Sultan of Brunei yes to Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah seamless travel

MIRI: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made travelling through Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah smoother by putting up the request to the Sultan of Brunei.
The present system whereby passports are stamped 14 times at the CIQs of Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah respectively will be a thing of the past when  Malaysia and Brunei introduce digital scanning at their respective Immigration checkpoints.
On Nov 1, the chief minister at the earth-breaking and launching of second Limbang Bridge project at Pabahanan in the Ranggau Valley Development area said he would like to see travellers to and from Brunei enter both countries without too much hassle.

Three sovereign states form Malaysia — Penguang

Datu Dr Penguang Manggil

MIRI: Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report documents set up the terms and conditions in which three sovereign states have agreed to form the Federation of Malaysia.
The three sovereign states have agreed to form the Federation of Malaysia with an understanding that there are guarantees in the Federal Constitution to protect their respective rights and privileges. Singapore, which also signed, later left the federation.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Marudi assemblyman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said he had participated in the debate on MA 63 in the last DUN sitting and had the opportunity to examine some of the relevant documents including MA63 and the IGC report.

Embrace your heritage, young Kedayans told

The Kedayans from Brunei and Miri gather for a group photo.

MIRI: The young Kedayans of today must uphold their tradition such as the rituals in ‘Makan Tahun’ (annual grand feast) in that it marks their identity as one of many ethnic groups in Borneo.
In this regard, local Kedayan leader Penghulu Salim Ibrahim discloses that many young Kedayans do not even know what a ‘junjung’ looks like.
A ‘junjung’ is a traditional Kedayan farm hut, usually built at paddy fields or along the coastline near their villages.

This ‘junjung’ by the group from
Kampung Pintasan in Tiris
is elaborately decorated.

Even today, the majority of the Kedayans here and in Bekenu, Sibuti are farmers and fishermen.
“We must continue to preserve our customs and culture of the Kedayans, who are scattered across Borneo – there are even some who are living in Peninsular Malaysia.

Much to be done to keep Tusan beach clean

Beach cleaning conducted by Rotary Club of Miri Oil Town recently.

View of Tusan Beach.

MIRI: Tusan beach may have been identified as the latest place of interest in Miri, thanks to the ‘Blue Tears’ that had helped Tusan to gain popularity through social media.
However, visitors to the beach strongly feel that more should be done to make the beach attractive. A local, who wanted to be identified as Wilson, recently told The Borneo Post that his foreign friends whom he brought to Tusan beach were unhappy with the filthy condition of the tourist spot.
“They told me they were very upset that instead of a beautiful beach which they expected, they were greeted by rubbish scattered everywhere along the beach,” he said.

City apiculture — a thriving hobby-business

Cikgu Michael Sabang opens
a hive to show the honey pots
(left) inside.

MIRIAN Aki Bujang remembers when he was still young, his grandparents could easily spot a kelulut (stingless bee) hive on the way to their padi field.

He would happily shout: “That’s the sweets for the little ones! Soon, we would be extracting honey from the tree trunk. Yes, those were the good old jungle days.”

Aki told thesundaypost many stories about ulu life — how they looked for honey by watching the tapang trees and how they waited for the kelulut (stingless) bees or meliponines to come home.

Invention of sandfly repellent earns SMK Lutong spot in Petronas’ AAY 2017 grand finale

Chloe (front, centre) and her team show the processes involved in making their organic sandfly repellent during the state-level AAY 2017 round in Miri.

KUCHING: Necessity is indeed the mother of invention, as demonstrated by 16-year-old Chloe Yeo Lok Yee and her SMK Lutong team.
The Form 4 student, whose school is just a stone’s throw from the sandfly-infested Lutong beach in Miri, is allergic to the insect’s bite.
It is because of this that she has been avoiding the beach.
“I get skin inflammation every time I get bitten. The repellents available in the market are not effective.”

Student inventions AIR-MACS, Aelius have potential to be commercialised

Rakin (second row centre), flanked by Ekni (on his right) and Mohd Dzul, together with Hasimah (right) and Salmah (left) gesture during the presentation of AIR-MACS.

