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<b>Sarawak</b> prepare for Super League with a class act – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak

<b>Sarawak</b> prepare for Super League with a class act – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 12 Jan 2014 05:08 PM PST

by Matthew Umpang reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 13, 2014, Monday

KUCHING: The Crocs, unbeaten in the 2013 Premier League season, are out to show they belong to the top tier Super League.

They dismantled SPA Putrajaya FC 5- 0 in the friendly match last Saturday at the Stadium Negeri.

After tentative performances in the two earlier friendlies against Sabah previously, Sarawak's newlook defensive line-up fi nally came to life.

It was a nightmare outing for SPA Putrajaya FC as the visitors just could not crack the Sarawak back four during the match.

Ronny Harun, Hairol Mokhtar and Ramesh Lai Ban Huat played well to repay the faith extended by the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) in retaining their services for the upcoming season.

Their performances gave goalkeeper Sani Annuar Kamsani a quiet match.

High expectations by fans were placed on new import Gabor Gyepes since he arrived in Kuching last month.

Saturday's match provided some positive signs that the former Portsmouth and Cardiff City man might be the fi nal jigsaw for Sarawak's defensive line-up.

About 15,000 fans turned up to give their team a morale boost with the new season just a week away.

The weather also responded well by being kind to everyone at the stadium.

Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts gave hi s signature balanced analysis of his boys, dishing out praises but also hoping they would not get carried away with a friendly match and the fl attering scoreline.

"Things look good and I guess we are ready for the season. Of course, as team head coach I am never satisfied and I will always want my players to do better every match as that is the nature of my job," he said.

Two goals from Joseph Kalang and a goal each from Mohd Rasyid Aya, Muamer Sal ibasic and Alireza Abbasfard gave the fans much to cheer.

Alberts also insisted that his team's performance was to be expected as Sarawak is now a Super League side.

SPA Putrajaya FC was promoted to the Premier League in 2011 and remains in that second tier after fi nishing eighth last year.

The Crocs will travel to Selayang this weekend to play their first 2014 Super League match against ATM FC.

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Maxis: <b>Sarawak</b> data usage in line with smartphone adoption <b>...</b>

Posted: 12 Jan 2014 02:39 PM PST

by Sharon Kong sharonkong@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 13, 2014, Monday

KUCHING: Maxis Bhd (Maxis) has acknowledged that Sarawak's data consumption is on the rise, in tandem with the rise in smartphone adoption especially among low-to-mid tier segment.

In an email interview with The Borneo Post, Maxis highlighted that having observed this, it has over the past few years launched various products and services that were innovative and relevant to its customers in this region.

"Globally, there has been tremendous growth of data over the last few years and in tandem with this, we have and will continue to see a continued shift from the traditional voice and SMS to a variety of Internet-based applications," it noted.

It further acknowledged that the increase in smartphone penetration would also drive the demand for data, apps and services such as mobile television (TV), location-based services, and social media.

"This is clearly a very big shift in business model for all operators, but the direction has been known for years. So, it is something we are all in the process of managing," Maxis said.

Meanwhile, on the enterprise space, the company opined, "We foresee increasing demand for mobility-based new ways of working, in areas like managed services, cloud, machine-to-machine and security solutions, especially among the smaller businesses.

"Current market offerings are still nascent and hence there are large opportunities."

Regarding the prepaid segment, Maxis had recently launched #Hotlink nationwide, including in East Malaysia, which is the first and only prepaid plan of its kind in Malaysia that offers customers continuous free basic internet.

"This is a result of our evolution and the understanding that Mobile Internet is increasingly becoming a huge part of our lives," it observed.

Taking #Hotlink as an example, Maxis is essentially offering its prepaid customers an 'always connected' experience. It is a simple, flexible plan that is relevant to the needs of Maxis' prepaid community, it said.

This plan represents a new category of mobile internet usage, which eliminates the current high entry barrier since there are absolutely no pay-per-use charges. #Hotlink is an ideal product that is aimed at widening access to the internet.

For the postpaid segment, Maxis added that it is also working on new postpaid plans.

On how the carrier manages to stay competitive in East Malaysia, it said, "We are always working towards increasing our presence in East Malaysia with various products and services.

