Veterinary Conference 2013

Veterinary Conference  2013 was held at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu from 16 to 18 December 2013 attended by 70 Government Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians throughout Sarawak.

Kapit Town

Kapit town after the inpounding of Bakun Dam in 2012.

Transport To Kapit

Transportation to Kapit Division in Sarawak are all by boat. There is no road to Kapit.

Balai Ringin Town

Hari ini saya pergi ke Pekan Balai Ringin untuk bertemu dengan kumpulan RELA.

Malaysian court: 'Allah' is Muslim-only word

Court says the Catholic Herald newspaper is banned from using Islamic term, in ruling that affects other publications.

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An appeals panel has ruled that a Malaysian Catholic newspaper could not use "Allah" to refer to the Christian God in a case that sparked attacks on places of worship three years ago.

The publishers of the Herald, who had argued that a 2009 government ban on the use of Allah in its Malay-language edition was unconstitutional, said after the ruling they planned to appeal higher to the Federal Court.

"It is our judgment that there is no infringement of any of the constitutional rights," said Apandi Ali, head of the three-judge panel. 

"It is our common finding that the usage of the name 'Allah' is not an integral part of the faith and practice of Christianity."

The dispute erupted in early 2009 when the Home Ministry threatened to revoke the Herald's publishing permit for using the word. The Catholic Church sued, claiming violation of its constitutional rights.

A court upheld the church's argument later that year and lifted the ban pending judicial review. 

Attacks on chruches

The ban's removal triggered a series of attacks in early 2010 on places of worship, mostly churches, using petrol bombs, rocks and paint , and sparking fears of wider religious conflict in the multi-faith country.

The Herald's editor, Father Lawrence Andrew, said Monday's ruling was flawed, noting that "Allah" has been used extensively in Malay-language versions of the Bible for decades without trouble.

"It is also a retrograde step in the development of the law relating to the fundamental liberties of religious minorities in this country," he said.

Andrew insisted the Church remained unbowed and would appeal. Some observers have expressed fear that a ruling in the Malay-dominated government's favour could potentially be used as precedent to have "Allah" also stricken from Bibles.

Muslims make up 60 percent of the country's 28 million people, while Christians account for about nine percent.

Following the initial government ban, Muslim groups seized on the issue, claiming that the Arabic word "Allah" is exclusive to Islam.

Malaysia has largely avoided overt religious conflict in recent decades, but tensions have slowly risen along with what many perceive as an increasing Islamisation of the Southeast Asian country.

The Orang Utan

The Orang Utan swing. Pictures taken during my last visit to Semonggok Wildlife , 12 miles, Puncak Borneo Road, Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak.

Malaysia Day: Sarawak sets 'Sarawak Gemilang 2030' vision Read more: Malaysia Day: Sarawak sets 'Sarawak Gemilang 2030' vision - New Straits Times

KUCHING: Sarawak is currently formulating an approach to be a high-income developed state by 2030, said its Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here today.

Describing this ambition as "Sarawak Gemilang 2030" (Sarawak Excellence 2030), he said the state, which was far behind in terms of development during the early stages of the establishment of Malaysia, was now able to compete with other states that developed before it.  

 

"We are on track towards achieving Vision 2020 but in Sarawak, we will not stop there because our golden dream is "Sarawak Gemilang 2030"," he said in his speech at the 50th Malaysia Day parade and rally at Padang Merdeka here.

 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah opened the ceremony.

 

His Majesty was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah. 

 

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

 

Taib said Sarawak's achievements after 50 years of independence through the formation of Malaysia was the result of close cooperation between the federal government and state government.

 

"We feel like being more and more part of Malaysia and we want to contribute more," he said. 

 

Taib said the establishment of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) was among the government's approach in order to achieve high-income status, create more job opportunities and improve the living standards of its people. 

 

He said the Samalaju Industrial Park development in Bintulu Samalaju was part of SCORE and to date had attracted investments of over RM24 billion from 15 multinational companies. 

 

"These are among examples of development undertaken to realise Sarawak's hopes to become a high-income state," he said. 

 

He said the strong ties between Sarawak and the Federal Government led by Najib will be further strengthened to ensure that development in the state would be comprehensive to provide maximum benefits to the people.

 

"The intention and commitment of the Barisan Nasional state government is to implement programmes that have a big impact on people," he added. Bernama

Read more: Malaysia Day: Sarawak sets 'Sarawak Gemilang 2030' vision - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-malaysia-day-font-sarawak-sets-sarawak-gemilang-2030-vision-1.357058#ixzz2f9YHKXyY

3 years ahead of schedule by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith

KUCHING: The state can attain developed status by 2017, three years ahead of its target of reaching the per capita income of US$15,000 by 2020.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud made this bold prediction because the state’s development had grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years and benefits of this economic progress would spread throughout the state

Taib who is also Finance Minister said the state was already on the verge of achieving a developed nation status with investment pouring in spurred by the availability of cheap hydro power.

