Smoother, safer drive in 5 years in Borneo

KUCHING, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The Works Ministry would prioritise three main projects in the Pan Borneo Highway development programme in Sarawak, involving RM490 million.

Its minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said RM110 million of the amount would be for the construction of 22 overtaking lanes along the proposed highway.

"The companies that would be building the overtaking lanes have already been appointed," he said, while launching the Unitar International University, Sarawak open house here Saturday.

He said upgrading of the road stretching five kilometres, from Km16 to Km21 along Jalan Kuching-Serian costing RM80 million would likely commence in May next year.

Fadillah said the long-haul route between Sibu and Bintulu would be upgraded at a cost of more than RM300 million.

According to him, other phases in the construction of the Pan Borneo highway would be undertaken by a company to be appointed by the economic planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said while tabling the Budget 2015 last week, that RM27 billion would be allocated for the development of the 1,763-kilometre Pan Borneo highway linking Sabah and Sarawak.

Fadillah who is also Petra Jaya member of parliament, said a new bridge across the Sarawak River would also be built next year to link Kuching South City to a booming commercial and residential area.

He said the road network in the area would also be upgraded to four lanes.

-- BERNAMA

Pan Borneo Highway to be ready by 2025- Fadillah

MELAKA, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The construction of the RM27-billion Pan Borneo Highway, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday, is expected to be completed by 2025, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said here on Saturday.

He said the Finance Ministry, Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Public- Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) were at the discussion stage of implementing the construction of the 1,663-km highway, which was expected to start next year.

"The construction of the highway may be a public-private effort with the Works Ministry monitoring the implementation.

"Under conventional methods, it will take up to 2025 to complete. However, construction can be expedited using the public-private partnership initiative," he told reporters after an investiture held in conjunction with the 76th birthday of Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob at Dewan Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, here.

Najib, in tabling the budget yesterday, said the government would build the Pan Borneo Highway, involving 936 kilometres in Sarawak and 727 kilometres in Sabah.

Fadillah said the four-lane toll-free highway would facilitate travel and transportation for the people in Sabah and Sarawak.

He also said that Melaka would receive an allocation of about RM500 million for the construction of several roads as well as two flyovers to address traffic congestion in the state.

At the investiture, Fadillah was conferred the Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM) award which carries the title 'Datuk Seri'.

-- BERNAMA

RM27 billion for upgrading 1663km Pan Borneo Highway

KUALA LUMPUR: Following are the highlights of the 2015 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Finance Minister, at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The budget proposals were crafted based on the theme ‘People Economy’.

To this end, the 2015 Budget outlined seven main strategies, namely strengthening economic growth, enhancing fiscal governance, developing human capital and entrepreneurship, advancing Bumiputera agenda, upholding the role of women, developing national youth transformation programme, and prioritising well-being the people.

* 2015 Budget allocates RM273.9 billion, up RM9.8 billion compared to 2014 initial allocation.

* RM223.4 billion is for operating expenditure, RM50.5 billion for development expenditure.

* RM65.6 billion is for emoluments, RM38.1 billion for supplies and services.

* RM29.3 billion allocated to the economic sector.

* RM12.6 billion allocated to the social sector for education, training, health, housing and well-being of society.

* RM4.9 billion earmarked for the security sector, RM1.7 billion for general administration and RM2 billion for contingencies.

* In 2015, Federal Government revenue collection estimated at RM235.2 billion, a RM10.2 billion increase from 2014.

* For 2015, economic growth expected to remain strong between 5 per cent and 6 per cent, fiscal deficit projected to further decline to 3 per cent of GDP.

* In 2015, government revenue estimated at RM23.2 billion with implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

* Government to exempt goods from GST amounting to RM3.8 billion.

* With GST implementation, Sales and Services Tax (SST) abolished, resulting in revenue foregone of RM13.8 billion.

* RM4.9 billion to be channelled back to the people through assistance programmes, such as the increase in Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M).

* RM690 million net revenue collection from GST

* Government to continue providing conducive and comprehensive ecosystem to accelerate domestic and foreign investment.

* In 2015, several infrastructure projects will be implemented — 59-km Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Expressway (SUKE) with total construction cost of RM5.3 billion; 276-km West Coast Expressway from Taiping to Banting (RM5 billion); 47-km Damansara-Shah Alam Highway (DASH)(RM4.2 billion); 36-km Eastern Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE)(RM1.6 billion); 56-km Second MRT Line from Selayang to Putrajaya (estimated RM23 billion); LRT 3 Project linking Bandar Utama to Shah Alam and Klang (estimated RM9 billion); and RM150 million upgrading of East Coast railway line.

* Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex project with total investment of RM69 billion expected to create over 10,000 jobs.

* In an effort to develop electric vehicle manufacturing industry, RM70 million Sustainable Mobility Fund to be established under SME Bank, 50 electric buses will be introduced initially.

