Thursday 6 June 2013

Hayati tiga nilai asas - Abdul Taib

Oleh FARHANA JONI
utusansarawak@utusan.com.my

KUCHING 5 Jun - Semua pekerja bagi setiap organisasi harus menghayati tiga nilai asas iaitu integriti, prestasi kerja berkualiti dan ilmu pengetahuan bagi mewujudkan sebuah negara berprestasi tinggi.

Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud berkata, para pekerja harus melihat dengan lebih luas skop integriti iaitu kepentingan organisasi, perkhidmatan dan negara mengatasi kepentingan diri sendiri.

Katanya, pekerja yang berintegriti bukan hanya menjauhkan diri daripada amalan-amalan rasuah dan penyelewengan wang organisasi malah mereka perlu sentiasa jujur dalam mentadbir serta mematuhi dasar-dasar negara.

"Pekerja hendaklah sentiasa berwaspada dan cermat dalam menjalankan tugas dan tanggungjawab serta peka terhadap akibat daripada sikap cuai ketika menjalankan tugas yang diamanahkan.

"Prestasi kerja berkualiti pula mempunyai hubungan dengan mutu perkhidmatan yang diberi kepada pelanggan atau organisasi tanpa perlu mengaitkan dengan faktor masa," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam majlis makan malam Seminar Pengurusan Organisasi anjuran Jabatan Canselori Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) di sini malam tadi.

Teks ucapan tersebut dibacakan oleh Menteri Pelancongan negeri, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Yang hadir sama, Naib Canselor UUM, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak dan Menteri Muda Pelancongan negeri, Datuk Talib Zulpilip.

Mengulas lanjut, Abdul Taib berkata, kerja-kerja yang berkualiti dapat disempurnakan dalam tempoh masa yang singkat seiring dengan teknologi hari ini.

Katanya, para pekerja perlu memikirkan dua faktor dalam menentukan daya saing organisasi iaitu produktiviti dan kualiti yang kebanyakannya diamalkan oleh sektor swasta.

"Seterusnya, ilmu pengetahuan dalam kalangan setiap pekerja harus sentiasa dipertingkatkan agar mereka mampu menyumbang semula kepada organisasi.

"Secara ringkasnya, pekerja yang berilmu pengetahuan berupaya menyumbang kepada peningkatan prestasi organisasi sekali gus membantu negara menuju ke arah berpendapatan tinggi," katanya.-© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Tuesday 4 June 2013

Hina raja bukan jenayah biasa

DR. AHMAD ZAKI ISMAIL
Penasihat Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia
Majlis Ulang Tahun Keputeraan Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong tahun ini dicemari dengan tindakan individu 
yang menghina institusi Raja Melayu itu di laman sosial Sabtu lalu. - Gambar hiasan.


Isu paling banyak diperkatakan selepas musim PRU-13 oleh pihak media dan orang ramai kini adalah perbuatan menghina Institusi Raja dan status kaum bumiputera di negara ini. Polemik yang dibicarakan seolah-oleh seperti sudah dirangka lama sebelum kemenangan semula Barisan Nasional (BN) dalam pertarungan sengit tersebut.

Ini bukan komentar biasa, ia di perkatakan dengan wewenangnya oleh kumpulan yang sama dan daripada bangsa yang serupa. Kita hampir tidak mendengarnya daripada kaum India yang nampaknya akur bahawa mereka lebih banyak memperolehi manfaat bila sanggup berkongsi dengan rasa rendah hati dan melihat kemolekan budi bumiputera selama ini. Meskipun mereka pernah cuba mencabar kesabaran dan kesetiaan BN sebelumnya melalui Hindraf.

Hebat sungguh orang Melayu ini, bukan membalas dendam tetapi diberikan hadiah pula bila Hindraf mendapat anugerah hasil sikap kurang ajar mereka dahulu itu dengan kerusi Timbalan Menteri. Agaknya inilah strategi yang cuba dimainkan oleh orang Cina dengan mempersoal, mempermain, menghina, menuding jari dan sebagainya kepada Sistem Raja Berperlembagaan dan keistimewaan bumiputera dalam negara ini. Mereka pun inginkan perhatian istimewa juga dan menerima anugerah tertinggi negara, kalau boleh agaknya kerusi Timbalan Perdana Menteri Kedua mahu diminta.

Bagaimanapun, adakah semua rakyat negara ini menyedari bahawa perbuatan mempersoal, mengungkit, menghina dan sebagainya yang sedang berleluasa kini sebenarnya menjerumuskan negara dan diri mereka sendiri dalam satu kancah yang sangat berbahaya.