"The #Hotlink plan is an example of yet another product to further expand our presence here in both Sabah and Sarawak."

As for the investment portion, in Malaysia as a whole, Maxis is looking to spend in excess of RM1 billion on its network, IT systems and product innovation.

"In Sarawak alone, we have 11 2G, 21 3G and 29 long term evolution (LTE) sites deployed in 2013," it highlighted.

It pointed out that at present, LTE for most people is an upcoming technology but it is not mainstream yet and is still considered quite a niche market.

This is mainly because a lot of people currently do not feel the need for fourth generation (4G) phones partly due to the fact that premium for LTE is so high, and also because good 3G quality is a good enough option for many.

"However, three years from now, that will no longer be the case, LTE will be mainstream. In 2017, LTE will be what most people will have," it opined.

In fact, Maxis believed that eventually, the premium on LTE handsets would disappear and LTE would be the new normal.

Having been dubbed by Inside Investor as the leader in deploying cutting-edge technologies in Sarawak to extend coverage to remote and hard-to-reach areas, Maxis aims to expand on its 4G LTE network coverage while also continuing to invest in rolling out LTE and increasing its 3G quality.

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Johor GH asked to shed light on why Sarawakian refused admission <b>...</b>

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 11:27 AM PST

MIRI: Johor General Hospital (JGH) should give further explanation regarding a denial in admission to a patient who originated from Sarawak, in a recent controversy.

A social activist, Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar, claimed that the patient who originated from Sibu was involved in an accident and was sent to JGH for treatment, but the patient was denied admission by the hospital.

"JGH's  reasoning for refusal on the patient's  admission was because the victim was not a Johorean, although the patient needed medical attention due to a bone fracture impacted from the accident,"  he said yesterday.

Moreover, Wan Zain said the patient, Norhaironiza Hasim, was later referred to Muar General Hospital and successfully underwent an operation there on her own expenses.

"With help from family and friends, the patient successfully settled the operation cost. However, the issue of bias should be taken on a serious note by the government," he stressed.

According to him, the patient's status as a college student was authenticated by the college itself, but JGH still refused to receive her as a patient at the hospital.

"We find it weird because a Malaysian citizen was refused admission to receive medical treatment at a government hospital just  because she originated from  Sarawak," he said.

Meanwhile, the victim's father, Hasim Kaderi from Kampung Perumahan Apolo in Sibu, confirmed that his daughter had to refer to another hospital after being rejected by JGH.

Currently, the patient is receiving further treatment at Sibu Hospital after being transferred there with financial assistance from Johor Welfare Department on Wednesday.

Commenting further, Wan Zain said that a Malaysian citizen should receive equal rights in the country, including medical treatment from government hospital regardless of the state.

"The matter should not be an issue at all, especially when a patient needs immediate medical treatment from the hospital," he said.

Wan Zain warned that such cases might jeopardize the unity among people, thus it should be taken seriously.

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Adam makes second appearance for Sukma - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:49 PM PST

by Ting Tieng Hee reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 13, 2014, Monday

KUCHING: Adam Lau Yu Ming and his twin brother Alfred Lau Yu Leong from Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) performed up to expectations in the selection tournament last Sunday to earn their places in the Sarawak Sukma XVII badminton squad.

However, it was the younger twin Alfred who claimed the boy's singles title when Adam retired after trailing 13-15 in the first set.

Earlier in the semi-finals, the tournament's top seed Adam had shown James Liaw Hyen Gloong of Liew Wah San Training Centre (LWS) the exit in straight sets of 21-8, 21-11 while second seed Alfred beat Clement Chieng Jia Yew of Pacific Badminton Management (PBM) 21-17, 21-18.

For Adam, this will be the second time he will be representing the state at Sukma, after exiting in the first round of the Pahang Sukma two years ago.

"I am looking forward to doing better this time around where I target to make the last eight," he declared when interviewed after the prize presentation.

"I am feeling more confident now and with the sponsorship from Maxx Sports Sdn Bhd in Muar, Johor, I will be playing in a few local and international competitions this year which I feel will help to improve my game," he added.

