government had raised it as the main agenda to green Sarawak.
“In the 12th Malaysia Plan, the state government has allocated RM62 million to the Sarawak Forest Department to implement restoration programmes throughout the state.
“This year a total of RM10 million has been channelled to this department. Meanwhile, the federal government through the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has also channelled an allocation of RM10.37 million,” he said.
Of that, he added, RM4 million would be for the Malaysian Greening programme through the Planting Campaign of 100 million trees and RM6.37 million for the mangrove planting programme and the state’s forest restoration programme through Social Forestry to FSD to implement the activities planned this year.
Commenting on the Malaysia Greening Programme Campaign, Abang Johari said the state government through SFD had targeted to plant 35 million trees during a period of five years from 2021 to 2025.
He said Sarawak was confident of achieving the planting target because by 2020, the state had managed to plant more than 10 million trees.
“Meanwhile, for 2021 until September 30, a total of 6.78 million trees have been planted throughout Sarawak,” he added.
Also present during the launching ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh, Sarawak Federal Secretary Datuk Amir Omar, Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, SFD director Datu Hamden Mohammad and other officials.
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Photo shared by the embassy shows the virtual meeting between McFeeters and Wong. – Photo from Facebook/US Embassy Kuala Lumpur
KUCHING (Oct 1): Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) joining the next state election was among the five main topics discussed during a meeting between the party and US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D McFeeters on Wednesday.
PSB president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the other four topics were the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Sarawak, Federal-State government relationship, issues surrounding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), environmental management and conservation, as well as human rights issues.
The Bawang Assan assemblyman said the virtual meeting was held via the Zoom platform.
“The meeting was initiated by the US Ambassador. They called up PSB and our secretariat arranged it.
“Some discussions are not suitable to be disclosed,” he said when contacted.
In a Facebook post, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the meeting was part of McFeeters’ virtual visit to Sarawak.
The embassy said the meeting was “to discuss bilateral cooperation on Covid-19 responses and US investment in Sarawak and learn about the opposition’s priorities for #Sarawak”.
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Ismail Sabri tables the 12th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 27, 2021. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Experts polled by Malay Mail have argued that the national average household income is not a good indicator for measuring the well-being of Malaysian families, and the government should instead highlight objectives that are more inclusive of low wage earners.
Both Universiti Tun Abdul Razak Prof Emeritus Barjoyai Bardai and Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia economics analyst Calvin Cheng explained that the income of high earners would influence the average, making it a hollow representation for the majority of families.
“All you have to do is push up the income of the T20, and the average will go up,” said Barjoyai, referring to the top 20 per cent income group.
Putrajaya had in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) planned to increase average household income to RM10,000 per month by 2025, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Parliament on Monday.
The professor said that the government should instead be aiming for a higher minimum wage as even many government servants were still earning a salary of less than RM2,000 — which was below the country’s Poverty Line Income for households that is RM2,208 per month.
As of February last year, the minimum wage in Malaysia for 56 major towns and cities including Kuala Lumpur is RM1,200.
Meanwhile, Cheng suggested looking at median household income, instead of the average — also known as the mean — because the median would present a more “realistic view”, which reduces the influence of top-end high household income earners.
In statistics, the mean of a set of values is calculated through dividing the sum of values by the number of values. A median, meanwhile, is the value that sits right in the middle in a list of numbers.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the average household income in 2019 was RM7,901, while the median household income was RM5,873.
In 2020, the mean dropped to RM7,089, while the median declined to RM5,209.
However, Barjoyai and Cheng had opposing views on how to achieve the RM10,000 by 2025 goal.
“In my view, the RM10,000 target would amount to an exceedingly optimistic scenario, which while not completely impossible, is just very optimistic and somewhat unrealistic for the current economic situation,” said Cheng.
“Assuming average monthly household income recovers to 2019 levels by next year — which is itself on the optimistic side — average household income would need to grow by about 8.2 per cent every single year until 2025 to reach RM10,000.
“For comparison, average annual growth for average monthly household income from 2009 to 2019 period was about 7 per cent per year,” he added.
Intan Nadia Jalil, a chief economist of a regional bank, said that aside from the doubts about setting a target on average household income, the 12MP was lacking in specific plans and milestones for the economic growth and social protection needed for families to do better.
“For instance, the plan does acknowledge the need to revamp Malaysia’s social protection system, and proposes the merging of the Malaysia Social Protection Council and the Cabinet Special Committee on Poverty, to improve the coordination of social protection and its delivery.
“However, the plan does not state whether a comprehensive social protection blueprint providing a cradle-to-grave system will be developed.
“Given the vulnerabilities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, this may be an area of priority for household welfare,” she said.
Laying out Malaysia’s five-year roadmap, Ismail Sabri had said the government aspires to raise the average household income to RM10,000 by 2025 to make the leap into becoming a high-income nation.
