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Construction of Bakun to Belaga road to begin soon

SIBU: The construction of the Bakun/Belaga Road is to commence anytime now as the army has completed the survey and alignment work there. Army chief General Datuk Seri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said they were just waiting for the materials to begin the construction. “My engineers are already there, they have surveyed, marked and aligned the area. “We have been there for the last few weeks waiting for the materials,” he said when met by reporters after the launching of ‘Projek Jiwa Murni’ (Civic Action Programme) at SK Saint Matthew in Sekuau, about 48 kilometres from here yesterday. He said they would try to complete the road as soon as possible. “But it will depend on the weather. We hope the weather in Belaga will be better than in Ba’Kelalan. “Because when the rain falls, it will take a very long time for the road to dry,” he said while adding the Ba’Kelalan/Long Lopeng Road had been delayed due to the weather. The Bakun/Belaga Road project, costing RM62 million and about 35 km long, was announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he visited Belaga in January. Najib said the road would benefit some 15,000 population in Belaga town who were still unable to travel by express boat to Kapit town because of certain shallow stretches along the Rejang River due to the Bakun Dam impoundment process. The project is undertaken by the army under its ‘Projek Jiwa Murni’ to save cost. Among its components was the construction of a prefabricated steel bridge over the Linau River in Lusong Laku, which would link 3,500 people including four Penan resettlements there. Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said the army was ready to do more of such projects (Projek Jiwa Murni) if directed by the government. “Because it will be able to save the government a lot of money. “For example, the Ba’Kelalan/Long Lopeng Road, which is about 76km long, under normal construction contract will cost RM400 million, but the army can build it for about RM50 million,” he said. First Division commander Major-General Datuk Awie Suboh, Ninth Brigade commander Brigadier-General Stephen Mundaw, Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh Ikeh and Selangau district officer Wan Akil Wan Ahmad Bujang were among those present at the function. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=113406

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Sambutan Hari Malaysia Ke-50 meriah dan berwarna-warni

KUCHING: Istiadat Perbarisan dan Rapat Raksasa Sambutan Hari Malaysia Ke-50 yang dihadiri Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah dan Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah di Padang Merdeka, Kuching semalam meriah dengan persembahan pelbagai acara menarik. Majlis itu semalam dimulakan dengan lintas hormat dan Tembakan Meriam Istiadat sebanyak 21 das yang menggamit suasana sambutan itu. Perbarisan disertai 65 kontinjen, 12 pancaragam, 11 jenis kumpulan kenderaan, kenderaan berat pihak keselamatan negara dan segmen lintas udara yang mempamerkan pesawat CN235, S61A-4 Nuri dan Jet Pejuang Sukhoi, helikopter Hornbill Skyways dan Viking 400 MASwings. Baginda berdua berkenan berangkat menyempurnakan istiadat itu yang turut dihadiri Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin serta Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bersama isteri, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor serta Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Upacara itu turut dihadiri Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud dan isteri Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib bersama Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, barisan menteri kabinet persekutuan dan negeri serta ahli-ahli yang berhormat. Selain perbarisan dan persembahan padang serta udara, video khas sempena ‘50 tahun Jubli Emas Sarawak Harmoni Kemakmuran Dinikmati’ dan klip penghargaan daripada Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek turut ditayangkan menerusi skrin gergasi. Kemeriahan sambutan Hari Malaysia lebih terasa apabila orang ramai yang berkunjung di situ turut bersama-sama mengibarkan Jalur Gemilang dan bendera Sarawak semasa lagu kebangsaan dan lagu-lagu patriotik dimainkan. Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/17/sambutan-hari-malaysia-ke-50-meriah-dan-berwarna-warni/#ixzz2fyeVfFbm

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Old pipes in Demak Laut to be replaced

KUCHING: Work to replace old pipes in various areas under Demak Laut state constituency will be carried out in stages starting with Kampung Muara Tebas.   Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the state government had approved an early allocation of RM500,000, with field work beginning on July 9 and expected to be completed by the middle of next year. He said the current pipes were installed in the early 70s.   “If everything goes well, we expect the pipes to be fully replaced by the middle of next year as the replacement has been given a one-year period to complete and will be managed by the Public Works Department (JKR),” he said when surveying the project at Kampung Muara Tebas recently.   Dr Hazland said the new pipes would enable around 2,800 villagers in the village and its surrounding areas to enjoy clean water supply.   “The current pipe system is rusty and if the pipes are not replaced, it has the potential to cause outbreaks of diseases,” he said.   He pointed out that JKR will install better quality AB3P pipes measuring 150 millimetres compared to the old pipes measuring 101.6 millimetres (four inches).   “I will continue to request the state government to change all the pipes under Demak Laut constituency in the future as well,” he added. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/08/15/old-pipes-in-demak-laut-to-be-replaced/#ixzz2diwm8yfB

