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<b>Sarawak</b> coach laments unfavourable Super League fixtures <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak

<b>Sarawak</b> coach laments unfavourable Super League fixtures <b>...</b>

Posted: 01 Feb 2014 08:44 AM PST

KUCHING: Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts says that the Super League fixtures are somewhat "unfair" to local fans.

Speaking to reporters after the match against Sime Darby FC last Tuesday, he said that Sarawak did not get a fair share of Saturday home matches.

Such weekend matches, he noted, are vital for Sarawak fans, especially young fans, as they could have the next day (Sunday) as a rest day.

"We seem to have more Tuesday home matches than the ones on Saturday this year. This will make it harder for the fans as they will find difficulties to go to the stadium and support the team," he added.

Matches on week days are seldom sold out at the Stadium Negeri as fans may choose to stay at home with the following day being a working and school day.

This is compounded by the fact that all Super League matches at Stadium Negeri kick off at 8.45pm and finish by 10.15pm or later.

There is also the added factor of distance.

It is challenging for some fans who live far from Kuching to travel to support the Crocs.

For the 2014 season, Sarawak get to play only five home matches on Saturdays, while the other six are on Tuesdays.

The two home matches played so far this season support Alberts' observation.

The first against Kelantan on Jan 25 (Saturday) was played in front of a capacity crowd while a few empty seats were noticeable for the second against Sime Darby FC three days later on Jan 28 (Tue).

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Wardrobe eyes to expand to Penang, Sabah and <b>Sarawak</b> <b>...</b>

Posted: 31 Jan 2014 10:13 PM PST

by Farhana Poniman. Posted on February 1, 2014, Saturday

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia bespoke tailoring company for men, WB Wardrobe Sdn Bhd, plans to set up more boutiques and is eyeing Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.

The home-grown company's Chief Executive Officer Lim Fang Heng said the cost of investment for a typical shop would range between RM400,000 and RM2 million, depending on the size and location.

"This is still in the planning stage and we will share the details once we have finalised everything," he told Bernama.

Currently, there are three Wardrobe outlets namely in Bangsar, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall and Sheraton Imperial hotel.

When asked whether the Chinese New Year festive season would positively impact demand for tailored suits, Lim said the nature of the industry is not based on festive seasons.

"Demand and buying interest will be ongoing throughout the year, however, the trend usually points to higher buying in November and December, as customers would like to have new pieces in their wardrobe for the New Year," he said.

Lim said every Wardrobe suit was unique made from the finest, international renowned fabrics.

Among the international renowned fabrics carried by Wardrobe include Carlo Barbera & Co, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giovanni Tonella, Guabello, Holland & Sherry and John Foster.

Lim hopes to take Malaysia's bespoke tailoring standards to international levels and through master craftsmanship tailoring, every master piece by Wardrobe is crafted with distinct precision in detailing and finishing.

Wardrobe specialises in made to measure clothings. It has brought not only contemporary and fresh designs into the market, but also custom-made, bespoke tailoring in the art of creating a masterpiece suit.

Wardrobe, founded in 2001, also sells accessories to compliment every Wardrobe suit, including neckties, bow ties, pocket squares, cufflinks and belts. — BERNAMA

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&#39;<b>Sarawak</b> needs own bone marrow transplant facility&#39; – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 01 Feb 2014 11:46 AM PST

KUCHING: The state needs its own bone marrow transplant facility to cope with demand as well as ease the waiting time and financial burden of patients in need of the life-saving procedure.

"Presently, all patients needing bone marrow transplant are referred to KL because Sarawak General Hospital doesn't have a place, not even laboratory support. To establish the facility, at least RM6 to RM10 million is needed," a source told thesundaypost.

The most expensive components are the cell storage equipment and lab facilities as they need to have failsafe measures such as backup power supply to ensure that the cells stored in the liquid nitrogen tanks are safe, the source pointed out.

The relatively high cost is also due to the purchase of specialised machinery as well as the expensive medicines needed to treat patients.

According to sources familiar with the matter, at least two requests have been made under the 10th Malaysia Plan to set up such a unit, but both had been rejected, for reasons unknown to them.

However, there is little doubt that having such a facility will greatly improve the standard of healthcare for bone marrow transplant patients in the state.

One source pointed out that KL receives referrals from all over the country, and there is a long waiting list of patients.

"It is considered a good thing already if one Sarawakian patient is taken in every month because there are so many patients waiting. If Sarawak can establish its own site, the doctors can do more," the source said.

Not only that but under the Ministry of Health, the maximum cost of such a transplant in a public hospital is RM500, as compared to RM25,000 and above in private institutions. Thus, most people would opt for bone marrow transplants through public healthcare.

However, according to the source, KL cannot cope with the demand, so it would be good for the state to have its own facility.

"It is possible that this facility can also cater to Sabah and not just for Sarawak. Sabah was supposed to have its own but I am not sure about the latest update on its status," the source shared.

On average, about one to two Sarawakian patients, including young children, are referred to KL every month to undergo the procedure.

However, this number is less than the actual number of patients who need bone marrow transplants as many cannot afford to leave their jobs and families for such an extended period of time.

"These one or two patients are the ones who agree to go. Many cannot afford to leave their family and children or their spouses cannot afford to take leave from work for so many months. And those from the villages are not used to leaving home for so many months. So many do not want to go to KL," a source shared, estimating that from Kuching alone, about five patients require bone marrow transplant every month, not including patients from other parts of the state like Miri, Bintulu and Sibu.

Currently, once the procedure in KL is completed, patients must stay for a further five or six months to recover before returning to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching where haematologists will monitor them until their conditions stabilise. This could take up to another year or longer before patients are allowed to return to their hometowns if they hail from outside Kuching.

It is understood that there are currently two haematologists stationed at SGH with a third expected to join the section soon. Between them, they serve the whole state and must make trips to Sibu, Miri and Bintulu every few months to see patients there. This means that in cases of emergency, more often than not, the patient will have to come all the way to Kuching to get examined which is not only costly but also inconvenient.

Thus, the state having its own bone marrow transplant facility will not only mean more affordable healthcare for patients, but also higher quality and more responsive post-op support and medical services for patients throughout Sarawak who require long-term monitoring and follow-up, the source added.

Bone marrow transplants are often necessary in situations where a person's bone marrow is damaged or unable to produce normal blood cells.

This includes when treating certain cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as diseases such as severe aplastic anaemia (bone marrow failure), sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia and severe immune system diseases.

Patients who have undergone chemotherapy which destroy bone marrow may also require a transplant.

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