The 12MP also aspires for gross domestic product (GDP) growth of up to 4.5 to 5.5 per cent per annum between 2021 and 2025, while reducing the GDP per capita gap between the Central Region and Sabah to a 1:2.5 ratio, and 1:1.2 for Sarawak by 2025.
In response, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim retorted in Parliament yesterday that the government should relook at the feasibility of actually achieving that target.
Anwar said the targeted figure may lift the mood for some, but questioned whether it is realistic considering the current global Covid-19 economic scenario. — Malay Mail
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Wan Junaidi said even though the nationwide Emergency expired on Aug 1, the Emergency Ordinances (EO) 2021 are still enforceable until February 2022. ― Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): The Emergency Ordinances (EO) 2021 are still enforceable until February 2022 even though the nationwide Emergency expired on August 1, since such Emergency laws have not been cancelled by Parliament, a parliamentary written reply has revealed.
This finally makes clear the status of the EOs — which had given the government temporary new powers, among other things — and whether they continue to have legal effect after the nationwide Emergency ended about two months ago.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar made the disclosure in a parliamentary reply yesterday to Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang who wanted to know whether the EOs — which were gazetted during the nationwide Emergency from January 11 to August 1 — were still in legal effect and if so, how long more they would still be in effect for.
Wan Junaidi explained that EOs are enforceable until they are revoked, annulled or ceased to be in effect, according to three legal positions as follows:
Revoked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution while the Emergency Proclamation is still in force;
Annulled through a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament under the same Article 150(3); or
Cease to be in effect six months after the Emergency expires according to Article 150(7) of the Federal Constitution.
He then cited a statement issued by then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on August 3 saying that the process for the Agong’s revocation of the EOs as advised by the Cabinet on July 23 could not be completed.
“In regards to the aforementioned matter, since the Emergency Proclamation 2021 had ceased to be in effect on August 2, 2021, therefore His Majesty is no longer accorded the power to revoke the Emergency Ordinances 2021 under Article 150(3),” he wrote.
In other words, as the Emergency has ended without the Agong exercising his constitutional powers to revoke EOs (which is a power that applied when the Emergency was in force), these ordinances were not cancelled through this method.
As for the second method of Parliament cancelling the EOs through resolutions to annul them, this too did not take place, Wan Junaidi said.
“For the purpose of annulling the Emergency Ordinances 2021 by both Houses of Parliament according to Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution, it is stipulated that the resolutions for annulment must be passed by both Houses of Parliament.
“As of the Special Meeting of the Third Session of the 14th Parliament (which took place from July 26 to Aug 5), it is observed that there are no resolutions in regards to the annulment of any Emergency Ordinances 2021 passed by both Houses of Parliament.
“However, if Parliament does not annul the Emergency Ordinances 2021 under Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution, Article 150(7) of the Federal Constitution provides that the EOs will only stop being in force after the end of a six months grace period following the expiration of the Emergency Proclamation 2021, which is starting from February 2, 2022,” Wan Junaidi said.
This is affirmed as there have been no gazettes published by the federal government on the official federal legislation website over the revocation of EOs.
Wan Junaidi, however, noted that even though the EOs were still enforceable until annulled by Parliament under Article 150(3) or expiration of the six-month grace period under Article 150(7), some EOs — whose provisions explicitly state “for so long as the Emergency is in force” — are only enforceable throughout the state of Emergency period (Jan 11 to Aug 1).
In other words, parts of the EOs that had the phrase “for as long as the Emergency is in force” would no longer be applicable now, as the Emergency has ended.
He explained that this was due to the fact that those EO provisions were closely linked to rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, fundamental human rights and a country that practises a democratic system, and that their continued existence after the Emergency ended would be difficult to defend or justify.
“In this case, since the Emergency Proclamation has effectively stopped being in force on August 2, 2021, the EOs whose provisions explicitly state ‘for so long as the Emergency is in force’ ceased being enforceable effective August 2,” Wan Junaidi explained.
Accordingly, there were a total of seven EOs introduced in 2021 (six plus an amendment):
1. Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 and its amending ordinance
Children walk past the Sarawak Museum during an educational visit to Kuching City. — File photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING (Oct 1): Business activities in tourism and culture sector are allowed to operate under Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
However, the number of visitors or customers must not exceed 50 per cent of the capacity of their premises or limited to a maximum of 100 people at one time.
According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) released by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) yesterday, the operators/organisers are also to comply with physical distancing, mandating the wearing of face masks and other SOPs issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak.
Public tourist attraction products such as zoos, farms, aquariums, edutainment centres, recreational parks, extreme/adventure/nature parks and others also permitted to open.