He added the state had adopted a new development model in its economic progress through setting up facilities that could generate economic outreach into all areas especially those in the rural interior.

KUCHING: The state can attain developed status by 2017, three years ahead of its target of reaching the per capita income of US$15,000 by 2020.

“Development has penetrated to all areas where the people including those in the interior and coastal areas are benefiting from this growth,” he said when officiating at the Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin’s 92nd Birthday Celebration held at the Stadium 

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud made this bold prediction because the state’s development had grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years and benefits of this economic progress would spread throughout the state.

Taib who is also Finance Minister said the state was already on the verge of achieving a developed nation status with investment pouring in spurred by the availability of cheap hydro power.

He added the state had adopted a new development model in its economic progress through setting up facilities that could generate economic outreach into all areas especially those in the rural interior.

“Development has penetrated to all areas where the people including those in the interior and coastal areas are benefiting from this growth,” he said when officiating at the Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin’s 92nd Birthday Celebration held at the Stadium Negeri here yesterday.

Taib pointed out that the state’s ability to generate job opportunities depended heavily on its success in changing its economy and introduction of sectors that focus on industries such as those in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

SCORE, by 2030, was expected to be able to attract over RM200 billion (in investments) to create new jobs and transform the whole state.

With such development, he envisioned there would not be a single person or area that would be left behind as even the interiors of Baram and Lawas would benefit along with the rest of the state in this modernisation initiative.

To meet all these challenges, Taib stressed on the need for the state to enhance its education and human capital development by emphasising on technical education. He anticipated that one-third of future job opportunities would depend on the strength of the people’s technical education at all levels.

“The people must equip themselves with technical skills and knowledge to improve their standard of living. Now is the time for the state to aspire to become on par with the most developed nations in the world,” he said.

Touching on yesterday’s celebration, Taib described the Head of State as a leader who was close to the people.

This augured well for the relationship between the state leaders with the people, he added.

“The Head of State was a person who had fought for independence. He worked hard in explaining to the society then that Malaysia will bring more prosperity to the people. We can only pray that our struggles in the past 50 years will continue to be upheld in the next 50 years,” he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/15/3-years-ahead-of-schedule/#ixzz2f0tBqoPv

Negeri here yesterday.

Taib pointed out that the state’s ability to generate job opportunities depended heavily on its success in changing its economy and introduction of sectors that focus on industries such as those in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

SCORE, by 2030, was expected to be able to attract over RM200 billion (in investments) to create new jobs and transform the whole state.

With such development, he envisioned there would not be a single person or area that would be left behind as even the interiors of Baram and Lawas would benefit along with the rest of the state in this modernisation initiative.

To meet all these challenges, Taib stressed on the need for the state to enhance its education and human capital development by emphasising on technical education. He anticipated that one-third of future job opportunities would depend on the strength of the people’s technical education at all levels.

“The people must equip themselves with technical skills and knowledge to improve their standard of living. Now is the time for the state to aspire to become on par with the most developed nations in the world,” he said.

Touching on yesterday’s celebration, Taib described the Head of State as a leader who was close to the people.

This augured well for the relationship between the state leaders with the people, he added.

“The Head of State was a person who had fought for independence. He worked hard in explaining to the society then that Malaysia will bring more prosperity to the people. We can only pray that our struggles in the past 50 years will continue to be upheld in the next 50 years,” he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/09/15/3-years-ahead-of-schedule/#ixzz2f0tBqoPv

Fuel price hike will hit rural Sarawak hard

Venu Puthankattil

KUCHING: The recent price increase of RON 95 petrol and diesel will hit the low incomeSarawakians the hardest, especially those living in rural areas in the hinterland.

The additional 20 sen per litre for either fuel would mean extra costs to the already expensive public transport including riverine and coastal vessels as well.

Due to its large geographical size of 124,450 square kilometres (taking up 37 per cent of Malaysia’s total land area), swampy coastal fringes and mountainous terrain in the interior, the costs and technical difficulties in constructing a proper network of roads are more prominent.

In lieu of roads, many rural inhabitants rely on ferries and boats for everyday commuting as well as going home to their villages or home towns for extended public holidays.

Sarawak Workers Party president Larry Sng (pix) told theantdaily that the issue of fuel prices is a real concern judging from the feedback on the ground.

“Transport in rural areas is definitely more expensive than in the urban areas, particularly in places like my hometown Kapit [in the interior of central Sarawak].

“People move around by boat along rivers which is more expensive than land transport.

“When we talk about such an increase in fuel prices, it doesn’t only affect the price of transport but also the prices of goods and services.

“We will see an increase in the cost of living particularly for people in rural areas simply because the cost of transporting the goods to these people is much higher than in the cities.

“On top of that, the cost of living, day-to-day transport, going back to the longhouse – all these would have a very big impact on people’s livelihood,” said Sng.