* RM100 million Digital Content Industry Fund to be set up under Communications and Multimedia Commission to further promote creative industries like animation, filming, designing and cultural heritage.

* Retail sale of RON95 petrol, diesel and LPG given relief from payment of GST, meaning consumers and targeted groups will not have to pay GST on the purchase of these items.

* Electricity consumption not subject to GST increased from the first 200 units to 300 units, move to benefit 70 per cent of households.

* Individual income tax rates will be reduced by 1 to 3 percentage points. With this measure, 300,000 individual taxpayers will no longer pay income tax.

* Taxpayers with family and income of RM4,000 per month will not have tax liability.

* For year of assessment 2016, corporate income tax reduced by 1 percentage point from 25 per cent to 24 per cent, and income tax rate for SMEs reduced by 1 percentage point from 20 per cent to 19 per cent.

* RM40.5 billion allocated for various subsidies in 2014, RM588 million in 1994.

* New mechanism for providing petroleum subsidy to be announced soon.

* RM56 billion allocated to Education Ministry for various teaching and learning programmes, emphasis on strengthening schools requiring guidance and special assistance.

* 12 new schools comprising seven primary, three secondary and two boarding schools to be built nationwide.

* RM1.2 billion set aside for vocational and technical transformation programme and upgrading of colleges.

* RM800 million allocated for development and maintenance of educational facilities.

* Electricity and water bills of all National-type schools under Education Ministry to be paid in full up to RM5,000 maximum limit compared to RM2,000 previously.

* RM3 billion set aside for sponsoring education – RM1.9 billion to Public Services Department, Education Ministry (RM759 million) and Health Ministry (RM258 million).

* National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans worth RM47.8 billion taken by 2.1 million borrowers to date; as at Aug 31, 2014, only RM5.36 billion or 46 per cent of RM11.76 billion collected.

* 174,000 PTPTN borrowers have not made any payments since 2010, government to take new measures to recover outstanding loans.

* 10 per cent rebate proposed for PTPTN borrowers who continuously make repayments for 12 months until 31 Dec, 2015, additional 20 per cent discount offered to those making lump sum repayments from today until March 31, 2015.

* Employment Act 1955 and related labour acts to be reviewed to safeguard the welfare of workers.

* Government to introduce Employment Insurance System to assist retrenched workers.

* RM600 million allocation to increase Bumiputera ownership in private companies and government-linked companies (GLCs).

* RM2 billion allocated to MARA to sponsor eligible Bumiputera students.

* Government intends to start construction of 1,663-km Pan-Borneo Highway – 936 km in Sarawak and 727 km in Sabah – costing RM27 billion.

* RM660 million earmarked to enhance security in Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom)

* Lahad Datu airport runway to be upgraded; Squadrom Hawk to be relocated from Butterworth to Labuan, with an allocation of RM50 million.

* RM2.26 billion allocation for Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

* Government to establish 1Malaysia Youth City, with RM100 million allocated for three pilot projects in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

* Youth Housing Scheme – a smart partnership between the government, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Employees Provident Fund and Cagamas – announced.

* Starting January 2015, 5.4 million primary and secondary school students to receive RM100 each, RM540 million allocated for this purpose.

* RM6 billion allocated to Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry to strengthen food supply chain.

* RM23.3 billion allocated for health services and facilities for the people, such as building Hospital Dungun in Terengganu and Hospital Seri Iskandar in Perak, establish additional 30 1Malaysia clinics, replace 635 units of haemodialysis machines in government hospitals and clinics.-Bernama

MORE TO COME…

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/10/10/2015-budget-highlights/#ixzz3FmsNryU2

Borneo Convention Centre defies the odds for business tourism by Dunstan Chan

The BCCK sits on the Kuching Isthmus ringed by the Sarawak River.

WHEN the idea of building a Convention Centre here in Kuching was first mooted there was quite a bit of scepticism about its viability.

“We are not a travel hub. International attendees will have to spend extra days travelling via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.”

“Air connectivity is going to be a challenge.”

“We don’t have professional event organisers to service the clients.”

These were some of the negative comments. However, the State Government ploughed on with the scheme and went on to engage a team of dynamic locals and internationals to manage the place and to market it as a choice convention and exhibition destination.

In less than ten years BCCK has proven to be a success and now poses as a serious competitor to the more established conference centres in the region.

The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is the first purpose-built convention centre on the island of Borneo. It was hoped that it would be a catalyst to spur the Conferences and Exhibitions business and to further enhance the tourism sector in Sarawak.

It sits on the Kuching Isthmus and is ringed by the Sarawak River. It is away from the hustle and bustle of the Kuching city centre, yet is only a few minutes ride by land and even river transport.

The interior design and décor reflect the rainforest of Sarawak.

The Centre boasts of an available space of more than 3,700 square metres and is designed to offer flexible functional spaces for plenary sessions, meetings, exhibitions and banquets.

