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Police carry the body to a truck for transportation to SGH yesterday.
KUCHING (May 11): Police here are calling for the next of kin of a man who was found dead at a Jalan Utama bus stop yesterday to help identify him.
In a statement, acting police chief Supt Merbin Lisa said a member off the public found the man unconscious at the scene around 6.50am.
“Paramedics from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) declared that the deceased had died at the scene within the past 24 hours,” said Merbin.
He said no personal documents were found on the body, which was shirtless and only clad in brown shorts.
According to him, the deceased was estimated to be between 45 and 50 years old, 165cm tall, and weighed 60kg.
The body is currently at the SGH forensics department for further action.
Merbin added police found no evidence of foul play and have classified the case as sudden death.
Those who have a family member or friend matching the description missing can call the Kuching district police headquarters on 082-244444 or case investigating officer Sgt Major Siti Mariam on 016-4461345.
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(Seated from right) Goh, Yii and Abdul Rahman in a photo call with the councillors after the press conference.
MIRI (May 11): The Miri City Council (MCC) is ready to do more under its tourism strategy, to lure tourists to visit this Resort City.
This effort is being held in conjunction with the 18th anniversary of Miri City Day, said mayor Adam Yii.
“Miri achieved city status in May 20, 2005 and we are indebted to the farsightedness and great efforts of the local leaders in transforming this town into a city,” Yii told a press conference at Miri City Hall yesterday.
For 18 years, Yii, also Pujut assemblyman, said the MCC had received firm support from the government, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the local communities, in laying the foundation and nurturing the city into what it is today.
The city council, he added, was grateful the various stakeholders had shared the common vision of transforming this city into a green and smart city, thus making Miri the most liveable resort city with an emphasis on sustainable developments and the protection of the environment.
“In celebrating the 18th anniversary, we must all embark on ‘international links’ to promote our tourism industry abroad.
“MCC, with its team of councillors and administrators, has pledged to make things happen and realise our vision,” Yii added.
Meanwhile, several activities have been lined up for the 18th anniversary celebrations.
They include the raising of the flag, followed by MCCs open day at the city hall on May 20.
Exhibition booths, and food and drinks stalls would also be set up at the hall while various stage performances would be staged to entertain the visitors.
Members of the public would be able to participate in various fun activities such as colouring and fancy dress competitions, zumba, poco-poco and aerobic exercise.
The city day dinner would be held at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club on May 28.
Yii said that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been invited as the guest-of-honour and officiate at the dinner.
MCC acting secretary Abdul Rahman Taupek, its open day organising chairman councilor Ernest Goh and several councilors were also present at the press conference.
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Martinus regards his participation in Sape Junior 2023 as ‘another big achievement’.
KUCHING (May 11): Many participants of the inaugural ‘Sape Junior 2023’, a competition programme by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak, see the performing as being more than just a musical instrumental skill.
For Martinus Njok Sebi, it has now become a responsibility that he and fellow players must uphold as part of Sarawak’s invaluable artistic heritage.
The 21-year-old Mirian, who is of Iban-Kenyah parentage, said it was that sense of responsibility that drove him to sign up for competition.
“I am a Kenyah Lepo Tau from Long Moh in Ulu Baram.
“At first, I saw playing the sape’ as a skill that was fun to have, but now, I see it from a different perspective – one that urges me to keep my cultural heritage alive, especially in upholding the originality of sape music.
“By entering this competition, I would be able to keep doing what I’m passionate about.
“I’m so thankful to become one of the finalists and able to compete in the finals this Saturday.
“This is another big achievement for me,” Martinus, who is currently studying music at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), told The Borneo Post here when met after a press conference on the programme, here on Monday.
Adding on, the youth hailed his grandfather Lian Balan as ‘a sape grandmaster’.
Another finalist of ‘Sape Junior 2023’ is Aeron Junior Ibas, who is of Iban-Bidayuh parentage.
When asked about his feeling upon having made the cut for the grand showdown, the 18-year-old was ‘elated for being chosen, despite his young age’.
