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Unfolding of a new era BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Unfolding of a new era

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:45 AM PST

by Philip Kiew reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 9, 2013, Monday

Friendship Bridge across Pandaruan River in Limbang to Brunei to spur  more mobility of people, goods and economic activities

LIMBANG: The RM20.8 million Friendship Bridge across Sungai Pandaruan connecting Brunei to Sarawak was jointly opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei yesterday.

This historic event marked a new era of friendship and cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia, particularly the neighbouring states of Sarawak and Sabah which are linked to Brunei by the Pan Borneo Road.

The opening of the missing link in this route will boost movement of people and goods, stimulating the economy and fostering closer relationship among the people across the border, which Limbang MP Hasbi Habibolah hoped would translate into more economic cooperation and development projects for both sides.

"The opening of the bridge is much welcomed by travellers as it means the end of the long wait of three to five hours to cross the Pandaruan River by ferry during peak periods of festive seasons or school holidays," he said when interviewed at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Bukit Kota assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and his Batu Danau counterpart, agreed that it would be a shot in the arm for mobility which would open up more economic activities and opportunities.

The elected representatives said as part of the road link from Lundu in Sarawak and Tawau in Sabah, it would further boost ties between Malaysians in Sarawak and Sabah and Bruneians.

"This bridge will further boost tourism and trade between both countries which have always enjoyed good bilateral ties," said Dr Rahman at the bridge.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Najib jointly signed a commemorative plaque and cut a ribbon in the middle of the Friendship Bridge in a symbolic gesture to open the bridge that spans across the Pandaruan River and connects the Limbang Division in Sarawak to the Temburong District in Brunei Darussalam.

The project for the 189-metre bridge started with the signing of an agreement between the Malaysian government and Brunei government on Sept 12, 2011, followed by the earth-breaking ceremony the following day, with tender called in March last year.

The project was handled through negotiations of the Joint Project Team (JPT) and Bridge Management Committee (BMC), with the JPT meeting eight times and the BMC thrice in Kuala Lumpur and Bandar Seri Begawan.

Construction by Malaysia's Piasau Konkerit Sendirian Berhad started in May last year, and the Malaysian authorities issued the Certificate of Practical Completion on Aug 14 this year, with the approach road completed by the end of November.

The cost is jointly undertaken by both countries, and its completion is a long awaited milestone by travellers from both countries.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Immigration Department director Datuk Robert Lian applauded the opening of the bridge as a progress in road connectivity to promote greater flow of people and goods between Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah.

"We will open up more counters during peak seasons as contingency measures and I understand that our neighbour also has plans to boost traffic flow through the CIQ at Tedungan," he said.

The bridge is a feature of the Master Plan of Asean Connectivity (MPAC) which emphasises on integration of physical infrastructure, institutions and people-to-people communication towards an Asean community.

Present to grace the function were Brunei's Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Mahkota Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Minister of Communication Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdullah Dato Paduka Bakar and senior cabinet ministers of Brunei.

Najib was accompanied by Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof, state Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and state Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Micheal Manyin Jawong.

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Rep: Extend RM500 aid for flood victims to Sabah, Sarawak

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:43 AM PST

MIRI: The RM500 financial assistance to be given out to each family affected by floods which was announced by the Prime Minister recently should also be extended to flood victims in Sabah and Sarawak.

Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the flood victims, particularly in rural areas in the state, also deserve to be given the same attention by the government.

"We hope the RM500 financial assistance announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would also be distributed to the people in rural areas in the state who are hit by flood," he said when met here yesterday.

Dennis said even though the natural disaster is very common to the people, particularly in his constituency, it did not mean that they did not need any help from the government.

"Flood destroys not only their houses, but also most importantly their crops which they depend on to survive," he added.

As of yesterday, he said he was told that five areas in his constituency were currently hit by flood – Long Wat, Long Panai, Batu Belah, Long Bemang and Kuala Tutoh.

However, he assured that the Welfare Department and Marudi District Office were always on standby to reach areas in his constituency hit by flood.

"We advise all villagers particularly in low-lying areas to be aware at all times and be prepared to be evacuated if the flood worsens," Dennis said.

He also reminded government agencies involved in the distribution of aid to speed up their delivery so that victims would not need to wait too long for assistance to arrive.

Nevertheless, Dennis thanked the government for its effort in helping the people and lessening their burden.

"It proves that the government is sensitive to the victims and the financial assistance given would at least ease the burden of those affected," he added.

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Shahrezza Abu Samah Bintang Kecil 2013 star

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:42 AM PST

KUCHING: Eleven-year-old Mohammad Shahrezza Abu Samah proved the second time is indeed a charm after he won the Bintang Kecil 2013 singing competition on Saturday night, despite failing to make it to the final cut last year.