MIRI: Two projects undertaken by students under Petronas All About Youth (AAY) programme this year would provide cheaper and eco-friendly alternatives to air conditioners and powerbanks if they could be refined and patented.
AIR-MACS, an alternative to air conditioner was invented by 20 students from SM Sains Miri while Aelius, an alternative to powerbank is a project of 20 students from Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang.

Blue Tears – a concern to nature watchers

MANY Mirians and tourists to the Resort City, especially photographers, were bedazzled by the discovery of ‘Blue Tears’ — a sparkling bioluminescent — at Tusan Beach, some 40km from Miri, a couple of years ago.
Since then, the beach has gained a reputation as one of the must-visit tourist spots in Miri.
Visitors flock to Tusan Beach every day. They come with their best photography equipment — even on the darkest night — just to catch a glimpse of the sparkling blue lights from the sea. The beauty of Blue Tears, as many have described it, is rather magical.

Business signboard not advertisement of service — Dr Sim

Dr Sim (seated, fourth left) and members of associations and representatives of local councils in a photo-call after the meeting.

KUCHING: Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian does not agree with the argument that a business name signboard is an advertisement of service.
Contemplating an amendment to by-laws that are apparently peculiar, Dr Sim said the local council by-laws should be ‘people-friendly’.
Short of saying the law on business name signboards requiring an advertisement licence is absurd, Dr Sim said the law would be amended to provide clarity when the time comes.

Entrepreneur creates Sarawak version of keropok lekor

Machinery has speeded up the production of keropok lekor.

MIRI: There is no dispute that keropok lekor, a favourite snack among Malaysians, is originally from East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia – Terengganu and Kelantan.
Despite many similar products produced in all corners of the country, the original version is the tastiest.

Keropok lekor entrepreneur Fatimah Abdul Hamid, 57, has a vision to create Sarawak’s own version of keropok lekor.
“Keropok lekor is made from ingredients like fish, sago flour and salt; cooked and later deep-fried, it is best eaten hot. Connoisseurs of lekor can detect any subtle differences in taste.

Ali, dubbed the coconut man.

Ali, dubbed the coconut man.

ALI’s coconut stall is situated at the corner of the Saberkas Complex in Miri and people are happy to buy from him.
He not only sells coconuts but also cuts the fruits up for customers and chats with them under the tree as they savour the soft tender coconut flesh and the refreshing water.
Sometimes, three or four people would sit down for a chat — or just one man might drive by and order a fruit directly from the driver’s seat!
Dubbed the coconut man, Ali has been selling fresh coconuts for some years now. He built up his stall from a small wooden shack to a fairly reasonable kiosk with a storeroom, reinforced by wire mesh and grilles, and an open space with a stove for frying fritters.
He has a section for coconut shakes, a new product. There is a little banner here – an old one by the looks of it. But he is not worried about it.

The untold tale of Pua Kumbu

Cutting Rengat leaves for the blue dye.

THE 1865 fantasy novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’ written by Lewis Carroll, tells the story of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole — entry into the unknown, of adventure and beauty. Such was the case of Dr Weylene Jeffery Jehom when she stumbled into the enigmatic world of the Pua Kumbu, only that this time it was not the fictional fantasy adventures but an authentic and sacred journey.
The Pua Kumbu, the Iban hand-woven textile, represents the heart of the Iban culture. And just like the Alice in the Wonderland — Weylene became ‘curiouser and curiouser’ towards the art of Iban weaving, that she spent two years just searching for the weavers and master weavers. Her sole desire was to experience the traditional culture and raw skills of dyeing and weaving.

Kelabit museum highlights megaliths

The launching of the Kelabit community museum was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the 12th Pesta Nukenen (Food Festival) in Bario recently.

MIRI: Bario, located in the Highlands of Borneo and homeland of the indigenous Kelabit tribe, is not only known for its peaceful agricultural atmosphere but also famous for its megalithic monuments.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts deputy dean (student affairs and alumni) Dr Yakup Mohd Rafee said the Kelabit community in the highlands of Bario should be proud that they are rich with all sorts of fascinating heritage and culture.

Bario – a Highlands experience

The town centre where dignitaries watch the traditional performances.