Aeron says sape music can make him ‘feeling calm’.
To a question about him playing the stringed musical instrument most identifiable to the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak, Aeron said it was simply because sape music could make him ‘feeling calm’.
“It was 2013 – I was lying on the sofa and browsing the net, when I was recommended by YouTube to watch a video clip of Sada Borneo, so I did.
“On the screen, I could see the group playing sape. I then remembered that I had a sape at home – a thought came: ‘Why don’t I learn how to play it’.
“I then began learning how to play sape by watching other videos on YouTube, mostly those of my idol Hallan Hashim and his fellow members of Sada Borneo.
“I never attended any sape workshop, as there’s currently none in Limbang where I am living with my family now,” said Aeron, who is eyeing to further his studies in law.
For Sibu native Stanford Rayan Sidi, he vowed to perform his best during the final.
Stanford vows to perform his best during the final.
“After this, I am so looking forward to playing the sape on other stages.
“Of course, every finalist wants to win, including myself, and to have his own chance to shine.
“However, if that was not the case for me in this competition, I would continue to work hard and showcase my talent through other platforms in the future.
“That said, my only hope is to bring sape to a higher level so that everyone could ‘get closer to’ this amazing instrument,” said the 25-year-old technician.
Stanford, who is of Kayan-Iban parentage, said in his village in Sibu, sape-playing would be regarded as ‘a must-have’ at any event, especially the traditional ones such as a wedding reception.
When asked about things that might set him apart from the other finalists, Stanford replied: “I have the ability to perform both traditional and contemporary tunes, using only one sape.”
Meanwhile, Ferderick Maldini said Sape Junior 2023 would be his last chance to showcase his talent on a grand stage.
“So I’m taking this opportunity to make a comeback – perhaps for the last time.
“The heat is on for the final showdown this Saturday, as there will be a fierce competition between us.
“Having said that, I see Sape Junior 2023 as being more of a show for us than a competition, as all the contestants are my friends,” said the 25-year-old Bidayuh.
Ferderick, a Bidayuh from Bau, has his own YouTube channel called ‘Sapek Guru’.
Ferderick, who used to play piano and guitar for the church in Kampung Kopit, Peninjau in Bau District, now has his own YouTube channel, ‘Sapek Guru’.
This platform involves him entertaining his subscribers, numbering at 300 at the moment, with his cover-renditions of various songs, as well as making educational content related to sape.
Six finalists will battle it out in the Sape Junior 2023 finale, to be staged at the Auditorium P Ramlee of RTM Sarawak here, this Saturday.
The show will also feature renowned performing artistes, Bob Yusof and Noraniza Idris.
Commencing at 9pm, the broadcast will also be aired live on TV2, RTM Klik app and RTM Sarawak’s official Facebook page.
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The competition’s flyer with the QR code bottom right.
KUCHING (May 11): Ladies wanting to participate in the Gawai Dayak 2023 ‘Kumang Gawai’ contest organised by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) are encouraged to register themselves between May 8 and 23.
The event chairman Wilson Entabang, who is also PSB Youth chief, said attractive prizes await the winners.
The event, themed ‘Anak Sarawak Mansang Sereta’, will be held at Kingwood Hotel in Sibu on June 17.
The first prize for the Kumang category is RM5,000; first runner-up (Lulong) RM3,000; and second runner-up (Selinggar Matahari) RM2,000.
Seven other winners (4th to 10th) will take home RM500 each.
There are subsidiary titles, such as the contestant with the Best Costume who will take home RM500 and the most popular ‘Kumang TikTok’ (RM300).
Those wanting to participate are urged to come and register themselves, and in their traditional costume. Call Elsiy Tinggang (012-6016637); Wong Hie Ping (016-8668828) and Dorothy Michael (012-8814898) to register.
The secretariat also accepts online registration by using the organiser’s QR Code provided.