Bukan sahaja dari segi keamanan tetapi kedudukan diri mereka sendiri yang dilindungi undang-undang dan Perlembagaan negara yang telah juga memberikan keistimewaan khusus kepada nenek moyang mereka menjadi warga negara secara automatik melalui Jus Soli.

Ini tidak pernah berlaku di mana-mana sahaja dalam negara di dunia ini kecuali di Malaysia yang diterajui oleh orang Melayu dan bumiputera yang mereka panggil bodoh, lembu, babi dan sebagainya itu.

Memang agaknya orang Melayu dan bumiputera ini bodoh, bangang, lembu dan babi kerana bermurah hati dan bertolak ansur selama ini. Jadi khusus kepada orang Melayu dan bumiputera, janganlah terus menerus jadi bodoh, bangang dan babi lagi.

Pepatah ada mengatakan beri betis hendakkan peha, inilah jadinya sekarang. Bukan tidak tahu berterima kasih, malah dihina nista dan dicaci maki macam pecacai pula kita dibuatnya.

Pengalaman berniaga ke negara China bersama rakan kongsi yang berbangsa Cina telah membuka matanya sebenarnya beliau lebih bertuah lahir di Malaysia daripada di negara asal nenek moyang mereka. Puluhan malah ratusan kali beliau mengucap dan mengungkapkannya kepada penulis. Banyak yang boleh dihayati kalau kita semua mahu bermuhasabah dan tidak mengikut hasutan perasaan dan nafsu semata-mata.

Kepada kumpulan ini mudah sahaja, kita kenal pasti mereka, tangkap, ambil tindakan dan buang negara atau lucut kerakyatan sebab memang ia berasas. Kerakyatan mereka tertakluk kepada syarat-syarat asas yang dipersetujui dahulu dan selagi mereka mematuhinya tidak akan timbul sebarang isu. Kalau tidak setuju, jalan dan arah sudah sentiasa terbuka. Keluar sahajalah memang ini kalilah mereka kena diajar.

Soal menghina bukan budaya kita, kalau tidak berbudaya Malaysia mereka juga bukan rakyat kita. Dalam bahasa kasar kita katakan pada mereka boleh belah. Tunggak negara yang berstatus 'kebal' dari segi perundangan boleh dihina begitu rupa apatah lagi kita semua.

Hairan juga, tidak pernah pula bangsa ini yang tinggal di negara Eropah menghina Queen dan King di sana yang juga dilindungi Perlembagaan. Mahu dikatakan tidak pernah pergi ke sana tentu mustahil sebab mereka memang kaya raya dan kebanyakan belajar di luar negara tidak seperti Melayu/Bumiputera yang bodoh, bangang dan babi ini.

Menghina Raja, menghina Jata Negara, menterbalikkan bendera, berdemonstrasi seluruh negara, mempersoal pelbagai hak yang sudah diterima bukan perbuatan biasa-biasa atau remeh sahaja. Tentu ada yang tidak kena dan tentu ada dalang di sebaliknya sehingga ia amat ketara dan mempunyai keberanian yang luar biasa diluahkan secara ganas dan tidak berbudaya.

Lihat sahaja negara Singapura, meskipun berdemonstrasi bukan untuk mengkritik mereka tetapi bila berlaku di dalam negaranya, lihatlah begitu keras tindakan dan hukuman yang dikenakan terhadap mereka.

Sudah tiba masanya, kerajaan dan pihak berkuasa mengenakan tindakan menurut sistem perundangan yang sedia ada kepada kumpulan ini bagi menghantar mesej yang jelas kepada semua bahawa kami tidak akan luak tanpa kamu semua. Jangan fikir ekonomi dan kekayaan negara ini hanya boleh dijana oleh mereka sahaja. Buka kembali buku sejarah dan baca bagaimana Maharaja mereka sanggup menghantar puteri kepada Sultan Mansur Shah walhal berapa ramai lagi raja-raja hebat ketika itu termasuk Rom, India, Parsi dan sebagainya. Tentu ada sebab musababnya yang tidak cukup kolum ini untuk dihuraikan.

Kumpulan ini juga sudah lama menyerang usahawan bumiputera temasuk Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhari yang dicanangkan sebagai orang yang menjadi kroni dan menyebabkan subsidi disalah guna. Malah kononnya usahawan Melayu ini menganiaya usahawan bangsa lain kerana hubungan istimewa beliau dengan kepimpinan politik negara.

