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‘Be open to change to transform civil service’ BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

‘Be open to change to transform civil service’

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:44 PM PST

by Joanna Yap reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

SERIAN: Transforming the organisational culture, mindset and attitudes of the public sector went hand-in-hand with openness to change.

Permanent secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGDC), Datu Dr Penguang Manggil pointed this out at the Serian District Appreciation Night and Integrity and Innovation Night in the community hall on Saturday night.

Penguang said he hoped the council would use Integrity and Innovation Week as a platform to manage culture change, one of seven main categories outlined under the Sarawak Civil Service 10-20 Action Plan to launch the transformation of the Sarawak civil service.

He observed that Malaysia had good governance though there was room for improvement.

Presently officers from his ministry were visiting district councils across the state to ensure they had enough manpower.

He said the government would  invite individuals willing to serve society and active in social work, especially from the younger generation, to serve as councillors in the District Office when their numbers wre increased to 29 from 24.

He was referring to the proposed amendment for the Local Authority (LA) Ordinance 1996 to be tabled in the State Legislative Assembly beginning next week.

The dinner marked the close of 'Integrity and Innovation Week' from Nov 11 to 15 with performances and multimedia presentations by various departments in the council.

Throughout the week, staff participated in lectures and sessions on integrity conducted by the Serian District Police, MLGCD, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Positive Impression.

Serian District Officer and Council chairman Sinde Muling said the event was one of many for the council to improve its administration, performance and ability to serve the public.

Later in the evening, Penguang launched the council's Organisation Integrity Plan 2013-2015 book (Buku Pelan Integriti Organisasi MDSerian 2013-2015) and council newsletter 'Serdic' by bursting a large balloon containing the two items with a blowpipe. Serdic stands for Serian District and Serian Council.

He presented service excellence certificates to eight staff for outstanding performance in 2012.

Certificates of appreciation and souvenirs were presented to community leaders and lecturers from local government agencies taking part in the Integrity and Innovation Week, as well as to local bodies and organisations which supported the council in other ways.

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Appoint more from Sarawak to federal cabinet – Observer

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:42 PM PST

by Jacqueline Raphael reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

MIRI: Many feel that it is high time Sarawak be given better representation in the Federal Cabinet by appointing more ministers and deputy ministers from the Land of the Hornbills.

Political observer Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar said the quota for the said portfolios should be increased by giving priority to the state that has become a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold.

"Sarawak has contributed a lot to the formation of the government through the last General Election (GE) and should be given priority in the cabinet line-up compared to other states," he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He echoed the view of Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing that the state's position in the Malaysian federation should be reviewed.

Wan Zain said based on the outcome of the last general election, Sarawak once again maintained its position as BN's stronghold and its 'fixed deposit', which helped the coalition to form the government again.

He suggested that cabinet reshuffle consider the needs of other states as well.

"We hope the portfolio in the cabinet line-up can be based on rotation so that the positions are not given back to the same individuals, but similar opportunities will be given to new faces," he said.

On a related matter, he hoped MPs from Sarawak holding positions in the cabinet will go to the field regularly to identify the infrastructure needs of the state.

"They should be reminded not to only chase after positions, but deliver their duty with full commitment as promised to the people in their respective constituencies," he said.

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Pondering where to house victims of Kpg Pulo Hilir fire

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:41 PM PST

Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said discussions will be conducted with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on where to relocate victims of a recent fire in Kampung Pulo Hilir.

He said the best option for the victims totalling 44 individuals from 14 families would be to provide them temporary shelter at HDC's apartments.

"The village's community leaders should discuss with the victims if they are open to staying in HDC apartments for the time being," Wan Junaidi said during his visit to their temporary shelter at Kampung Pulo Hilir multi-purpose hall yesterday,

Once all the victims have come to a mutual agreement, talks can be carried out with Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and HDC chief executive officer Wan Yusof Wan Moss.

He said the three houses razed by the fire on Nov 10 will be given priority under the Darul Hana development project.