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Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu said it was not true that one cannot drink cold water or take a cold bath suddenly when their body temperature is too hot. – AFP photo
SIBU (May 11): Advice on how to beat the heat, including avoiding cold water when a person is overheated, has been spreading like wildfire as the days become hotter but are they just old wives tales?
Utusan Borneo, The Borneo Post’s sister daily, spoke to Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu today to find out if there are any truths to some advice that are commonly shared.
He said it was not true that one cannot drink cold water or take a cold bath suddenly when their body temperature is too hot.
“Heatstroke occurs when the body overheats and the body cannot cool down. The myth that said not to drink cold water or shower suddenly is wrong because it will worsen the condition of the body from heat exhaustion to heat stroke which can be fatal.”
He also said it was a myth that people should not eat durian or spicy food during hot weather for fear that they will increase their body temperature.
Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu – Photo by Tiong Liu Chuo/See Hua Daily News
“The myth about heaty and spicy food is also incorrect. Eat moderately. Some foods may make you thirsty, such as heaty foods. So practice the habit of drinking sufficient water to hydrate the body.”
Similarly, he denied that consuming mung beans and drinking barley water will help to reduce body temperature.
“The myth about mung beans and barley water is the teaching of the elders. The main way to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke is to avoid activities under the sun and drink plenty of water.
“Scientifically, the best drink is boiled drinking water. Keep the body hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses a day based on the body needs,” he said.
Dr Nanthakumar said the public should get the right advice from doctors and health workers such as nurses on the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
He added that they also can refer or obtain information from verified sources such as from the Health Ministry.
“Always investigate the truth of these myths and do not accept them blindly.”
Dr Nanthakumar said it was important for the public to know the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
“If you have these symptoms, go to the nearest clinic and hospital immediately. Avoid outdoor activities and keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of boiled water,” he said.
He explained that heatstroke occurs when the body’s mechanism to lower the body temperature has been compromised.
“This will cause body temperature to rise which can lead to organ failure such as the brain, nerves, heart, lungs and so on. This can be fatal if treatment is delayed,” he warned.
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Bong previews his oil paintings to reporters before the launch on May 13.
KUCHING (May 11): Raising awareness for the need to preserve the culture of oil painting is a necessity because of a lack of new young artists wanting to explore the medium, said Sarawak Artists Society (SAS) founding member Bong Choo Chew.
According to Bong, oil painters are scarce as the process of doing an art piece from oil colours is time-consuming and tedious with harmful chemicals when not taking the necessary requirements to protect one’s safety.
“You have to wait four days for the paint to dry. Youngsters nowadays don’t have the patience; they want to paint as fast as they can,” he said to reporters at a preview of his latest exhibition at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall yesterday.
He said he paints up to four canvases at one time to reduce time constraints whilst waiting for the oil colour to dry.
“While waiting for a piece to dry, I move onto another canvas, painting up to four pieces at a time so as to not waste any time.
“By the time I have finished working on the fourth piece, my first piece is dry and ready for another layer of oil colours,” he said.
Additionally, Bong said that youngsters paint with other mediums such as acrylic, a fast-drying paint, to produce and sell their pieces faster than that of oil colour to generate faster income revenue.
“That is a wrong concept. That is why most paintings nowadays are not artistic, it’s only a decoration,” he said.
He believes that an artist’s primary motive should be to seek and produce a style unique to them as a means of expressing themselves.
“You must paint from your heart with strong character to show that you are really an artist. Artists carry weight, but painters merely paint for money,” he said.
Bong hopes to encourage and teach local youth interested in oil painting to preserve the culture as a medium of expressive art.
His exhibition ‘Dialogue With Our Nature’ will start on May 13.
‘Dialogue With Our Nature’ is Bong’s first solo art show in two decades featuring over 50 oil paintings presenting pieces from the 1990s, depicting nostalgic scenes of markets, traders and shoppers with highly detailed paintings of fishes and his recent abstracts produced this year.
Anwar in a statement on his Facebook page said he paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen Bolkiah and expressed his wish to see Bandar Seri Begawan’s involvement in the Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC) this year where Putrajaya is the host. – Photo via Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): At the 42nd Asean Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia today Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with four Asean leaders on bilateral ties and cooperation.