A SINGAPOREAN tourist stepped on the scale to have his body weight verified by the counter officer as he checked in for a Twin Otter flight, operated by Sarawak’s Rural Air Service, to the Bario Highlands.
His fellow Singaporeans and Kuala Lumpur friends travelling with him, were amused they had to weigh in for their first-ever flight aboard the 19-seater light aircraft to the highlands for the Bario Food and Cultural Festival 2017 (Pesta Nukenen) from July 27-29.
Apparently, they did not expect this, at least not at Miri Airport which is classified as an international airport. But it was all taken in good spirits and their trip to the Bario Highlands turned out to be an enjoyable and memorable one.

Paragliders take to the skies at Sg Pagar

Paragliders and paramotorists from Brunei, Sabah and Malaysia in a group photo at Beraya beach.

MIRI: The Sungai Pagar paragliding site at Beraya in Sibuti has the potential to become a hub for aerial sport tourism due to the location of its takeoff site from a cliff facing the South China Sea and the Beraya seafront.
This sport needs wind and height for takeoff and landing, and this makes cliffs such as the Sungai Pagar site at Beraya beach the best location for paragliding.
Paramotor sports is increasingly well-known among tourists and locals alike in Miri and Sarawak as a whole. This sport started in Miri at the old Lutong Airstrip as far back as the early 90’s, with paragliding starting in 2012.

Mobile app to promote tourism in Sarawak set for year-end launch

ASIASOFT Business Solutions representative James Bong (third right) and Shim (fourth left) showing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed for the mobile phone app ‘SARraider – Sarawak Raiders’, witnessed by Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (sixth left).

KUCHING: A mobile phone application to promote tourism in Sarawak called ‘SARraider – Sarawak Raiders’, specially designed by Young Malaysians Movement (YMM) in collaboration with local technology company ASIASOFT Business Solutions, is expected to be launched this year-end.
In a press statement issued yesterday, YMM said the dedicated mobile phone app will be a reference guide for tourists which will allow them to learn more about the harmony, culture, food and eco-tourism sites in the state.

Miri Cultural and Heritage Museum to open early 2018

Lee (second right) and others enjoying the sound of English oldies being played on an antique gramophone at the exhibition.

MIRI: The Miri Cultural and Heritage Museum —the first community-based museum in the city—is expected to open its doors to visitors by early next year.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the current effort to convert the old Miri Resident Office into a museum is still in progress.

Piasau Boat Club offers Firefiles Evening Cruises

27 sworn in as political secretaries to CM

The newly appointed political secretaries pose for the album with Abang Johari (seated centre).

KUCHING: A total of 27 people were sworn in as political  secretaries to the chief minister before the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Leading the swearing-in ceremony were Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy secretary-general Abu Seman Jahwie and John David Nyauh, also from PBB, who were reappointed.

推動旅遊發展計劃 3千萬進行北砂10工程

（本报美里18日讯）砂旅游，艺术及文化助理部长拿督李景胜披露，在第十一大马计划（RMK11）下，砂州旅游、艺术、文化、青年及体育部将拨款超过3千万令吉在北砂区进行10项与部门相关的工程项目，以便推动旅游发展计划。
他今日出席在美里省公署会议厅召开砂州旅游、艺术、文化、青年及体育部属下第11大马计划工程项目汇报暨工作会议后的记者会说，上述工程项目其中美里市占7项、马鲁帝县有2项，以及苏必士县1项。

Sarawak takes step towards virtual tourism

MIRI: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports will go global digitally when a virtual tourism project is implemented to promote Sarawak to the outside world.
Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin said it is timely for the ministry to step into the digital world to ensure it will not be left behind in promoting Sarawak tourism through digital means.
“With the Internet virtual reality project introduced at Niah National Park, I suggested to the ministry to explore digital tourism promotions including through websites,” Lee told members of the media yesterday.

‘Paula’ to be tested in remote Sarawak

Dr Rundi (fifth left) giving his thumbs-up to the Paula system at a village collecting treated water from the said system at Da Nang, Vietnam. Liwan is seen at fourth left.

KUCHING: If all goes according to plan, Portable Aqua Unit Lasting Affordable (Paula) systems will soon be a permanent feature in the state’s remotest and most isolated settlements in the very near future.
According to Minister of Rural Electricity and Water Supply Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Paula will be tested in two remote locations in Sarawak to see whether it will be viable for local conditions.