During the visit, Wan Junaidi who is also Santubong MP handed over donations totalling almost RM25,500 to the victims.

Padi Beras Nasional (Bernas) Sarawak branch did their part by donating 22 packs of rice while Kuching Scouts Council handed over mattresses and food items to the victims.

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Residents seeing red over dog-poisoning burglars

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:40 PM PST

Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

SIBU: Residents of Lorong Belian here are seeing red over the modus operandi that burglars have been employing to break into houses in the area.

Burglars have been poisoning dogs of the residents before breaking into their houses.

One of the residents who requested anonymity called the press to alert members of the public over the unscrupulous method used by the burglars.

"Other residents and I have found red plastic packets at our house compounds recently.

"Dogs eat the contents of these packets and died," the resident lamented.

The dogs poisoned belonged to a neighbour of the resident who lives opposite him.

There had been a spate of break-ins in the neighbourhood recently with burglars using the same modus operandi to gain entry into the houses.

Even clothes hanging inside the house compound for drying were stolen, he added.

The complainant advised residents of the neighbourhood and members of the public who come across such red packets to throw them away.

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Still no supply of clean water to Kampung Tukau Jaya

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:39 PM PST

Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

MIRI: Residents of Kampung Tukau Jaya at Bakam Road, though only 30 minutes from Miri city, are in dire need of clean piped water. The majority of the population working as farmers and fishermen ask the government to channel clean water to their village as they are still relying on rain and a pond for water.

PAS Sarawak Deputy Commissioner cum PAS Miri chief Jofri Jaraiee revealed this in a press statement.

"They need clean water for drinking, bathing and washing clothes. During prolonged drought the water in the tank and ponds is not enough to cover their daily needs. They hope their village will be covered under the 2014 budget to provide clean water to rural residents," he said.

In addition they want the potholed gravel road tarsealed. The potholes collect water during heavy rains. The bridge that connects their homes has yet to be completed.

According to resident Sibutir they had long asked the government to repair the road and the old bridge but four elections later, the road looked like one in the 50s.

On Sept 17, 2011 they applied to the government for a perimeter survey to be conducted for the village but until now they do not have permanent ownership of their residential site.

They are worried that they may one day be evicted from their own land. The government, he suggested, should give freehold land status to the villagers so they can be independent without relying on a subsidy, he suggested. Provide land for housing and for cultivation besides basic facilities and infrastructure in the area.

"We urge the government and those concerned to solve the problem of clean water supply, roads and infrastructure in Tukau Jaya village," he said.

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More houses to be built under PR1MA

Posted: 17 Nov 2013 02:38 PM PST

by Saiful Bahari reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 18, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: About 8,000 to 10,000 houses will be built in Kuching, Sibu and Miri under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) to accommodate the increasing population due to migration and new families.

According to Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, this will provide young working graduates and families from the middle and low income group an opportunity to own a house.

"We had conducted studies and around 8,000 to 10,000 are needed for the project at the three cities," said Abang Johari when speaking at the Cycling Safety Campaign at SLPS court  at Jalan Muhibbah, Satok yesterday.

He also said the state government had identified suitable locations for the housing programme.

"We had identified Petra Jaya in Kuching, Nangka in Sibu and Permyjaya in Miri for the development of PR1MA housing project and we believe that it will fulfil the need of the people and will  ensure that PR1MA will reach its intended target," he  said.

He added that the project, which will kick start next year, would take around two years to be completed.

The event yesterday saw the presentation of cycling helmets to over 100 primary school students of SK Merpati Jepang,SK Rakyat Bolhassan and SK Combined with the aim to educate them on the importance of wearing helmet on the  road.

Jointly organised by Kelab Sukan Komuniti (KSK) Satok, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Satok branch, Road Safety Department (JKJR) and the

Youth and Sports Department, the event yesterday also saw activities such as gotong royong and aerobics.

Also present were Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusuf.

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