Anwar in a statement on his Facebook page said he paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen Bolkiah and expressed his wish to see Bandar Seri Begawan’s involvement in the Annual Leaders’ Consultation (ALC) this year where Putrajaya is the host.
“Apart from that, the discussion is also focused on investment, landmarking, cooperation in culture and education for the benefit of both countries,” he said.
Anwar also held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh and expressed Malaysia’s welcome to receive their delegation to Putrajaya in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The discussion also touched on the investment apart from hoping that the issue of Vietnamese fishermen’s encroachment in Malaysian waters could be dealt with as firmly as possible.
“In this summit as well, I had a bilateral meeting with my counterparts from Laos, Sonexay Siphandone where we agreed to cooperate more in the fields of banking, training programmes for officers and diplomats besides education and the agricultural industry.
“After that, I also held a bilateral meeting with my counterpart from Timor Leste, Taur Matan Ruak where I reiterated my full support regarding the republic’s application to join the Asean family,” he said.
Anwar said the discussion with the Prime Minister of Timor Leste also touched on the need to increase opportunities for cooperation in investment, trade, agriculture and food manufacturing which demand togetherness and continued commitment from both countries.
The Prime Minister and other Asean leaders are attending the two-day summit starting today, to discuss several issues of common interest to the regional grouping.
A total of eight heads of government from the 10 Asean member countries participated in the summit except for Myanmar, which was not invited, and Thailand, which is facing a general election on May 14. – Bernama
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De Niro attends the “About My Father” premiere at SVA Theater on May 9, 2023 in New York City. — AFP photo
LOS ANGELES (May 10): Robert De Niro has become a father again at the age of 79, the “Raging Bull” actor said in a recent interview.
Double-Oscar winner De Niro corrected an interviewer who suggested he only had six children, telling her it is now “seven, actually”.
“I just had a baby,” he told ET Canada, without revealing the baby’s gender or the identity of the mother.
De Niro’s publicist confirmed the news to AFP.
The almost-octogenarian already shares two children with his first wife, “Taxi Driver” co-star Diahnne Abbott, and two more with socialite Grace Hightower, from whom he separated in 2018.
He also had twin sons with model Toukie Smith, whom he dated in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
De Niro is currently promoting his new comedy film “About My Father”, which will be released in US theaters May 26.
Regularly voted among the greatest actors of his generation, De Niro won two Academy Awards before he was 40.
De Niro scored his first Oscar, for best supporting actor, in 1974’s “The Godfather Part II”, followed by another in 1981 for his leading actor role as boxer Jake LaMotta in “Raging Bull”.
In his later career he has found popular, if not always critical, success with family-friendly comedies, including “Meet the Parents” with Ben Stiller, and “The Big Wedding” with Diane Keaton.
Other Hollywood and entertainment stars who became fathers again later in life include George Lucas, at 69, and Charlie Chaplin and Mick Jagger — both at 73. — AFP
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PTI party activists and Khan supporters protest against the arrest of their leader in Islamabad on May 9, 2023. — AFP photo
ISLAMABAD (May 10): Protests erupted across Pakistan on Tuesday after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested during a court appearance in the capital for one of dozens of cases pending since he was ousted last year.
His arrest follows months of political crisis and came hours after the powerful military rebuked the former international cricketer for alleging that a senior officer had been involved in a plot to kill him.
Some protesters took out their wrath on the military, storming the residence of the corps commander in Lahore and laying siege to a gate of the army’s general headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse Khan supporters in Karachi and Lahore, while protesters blocked roads in the capital Islamabad, Peshawar, and other cities.
As news of the protests spread, both the United States and Britain called for adherence to the “rule of law” in Pakistan, while authorities restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms, said NetBlocks, the global internet monitor.
Khan faces dozens of charges since being ousted — a tactic analysts say successive Pakistan governments have used to silence their opponents.
He could be barred from holding public office if convicted, which would exclude him from elections scheduled for later this year.