科廷大學工程師學會 移交 60盞太陽能檯燈

（本报美里8日讯）科廷大学砂拉越分校电气电子工程师学会（IEEE）今日上午移交60盏学生自制充电式太阳能台灯给甘榜埔奕湾木屋区居民。
出席移交仪式的有卑尔骚区州议员拿督陈超耀律师、美里市长俞小珊、甘榜埔奕湾木屋区村长阿巴斯Ambas Anak Semadak，以及科廷大学砂拉越分校电气电子工程师学会（IEEE）主席江先豪等。
该学会主席江先豪除了向民居们详细解说太阳能灯的具体构造及应用外，也非常感谢拿督陈超耀律师，他除了精神上全力支持，也在经济上资助这项公益项目，让他们能完成他们的小发明，自制充电式太阳能台灯，贡献社会，造福人类。
他说，太阳能的最大好处是不可耗竭、可再生、环保，希望每户甘榜居民都有一盏由学生自制的太阳能节能环保灯和黑夜相伴，让他们携手为绿色明天和子孙后代做当下改变。
江先豪：太陽能檯燈
冀提倡環境保護社會責任

Five-foot way – a micro culture in Miri

An Itinerant hawker plying his wares on the five-foot way in Miri.

THIRTY years ago, a couple met for the first time outside the Park Hotel in Miri, introduced by a well-known Foochow match-maker.
The young man had come all the way by car from Sibu while the young lady had been working in a small restaurant in Miri.
Soon, they tied the knot and had a very happy marriage.
Asked where they met, they would unhesitatingly say at “a five-foot way (ngo ka ki or kali lima) in Miri.”
The term five-foot way describes the width of the sidewalk projected from the wall of the building into the street. The overhanging roof extension or the upper first floor provides a cover for pedestrians from the elements — so practical in our equatorial region when convection rain can suddenly come in the afternoon.

SeCS, the state’s very own e-commerce association

Chew (seated fourth left), Lee Shieng Wei (seated third left) and other officer bearers in a group photograph.

KUCHING: With the establishment of a brand new ministry – The Ministry of International Trade and E-Commerce (MITeC) – and the launch of Sarawak’s very first digital economy conference – the International ICT, Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak – it has been made abundantly clear that the state government is aggressively pushing to bring the economy into the digital era.

Over 189 million domestic visitors recorded last year

KUALA LUMPUR: The 189.3 million domestic visitors recorded last year was an increase of seven per cent compared with 176.9 million visitors registered in 2015.
Based on the Domestic Tourism Survey 2016 handled by the Statistics Department, it was found that the five main objectives of domestic visitors are visiting relatives and friends (43.6 per cent), shopping (33.1 per cent), vacation, leisure and rest (11.4 per cent), entertainment, attending special events and sports (four per cent) and for medical care and personal care (three per cent).

Top designers to show their work at BFW17

Designs by Von Jolly Couture

Raymond (left) and Aaron George Von Jolly (right) posing for a photo with famed Malaysian-born shoe designer Dato Jimmy Choo (second right) and others during the Paris Fashion Week in 2015.

KUCHING: Borneo Fashion Week 2017 (BFW17), the most anticipated fashion event in Borneo will descend upon Kuching at B744 Arts Centre in Bintawa here from July 7 to 9.
Organised by Borneo Ads Management, the inaugural fashion event will see 20 acclaimed international and Malaysian designers showcasing their creations.

Mukah stingless bee farm keen to help others take up the trade

The visitors holding the stingless bee honey and other products with Manuchir (seated left) .

SARIKEI: Trigona Enterprise Mukah Stingless Bee Farm is willing to share the secrets of the stingless bee honey trade with anyone interested to undertake it for their own consumption or as an additional source of income.

CM approves another RM300,000 for Sungai Tujuh CIQ centre

Abang Johari (second right) and his entourage inspecting the immigration post.

MIRI: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday approved an additional RM300,000 to improve facilities at Sungai Tujuh Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Centre.
He made the announcement after a briefing on the road and installation of LED signage at the CIQ centre, which was also attended by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and senior government officers.

