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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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SEB kaji naikkan kadar pampasan bagi projeknya

SIBU: Kadar bayaran pampasan tanah dan tanaman yang terlibat dengan pembinaan projek talian kuasa di negeri ini mungkin dinaikkan.   Pengurus Kanan (Way Leave) Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Sipol Ambun berkata, lembaga pengarah sedang mengkaji kadar kenaikan tersebut. “Ini adalah berita baik untuk mereka yang terlibat dengan projek berkenaan,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian semasa sesi dialog dengan pemimpin masyarakat tempatan di dewan serba guna Pejabat Daerah di Kanowit di sini.   Sipol berkata pelaksanaan projek itu akan dilakukan dalam dua fasa yang bermula dari Similajau di Bintulu hingga ke Nanga Tada di sini, iaitu kira-kira 200 kilometer (km).   Katanya, fasa kedua pula melibatkan jarak kira-kira 300 km iaitu dari Nanga Tada ke Tondong di Bau.   Di Nanga Tada, beliau menjelaskan, projek berkenaan akan melibatkan 24 rumah panjang dengan mengambil sumber kuasa daripada empangan hidroelektrik Bakun dan Murum.   Beliau juga menasihati mereka yang terlibat supaya menyuarakan sebarang ketidakpuasan hati sekiranya terdapat sebarang pertikaian.   “Jika boleh, cuba elakkan sebarang salah faham,” ujar beliau.   Sementara itu, Pegawai Tadbir (SAO) Negeri Jabang Juntan dalam ucapannya menasihati orang ramai supaya bekerjasama dengan agensi pelaksanaan.   Menurut beliau, ia bertujuan memastikan projek yang direncanakan dapat berjalan dengan lancar.   Antara yang hadir pada majlis itu ialah Pemanca Spencer Kudang dan Pegawai Jabatan Penerangan Kanowit Wan Mohd Zuki Wan Ismail. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/02/21/seb-kaji-naikkan-kadar-pampasan-bagi-projeknya/#ixzz1oJXZ3wrZ

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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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Bekalan air bersih diperluas ke luar bandar: Harden

SRI AMAN: Menteri Muda Pembangunan Luar Bandar Datuk Francis Harden Hollis memberitahu bahawa rangkaian bekalan air bersih bakal diperluaskan ke kawasan luar bandar di sini pada masa akan datang.   Menurutnya, tiga pelan cadangan telah dikemukakan kepada Kementerian Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Perhubungan bagi tujuan kelulusan untuk memperluas rangkaian bekalan air.   Beliau berkata cadangan pertama adalah menambah rangkaian kemudahan bekalan air bersih sepanjang dua kilometer dari kawasan San Ugol hingga ke San Munggor, Sri Aman.   Manakala cadangan kedua menambah rangkaian kemudahan bekalan air bersih sepanjang enam kilometer bermula dari kawasan Klassen hingga ke Lepong Simpai.   “Cadangan ketiga pula menambah rangkaian kemudahan bekalan air bersih sepanjang 10 kilometer bermula dari kawasan Juntong ke SK Batu Lintang, Klinik Desa dan Ijok,” katanya pada Majlis Penyampaian Cek Projek Kecil Luar Bandar (MRP) di Pejabat SUPP Simanggang di sini kelmarin.   Pada majlis itu, Harden menyampaikan cek berjumlah RM110,000 kepada 11 penerima dari sekitar kawasan Sri Aman dan Lingga.   Sementara itu, Harden yakin usaha itu mampu mengurangkan kebergantungan pengguna di kawasan terbabit terhadap penggunaan bekalan air alternatif sekiranya cadangan itu diluluskan.   Turut hadir Timbalan Residen Sri Aman Felicia Tan, Temenggung Sii Toh Peng, Penghulu Abdul Samad, Kaunselor Andar, Ketua Wanita SUPP Simanggang Lim Siew Hung dan Timbalan Ketua Pemuda SUPP Simanggang Patrick Michael Malajin. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/22/bekalan-air-bersih-diperluas-ke-luar-bandar-harden/#ixzz2abMXoPOd

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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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Sarawak Energy will continue to practise sustainability, conservation