Video broadcast on local TV channels showed Khan — who has a pronounced limp since being shot during an assassination attempt last year — being manhandled by dozens of paramilitary rangers into an armoured car inside the Islamabad High Court premises.
“As we reached the court’s biometric room to mark the attendance, dozens of rangers attacked us,” said Ali Bukhari, a lawyer with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
“They beat him and dragged him out,” he told AFP.
– ‘Baseless allegations’ –
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Khan had been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the country’s top anti-corruption body.
“This arrest is in accordance with the law,” he said. “NAB is an independent body and not under government control.”
The PTI promised on Twitter to challenge the arrest, saying party leadership would gather Wednesday morning at Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
“Tomorrow, we will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court decision,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi, vice chairman of the party, said in a video posted to the site.
“PTI senior leaders will meet Imran Khan at the NAB court,” he said, also calling for demonstrations to continue in a “lawful and peaceful manner” while condemning police treatment of protesters.
The arrest comes a day after the military warned Khan against making “baseless allegations” after he again accused a senior officer of plotting to kill him.
The rebuke late Monday underscored how far Khan’s relations have deteriorated with the military, which backed his rise to power in 2018 but withdrew its support ahead of a parliamentary vote of no confidence that ousted him last year.
“The timing of the arrest is striking,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center.
“The senior army leadership is uninterested in repairing the rift between itself and Khan, and so with this arrest it’s likely sending a message that the gloves are very much off.”
Anticipating his arrest, party officials released a pre-recorded video by Khan in which he urged supporters to come out in support of “true freedom”.
“My Pakistanis, by the time these words reach you I would have been detained under an illegitimate case,” he says in the video.
“One thing should become clear for all of you from this is that fundamental rights in Pakistan, the rights given to us by our constitution and democracy, have been buried.”
In Peshawar, a mob razed the Chaghi monument — a mountain-shaped sculpture honouring the location of Pakistan’s first nuclear test.
“Imran Khan is our red line. Even a scratch on him is not acceptable,” said Hanif Khan, 42, a grocery store owner.
“We will sacrifice our lives, but we will free Imran Khan.”
– Army influence –
The United States wants to “make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday during a press conference with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Washington.
“We want to see peaceful democracy in that country,” Cleverly added.
Pakistan is deeply mired in an economic and political crisis, with Khan pressuring the struggling coalition government for early elections.
At a weekend rally in Lahore, Khan repeated claims that senior intelligence officer Major-General Faisal Naseer was involved in an assassination attempt last year during which he was shot in the leg.
The military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing said in a statement that “this fabricated and malicious allegation is extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable”.
Pakistan’s government has said the assassination attempt was the work of a lone gunman, who is now in custody and who confessed in a video controversially leaked to media.
Khan rejects those findings and insists authorities have refused to accept his attempts to file a report with police identifying the real culprits.
Pakistan’s military, the world’s sixth largest, holds undue influence over the nation.
It staged at least three coups since the country gained independence in 1947 and ruled for more than three decades. — AFP
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Ari (right) accepts the certificates from James, witnessed by Dr Sia.
KAPIT (May 10): Retired army man Ari MS Maniam was honoured with a ‘Diamond Medal’ during an event at a restaurant here on Monday night, hosted by the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Kapit Chapter in celebration of the World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day 2023.
The former sergeant, now aged 63, was announced the top blood donor for last year, having contributed 120 pints.
Hailing from Johor but currently residing in Song Bazaar, Ari said he first donated blood in 1979.
“I have been donating since. I am over 60 years old now, but I will continue to donate blood for as long as I am still strong and fit, because I feel that this is the best way to help those in dire need.
“Previously, I would travel to Kapit Hospital to donate blood once every four months. Now, I do it regularly at Song Health Clinic. It’s much more convenient because the clinic always holds blood donation drives,” Ari told The Borneo Post here.
He received the medal, certificate as well as a hamper from James Sandak, who represented Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department Jefferson Jamit Unyat at the MRC Kapit event.