Walhal selama ini perkara sebaliknya berlaku tanpa sebarang aduan daripada para peniaga Melayu. Mahukan bukti? Kita sudah bersedia untuk mengetengahkannya untuk diadili oleh semua pihak.

Kononnya di Indonesia kaum ini merasa lebih terpelihara kerana di sana tidak mempunyai status bumiputera. Tolonglah kaji fakta sebelum membuat tuduhan membuta tuli, meskipun tiada status bumiputera bolehkah kaum Cina mengamalkan budaya, bahasa malah nama keluarga sendiri pun tidak boleh diguna. Ini belum termasuk kelayakan mengundi, berpolitik dan menjadi menteri dalam pemerintahan.

Kalau institusi Raja yang kebal boleh dicaci maki, ditertawa, apa lagi yang belum dibuat kumpulan ini untuk mengundang tindakan keras dikenakan kepada mereka. Tentu mereka faham bahawa selaku Raja negara ini, mereka bukan hanya Raja untuk orang Melayu bodoh, bangang dan babi ini sahaja tetapi Raja kepada seluruh rakyat jelata.

Lihat sahajalah senarai penerima darjah anugerah kebesaran waktu hari keputeraan Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong baru-baru ini, berapa ramai bangsa mereka menerimanya. Kenapa tidak ditolak sahaja seperti mana MCA dan Gerakan menolak jawatan menteri tempoh hari.

Cukuplah, jangan sampai orang Melayu bangun menunjukkan amarah mereka. Sudah cukup kesabaran mereka dicabar, sudah cukup penghinaan dilemparkan. Melayu tidak pinta emas permata, tidak pohon harta berjuta. Apa yang kita mahu teruskan usaha menuju ke hadapan meletakkan negara dalam keadaan aman. Mudah bagi semua orang mencari makan dan mengekalkan kemakmuran.

Ada masa kita mengalah tetapi itu bukan bererti kita takut atau lemah. Ada pula masa kita memberi bukan bermaksud kita sudah melebihi tetapi kita sangat mengasehi dan berbudi tinggi. Kenanglah semua ini kalaupun tidak membalasnya dengan ucapan dan nilaian yang tinggi tetapi jangan pula diumpat keji.

Eloklah dibangunkan mereka dari mimpi besar yang bakal membakar bukan sahaja diri mereka sendiri tetapi negara yang kita cintai ini.

Ingatlah bukan ini caranya untuk menarik perhatian atau simpati daripada rakyat semua. Mungkin selama ini signal yang salah dihantar kepimpinan negara kepada rakyat iaitu 'buat bising', kita akan bagi pangkat.

Rasanya, ini bukan satu tindakan dan keputusan yang elok diikuti kerana mungkin pemimpin boleh bersabar, tetapi rakyat Melayu dan bumiputera tidak boleh menerimanya lagi. Cukuplah kita dihina begitu rupa dan kita bukanlah bangsa yang boleh ditindas sebegitu rupa.-utusan/Rencana © Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Kerajaan Pusat ulangi komitmen selesai masalah jalan di Kapit, Belaga

BELAGA 3 Jun - Kerajaan Persekutuan melalui koordinasi dengan kerajaan Sarawak mengulangi komitmen untuk menyelesaikan masalah aksesibiliti di sekitar kawasan Kapit dan Belaga, justeru Kor Jurutera Diraja Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) akan meneruskan Projek Jiwa Murni di dua kawasan tersebut.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, satu perbincangan antara beliau dengan Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein telah diadakan berhubung perkara tersebut.

"Saya telah berbincang agar kepakaran Kor Jurutera diteruskan dalam Projek Jiwa Murni di dua kawasan tersebut. Dalam perbincangan itu, kita rancang agar jalan balak dari Sibu ke Kapit sejauh 300 hingga 400 kilometer dijadikan jalan biasa, bagaimanapun soil stabilizer perlu dilakukan terlebih dahulu di jalan balak itu.

"Selain itu kita juga akan meneruskan serta menaiktaraf Jalan Menjawa-Belaga yang sudah dimulakan di bawah Strategi Lautan Biru Kebangsaan (NBOS)...bagi menyelesaikan masalah pengangkutan di kedua-dua kawasan tersebut," katanya di sini semalam.

"Saya harap koordinasi antara Kerajaan Pusat dan negeri berdasarkan beberapa langkah positif serta proaktif yang sedang dilakukan...Ketua Menteri juga telah menyatakan sokongan daripada kerajaan negeri," katanya.