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A chapter in history re-enacted at Kuching Waterfront

KUCHING: Hundreds of people yesterday had a glimpse of a historic event which took place here on July 22, 1963.   Sarawak gained independence from the British colonialists on that day, and a special pantomime was held at the Kuching Waterfront to re-enact that special moment which happened exactly 50 years ago. The pantomime was titled Sarawak Independence Day from Colonisation and it was well acted out by a number of performers.   The day also saw the launching of the ‘Sarawak Gemilang 50 Tahun’ exhibition at the Sarawak Tourism Complex.   Present to witness the spectacle were Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and State Legislative Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.   Those present were held spellbound as the actors and actresses re-enacted important milestones that led to the state’s independence and formation of Malaysia. There was a scene showing the last British Governor of Sarawak, Sir Alexander Waddel, on a boat with his wife. They were escorted by several gaily decorated boats from the Astana to Pengkalan Batu for the farewell ceremony.   Waddel and his wife were received by Governor-elect Datu Abang Openg and Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan, cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials.   After the Union Jack was lowered and the state flag raised, Waddel and wife left the state on a Loch Killisport boat. Their departure ended British colonial rule in the state. Also re-enacted was the swearing-in of the pioneer batch of State Cabinet Ministers, comprising Ningkan, Deputy Chief Minister James Wong, Works and  Communications Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, Local Government Minister Dunstan Endawai, Natural Resources Minister Teo Kui Seng and State Minister Awang Hipni Pengiran Anu. In his welcoming speech yesterday, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is the minister-in-charge of the commemoration ceremony, said the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Sarawak Independence in Malaysia was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the exhibition was well timed.   “Among others, the exhibition is intended to show developments implemented by the government since the proclamation of the state’s independence from the British on July 22, 1963,” he said.   Awang Tengah added that July 22, 1963 had a special place in the hearts of all Sarawakians, and the events held yesterday were appropriate as the state wanted its younger generation to understand the sacrifices and struggles of the warriors and leaders in the past 50 years to develop the state to what it is today. “The state cabinet at that time was led by Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan as the state first chief minister. There were five other elected representatives who were elected cabinet ministers.   “The formation of a state cabinet enabled Sarawak to form a self government. This is the historic moment which brought about the independence of Sarawak.” After 50 years, he said only one from the first batch of state cabinet ministers is left — Taib.   “He (Taib) is not only a witness to the history, but is also the creator of the outstanding history of Sarawak for the past 50 years. The chief minister has contributed a lot to the state and country in all aspects.” Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/23/a-chapter-in-history-re-enacted-at-kuching-waterfront/#ixzz2a7LDndTJ

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Water plant to cater to eight longhouses

LUBOK ANTU:  The water treatment plant here expected for completion next year will benefit about 20,000 people from eight longhouses in Lubok Antu district.   Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the 18-month project would supply water to longhouses along Nango Bulo Road up to Lubok Antu Road and from Nanga Kesit to Merindun.   “This is good news as the project will end the problem of water shortage in the district,” he said.   His text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Public Utility Datuk Sylvester Entri at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lubok Antu Rural Water Supply project at Jalan Batu Kayan here yesterday.   Awang Tengah said the new treatment plant could supply up to 7.5 million litres of water per day compared to 3.0   million litres per day from the Sungai Lemanak water treatment plant.   A total of 14,770 people in Lubok Antu still depend on the river, rainwater, wells and other sources for their water.   “Hopefully, the new project can cater to the needs of people in Lubok Antu regardless of race, religion and political ideology,” he said. Also present at the function were Lubok Antu MP William Nyalau, Engkelili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong, Batang Air assemblyman Malcolm Mussen and others. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/22/water-plant-to-cater-to-eight-longhouses/#ixzz1lJ7BxsZ6

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Daro water woes will be over soon, says rep

