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No need for royal commission of inquiry to probe blackout, says Awang Tengah BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

No need for royal commission of inquiry to probe blackout, says Awang Tengah

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:32 AM PST

KUCHING: It is not necessary for a royal commission of inquiry to be set up to probe into the recent blackout which affected Sarawak, state public utilities minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said today.

He said the state government had appointed a reputable international independent consultant, DNV Kema Energy and Sustainability, to undertake immediate investigation of the blackout, which was completed last month.

"Based on their findings, the main cause was found to be the sudden simultaneous power ramp-down of three Bakun generating units, deloading 662 megawatts (MW) or 42 per cent of the grid demand within 10 seconds," he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also state industrial development minister, said this in his winding-up speech for the ministry at the state legislative assembly sitting here.

Replying to issues raised by Alan Ling Sie Kiong (DAP-Piasau) and Yap Hoi Liong (DAP-Dudong), he said, this resulted in the grid frequency dropping from 50 Hertz (Hz) to 47.5 Hz, whereby all generators were set to trip to avoid permanent damage to the power plants connected to the grid.

To prevent a repeat of such incidents, he said, the measures to be taken by Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Energy Berhad included a review of the grid system restoration procedures and enhancement of the system defence scheme, in line with the rapid expansion of the transmission system throughout the state.

On the issue of biomass being used in power generation, he said, the state had issued 10 biomass licences with a total installed capacity of 90MW since 2006, adding that 13 licences with a total installed capacity of 92MW were currently processed by his ministry. – Bernama

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Sarawak spends RM1.2 million per household for Murum re-settlers

Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:02 AM PST

KUCHING: The state government spends an average of RM1.2 million per household for those affected by the Murum hydroelectric power (HEP) dam project, who have since been re-settled at Tegulang and Metalun, said Sarawak Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said, despite the unreasonable and illogical demands put forward by a very small group of those affected, their resettlement programme was planned and implemented in a proper manner.

They were consulted on the site of the re-settlement, design of the longhouses and the amenities to be provided, he added.

"All these were made based on their choices and suggestions. Therefore, it is unbecoming to allege that the affected communities were never consulted," Awang Tengah said in his winding-up speech for the ministry at the Sarawak state legislative assembly sitting here.

He said the consultations began in the early years of the project during the preliminary design which indicated the dam design and location were altered based on advice from the affected communities to preserve a site where the Penan's sacred rock, 'Batu Tungun', was situated.

Replying to Fong Pau Teck (DAP-Pujut) and Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong), he said, the affected communities were provided with much better living fcilities than what they had previously, complete with water, electricity and basic amenities.

Awang Tengah said the government also provided various other compensation benefits, facilities and livelihood restoration programme to assist them towards becoming self sufficient, including:

* relocation assistance of RM15,000 per househOld;

* provision of roads, schools, clinics and places of worship;

* monthly income support equivalent to RM850 per househld for up to three years;

* support based on needs basis for the fifth year; and,

* land allocation of 15 hectares for cash crop plantation and home garden with training programme.

They also had access to about 20,000ha of roaming areas, allowing them a choice to continue with their traditional livelihood, he said. – Bernama

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Hilarious finale in Looney Tunes Classroom Capers

Posted: 24 Nov 2013 03:41 PM PST

by Joash Kong, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 25, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: The Looney Tunes Classroom Capers ended their final show on a high note at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

Featuring the iconic Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Marvin the Martian and Daffy Duck, the cast took turns to stand in as substitute teachers at Acme Academy on their first day back to school when the teacher was unavailable for the day. Hilarity ensued as the characters took turns to teach subjects such as maths and geography, and got the audience to participate in some of the numbers.

As many as 500 people flocked in to catch the witty musical's last show here.

This is the first time the musical made a stop in Kuching.

The musical has played to audiences exceeding 100,000 over four weeks in Australia. The crew has been all over the world for the show, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

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Taib leads Old Josephians down memory lane

Posted: 24 Nov 2013 02:30 PM PST

by Joanna Yap, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 25, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: It was a school assembly to remember for more than 600 alumni, teachers, staff, students and well-wishers as St Joseph's School Kuching (SJS) celebrated its 131st anniversary at Riverside Majestic on Saturday.

Many had retraced their steps from all over the world to be a part of this memorable occasion organised by the Old Josephians' Association (OJA) to renew old friendships, recount fond memories of school days gone by and pay tribute to the school and the people who were a part of it.

Former student Chief Minister Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud, who is also the patron of the Old Josephian's Association, Kuching, paid tribute to the school's focus on providing a well-rounded education that emphasised building of character to all its students regardless of race and religion and instilling a sense of patriotism and personal responsibility to serve their fellow man and country.

He recalled that one of the first lessons student had in the morning was Moral Instruction, calling it one of the best lessons to give to non-Christians and non-Catholics.

"We Muslims agreed almost 100 per cent with what was taught in our Moral Instruction and it does reinforce our belief in how to face life with a certain kind of guidance, and that has guided me personally," Taib said.

As a result, many of the school's ex-students have not only gone on to become leaders and influencers in the state, but also overseas, he said.

"With such a record, you can't say that SJS is anything but the best school that can be chosen," Taib said, thanking his father for putting him in the school based on the advice of a priest.