Ahmad Zahid bagaimanapun mengakui tidak mudah untuk merealisasikan kedua-dua projek itu, terutama di Jalan Sibu ke Kapit kerana jalan balak itu merentasi gunung, hutan serta banyak sungai.

"Kita percaya kos tinggi diperlukan untuk kedua-dua projek ini dijalankan, namun Perdana Menteri amat prihatin dan menyatakan kesediaan yang beliau bersama Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan akan sedaya upaya mencari peruntukan tambahan bagi memastikan jalan berkenaan dibina, dan dipertingkatkan serta dinaik taraf," katanya. - BERNAMA

Swasta biayai apungkan bot


Ahmad Zahid
Jengkaut, kren dihantar ke lokasi kejadian untuk apungkan bot ekspres karam

PUTRAJAYA: Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata sebuah syarikat swasta bersetuju untuk membiayai perbelanjaan mengapungkan bot ekspres yang karam di Giam Bungan, Sungai Rajang, Selasa lepas.

Katanya, jengkaut dan kren telah dihantar ke lokasi kejadian untuk mengapungkan bot itu.

“Ia melibatkan pihak swasta dan mereka telah me-nyatakan persetujuan untuk membiayai kesemua operasi tambahan berkenaan, di sam-ping operasi-operasi yang dijalankan sekarang.

“Saya yakin apabila air dari Empangan Bakun dilepaskan maka paras air akan berada di ta-hap yang agak tinggi dan ia me-mudahkan operasi,” katanya.

Selasa lepas, sebuah bot ekspres yang membawa lebih 200 penumpang karam di Giam Bungan, Sungai Rajang.

Polis setakat ini mengesah-kan tiga penumpang masih hilang, satu mayat ditemui dan 204 yang lain selamat.

Terdahulu, Ahmad Zahid menerima kunjungan hormat Ketua Operasi Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Asia Barat, Asia Timur dan Pasifik Alain Aeschlimann di kementeriannya.

Hasil pertemuan itu, Ahmad Zahid berkata kerajaan memberi keizinan kepada Aeschlimann untuk meng-adakan lawatan ke seluruh penjara di negara ini bagi me-lihat aspek kemanusiaan dan kemudahan pemulihan di- sediakan kepada banduan.

“Kami akan terus memberi keizinan kepada pihak beliau bagi mengadakan lawatan, pertamanya untuk melihat aspek-aspek kemanusiaan dari segi kemudahan latihan dan pemulihan ke atas orang yang ditahan atau banduan.

“Di samping itu beliau juga akan melihat kemudahan-kemudahan yang didapati di kem-kem tahanan imigresen, yang melibatkan wargane-gara asing,” katanya.

Aeschlimann berkata pi-haknya akan mengemuka-kan cadangan dan saranan selepas lawatan itu sekiranya perlu. — Bernama

`Don’t accuse for the sake of accusing’

KAPIT: The Youth leaders of PRS Pelagus, Baleh and Belaga should refrain from making any statement if they did not have first-hand information about what Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong did soon after the overloaded express-boat Kawan Mas sank in Belaga on May 28.

Putai Baleh Cooperative Bhd chairman Wilfred Nyawai said it was unfair for Ellison Silo Bilun (Pelagus), Bakat Gira (Baleh) and Kennedy Chuk Pai (Belaga) to criticise Lagong on the eve of Gawai Dayak for not doing anything for the victims of the ill-fated boat when in fact he (Lagong) did spring into action.

Nyawai admitted that Lagong was not around when the incident happened but the moment the tragic news reached him he immediately arranged for his assistant and good friend Tuai Rumah Bujah Ejau to go to the scene to offer a helping hand.

“Bujah left Kapit at 10.30am and arrived at the scene at about 2.30pm. He managed to ferry back 11 survivors. How could the trio (Ellison, Bakat and Kennedy) simply make negative comments about George without knowing the details?”

Among others, Ellison said about 90 per cent of the victims were believed to be from Pelagus but Lagong had not been seen even at the wreckage site since day one of the incident.

Kennedy, who is part of the search-and-rescue team, said Lagong also did not show up to meet the team, while Bakat claimed he had received many complaints that Lagong seldom visited his constituents.

Nyawi said the three Youth leaders should not accuse simply for the sake of trying to sully the name of others.

He challenged Ellison, Bakat and Kennedy to “mind their own business” and turn their focus on helping the folks of Baleh who, he claimed, were plagued by problems.