The pride is the pillarless Great Hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 delegates. Complementing this is the state-of-the-art facilities such as audio visual equipment and latest Internet technology that can cater to the demands of conference organisers.

BCCK has hosted more than 500 local, national and international events since 2009 – from congresses, meetings, seminars, concerts to wedding receptions, and more. Among the notable high profile events are the 2012 Commonwealth Dental Association/Malaysian Dental Association/FDI World Dental Federation Joint International Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist 10th International Scientific Congress, The 14th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatrics and 4th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatric Nursing and the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards 2013.

“BCCK together with Sarawak’s unique leisure offerings have shown their mettle of being able to compete favourably in the business event arena in Malaysia and beyond. With strong backing from the state government of Sarawak, BCCK offers an attractive proposition to conference buyers – pairing world-class convention facilities, international-branded hotels and modernity with culture, nature and adventure-based tourism – at favourable prices to conference buyers and delegates. These offerings are all within comfortable reach from the heart of Kuching,” proffered Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

A recent Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu convention held at the pillarless BCCK Great Hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 delegates.

One of the feathers in its cap is the winning bid against Prague (Czech Republic)to host the prestigious International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Annual Congress 2016. Support for this bid from the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and BCCK’s other Team Malaysia partners demonstrates the confidence that BCCK has earned from the authorities and players in the industry.

“Come 2016, Kuching will welcome about 700 ICCA members from the world over. Through the lens of the 2016 Congress, ICCA members comprising conference planners and buyers will experience Sarawak and especially Kuching – our diversity of culture, nature and history as well as our capability to deliver major and prominent business events. We are looking beyond 2016 at the potential international associations business that we can tap from the 2016 Congress. The Congress augurs well for the state’s tourism sector as conference delegates also contribute significantly to tourist spending,” said van Piggelen.

Kuching’s rise as a choice destination for business tourism is being solidified as the tourism, airport and airline industries take note by appointing Kuching as the host city for a range of tourism-related events.

The more recent events of this type hosted at BCCK were the Global Tourism Cities Conference 2013, Asia Pacific Tourism, Hospitality and Technology Conference 2013, ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 and Routes Asia 2014.

While it is carving a niche in the international market, BCCK also attracts more local event organisers now that an extensive network of new roads and bridges connects it to the city centre and Kuching International Airport which is only twenty minutes away.

Local organisers recognise BCCK’s status as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) venue which enhances the presence of their events in Kuching.

Plans are now afoot to further develop the area around the Kuching Isthmus into a fully-fledged commercial hub. A new 500-room hotel is on the drawing board. Future visitors will have access to all the modern public amenities within a stone’s throw of the convention centre.

Raintree Restaurant provides a five-star dining experience at the BCCK.

Culinary services form an integral part of BCCK’s overall offerings, both from its in-house and special arrangement with outside suppliers to cater for numbers ranging from the tens to thousands.

Food lovers will also find a trove of gastronomy delights at the Raintree Restaurant, a five-star fine dining restaurant that BCCK owns and operates on its premises. This in-house culinary production team offers a wide variety of menu options for international, Malay and Chinese cuisines.

BCCK started off hesitantly but with perseverance of its management and marketing team and the upgrading of its services it is now making a name in the region as a choice convention venue.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/10/05/borneo-convention-centre-defies-the-odds-for-business-tourism/#ixzz3FGptKOiY

Bario-Amazing Borneo

Bario Kelabit is a Malaysian village located in the centre of the Kelabit Highlands in the northeast of Sarawak, very close to the international border with Indonesian Kalimantan, and 3280 feet above sea level. It is the main settlement in the Kelabit Highlands. There are regular flights between Bario Airport and Ba'kelalan, Marudi and Miri.

History

Over a century ago, the Kelabits were somewhat involved in headhuntingraids, not so much for ritual purposes but as a means to prove one’s courage, bravery or valour, and to get even with their enemy. However, things have changed. Today among other things, the Kelabits are well known for their friendliness and hospitality. They embraced Christianity during the 1940s through the influence of Guru Paul, also known as Nimang Tepun.

In the year 1946, the first school was opened by Tom Harrison, who lived with the Kelabits for two years after the Second World War. In 2001, the Bario community was named as one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities by World Teleport Association.

The wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus), also known as the bar-pouched wreathed hornbill, is a species of hornbill found i found in Bario

The wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus), also known as the bar-pouched wreathed hornbill, is a species of hornbill found in forests from far north-eastern India and Bhutan, east and south through mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sundas, except Sulawesi. It is 75–100 cm (30–39 in) long. Males weigh from 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) to 3.65 kg (8.0 lb), and females weigh from 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) to 2.7 kg (6.0 lb).^[2] Both sexes are similar to the respective sexes of the closely related plain-pouched hornbill, but the wreathed hornbill can be recognized by the dark bar on the lower throat (hence the alternative common name, bar-pouched).^[3] Though commonly considered monotypic, evidence suggests some geographical variation in the appearance.^[3]