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is determined to continue and improve on its sustainability and conservation initiatives in all its project developments following the success of its wildlife monitoring and rescue operation (WiMoR) in Murum Hydroelectric Project (HEP) area. Group chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit said as a company entrusted with delivering energy for Sarawak to grow, it sees sustainability as a vital component in that the company would try to maximise the positive impact and mitigate any negative impact when it carries out its projects and operations. “As a fully government-owned utility, Sarawak Energy has to deliver the State agenda in a way that is sustainable in the best interest of the people. “Our main role is to serve almost 600, 000 customers across the state on a day to day basis, and work with the government to ensure our rural communities also have electricity. In working to deliver the state agenda, we are also creating good jobs for Sarawakians in high skill areas rather than having young men and women leave for the Peninsula or elsewhere,” he said when giving a key note address at the Asia for Animals Conference Borneo 2015 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching yesterday. “In pursuing sustainable development, Sarawak Energy aims to balance development with both social and environmental impact with the aim of minimising the negative footprint of our projects. “As we develop our various power plants so that energy and jobs are available for all, we also want to do what we can for conservation to protect the environment and wildlife. “Our understanding of sustainability is to pursue a balanced form of development and that is what our story is all about. “It is about being able to attain our development goals in a sustainable manner,” he continued. During the development of the Murum HEP, Sarawak Energy worked with Sarawak Forestry Corporation on WiMoR to prepare for the Murum reservoir – rescuing and relocating plants and animals to the banks of the reservoir area and a designated island as the water levels rose during impoundment. The whole project saw the rescue and relocation of 49 species of mammals, 91 species of birds, 23 species of reptiles and six species of amphibians. Over 50,000 trees and plants were relocated including important species such as ensurai, kapur, keruing, meranti, belian, orchids, bamboos and more. Citing Batang Ai’s success as an example of how to balance hydropower development and ecological conservation in partnerships for sustainability, Sjotveit said: “We are learning as we go along. We are aware of the effect our project has on society and we will continue to work with the affected communities as well as stakeholders to minimise any negative impact our projects have on the environment.” The Batang Ai hydropower station catchment area and associated national park is one of the few places where the wild population of orang utans is being sustained. Sjotveit said the success of WiMoR for Murum HEP was inspiring and encouraging and Sarawak Energy would improve on this aspect of sustainability for its other projects by pursuing continuous engagements and partnerships with higher learning institutions, relevant government agencies and likeminded non-governmental organisations. AFA Conference Borneo 2015, the first to be held in Malaysia, was organised by Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA). Themed ‘Partnerships Breed Success’, the four-day conference aims to provide a platform for those working on animal welfare and wildlife management in this region to network, exchange ideas and build lasting collaborations. It features, among others, a diverse selection of plenary, symposia and conferences on animal welfare and wildlife management.

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Naik taraf Loji Rawatan Air Bayai giat dilaksana

KUCHING: Kerja-kerja menaik taraf Loji Rawatan Air Bayai sedang giat dijalankan membabitkan pertambahan 20 juta liter sehari (MLD) kapasiti air terawat bagi menampung keperluan mendesak di Sri Aman.   Pertambahan 20 MLD itu bakal menyaksikan loji berkenaan mampu membekalkan sehingga 30.3 MLD air terawat berbanding hanya 13.3 MLD sekarang.' Menteri Muda Pembangunan Luar Bandar Datuk Francis Harden Hollis berkata, projek yang menelan belanja RM43 juta dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada 22 Mei tahun depan.   “Sekarang, kerja-kerja menaik taraf ini sudah dilaksanakan lebih 30 peratus. Dengan siapnya projek menaik taraf nanti, loji ini mampu membekalkan 33.3 MLD air terawat. “Ini merupakan pendekatan yang kita ambil untuk meningkatkan tekanan air di Sri Aman,” katanya dalam sidang media di sini, semalam.   Hadir sama Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Sarawak Danien Rangu. Loji Rawatan Air Bayai mula diwujudkan pada tahun 1974 dengan kapasiti 5.4 MLD dan kemudiannya dinaik taraf kepada 13.3 MLD pada tahun 2006.   Pendekatan lain yang diambil untuk mengatasi masalah kekurangan air di Sri Aman, menurutnya, adalah melibatkan penukaran kesemua sistem paip air di Sri Aman. “Paip ini perlu ditukar juga kerana sudah berusia lebih 40 tahun. Kita menjangkakan memperoleh RM12 juta untuk penukaran sistem paip,” ujarnya.   Francis yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Simanggang berkata, buat sementara waktu tangki akan dihantar ke kawasan yang mengalami masalah ketiadaan air.   “Ini merupakan pendekatan segera untuk menyelesai masalah ketiadaan air di Brayun, Taman Sri Jaya dan Kedang,” jelasnya.   Tambahnya, masalah bekalan air dialami penduduk Sri Aman disebabkan pertambahan projek pembangunan terutama taman perumahan.   “Pada tahun 2008 terdapat 8,141 meter sambungan air terawat namun sekarang ia meningkat kepada 8,977 meter sambungan,” kata Francis.   Pada masa sama, Francis menasihati penduduk Sri Aman agar menjimatkan penggunaan air terutama pada musim kemarau sekarang.   Penduduk Sri Aman yang mengalami masalah gangguan air diminta menghubungi talian 083-321620 atau faks kepada 083-320031 untuk sebarang aduan. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/06/22/naik-taraf-loji-rawatan-air-bayai-giat-dilaksana/#ixzz2Y2D9nFCn

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Kuching businessman gets two days’ jail, RM70,000 fine for stealing electricity

Foreign cables are seen connected to the premises’ electrical wiring. KUCHING (May 13): The Sessions Court here sentenced a businessman to a total of two days in prison and fined him a total of RM70,000 in default 12 months’ jail for two counts of electricity theft. Alvin Chin Ngian Yik, 29, who previously claimed trial, changed his plea to guilty before Judge Iris Awen Jon today, on two charges under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance (Chapter 50). He was sentenced to one day behind bars and fined RM35,000 in default six months’ jail for each charge. According to the charges, he stole electricity by installing foreign cables and bypassing electricity meters at a commercial premises near Moyan Square on Jalan Tondong-Batu Kawa on Aug 20, 2025. The first offence took place between 10.30am and 11am, while the second offence occurred between 2pm and 3pm. Deputy public prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin from the State Attorney-General’s Chambers told the court that Alvin, as the registered customer of the licensee, had dishonestly extracted electricity supply through direct tapping cables connected from the main wiring of the premises to the ground floor shop lot that he rented. Alvin was represented by lawyers Clement Wong and Christopher Chin. Several enforcement officers from the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication as well as Syarikat Sesco Berhad Investigation Unit attended the proceedings.

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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