SIBU: Water supply problems in Daro will be resolved when construction of the RM79 million water treatment plant in Matu is completed.   Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie said work on the proposed facility, which sits on 17 acres in Kampung Jemoreng, was “progressing smoothly”, and the plant would be capable of producing 10.5 million litres daily (MLD) of treated water. He assured that he and the Public Works Department (PWD) were monitoring the project closely. “There is no water supply problem in Matu, even with the increased consumption due to Ramadan and preparations for the coming Raya Aidil Fitri,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.   Kampung Nanga Besar villagers have complained of dry water taps since 2009. They had  to depend on the salty and brownish water from Sungai Nanga for their daily use.   Daro District Officer Shafie Ahmad told the  Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) III members on Friday that construction of the water treatment plant had been delayed. “The problem is that water to Kampung Nanga Besar is from Matu, not Daro. Before the water reaches the village, they are all used up by an oil palm plantation.   “The water supply from Matu is clearly not enough to meet the demand of both villagers and plantation,” said Shafie.   Abu Seman said: “The slight delay in the completion of the water treatment plant is due to floods previously, but the project is progressing smoothly. The laying of pipelines has been done.”   He said the plant would have a barrack and administrative office. Matu has a population of about 17,000 people. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/21/daro-water-woes-will-be-over-soon-says-rep/#ixzz2abKky7mb

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Punca sebenar gangguan elektrik diketahui dua bulan lagi

KUCHING: Punca sebenar gangguan sistem bekalan elektrik di negeri ini mungkin akan diketahui dalam tempoh dua bulan lagi.   Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan Kementerian Kewangan Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah berkata, kementerian telah melantik syarikat konsultan untuk menjalankan kajian menyeluruh tentang gangguan sistem bekalan elektrik di Sarawak.   Bercakap pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Majlis Konsultasi Bajet 2014 di sini semalam, beliau memberitahu syarikat tersebut, Poyry Energy Sdn Bhd akan mengkaji tentang sistem transmisi elektrik supaya tidak berlaku gangguan bekalan di negeri ini.   “Esok (hari ini) saya akan mempengerusikan satu mesyuarat di Kuala Lumpur di mana ia akan disertai pihak konsultan, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) dan Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd bagi mendapatkan hasil awal gangguan elektrik di negeri ini khasnya di Kuching.   “Sebenarnya, kita telah melantik konsultan ini dua bulan lepas iaitu sebelum berlaku gangguan dan hasil (siasatan) akan kita ketahui dalam tempoh dua bulan lagi,” katanya.   Tambah beliau, pada mesyuarat itu nanti pihak berkaitan akan mengetahui lebih mendalam tentang situasi sebenar gangguan tersebut sama ada berpunca dari Empangan Hidroelektrik Bakun atau sistem transmisi yang harus diperkukuhkan. Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, anak syarikat milik penuh Menteri Kewangan Diperbadankan Malaysia, telah diamanahkan untuk membangun dan menguruskan Projek Hidroelektrik Bakun sejak 1 Mei 2000.   Pada 27 Jun lepas, hampir seluruh Sarawak bergelap akibat gangguan bekalan elektrik mulai kira-kira jam 6 petang semalam dan beransur pulih berperingkat-peringkat di beberapa kawasan selang lebih sejam kemudian.   Pengurus Komunikasi Korporat SEB Ahadiah Zamhari menerusi satu kenyataan pada hari yang sama berkata, ketiadaan bekalan elektrik berpunca daripada gangguan litar di transmisi kuasa Kemena-Bintulu pada jam 5.40 petang.   Sementara itu, sidang media sama turut menyaksikan penyerahan Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) bersama tiga organisasi iaitu Persatuan Pengilang Bumiputera Sarawak (PENGASAS), Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) dan Dewan Usahawan Industri Desa Sarawak.   Majlis Konsultasi Bajet 2014 yang bertemakan ‘Mengotakan Janji Merancak Transformasi’ turut dihadiri Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani dan Setiausaha Kerajaan Persekutuan Sarawak Datuk Md Yahaya Basimin. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/18/punca-sebenar-gangguan-elektrik-diketahui-dua-bulan-lagi/#ixzz2abM8riLT

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Aye to Bakun HEP takeover by S’wak