He said SJS was the force behind his academic and current success, as his years there had made him aware of his responsibilities to society and country.

"To see many of my friends and my classmates serve the country in whatever way they can … that is the tribute we can give to SJS. It is the birthplace of the people with the finest ambitions in life and to follow it through to become leaders of society. I hope this will continue in the future and congratulations on your 131st anniversary," he said.

OJA president Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian noted the special place SJS holds as the second oldest La Sallian school in Malaysia.

The reunion programme kicked off with the resounding of the school bell by a school prefect followed by singing of the school rally.

Video presentations on the school's history and their award-winning school band were also shown. A special video presentation on The La Salle Foundation founded by the late Brother Albinus, who passed away earlier this year, was also shown.

Three framed artworks donated by alumni Petrus Alfred and Sylvester Jussem, and art teacher Lee Hock Kia were promptly snapped up during an auction that raised RM30,000 in total for the school.

Former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan's bid of RM10,000 for Sylvester's painting titled Baruk II was successful while the other two pieces went to anonymous bidders at RM10,000 each.

Also present at the dinner were Taib's wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Dr Chan's wife Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, Minister in the Chief Minister's Office Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem and his wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Adenan, former State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Nor and 85-year-old Datuk Bro. Charles O'Leary – Taib's former teacher.

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YKGI Holdings counts all 400 employees as winners in Family Day sweat-out

Posted: 24 Nov 2013 02:28 PM PST

KUCHING: Some 400 employees of YKGI Holdings Bhd and their family members enjoyed a good Sunday sweat-out at their Family Day held at the sports field of SMK Tabuan Jaya here.

Its executive chairman Dato' Dr Peter Hii Wi Sing pointed out that although winning was everything, participation matters as well.

"Winning is important not only to the learning experience, but also the fun members have at the one Sunday we are able to come together," he said yesterday.

"But more importantly, it is the engagement and interaction with one another that will in turn build a strong teamwork and with hard work, produce good results. At least, we give the best in everything we do," he added.

Hii hopes that more of such family-oriented activity will be organised in the near future to benefit its employees as well as their spouses and children.

The Family Day, which started at 7am and ended about 1pm, was full of sports activities including shot put, long jump, 100m dash for men and women, 100m dash for senior men and women, 4x100m medley relay and tug of war.

Employees were divided into five teams while their suppliers also created a team to participate in the sporting activities.

Also present were its president for East Malaysia Victor Hii Lu Thian and senior manager (Business Development) Fong Fui Yee.

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‘Stop stirring disunity, unrest’

Posted: 24 Nov 2013 02:25 PM PST

by Saiful Bahari, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 25, 2013, Monday

Wan Junaidi tells politicians to stop raising Malaysia Agreement-related issues as it is treason and seditious

KUCHING: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yesterday warned politicians to stop raising Malaysia Agreement-related issues as it can cause disunity and unrest.

He said the call for a review of the Agreement could be considered treason or sedition although no action had been taken against those who raised the issue in Parliament or at the State Legislative Assembly thus far.

Wan Junaidi said the 18-point and 21-point agreements for Sarawak and Sabah respectively to facilitate the formation of Malaysia were signed and agreed upon 50 years ago by leaders and, therefore, there was no point in raising the matter again.

"We have prospered much in terms of economic development and enjoying much unity among all races, so there is no point in raising such an issue just for the sake of political mileage," he told reporters after launching a crime prevention programme at Kampung Santubong here yesterday.

"The issue can disrupt unity between West Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Raising the issue is an act of treason. The Malaysia Agreement should not be raised anymore."

Wan Junaidi said the requests of Sarawak and Sabah before the formation of Malaysia had been included in the Cobbold Commission.

"If there are any weaknesses it should be discussed and not be raised in such a manner."

On another matter, Wan Junaidi said the case involving the loss of over 500,000 Mykad would be addressed through a new law.

"We will get the consent from the Attorney General before it (legislation) can be finalised. The problem now is that not all enforcement officers, such as the police, had the metric system to identify the authenticity of Mykad as not all are equipped with the equipment."

On a related matter, Wan Junaidi said all security companies in the state were clean and did not employ illegal immigrants.

"A check by the police revealed that all security companies in the state employ legitimate locals. Cases involving foreigners only occur in West Malaysia, and a check on over 1,500 security guards recently had lead to the arrest of several foreigners with fake Mykad."

Wan Junaidi added that security companies were only allowed to hire locals and Nepalese with military background, and they (Nepalese) were not allowed to hold weapons during duty.

"We will made amendments to the system to ensure that security companies fully cooperate with us."

At the event yesterday, state police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said in his speech police are working hard to reach out to the community.

He appealed to the people to change their perception towards the men in blue.

"We want the people to work together with the police in preventing crime. We will go down to the ground to explain to the people on the roles of the police and what they (public) can do to help us."

On another matter, Sabtu said he had directed all district police chiefs to allow members of the public to use their facilities such as football fields and badminton courts at a minimal rate.

"We hope that through this measure, the people will have a closer bond with the police as I believe this is one of the best ways to reach out to the community."

Exhibition booths put up by the police and demonstrations by the 11th Battalion of the General Operations Force Kuching were among the highlights at the event in Kampung Santubong yesterday.

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