都九關卡提升工程 張志凡： 近期招標

（本报美里20日讯）美里公共工程局局长张志凡表示，双溪都九关卡提升项目工程将在近期内进行招标，工程深信可在1个月后展开，并预计可在今年12月全面完成。
他说，由州政府拨款耗资约30万令吉的提升项目工程预计可在8月份展开，并在12月竣工。一旦提升工程完成后，将纾缓该关卡交通阻塞的问题。
张志凡今日陪同砂首长拿督阿玛阿邦佐哈里等人前往双溪都九关卡巡视及交流后，接受媒体询问时，发表上述谈话。

提升都九關卡設施 州政府撥款30萬

（本报美里20日讯）州政府拨款30万提升18个出入境服务柜台通道为双车道、所有40个检验服务柜台设置LED显示灯管牌，以及重铺巴士检验服务柜台通道改作汽车或电单车使用，以加强提升美里双溪都九关卡设施更趋完善。
砂拉越首席部长拿督阿玛阿邦佐哈里今日在美里双溪都九关卡提升工程进展简报会后召开的记者招待会上发表谈话时，作出上述宣布。

A filial daughter’s life-long quest fulfilled

Linda places fl owers on her father’s grave after a life-long search.

JUNE 13, 1945. For many Sarawakians, this might have been just a day and date during the horrific Japanese occupation.
But it was a sad day for the families of 28 innocent civilians who were tortured and starved until that fateful day when vengeful Japanese prison wardens, guards and soldiers were given the order to behead them in public in Miri.
It was one of the most inhumane war crimes ever committed.
Later, it was discovered that the Japanese commandant in Miri had no right to issue such an order.

Weaving association to hold charity sale

A variety of baskets made by the Penans for sale at Summer Boutique Charity Sale.

MIRI: The Miri Women Weaving Association, in collaboration with local and expatriate volunteers, will hold a Summer Boutique Charity Sale in aid of needy Penans besides promoting homemade and handmade products.
The inaugural event will be held on June 17 at House 3 of Piasau Boat Club from 10am to 2pm.

Miri students elated over British Queen’s reply

Joanne (back row, third right) with staff and students sharing the joy of five of their students who received letters from Queen Elizabeth II.

MIRI: Five students from Ecology English Language Centre here were overjoyed   last week when they unexpectedly received letters from Buckingham Palace, replying to their letters to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to congratulate her on her Sapphire Jubilee.
The centre’s Director of Studies, Joanne Bharatan said the five students had won the recent letter writing competition for their level/class, organised by the centre.
“They were among over 150 students who competed in the letter writing competition where they practised their creative writing with letters to Her Majesty, congratulating her on her Sapphire Jubilee.

MaGIC opens first centre outside Klang Valley at Borneo 744

Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah plays a drum to launch MaGIC Sarawak@Borneo744. From left are MaGIC Asean Centre of Entrepreneur, Community and Outreach executive director Ehon Chan, National Strategic Unit director Datuk Aminuddin Hassim, Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion and Ashran.

KUCHING: The Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) launched its first physical presence outside the Klang Valley at Borneo 744 Bintawa here, yesterday.
MaGIC Sarawak@Borneo744 is part of MaGIC’s outreach and engagement efforts to foster a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem nationwide.

State aims to attract 5 mln tourists this year — Abdul Karim

SARAWAK is targeting five million tourist arrivals and expecting RM8.98 billion in tourism receipts this year.
In stating this, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state’s total tourist arrivals stood at 1.67 million as of April.
“As of January to April this year, visitor arrival figure was 1.67 million, indicating an increase of 17.26 per cent as compared to the corresponding period in 2016,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday.
Whereas last year, the state received 4.66 million tourists, spending RM8.37 billion in the state, an increase of 3.19 per cent over the figure recorded in 2015, he added.

Ongoing efforts to increase local authorities’ cashflow — Dr Sim

THE Local Government and Housing Ministry will continuously look into ways to improve the efficiency of the local authorities’ processes and services so that they can generate ‘healthy’ cashflow and savings for the local authorities.
This will include charging utility companies for their use of council lands and advancing the due date of assessment rates to February and August instead of May and October in each year.
Its Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the local authorities would also be encouraged to embark on e-billing to reduce overhead costs, which is also in line with the Chief Minister’s vision for the state to leapfrog into digital economy.