MIRI: The federal government has agreed to negotiate the proposed takeover of Bakun Hydroelectric Dam by Sarawak. Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui   Without disclosing the price, the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said the federal cabinet has agreed in principle to negotiate the pricing based on construction cost. “The dam which is owned by the Ministry of Finance will be purchased and taken over by Sarawak Energy Berhad,” he said in a press conference before a meet-the-people session at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters here yesterday. Chin who is also Miri MP said the proposed undersea cable project would be moth-balled pending the supply of sufficient power to meet demand in Sarawak. The undersea cable project was initially for channelling 1,600 megawatt to Peninsular Malaysia to help to lower dependency on fossil fuel which currently stands at 90 per cent. With power from Bakun off the plan, the ministry has decided to build two 1,000-megawatt charcoal-fired power plants — one at Manjung, Perak, and the other to be decided later. For the Manjung plant, the ministry planned to apportion the power supply to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Sarawak is keen to take over Bakun Dam for its energy-intensive industries in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), including its aluminium smelting plants and other industries. There has been unconfirmed reports that Sarawak is keen to take over Bakun HEP for RM6 billion but the federal government has offered it for RM8 billion. Chin is keeping mum on the actual figure pending the conclusion of the relevant negotiations. Currently, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is mulling over the idea of whether to buy or lease Bakun Dam in a long-term bid to develop the state’s hydropower and industrial sector. SEB is looking forward to reaching an agreement with Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd (the owner of the dam). Sarawak Hidro is owned by the Ministry of Finance. After a series of delays, the project which started in 1996 is expected to be commissioned by last July following the start of impoundment of the reservoir. The 215-metre dam will power eight turbines. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=72600

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Tasik Biru residents to get full water supply by end of 2012

BAU: Residents in Tasik Biru constituency would no longer experience any more dry taps, after prolonged hot spells, as the entire area are expected to be supplied with treated and reliable water source by end of next year. Assistant Environment Minister Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said an allocation amounting RM37 million had already been approved for the supply of clean water to households in the constituency. Nansian, who is Tasik Biru incumbent, said the contract for the water supply project was signed last February, adding that the project, was scheduled to complete within 18 months. He said with the completion of the project, the entire population in the constituency, particularly those in Kerokong and Jagoi areas will no longer have to rely on gravity feed water supply. “At the moment, certain villages are still relying on gravity feed taken from the mountains and after a long drought, the source got dried up. “Once the project is completed, their problem will be solved once and for all. There are about 18,000 households in Kerokong and Jagoi areas,” he assured. He said this when speaking to reporters after opening the two in one event held at Kampung Serikin, a border village about 22 km from here, yesterday. He said that the people in the constituency have long enjoyed round the clock electricity supply while all major roads have been tar sealed and very soon, they will be able to enjoy treated water supply. “All these are evidence that the government is fully committed in bringing development to the people. No one is going to be left out but it is just a matter of when development will come to them. “Usually the government will implement projects in stages and phases based on priorities, availability of funds and manpower. We have to understand that no government in this world can develop their country overnight,” he said. He said most important was for the government to have the mandate from the people. Nansian reiterated that without the people’s support, the government could not do anything and the end losers will be the people themselves. As such, he suggested, in the coming election about a fortnight from now, the electorates should be wise enough in making decision to change their livelihood. He said that people should not let emotion influence them in electing their representatives but look at the whole thing from broader perspective. He said various parties will emerge “to sell their products” and it will be wiser if the rakyat can stick to the brand that was already proven to be good. “It is like buying medicine. You should only subscribe to medicines that you have found to be effective and can cure your sickness. Why take the risk of subscribing different brands of medicine that you have not tested because for all you know it will cause you harm,” said Nansian. Therefore, he said, the people should continue to support the Barisan Nasional (BN) which had a long track record, irrespective of who would be its candidate in the coming election. “Even if I am not re-nominated the people should support whoever is going to be the BN candidate for Tasik Biru for a better and brighter future,” he said. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=113645

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Sarawak Energy in US$500mil deal to provide power to ferro-alloy plant

KUCHING:  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) , the state's electricity provider, has signed a USD$500mil (RM1.51bil) to provide 500 megawatts of power for 20 years to  OM Materials (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd , which will be building a ferro-alloy smelting plant. This is the largest investment made by OMH which is a Singapore-based company. The company is a 80:20 joint venture between  OM Holdings (OMH) group and  Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB) . Thursday's signing of the power purchase agreement (PPA) with OM Sarawak came two weeks after SEB inked a similar agreement to provide 270MW to  Asia Mineral Ltd , another pioneer investor in Samalaju. SEB  chief executive officer Torstein Sale Sjotveit  said the 500MW would represent nearly 80% of the firm's supply from the 944MW Murum dam currently being built. Electricity for energy-intensive industries in Samalaju will first come from the 2,400MW Bakun dam. He said the inking of the PPAs had proven wrong critics who had claimed that there would be a glut of power in Sarawak. "SEB is committed to support and drive the SCORE (Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy) agenda. "Being a catalyst for investments in SCORE and the state, SEB provides quality and affordable power," added Sjotveit at the signing ceremony here. Chief  Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud  witnessed the event. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/2/nation/20120202122019&sec=nation