When contacted by theantdaily, an express boat operator explained that the company’s current fares were being maintained for the time being as they had already been increased prior to the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri holiday season.

However, theantdaily discovered that higher prices are known to be imposed when demand for boat tickets exceeds available seats, especially during peak seasonal crests when thousands go home for holidays.

On his Facebook page, Sng expressed his hope that the government would take real measures to improve public transport in the cities.

“More people in lower income groups will need to rely on such modes of transport simply because the cost of owning a car is becoming too expensive.

“In Kuching, the government should improve bus routes and retire buses over 15 years.

“It is unacceptable to see busses over 20 years carrying passengers around town, especially STC [Sarawak Transport Company Bhd] which is partially owned by the state government,” he said in a posting on Sept 3.

Sarawakians are getting a raw deal with comparatively lower salaries and a lesser minimum wage of RM800 per month for East Malaysia (compared with RM900 per month for Peninsular Malaysia).

Despite the lower average income, they have to shoulder the burden of higher cost of living, partially stemming from higher logistics, transport and handling costs of goods.

These items are almost always shipped from the peninsula by a small pool of Malaysian logistics players (thanks to the national cabotage policy) and range from mundane everyday items such household goods to more expensive occasional purchases such as a new vehicle.

The Perodua Viva BX660 – the most affordable new car available in Malaysia – costs RM24,924.30 (on the road price with insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia but the price tag is RM1,595.70 higher in Kuching while buyers in Miri or Bintulu would have to fork out an extra RM1,730.10 for the same car.

The differences invariably escalate with more expensive vehicles and these additional costs do not include finance charges payable to the lending institutions when taking hire purchase agreements into consideration, which is almost always the case.

Golden Triangle Kuching

The Golden Triangle Kuching view from Riverside Majestic Hotel

Villagers affected by dam project to be resettled by year-end Read more: Villagers affected by dam project to be resettled by year-end

KUCHING: Bengoh state assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil is confident that the resettlement of 204 families from four villages affected by the Bengoh dam project near here would be completed by year-end.

Jerip, who is also Sarawak public health assistant minister, said yesterday he hoped the various government agencies would expedite matters relating to the quantum of the compensation.

The project affects about 5,000ha of native customary rights land which were proposed to be gazetted as a national park and turned into a water catchment area.

"The villagers can relocate to the Bengoh resettlement scheme once the paperwork is done."

Those affected are from Kampung Semban (59 families), Kampung Rejoi (40 families), Kampung Taba Sait (58 families) and Kampung Pain Bojong (47 families).

They are to be resettled at a 130ha site in Penrissen, adjacent to Kampung Semadang along the Puncak Borneo Road near here, about 20km from the Bengoh dam.

He said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would visit the resettlement scheme tomorrow. The scheme comprises 204 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat being built at a cost of RM19 million and which are about 70 per cent complete.

Taib will also hear outstanding issues and grievances from the villagers.

On the issuance of occupation permits (OP) and provision of utilities such as water and electricity, Jerip said the Padawan Municipal Council had given an assurance that OP approval would not be a problem.

He said the sub-contractors had agreed to increase their workforce to enable the first resettlement from Kampung Rejoi to be carried out by next month, after works were delayed due to labour shortage caused by site workers shifting to the Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu. Two churches, a multipurpose community hall and a primary school will also be built.

Villagers would also be allocated land for agricultural activities at the resettlement scheme, Jerip said.

Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the resettlement project, which is to be handed over to the Housing Development Corporation upon completion to pave the way for the relocation of the villagers. Bernama

Read more: Villagers affected by dam project to be resettled by year-end - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/villagers-affected-by-dam-project-to-be-resettled-by-year-end-1.218555#ixzz2ZqQOoH9a

Fire destroyed homes in Sibu

SIBU: Nearly 1,000 residents of Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama here were left homeless after fire razed around 100 houses today.

In the 3.45pm incident, the strong wind and dry weather made the situation worse as fire spread quickly among the tightly-packed clusters of wooden houses.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue director Nor Hisham Mohamad said they received the call at 4.02pm and sent 45 personnel with four fire engines from the Sibu Sentral, Sungei Merah and Kanowit stations to the scene.

“We only managed to control the fire around 7pm. For now, we believed around 100 homes are affected," he said.

 

Meanwhile, resident Mohamad Nur Hafizi Majidi, 28, said the fire spread too fast and only some of them managed to salvage their belongings.

“We believe the fire could have started from an abandoned house which had been left vacant seven years ago, and spread to the neighbouring house. I saw the flames ate the houses one by one in quick fashion.

“The wind in the area is also strong as our villages are located along the river. By the time it was put out, only 20 homes are still left standing," he said.

 The state Welfare Department teams were at the scene to provide aid to the residents.

Read more: Nearly 1,000 villagers in Sibu left homeless in fire - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/nearly-1-000-villagers-in-sibu-left-homeless-in-fire-1.303518#ixzz2Wvjr03HL