‘Local councils should set up guidelines for fishtail adverts’

SIBU: Local authorities in Sarawak should look into setting up a proper system for approving mounting of fishtail advertisements in public.
Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil made the proposal yesterday in response to a call by the Association of Sarawak Advertising Companies to local councils to come up with a more systematic way of letting people know availability of slots for fishtail advertisements..
Penguang said with a proper guideline, fishtail adverts would look more organised and environmentally friendly.

Sunrich Awesome producing fresh and healthy vegetables

Ding (centre) and Sunrich Awesome staff show some of the hydroponic vegetables.

SIBU: Sunrich Awesome Sdn Bhd is hydroponically producing fresh vegetables for local consumers that are 100 per cent free of pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals.
Co-founder Lina Ding said the company, launched in January this year, has an indoor controlled-environment farm measuring some 250 sq metres at Ding Lik Kong Road here.
She said the farm is able to produce 8,000 heads of lettuce and other leafy vegetables per month, and an estimated 3.5 tonnes of vegetables per year with plans to further increase shelf numbers to increase the varieties of vegetables.

Deepen access channel at Kuala Baram river mouth urgently, appeals Ting

THE state government has been urged to deepen the shallow access channel at the Kuala Baram river mouth as an urgent priority in order to restore Miri Port as a premier deep sea port.
Datuk Sebastian Ting (BN-Piasau) also called for the restoration of Kuala Baram Industrial Estate into a successful and vibrant industrial area, more importantly to serve hinterlands like Limbang and Lawas.
According to him, in 1988, Miri Port was relocated to Kuala Baram Industrial Estate with a vision to make Miri a leading deep sea port.

Maximise impact of cabotage abolition by upgrading access channels to ports, suggests Lee

MIRI: The federal government can add more value to the recently-announced abolition of cabotage policy by allocating funds slated for improving the access channels to the major ports across Sarawak and Sabah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Sunday that the policy, which had been limiting the shipment of goods from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak and Sabah to only Malaysian flagships, would cease effective June 1.

RM3 million allocated for artificial reefs in the state

Belayong (seated centre) during a photo call for the event. He is flanked by Buniamin (left) and Fairol.

MIRI: The Marine Fisheries Department has been allocated with RM3 million to build artificial reefs in the state this year.
Department director Belayong Nyuak said this is to help improve the living standards of fishermen statewide.

Sarawak Cabinet 2017

砂拉越州內閣陣容（2017年5月6日生效）●首長署首席部長：拿督阿瑪阿邦佐哈里
副首席部長：拿督阿瑪道格拉斯、丹斯里詹姆士瑪欣、拿督阿瑪阿旺登雅
首長署部長：拿督達立朱菲立
助理部長（土著法律及習俗）：拿督約翰西基
助理部長（法律、州及聯邦關係及計劃監督）：莎麗花哈茜達
助理部長（企業事務）：阿都拉賽頓

●財政及經濟策劃部
部長：阿邦佐哈里
第二財政部長：拿督斯里黃順舸

●城市發展及資源部
部長：阿邦佐哈里
第二城市發展及資源部長：拿督阿瑪阿旺登雅
助理部長（城市發展、土地行政及環境）：拿督連達立夫

PNR visitors’ centre 25 pct completed

Wong (third left), flanked by Jessica Wong (on Wong’s right) and Kwan (on Wong’s left, partly hidden) being interviewed after the walkabout at the visitors’ complex.

MIRI: Construction work is 40 days ahead of schedule on the restoration of a visitors’ centre complex at Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) here, which is  scheduled for completion by Feb 26, 2018.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung is happy with the progress of the work, done by Technicorps Builder Sdn Bhd.

Designer has passion for paper crafts

One of Ceres’ old works known as Imaginative was an exploration into a world within layers of papers and colours, carefully drawn and cut to create the effect.

Never give up on your dreams.
That is a mantra most people would live by but for designer Ceres Lau Sin Yee, it is more than just a slogan. In fact, it is the very essence of her life and her passion for the arts, fuelled by encouragement and love from her late father.