So are premises of art, culture and heritage such as museums, libraries, art galleries, cultural heritage art centres/villages, cultural performance stages and others.
The owner/operator/employee of the premises is fully responsible for ensuring visitors comply with the health protocol in force.
The SOPs under Phase 3 also permit non-contact sports activities, (non-contact sports) individual and team categories for the purpose of training activities, games, matches and tournaments.
However, these activities are subject to the approval by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sarawak (KBSS). SDMC must also be informed.
Organising local and international tournaments/competitions for non-contact sports is permitted subject to KBSS approval.
Aside from that, individual or non-contact sports recreational/sports activities for the public are allowed too. Public parks are also allowed to operate.
Both activities must meet the Sports and Recreation SOP issued by KBSS.
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Yii (second left) hands over the incentives to Alhadi while (from left) Jane and Hong Wee look on. – Photo by SJA
SIBU (Oct 1): Sibu Journalists Association (SJA) is distributing the yearly study incentives to members’ children this week.
Its chairman Yii Souk Ming said they have received the submission of 32 recipients.
“They range from kindergarten to degree level university students. We hope that by this, our children will continue to strive hard in their studies especially during this trying time,” he said.
He added that the Covid-19 pandemic had affected everyone, not just businesses, but also children’s education.
Yii symbolically handed over the incentives to a committee member Mohamad Alhadi Shamsawi on behalf of his son at See Hua Daily News office in Jalan Tuanku Osman here yesterday.
The organising chairperson and secretary Jane Moh and treasurer Hii Hong Wee were also present at the function.
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Members of Hope Place hand over the items to one of the elderly recipients. – Photo from Hope Place
SIBU (Oct 1): Hope Place went to Dalat recently and gave aid to three elderly disabled widows as well as the frontliners stationed there.
Three members of Hope Place drove for about 10 hours from Kuching before reaching Dalat, a district situated about 200km from Sibu town.
The team was met by Dalat Social Welfare Department (JKM) representatives, JKM volunteers as well as the local police.
Among them were Mohamad Nazri, head of JKM Dalat, and Mohd Amir Kamarudin from the police.
The NGO visited the three elderly widows, aged 69 to 75, in Kpg Medong and Kp Oya, a village 34km from Dalat.
The team even had to cross Batang Oya, a small river, using boat to reach one of the homes.
These elderly widows all live alone and are in dire circumstances. Two of them are bedridden while another is unable to walk.
The team gave adult diapers to all three widows and a wheelchair to one of them.
The accompanying JKM officials also gave food aid to them and will apply for OKU card for them as well.
Furthermore, Hope Place also gave a contribution of PPE to JKM frontliners who are stationed at Dalat.
These PPE include medical face masks, hand sanitizers and PPE suits. All the one-litre hand sanitizer bottles were sponsored by the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), Kuching Chapter.
Hope Place also expressed their gratefulness and appreciation to other donors and JKM for their support in making this trip a success.
For more information, Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching (PKHK) can be reached at 082-505987. Opening hours are 8.00am–5.00pm from Mondays till Fridays and 8.00am–12.00pm on Saturdays.
All donations are welcome and receipts will be given upon request.
Donations can be made directly to their bank account MBB: 511289001160.
Alternatively, visit their Facebook page to get their Sarawak Pay/S PAY GLOBAL QR code.
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The new guidelines are effective Oct 4 in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in Sarawak as the whole of the state transitions to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan. – Malay Mail photo
BINTULU (Oct 1): The Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) has released the latest standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for religious activities in mosques and surau.
The new guidelines are effective Oct 4 in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in Sarawak as the whole of the state transitions to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan.
Friday prayer, Fardhu prayer and sunat prayer are allowed based on the size of the house of worship with physical distancing of at least one metre.
All religious activities in mosques and surau are allowed in accordance with Covid-19 SOPs and physical distancing except for activities that require physical contact such as handling of the body of a deceased.
Based on the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee’s (SDMC) decision, only congregants and mosque officers who have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to be present for religious activities in mosques or surau.
Handling of the body of the deceased, management and burial of non-Covid-19 patients are allowed with adherence to the existing Covid-19 SOPs.
Visiting graves are also allowed in accordance with the SOPs.
MIS said the main SOPs that must be complied with are wearing a face mask at all times, taking body temperature, and registering using the MySejahtera app before entering a mosque or surau.
Congregants also need to bring their own prayer mats, perform wudhu (ablutions) at home before going to the mosque or surau and are not allowed to shake hands.
However, banquets are not allowed in mosques and surau except for takeaways.
Individuals who are still under Covid-19 quarantine period, at risk or have symptoms of fever, flu, cough, and breathing difficulty are not allowed to go to the mosque or surau.
Mosques and surau are allowed to open for religious activities every day from 4am to 12 midnight.