Ari was among 148 local blood donors honoured by the chapter for their life-saving contributions through regular blood donation.
For the record, May 8 is World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day every year, and the date was picked in honour of the birthday of the International Red Cross founder, Sir Henri Dunant, in 1828.
The theme this year is ‘Everything We Do Comes #From The Heart’.
In addition, the Monday night function also celebrated the national MRC’s 75th anniversary, as well as MRC Sarawak’s 48th anniversary.
In his remarks, MRC Kapit chairman Dr Sia Tih Kong lauded the invaluable contributions rendered by every blood donor.
“Tonight, I see the wonderful faces of the ordinary people doing this extraordinary humanitarian act – donating blood to save people’s lives.
“Such noble act of sacrificing you own blood to save those in need deserves recognition.
“Your love for others lays the foundation of a caring society. Indeed, you are the role models in our society.
‘I hope that in the future, there would be many more healthy young people following your steps of becoming regular blood donors,” he said.
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Julaihi cuts the ribbon to officiate the Rural Water Supply Department’s new office. — Photo by Chimon Upon
SAMARAHAN (May 10): Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi says he hopes Sarawak will receive additional funds from the federal government to carry out water supply projects.
He said although the state government has provided sufficient allocation, more federal funds are needed for Sarawak to achieve its target.
“We want to implement water infrastructure projects so that by 2030, we shall have adequate supply of water, a margin reserve of 20 per cent, and a grid for treated water that we bring from one water treatment plant to another,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Julaihi, who earlier officiated the Rural Water Supply Department’s new office here, said several water supply projects in Samarahan are still under construction.
Among them are the construction and completion of the main distribution, booster station and high-level water tank in Asajaya, as well as the construction of the main water transmission from Batang Sadong to Simunjan.
“Aside from that, projects being carried out are the replacement of pipes, relocation and connections in Sebuyau, and the construction of the proposed strengthening of the Batang Sadong Bridge to allow for larger pipes to be laid there.
“We are also conducting pipe replacement works in the Sebuyau-Sebangan areas,” he said, adding the total cost of the remaining five projects was RM274.6 million.
“With 18 completed projects costing RM207 million, the total cost of the water supply projects in Samarahan is over RM400 million.”
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Uggah (centre) and others pose at the temporary construction platform of the Muara Lassa bridge.
DARO (May 10): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah is optimistic that construction works on the Batang Paloh bridge project in Tanjung Manis and the Muara Lassa bridge project here will be completed by December next year.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development was on a visit to the two sites with his deputy Aidel Lariwoo, Semop assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Daro assemblyman Shafiee Ahmad.
Joining them was Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development permanent secretary Chiew Chee Yaw.
“We are visiting them to monitor the progress of their implementation. We want to ensure all outstanding projects are to be delivered as scheduled,” said Uggah.
Touching on the 1.7km-long Batang Paloh bridge costing RM298 million, he said the project was at 58.33 per cent completed – below the expected schedule of 63.88 per cent.
“It is facing a unique problem where ships, barges and others now and then would knock into its sixth and seventh pile caps in the river. Each time this happens, it affects the work flow as the contractor has to do the repairs.
“To resolve this problem, my ministry, the Public Works Department as well as the Resident’s and District Offices will meet with the relevant agencies soon. I am very confident we will have a solution.
“Then the contractor can work without further disruption for the bridge to be completed by December 2024.”
On the Muara Lassa bridge costing RM597 million, Uggah said he is pleased to note that the project, under contractor Pekerjaan Piasau Konkerit, is progressing well.
“It is on schedule but I hope they will take full advantage of the good weather in the next few months. This is the second longest bridge in the state at 2.43km long.
“This is one of the bridges that will transform the surrounding coastal areas. This is an effort by the state government under Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to try to upgrade infrastructure facilities in rural areas,” he said.
Uggah added that the two bridges were part of the coastal highway and the Second Trunk Road projects, costing a total of RM11 billion and financed wholly by the state government.