“Just focus on the welfare of Baleh folk, and influence your minister to expedite the construction of roads and other basic infrastructure such as rural clinic, agro station and schools.”

Nyawai pointed out that Lagong was not a “trumpet blower” and was always concerned about the welfare of his constituents even though he did not have any minor rural project (MRP) allocations.

“He visited the people from time to time and offered his personal assistance using his own means. When he gave aid or visited his constituents, he seldom announced it to the world,” said Nyawai.-theborneopost

Meeting to map out project priorities — Fadillah


KUCHING: The Works Ministry will be chairing a meeting soon to discuss project implementation priorities and strategies for the state.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would be present at the meeting, said Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.

“During the meeting, discussions and decisions will be made on the best available options to carry out works within the allocated budget,” he told The Borneo Post, adding that identified projects would be assigned priority status.

In addition to this meeting, Fadillah said he would also be holding discussions with Taib to brief him on his ministry’s plans and programmes.

Asked about rural development, Fadillah said the decision on rural projects would be made after consulting the federal and state governments.

“We will also take into account the people’s feedback,” he said when asked to comment on a statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday that special provisions would be sought to construct a road linking Sibu to Kapit under the Blue Ocean Strategy.

“The main objective of rural development is to reduce and close the gap between those living in the urban and rural areas,” stressed Petra Jaya MP Fadillah.

Rural development, he added, was important in order to improve the government’s delivery system. It would also bode well for the government in terms of integrity and good governance.

Fadillah said rural developments encompassed several aspects such as human capital development, economic and job opportunities.

“This is the commitment of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who had given instructions to all ministers to put their heads together to give focus on helping the people.” - theborneopost

Monday 3 June 2013

Finally a Kapit-Sibu road?


OVERSEEING: Ahmad Zahid (second left, front) giving an instruction to divers when supervising the search and rescue operation at Giam Bungan yesterday. With him are Hulu Rajang member of parliament Wilson Ugak (third left, back row), Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang (fourth left, back row), Sarawak Deputy Commissioner of Police Datuk Law Hong Soon, senior fire and rescue department officers as well as senior police officers. — Bernama photo

Army plans to build the 400km road and seeks special provision for project

BINTULU: The Ministry of Defence will seek allocation of special provision for the construction of the road linking Kapit to Sibu under the army’s Blue Ocean Strategy.

This was disclosed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid

Hamidi at a press conference at the airport after visiting the site of Belaga boat express tragedy here yesterday.

“The 300 to 400 kilometre road will pass through forests, mountains, rapids and rivers and the construction will take time and costly but the Prime Minister will look into it carefully,” he said

Zahid added that the road was being planned and existing logging roads would be used.

The army will work with logging companies in upgrading their roads and constructing bridges across the many streams and rivers.

“It is estimated that RM600 million to RM800 million will be needed for the completion of the road that would take five to six years and the ministry is confident the state government will give support to ATM (Armed Forces) to complete the project,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur yesterday said a 38km road connecting

Belaga to Menjawah built by the Defence Ministry through its its ‘Jiwa Murni Khas’ special project was 92 per cent complete and was expected to be finished by August.

“With the alternative land road available, rural folks need not depend heavily on rivers as their mode of transport with its high risks involved,” he said.

The project is one of four road projects in the state, undertaken by the Defence Ministry.

“The road project is to build a road close to the main Batang Rajang river, not far from where the boat capsize tragedy happened recently.”

Hishammuddin said the road would connect Kampung Menjawah, Bakun Hydro dam to Belaga town and can be assessed by seven long houses, namely Rumah Nyaving, Rumah Apan, Rumah Long Mitik, Rumah Long Segaham, Rumah Panjang Lahanan, Rumah Panjang Kajaman and Rumah Panjang Makahei.

The RM56 million project is undertaken by engineers from the Armed Forces with assistance from the local councils and funded by the Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department as part of the Blue Ocean Strategy through a special allocation by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

It was approved by Najib during his visit to Belaga in January 2011.

The ATM engineering corps built the road with materials from private sector suppliers.

The Public Works Department had estimated the construction of the road under the conventional contracts would cost more than RM320 million. - theborneopost

Top priority for roads in interior, says Taib


HAPPY GAWAI: Taib cutting the Gawai cake. Also seen are Jabu and other dignitaries.

BETONG: The construction of roads in the interior will get the “highest priority” in attention as the government wants to support the growth of industries under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the government had all this while been very strict on its development agenda, and its focus at present was SCORE.