Sharing Adam's sentiment is Alfred who feels excited and elated to be able to represent Sarawak.

"I am also hoping to do well in my Sukma debut where I am eyeing a place in the quarter-finals too," said Alfred.

In the play-off for third and fourth placing, Clement Chieng beat James Liaw 21-13, 21-8.

In the boy's doubles competition, the Lau twins' dream of completing a double triumph in the Sukma selection tournament was dashed as they were upset 16-21, 19-21 by second seeds Jong Wee Fook and Lai Zing Neng from PBM.

Third and fourth placed teams were Kam Sing Siong-Donaven Sujang Majang of Miri Badminton Association and Gabriel Wong Yeong Han-James Liaw of LWS.

The girl's singles crown went to Kourtney Kho Ker Yin from SBA who defeated MR's Yong Ping Ping 21-15, 21-16 in the final.

Kam Wei Li of MR was third after she beat SBA's Kristy Tay Yong 21-18, 21-18 in the play-off match.

Kourtney Kho picked up another title when she partnered Viviene Kua Yun Jen to win all their four matches in the girl's doubles competition that was based on the league format.

The pair from SBA collected four points after beating Kam Wei Li-Yong Ping Ping of MR 19-21, 21-19, 21-13, Goh Suk Yun-Sharon Ngu Kai Yun (MR) 21-15, 21-13, Kristy Tay Yong (SBA)-Shawn Lee Shen En (LWS) 21-10, 21-10, Hafizah Zulkifli-Stella Thien (SBA) 21-16, 21-14, and Immanlany Jose Tan (Baram)-Nicole Nikola Johannes (LWS) 21-16, 15-21, 21-14.

In second place were Kam Wei Li-Yong Ping Ping with three points, followed by Goh Suk Yun-Sharon Ngu in third place with two points.

Eighty-six players from 12 teams participated in the tournament organised by SBA.

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&#39;Darul Hana project visionary, to benefit many&#39; – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b>

Posted: 12 Jan 2014 03:18 PM PST

KUCHING: The proposed Darul Hana Development Project, once completed in 10 to 15 years time, will benefit 14,660 residents from 3,647 families in 12 traditional villages along Sarawak River.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said in place of these old villages would arise new commercial areas, which would create more business and economic activities for the residents.

"The  government  has a  mission and vision for this project, not only for the present generation but also for future generations," he said at the launching Darul Hana Development by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said this project would provide more comfortable houses and there would be a myriad of facilities to enhance socio-economic activities in the area.

He praised Taib for coming up with the idea to transform the traditional villages into modern ones.

"This project is a very important project, and it came from our chief minister because he wanted the area in Seberang Hilir, from Kampung Boyan to Bintawa Hilir, to be a developed area."

Abang Johari added that Taib had taken into account how Darul Hana would help shape the city into what everyone expected of it.

"The change in the city landscape will surely benefit the community."

He was confident that Kuching would become a model for the other cities, including in Peninsular Malaysia, adding that many of his colleagues from the peninsula wanted to learn from the state on how it managed to transform traditional villages into modern villages.

Among those present at the function  were the Chief Minister's wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority general manager Datuk Dr Sulaiman Husaini.

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Ex-state football star passes away - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 12 Jan 2014 05:01 PM PST

by Yunus Yussop reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 13, 2014, Monday

BINTULU: Former state footballer Sazali Mohamed Ramli has passed away at the age of 45.

Playing in his favourite left back position, he was a regular in the Sarawak team until he left the team in 1997.

Sazal i , who worked as an auxiliary police for Petronas in Bintulu, collapsed while jogging at Millennium Park in Tg Kidurong here yesterday morning.

Bintulu pol ice chief Supt Madang has confi rmed the case and classifi ed it as sudden death.

Family and friends have been seen gathering at Bintulu Hospital mortuary. Sazali's wi fe also arrived from Kuching yesterday.

Bintulu Football Association (Bifa) president Duke Janteng described Sazali as a local football legend whose passing was a big loss to the local footbal l fraternity.

"We are very sad and I, on behalf of Bifa, would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family members of the late Sazali," he said.

"He was a member of BIFA for six years and quite active in the ac t ivit ies involving the development of football in Bintulu."

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