“The two bridges are part of the 11 bridges in the coastal highway and Second Trunk Road. All these are paid for by the alternative funding created by Abang Jo,” he said.
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MIRI (May 10): A total of 58 Dayak students from 18 secondary schools here received education incentives during an event held by the Gawai Dayak Miri Division Celebration Committee and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) recently.
Among the total recipients,24 scored outstanding results in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2021 examination, while 34 excelled in their STPM 2021 examination.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis officiated at the event staged in Bintang Megamall Miri.
“The incentives are meant to encourage and motivated the Dayak students, who made excellent achievements in their SPM and STPM 2021,” said the organisers in a statement.
Also present to witness the ceremony were DBNA supreme council member Capt Bernard Idit and the event’s organising chairman Christopher Narang.
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Indonesian Special Air Force personnel patrol at the Komodo International airport ahead of the Asean Summit in Labuan Bajo on May 9, 2023. — AFP photo
LABUAN BAJO (May 9): Junta-ruled Myanmar is set to dominate a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Indonesia that started Tuesday, after an airstrike on a village last month reportedly killed at least 170 people.
Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a military coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government more than two years ago and unleashed a bloody crackdown on dissent.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) — long-decried by critics as a toothless talking shop — has led diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis.
But those efforts have been fruitless, as the junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents, which include ousted lawmakers, anti-coup “People’s Defence Forces” and armed ethnic minority groups.
An air strike on a village in a rebel stronghold last month that reportedly killed about 170 people sparked global condemnation and worsened the junta’s isolation.
It also fuelled calls for Asean to take tougher action to end the violence or risk being sidelined.
That pressure increased Sunday after a convoy of vehicles carrying diplomats and officials coordinating Asean humanitarian relief in Myanmar came under fire.
Few details have been released about the shooting in eastern Myanmar’s Shan State, but a foreign diplomat in Yangon said diplomats from the embassies of Indonesia and Singapore were in the group.
Singapore confirmed two staff members from its embassy in Yangon were in the convoy but unharmed.
“Singapore condemns this attack,” its foreign ministry said late Monday.
Indonesia, the Asean chair this year, has not yet said if its diplomats were in the vehicles.
– ‘Feckless’ –
The shooting happened days before the May 9-11 Asean summit on the Indonesian island of Flores, where foreign ministers and national leaders will continue efforts to kick-start a five-point plan agreed upon with Myanmar two years ago after mediation attempts to end the violence failed.
The foreign ministers held talks Tuesday while their countries’ leaders were scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday.
Ahead of the arrival of officials in Labuan Bajo, the army deployed more than 9,000 personnel and warships to the small fishing town that serves as the entrance to Komodo National Park, where tourists can see the world’s largest lizards.
In her opening remarks Tuesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the ministers had already discussed “the implementation” of the peace plan, but she did not elaborate.
A Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP that Sunday’s shooting “raises the urgency of Myanmar as a key discussion point at this summit”.
The US State Department said it was “deeply concerned” about the shooting and urged the junta to “meaningfully implement the Five-Point Consensus”.
Myanmar remains an Asean member but has been barred from top-level summits due to the junta’s failure to implement the peace plan.
Marsudi said Friday that her country was using “quiet diplomacy” to speak with all sides of the Myanmar conflict and spur renewed peace efforts.
Asean has long been criticised for its inaction, but its initiatives are limited by its charter principles of consensus and non-interference.
Former Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa said the bloc was “being tested whether it is relevant and able to address this issue”.
But US-based analyst Zachary Abuza said the group was unlikely to offer more than “another milquetoast statement of condemnation” despite Sunday’s attack.
“Had a diplomat been killed, there would have been more pressure on the organisation to do something, but frankly they’ve been so feckless in the past two years that it’s hard to see them actually acting in a meaningful way,” Abuza told AFP. — AFP
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KOTA KINABALU (May 9): A woman has died after she was allegedly assaulted by her brother at their house on Jalan Signal Hill here.