“All this while we have been very strict … you know, we started with not even paved roads. We have earthen roads first, but our aim then was to open up the country to generate income. Now you can see the income has increased.

“Now with SCORE, the next source of income is hydroelectricity because without it there will not be industrialisation in Sarawak.”

“Next, when we consider the Mid-Term Review, we will still be guided by that kind of priority. For the next development plan, probably we think of other things.”

HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?: Taib, accompanied by Ragad, greeting a child upon his arrival at the Open House.

The Chief Minister said this to reporters after attending a Gawai Open House jointly hosted by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodies Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas at Stephen Kalong Ningkan Hall here.

Asked if the state government would push the federal government to expedite the construction of roads linking Sibu to Kapit and Belaga, the chief minister replied: “It is not the state government’s practice”.

He explained that the cost for developing the roads would not be the main consideration. This is because the government’s stance is to take into consideration the total development of the country.

SOUVENIR FOR YOU: Empiang (left) presenting a gift to Ragad.

On allocations from the federal government, Taib assured that the state government would continue to ensure that all development funds received would be spent wisely.

He said projects were implemented based on priorities and before their implementation the government would map out a detailed plan and then set aside allocations.

“We will ensure that every single sen we receive from the federal government is put to best use.

“The best use will come out after thinking about the priorities we have to face.”

Meanwhile, the Gawai Open House was attended by about 1,000 people from surrounding villages in Betong.

Also present were 27 community leaders from Kalimantan Barat.

Also present were Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Jabu’s wife Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani, Assistant Minister of Welfare Robert Lawson Chuat, Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.-theborneopost

Sunday 2 June 2013

Ministry to seek funding for Sarawak’s infrastructure


Datuk Fadillah Yusof
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry will seek funding from the federal government to develop Sarawak’s infrastructure, particularly road transportation connectivity, in the highly-challenging hilly terrain of Belaga and Kapit.

Its minister, Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the budget, likely to come under the 11th Malaysia Plan, would be utilised to connect the two areas to major centres like Bintulu and lessen the community’s dependence on water transportation.

He said the cost of road infrastructure development for Belaga and Kapit would come up to more than RM300 million.

The areas are at present connected by badly maintained roads, mainly used by timber lorries.

“The area around Kapit and Belaga is very challenging due to the hilly terrain and with a large river.

“At present, Kanowit, which is not far from Kapit, is already linked to Sibu,” he told Bernama in an interview yesterday.

He said the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, with the Malaysian Armed Forces under the latter’s “Jiwa Murni” programme, had joined hands to improve the Belaga and Sungai Asap areas.

“At present, the roads linking these two areas are logging roads, which are not well maintained,” he added.

When the plan is eventually put in place, he said the road network from Belaga to Sibu will be a reality.

During the 2013 budget speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said rural areas will continue to be developed to reduce the urban-rural disparity, with RM4.5 billion being allocated to implement various rural infrastructure development projects.

Some of the projects include providing RM1.2 billion to develop 441 kilometres of rural roads and roads to link villages, RM1.6 billion for rural utility infrastructure projects involving water and electricity supply, as well as RM100 million to supply 40,000 water tanks for rainwater harvesting, particularly in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak. — Bernama

Proposal on BN becoming a single party inappropriate– Ahmad Maslan

PONTIAN: The proposal to turn the Barisan Nasional (BN) into a single party is inappropriate and difficult to implement as it is unable to represent the interest of all races in the country, said Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan. 

He said the BN comprised 13 component parties representing the various races including the minotiry groups in Sabah and Sarawak, and if the proposal were to be adopted, he feared the interest of the minority groups might not be well represented.

“We know that in Sabah and Sarawak, BN has component parties representing various ethnic groups who are small in terms of numbers and if the BN is merged into a single party, their voice will be eroded,” he said.

The Member of Parliament for Pontian disclosed this to reporters after officiating the ground-breaking ceremony for Sekolah Kebangsaan Agama Seri Anom Parit Satu, here today, involving a building allocation of RM1.9 million.

Ahmad said personally, he disagreed with the proposal that would ‘bury’ Umno, the only party championing the cause of the Malays all this while.

“I personally do not agree that Umno be dissolved to create a single BN party without any components, and I’m certain that the 3.4 million Umno members too do not agree,” he said.

At the same time, he urged that the proposal to create direct BN membership without becoming a member of any BN component party previously be reimplemented as an alternative to the proposal for a single BN party.

In this manner, the BN could attract the various associations or unions to become its associate member. – BERNAMA