Natural attractions draw visitors from near and far

Visitors flocking to take pictures of the ‘Horse Stone’ formation which is said to look like a horse drinking water.

MIRI: Tusan Beach, located 40 kilometres from Miri, offers stunning sunsets and beautiful landscapes, including the cliffs of Tanjung Layang-Layang which has a unique natural formation known as “Horse Stone”, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Bekenu.
It draws foreign tourists, locals and even Bruneians who drive all the way from the sultanate to witness the natural wonders.

Visitor shares her travel experiences

Nowak shares this picture she took during a boat trip from Kapit to Belaga.

MIRI: Going on a vacation without any pre-planned itinerary to South Asia and South East Asia countries turned out to be the best back-packing trip for Polish traveller Aleksandra Nowak.
Embarking on her long trip in October last year after saving for three years, Nowak made her first stop in India and thereafter to Nepal before returning to India for more exploration.

Road system in Baram could cost RM3 billion — Dennis

Dennis (standing middle) and the organising commitee with all the winners.

MIRI: Construction and tar-sealing of road networks in Baram could cost the government as much as RM3 billion.
However, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the project was possible with the total commitment from the people to spur Baram with vibrant economic and development activities.
“The effort to tar seal all the roads in Baram is relatively costly. From my own calculation, the cost for tar sealed road works can be as high as RM3 billion.

Many agreeable to rename PNR after late CM, S4S says

MIRI: Despite objections from certain groups, the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement which has proposed that the Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) be renamed as Adenan Satem Piasau Nature Park said the proposal was agreeable to many of the locals here.
S4S activist Eric Chin in a press release yesterday, noted that based on the petition they have collected from the locals, the idea is well-received by most, as a sign of respect for the deceased former chief minister.
“Adenan was a nature-loving person and his policy to freeze timber licences shows his effort. Hence, we are making this call as our way of remembering Adenan uniquely,” he said.

170 tourism stakeholders expected at Tourism Forum

MIRI: Some 170 participants from various tourism stakeholders here are expected at a Tourism Forum at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club (EVGCC) on April 29.
Chairman of Miri City Council (MCC)’s tourism development standing committee
Councillor Ernest Goh said the participants are involved in tourism-related development such as hoteliers, transportation, travel agents, tour operators and many others.
“The council welcomes these tourism stakeholders to attend the forum.
“Their support is crucial as the council is going to document all feedback and problems faced by tourism stakeholders here.

Opening of new museum set for this Sept

The proposed Miri Cultural and Heritage Museum.

MIRI: The proposed Miri Cultural and Heritage Museum – the first museum in Sarawak built in a former office complex of historical value – is scheduled to open to the public by September this year.
Curator of Sarawak Museum’s Natural History and Zoology, Dr Charles Leh, said the design for the project is complete and will be forwarded soonest to the Public Works Department (PWD) to call for tender.
“We have the funds for the project and once a tender had been called by PWD and renovation work begin, we expect the museum to be ready and open to the public by September this year,” he said when contacted recently.

Delegation visits Sarawak Shell head office

Awang Tengah (front row, third left) flanked by Julaihi (on Awang Tengah’s right) and Lo in a group photo with others at the entrance of the SSB headquarters before the briefing.

MIRI: Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was briefed on the oil and gas industry’s latest developments by Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB) at the latter’s head office in Lutong yesterday.

Poser over interesting places in Miri

The Long Jetty has been likened to Long Jetty NSW in Perth. — Photo by Miri Community Channel

Activities at the beach can be sunbathing, volley ball game, snorkelling to observing the natural ‘Blue Tears’ phenomena, among others.

MIRI: Whenever a friend from out of town comes to visit, the one question they often ask is: What are the interesting places to visit in Miri?
Though it seems like a simple question, shamefully, I can’t answer the question.
The typical places of interest like the Grand Old Lady on top of Canada Hill, Lambir National Park, Tusan Beach, Borneo Tropical Rainforest, etc are, to me, the ‘usual’ tourist attractions. I am sure many would agree with me.
But are they sufficient enough to keep tourists and travellers coming back?