Upon encouragement by his parents, he entered the competition this year and his dedication and hard work duly paid off as he gave a powerful rendition of M. Nasir's song 'Malam' to score high points with the judges.

Met after the prize presentation, the SK Encik Buyong pupil dedicated the win to his parents for giving him the moral support to pick himself up again after last year's failure.

"I am ecstatic with this win and I devote it to my parents who always give words of encouragement to inspire me to do my best in this competition. I will take this victory as a launching pad for me to go further in the entertainment industry," he told reporters after the prize presentation.

The Bintang Kecil 2013 was held at the State Indoor Stadium here on Saturday, and it was also televised 'live' on RTM's TV1 and live streaming on www.rtmsarawak.gov.my/SARAWAKfm.

Held annually since 1998, this year's Bintang Kecil saw the participation of nine contestants from throughout the country, including one invited contestant from neighbouring Brunei.

As the champion, Shahrezza walked away with the main prize of RM20,000 cash, trophy and other side prizes, in line with the new amount of prizes introduced for this year's competition.

In second place was Mohd Adryan Danial Jirim, 10, from Federal Territory of Labuan, who pocketed RM15,000 cash prize, trophy and side prizes. He performed the song 'Kabut Serangkai Mawar'.

Third was Anis Nastasha Zeilani, 11, from Kelantan. She won herself RM10,000 cash prize, trophy and other side prizes.

Sabahan Raziq Qadree Elhamshah, meanwhile, was adjudged winner of the Best Performance after he entertained the crowd with his rendition of 'Ku Mahu Dia', a song originally sung by Hazama.

He won himself RM2,000 cash prize and a trophy. He was also RM3,000 richer that night which was the consolation cash prize for those who did not finish in the top three.

Consolation prizes went to Hafizuddin Jamaluddin from Sarawak, Zackiddin Zachry (Sabah), Nur Suhaila Md Tahir (Johor), Muhammad Fikry Izzudin Mohd Fuad (Melaka) and Awangku Muhd Nur'ehsan Luqman Al-Hakeem (Brunei Darussalam) to make sure they did not go home empty-handed.

Prizes were presented by Special Functions Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem and Broadcasting Department director general Datuk Norhayati Ismail.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib also attended the star-studded event but they had to leave before the competition ended to board a flight to Brunei for a major event there the next day.

Also present were Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Naroden Majais.

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‘Tuhan Harun’ preacher held for trespassing

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:39 AM PST

by Anasathia Jenis reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 9, 2013, Monday

KUCHING: A man who claimed that he is a 'Tuhan Harun' follower was arrested for allegedly trespassing at a house at Jalan Perupok in Gita here on Saturday night.

A source said that the man in his 20s and driving a Perodua Kelisa car went to the house but only the wife of the house owner, their son and daughter were home then.

Upon entering the house, he stumped them when he started to preach his belief around 11pm.

The wife tried to cut him off because he was a stranger intruding on her family but the suspect continued to preach.

It was also said that he offered something to the family members but held out an empty hand.

The head of the house, who was informed by his family, then rang his neighbours to check on the family. Police were also duly notified of the intrusion.

It was said police found a few notebooks containing principles of Tuhan Harun's religion including a statement suggesting that there is 'no Allah but Tuhan Harun'.

The case is being classified by the police as criminal trespassing.

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Workers hit by four-wheel drive

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:38 AM PST

KUCHING: Two construction workers received out-patient treatment at Sarawak General Hospital after they were hit by a four-wheel drive at Kota Sentosa on Saturday night.

The workers in their 20s staying at a construction site were about to cross the road when a Perodua Viva car and the four-wheel drive, both heading towards Kota Sentosa from the city, got involved in an accident around 11pm.

The Viva overturned before landing in a monsoon drain while the four-wheel drive skidded and knocked down the victims at the roadside.

It was learnt that the drivers of both vehicles escaped unhurt.

In a separate case, a 19-year-old injured youth from Samarindah in Kota Samarahan was sent to hospital for treatment early Sunday morning.

According to sources, a man was heading home when he saw the victim lying on the ground near a housing area.

He stopped by the roadside to check and was shocked to find the victim, with his face covered in blood, was his friend.

He immediately sent him to hospital.  It was believed that the victim had been attacked but the motive and his attackers were not known at press time.

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Son killed, mother injured in car crash

Posted: 08 Dec 2013 10:35 AM PST

Posted on December 9, 2013, Monday

SIBU: A woman suffered cuts and bruises, but her son was killed when their car, driven by the latter, went out of control at Mile 24, Oya Road near YMCA Camp Resort.

The two from Bintulu were on their way to town here on Saturday evening.

Both Lee Kuok Siong and her son, 28, were rushed to Sibu Hospital. The latter was pronounced dead on arrival in hospital. Police are probing the cause of the fatal accident.

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