Kota Kinabalu district police chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdulah said the 25-year-old victim died at Hospital Queen Elizabeth II here at 10.30pm on Saturday (May 6), two days after admission.
“The victim was found lying prostrate and unconscious with serious facial injuries at about 4.50pm on Thursday by her father.
“His son was the only person at home with her at that time, and the father believes his son had attacked her,” he said in a statement today.
Zaidi said police arrested the 26-year-old brother from the house soon after a police report was lodged.
They seized two rings believed to have been used in the assault.
“The suspect, who tested negative for drugs, has been remanded for investigation under Section 325 of the Penal Code,” he added. — Bernama
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Norhayati had filed a civil suit against 21 parties, including the government and police, in 2019. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (May 9): The High Court here today ordered the limited release of a special task force report that is classified as an official secret on the disappearance of activist Amri Che Mat within 30 days.
However, judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said the report is only to be given to Amri’s wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin.
Norhayati is prohibited from sharing the report with any member of the public, except for her lawyers.
Norhayati had filed a civil suit against 21 parties, including the government and police, in 2019. — Malay Mail
MORE TO COME
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Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah accompany King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun on a tour of the Malaysian International Pavillion in London on May 8, 2023. — Bernama photo
LONDON (May 9): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck graced the Malaysian International Pavillion, which was held in conjunction with the 2023 London Craft Week (LCW) yesterday.
The King of Bhutan was accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema.
Also present at the exhibition held at the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square here were the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and Sultanah of Terengganu, Sultanah Nur Zahirah.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is heading the Malaysian delegation at the May 6-14 exhibition, consented to present a briefing of the exhibition themed ‘Abstract Nature’ (Abstrak Alam Semula Jadi).
The King and Queen of Bhutan are in London at the official invitation of King Charles III to attend the latter’s Coronation Ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday (May 6).
The royal guests spent an hour viewing the exhibition of the nation’s heritage crafts and products featuring Malaysia’s rich cultural landscape, especially of the Malays, Orang Asli folk of Semelai from Pahang, Mah Meri (Selangor) in Peninsular Malaysia, and Orang Asal ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak.
The second edition of Malaysia’s exhibition in conjunction with the LCW this time also featured the Songket Terengganu and ‘telepuk’ (textile decorating technique).
Malaysia’s participation in the exhibition is headed by the Royal Pahang Weave Foundation and supported by the federal government (Foreign Ministry), the Pahang and Sarawak state governments, Kraftangan Malaysia, and Royal Terengganu Songket.
Besides the royal guests, others who attended the exhibition were Monaco’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Evelyne Genta, London Craft Week chairman Guy Salter, while those from Malaysia included Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Al-Sultan Abdullah arrived in London on May 3 for a special visit until May 14 at the invitation of King Charles III to attend the Coronation Ceremony.
Located between China and India, Bhutan is a kingdom on the Himalayas and is the greenest country in the world, with over 70 per cent of the country reportedly covered by forest. — Bernama
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Taib (seated fourth left), Raghad (seated fourth right), Abang Johari (seated third left), and Juma’ani (seated third right) in a group photo with Sarawakians based in London at the Yayasan Sarawak dinner event. Abdul Karim (seated second left), Dr Abdul Rahman (right) and Zakri (seated left) are also seen.
KUCHING (May 9): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg attended a dinner event with Sarawakians who are studying and working in London yesterday.
According to a press statement, the dinner organised by Yayasan Sarawak through the Sarawak House in London, was part of the Premier’s scheduled itinerary for his working visit to the British capital.
Also present were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Raghad Kurdi Taib.
During a Question and Answer session at the event, Abang Johari fielded questions from the students with topics ranging from digital economy and hydrogen economy to the proposed Sarawak boutique airline and renewable energy.
The Premier, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, arrived in London on Friday night to attend the launch of the Malaysia Craft Exhibition at the Malaysian High Commission; the launch of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies; and the inauguration of the Sarawak Wing at Oxford University.
Among those present were Tourism,Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dato Zakri Jaafar, Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Fazzruddin bin Abdul Rahman.
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