All SOPs according to the State Fatwa Board, SDMC, Divisional Disaster Management Committee, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health must be complied with.
The SOPs and guidelines could be changed and amended from time to time based on need.
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A nurse administers the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine on one of students from SMK Kapit No 2.
KAPIT (Oct 1): Secondary students began their second dose of Covid-19 vaccination yesterday.
Kapit health officer Dr Hamidi Mohammad said the second dose would be administered for four days until Oct 3.
The first dose was administered from Sept 9 to 12 at SMK Selirik, SMK Kapit No 1 and SMK Kapit No 2. They were accompanied by their parents or guidance.
Students from Bukit Mabong District would be vaccinated at SMK Baleh while school dropouts would receive their jabs at Sri Baleh multipurpose hall here.
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MIRI (Oct 1): A log bridge across Sungai Seriban in Medamit, Limbang collapsed Wednesday, cutting off access to thousands of residents of more than 10 longhouses and settlements in Nanga Medamit.
According to Jonathan Kolay, 51, a resident of Kampung Lubok Aur about three minutes’ drive from the bridge, the bridge connecting several villages and longhouses and schools in Medamit District is located about 50 minutes from downtown Limbang.
“The bridge was swept away by strong currents Wednesday night following continuous heavy rain since Monday.
“The bridge has been used by people from several longhouses and villages, teachers and students from nearby schools and workers of several quarry companies which built the bridge,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Jonathan said possibly over 10,000 people from over 10 villages including Long Beti, Long Serangan, Rh Berinau, Rh Asan, Kpg Sebena, Kpg Rantau Kiran, and Long Kuala Brunei were badly affected by the bridge collapse.
“We hope the authorities concerned would take remedial actions as soon as possible.
“This road and the bridge have existed for a long time and have helped the local residents much. I can say that nothing has been made to upgrade the road and the bridge,” he said.
Meanwhile, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, said the damage to the bridge since two weeks ago had been reported to the logging company for repair.
“We have asked the logging company which regularly used the bridge to repair it as soon as possible,” he said when contacted yesterday.
As it is now, the people have to use an alternative route – Kubong-Hulu Pandaruan road to reach their destinations, he added.
“I used the alternative route when I visited Rh Thadeeus in Pulau Brunei and Rh Jampong Melaban recently,” he added.
He said the state government, through Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) would build a road from Medamit to Rh Aling including two bridges, one over Sg Seriban (now damaged) and the other over Sg Semena.
“This is a long-term plan. Tender for the construction work will be issued this year,” he added.
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Lottery outlets are allowed to operate from 8am to 12 midnight once Sarawak enters Phase 3 of the NRP tomorrow. — File photo by Chimon Upon
BINTULU (Sept 30): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) today released the standard operating procedure (SOP) for phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) for spa, wellness, beauty centres, reflexology centres, snooker and billiard centres, lottery outlets, prawn fishing shops, and cybercafes.
According to the updated SOP, those businesses are allowed to operate from 8am to 12 midnight, with 80 per cent staff capacity and 50 per cent customers’ capacity and customers can only enter after 8am, while toy stores can operate from 10am to 10pm.
For spa, wellness, beauty and reflexology centres, group activities which can affect their capacity is not allowed.
Overflow of customers are required to set appointments first before entering these premises.
However, water treatment in tubs, jacuzzi, body scrubs, sauna, steam baths, eating and drinking in the rooms are prohibited in these premises.
Operators of these premises must also obtain written approvals from their respective division disaster management committee (DDMC) before being allowed to operate, and approval documents must be displayed properly in their premises to facilitate monitoring by the authorities.
Operators, staff and masseurs working must undergo RTK-Antigen swab test with negative results not more than three days before being allowed to work.
Only employees who have received complete Covid-19 vaccine doses and asymptomatic are allowed to work.
Operators, staff and masseurs must also undergo random self saliva testing using RTK-Antigen every two weeks, the SOP added.
Foreign therapists and masseurs must have valid work permits and have been in the state for no less that 30 days.
Those without valid working permits must renew them with at the Immigration Department promptly.
As for customers, only those who have completed their Covid-19 vaccine doses are allowed to enter these premises.
Each customer’s session must not exceed two hours.
For snooker and billiard centres, lottery outlets, prawn fishing shops, toy stores, and cybercafes, operators must have completed their Covid-19 vaccination doses and asymptomatic before being allowed to work.
For customers, only those with ‘Low Risk’ to ‘Casual Contact Low Risk’ status in their MySejahtera app, and have completed their Covid-19 vaccine doses are allowed to enter these premises.
All these premises must carry out cleaning and disinfection exercises at least twice a day.
Operators must also ensure proper ventilation in their premises according to the SOP on ventilation improvement at non-residential buildings or spaces.
