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Walk a mile in their shoes BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Walk a mile in their shoes

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:17 AM PST

by Reporters: Jacob Achoi Suim, Lim How Pim, Wilfred Pilo, Marilyn Ten, Antonia Chiam and Saiful Bahari. Photographers: Jeffery Mostapa, Chimon Upon and Kong Jun Liong. Posted on November 23, 2013, Saturday

BN rep challenges opposition leaders to leave city life, stay with natives in the jungle before championing their cause

KUCHING: A government backbencher has challenged opposition leaders to stay with the Penans or other natives in the jungle since they believe life in the interior is like the Garden of Eden.

Dennis Ngau (BN-Telang Usan) said they should stay in the jungle for at least a month before asking the natives to resist development projects, particularly the proposed Baram hydroelectric dam project.

In his State Budget 2014 debate speech, Ngau said he was upset that some opposition leaders even told the whole world that the government should not built the dam as it would submerge the jungles that are `supermarkets' to the natives – where food and daily supplies are easily available.

"I hope the Member for Kidurong (Chiew Chiu Sing) could enlighten this assembly which `Supermarket' will be having Christmas sale soon because I want to invite him to go for shopping!"

Ngau said the reality is that life in the rural areas was tough and a lot of development was still needed.

He added that the opposition's portrayal of the life in the interior being good were all lies as attested by the number of calls for help from the natives wherever he went in his constituency.

Recently, for instance, he said he received a short messaging service (SMS) about some Penans wanting to pull out of UiTM Kota Samarahan due to financial problems.

"Isn't that happening due to poor living conditions and no steady income at home in the jungle?"

Ngau said he believed most people in Baram were ready for the dam project as they knew it is a great opportunity for a much better tomorrow.

On the recent appearance of several Penans demonstrating in Kuala Lumpur against the dam project, Ngau said they were made to look sad, dejected and victimised just to attract sympathy to achieve the opposition's agendas.

"But sooner or later, these poor Penans will return to Sarawak and travel back to their settlement again to the same empty kitchen, poor living conditions and nothing new in their life.

"My biggest worry is that these people might just be used as tools to gain sympathy and, to a certain extent, asking the people to donate to their so-called struggle. To me this is unfair as the good intention of the government to bring development and a better life will not be experienced by some in their life time due to instigation by certain individuals or groups who care nothing for this poor people."

Ngau said he was glad to note that the state government was not giving up and was going ahead with its plan to develop Baram.

"Whatever the level of protest being carried out against development projects, we are very sure that the people will soon realise that these projects will only bring benefits to the local and the state as a whole. Time will tell.

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Only 5 of 230 education projects approved

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:15 AM PST

KUCHING: See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) has claimed that only five of the 230 project applications by the State Education Department to upgrade, repair and reconstruct schools between 2011 and 2014 were approved.

According to him, under the First Rolling Plan (2011-2012), the department made 32 project applications estimated to cost RM1.15 billion, while under the Second Rolling Plan (2012-2013), applications for 104 projects worth an estimated RM1.94 billion were submitted.

"It is a rude shock to me that, out of the 136 projects applied, only three projects were approved. Then, under the Third Rolling Plan (2013-2014), out of the 94 projects costing RM1.5 billion applied for, only two projects had been approved.

"With such figures, it is no wonder that the majority of our schools are being placed under Band 6 and 7 and our school children are unable to compete with their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia when it comes to competing for scholarships," he said when debating the Supply (2014) Bill 2013 during the DUN sitting yesterday.

"Let this be a reminder to the Minister of Education that the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 will be illusionary if he does not quickly secure funding for the upgrading, repair and reconstruction of our schools, especially those in rural Sarawak, immediately," he added.

See also proposed the august house consider setting up a select committee on competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) to examine the performance, accountabilityand transparency of all matters of state administration including those of state agencies, statutory bodies and other related authorities and organisations.

"If we have had the departmental select committees or the CAT in this Honourable House, it would have restored the independence of the legislative arm of government thus enabling this Honourable House to progress and thereby perform a more dynamic and functional role in the governance and government of Sarawak," See said.

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Abang Muhammad Salahuddin receives instrument of appointment as TYT

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:14 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah yesterday presented the instrument of appointment to Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng as the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak at Istana Negara.

The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Armed Forces chief, Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Born on Aug 27, 1921 in Kampung Nangka, Sibu, Sarawak, Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was appointed as the third Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak on April 2, 1977 for five years.

He was subsequently appointed as Acting Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak when then Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Mohamed Noor was on one month vacation in June 1990.

Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was again appointed Acting Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak on Sept 10, 1999 when Ahmad Zaidi went for medical treatment in Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad Zaidi died on Dec 4, 2000.

On Feb 21, 2001, Abang Muhammad Salahuddin was appointed as the sixth Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak, making him the first person to hold the post twice.

Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, 92, who is married to Toh Puan Norkiah Abdullah has four children. He is also the Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). – Bernama

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Couple hurt in road crash near Miri Airport

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:10 AM PST

MIRI: A couple had a terrible scare when the Perodua Kancil they were in collided with a Toyota Hilux near Miri Airport yesterday afternoon.

Mechanic Mohd Azib, 25, had to endure excruciating pain for some 15 minutes as his right leg was pinned down on the driver's seat due to the impact.

Firemen from Miri Fire Station extricated him from the mangled vehicle.

His wife Nor Atikah, 22, who sustained minor bodily injuries, was pulled out of the vehicle by passers-by. The driver of the Hilux was not hurt.

According to the couple's aunt, who requested anonymity, Mohd Azib and Nor Atikah were driving back to their house at Taman Delight for lunch before the accident happened at about 12.30pm at a junction of a road leading to Miri Airport.

The Hilux came from the opposite direction. An ambulance later took the couple to Miri Hospital.

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Family of five on vacation cheats death in morning crash

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:08 AM PST

SIBU: A family of five cheated death after their car collided with a trailer yesterday morning at Mile 26 Oya Road.

The family of four women and a girl were heading for Kuching on a holiday trip when the accident occurred around 11am.

The car driver was said to have lost control of the car which spun before hitting the tyre of an oncoming trailer laden with new vehicles destined for Bintulu.

The tyre of the trailer burst while the impact of the collision badly damaged the front portion of the car which landed in a roadside drain. A front tyre, a car door and some other parts of the car were dislodged.

Two airbags of the car worked. The driver, a 27-year-old teacher, was pinned to her seat with a fractured left thigh and injuries to her head, face and chest.

Passers-by helped her out of the wreckage.

The front passenger, her 37-year-old sister, sustained minor injuries.

Another 39-year-old sister and a 13-year-old daughter of one of the sisters in the back seat were unhurt while their mother, 60, sustained light injury.

They were sent to Sibu Hospital where the driver and her sister sitting in the front seat were admitted.

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Police seek Bilong Jok

Posted: 22 Nov 2013 09:07 AM PST

Posted on November 23, 2013, Saturday

KAPIT: Police are looking for Bilong Jok @ Mohd Taufik Abdullah to assist with the investigation of a recent break-in at the Syariah Court of the Islamic Religious Department here.

The 27-year-old is from Kampung Jabai, Bintulu.

The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code.

Those who know of Bilong's whereabouts are asked to contact Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Kapit investigating officer Inspector Mohd Nazri Daheri on 019-8196900.

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