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‘Think nation-building while pursuing personal life goals’ BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

‘Think nation-building while pursuing personal life goals’

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:39 AM PST

by Danny Wong, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on February 5, 2014, Wednesday

SIBU: Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has appealed to the people to dedicate themselves to nation-building in pursuit of their personal goals in life.

The Second Finance Minister said every individual had a responsibility toward oneself and to society.

He said as one pursued one's personal goals in life one must remember that one also had an obligation to the society at large.

Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said that ancient Chinese believed in a 12-year cycle in everything.

"In the economic front 1990 was a bad year and so was 2002. This year is expected to be a difficult and unpleasant year."

He exhorted the people to work harder to let the cycle past instead of living in remorse.

"What matters most is for us to sustain racial harmony, social cohesiveness and political stability," he said at a Chinese New Year gathering organised by Sibu United Chinese Association here on Monday.

"Under the capable leadership of the Chief Minister we have undergone period of unprecedented growth and we have experienced political stability and a social culture that people could come together and to live happily together."

He said the people from different races in Sibu could sit next to one another to share drinks and food and thoughts.

"This scenario must not be taken for granted because it doesn't come naturally but from the hard work and dedication of the leaders who have created a conducive environment for the people to live and to work and to do business.

"For the Chinese community, what is most worrying now is the little or inadequate political representation as a result of 2011 state election and the 13th general election.

"I hope the leaders especially the younger ones could re-assess what is happening around them, look things in a more proper prospective so that members of the Chinese community can stay in tune with the government," he said.

He also urged to people to be alert lest they should fall to the propaganda of the Opposition that a change of government was necessary.

On problems that the people were facing he said they were best solved through their representatives in the government.

On the soft opening of University College Technology Sarawak (UCTS), he said the people must take great pride in the education institution.

According to Wong, UCTS was the brainchild of the Chief Minister who had seen the need of the university college to meet the need of SCORE which Sibu folk should count themselves fortunate as the town was situated along the belt.

"Do take advantage of the various opportunities generated by the implementation of SCORE.

"We are also very fortunate because we have within us the halal hub in Tg Manis and I know our chief minister has great expectations of Sarawak becoming a very developed state by 2020.

"Perhaps, by 2030 Sarawak will be the richest state in Malaysia," he said.

Taib's wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa'ee, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and Hock Peng Organisation managing director Datuk Toh Chiew Hock and Sibu United Chinese Association president Ting Hua Chyh were among those present at the function.

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Police cordon off tunnel area, looking for mystery bomoh

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:36 AM PST

LAWAS: The police here have cordoned off the area around a 16-metre deep tunnel into a hill near Mengkalap CIQ in Lawas in which two of five men digging it died of suspected gas poisoning on Monday.

The whole town is abuzz with speculations over the reasons behind the digging of the tunnel.

Among the speculations were that the tunnel was dug through the hill to the Brunei side of the border to facilitate smuggling.

The five allegedly started digging the tunnel last December and so far the police have been told they were searching for a water source.

However, the most popular belief is that the five men were after some hidden treasure in the hill between the Mengkalap CIQ station and the border of Temburong District of Brunei revealed to one of them in a dream.

Claims that they had hired an Indonesian shaman to guide them in their search lent credence to story of hidden treasure in the hill.

The police have not dismissed the presence of the Indonesian spiritual guide in the alleged treasure hunt and are looking for him.

If he really existed the chances of the police nabbing him are slim as apparently he made a quick exit from the scene when the tragedy struck.

The three survivors who have returned home should be able to shed some light into the fatal misadventure but the police have not disclosed if they had interviewed them.

The bodies of the two brothers Raut Singa and Gelawat Gali in their 50's who died in the tunnel are still in the mortuary awaiting post mortem while their family members were too distraught to talk about the incident.

Lawas OCPD DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz confirmed the tunnel closure to public when contacted yesterday, saying it was to prevent curious members of the public from falling into it.

"We are investigating the case from all angles, including the motive of the tunnel construction," he said.

He advised the local people not to jump into any conclusion and spread rumours on the incident especially in the social-media.

Meanwhile the Public Works Department engineer here, Norman Jan said poor ventilation could have resulted in a buildup of fumes from the water pump lowered into
the tunnel which apparently caused the death of the two men.

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Feud over building ownership takes new twist

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:35 AM PST

by Raymond Tan and Conny Banji, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on February 5, 2014, Wednesday

SIBU: The controversy over the owners of the shoplots currently occupied by Sibu SUPP branch took a new twist yesterday afternoon when one of the 50 shareholders transferred his shares to SUPP Central Committee.

In a ceremony at the office of his younger brother Wong Ching Yong, Wong Chih Yong handed over the executed share transfer instrument to party central treasurer Datuk David Teng, witnessed by his family members, including Ching Yong. Also present was Huong Hau Ching.

Each of the 50 shareholders holds 20,000 shares.

"To prove the building is owned by SUPP, Chih Yong has offered to transfer his shares in Twinswood to the party. For all intents and purposes the said party building was meant to be owned by SUPP, as the 'beneficial owner' although Twinswood is registered as its 'legal owner'," Teng said at the ceremony.

He described Chih Yong as "very responsible" for it was he who had brought the issue on the 'real ownership' of the building to the attention of party central.

"Chih Yong was in the picture because he was Sibu branch treasurer from 1976 to 1991 and was the one responsible for the party building fund.

"The purchase price of the three shop lots was RM1 million in 1989, and this was donated by hundreds of party members and supporters, who knew the building was meant for SUPP."

Due to some financial issues faced by the party central then, Teng said it was decided that Twinswood Sdn Bhd be nominated to hold the property and appoint 50 party members to be the shareholders in Twinswood.

"Since 1989, the party building was used by SUPP and its rental used for SUPP."

Praising Chih Yong for informing party central of the true situation, he said, "Party central is duty-bound now to protect the party's interest and to inform Twinswood about the party's interest and claim over the building.

"We believe Twinswood will consider the very unique purpose and donors' wish when acquiring the building in 1989, that is for SUPP. Let us handle this now in good spirit."

In handing over his share transfer form yesterday, Chih Yong revealed what had happened when Twinswood intended to call for an AGM on Dec 22 last year.

He said that was the first time he had received the AGM notice.

"I requested my brother Ching Yong to attend as my proxy."

He said during the AGM, which was chaired by Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Ching Yong informed the meeting that he (Chih Yong) wanted to transfer his shares held in trust for SUPP back to the party.

During the meeting, he also said Soon Koh revealed that none of the 50 shareholders had paid up their shares personally and the building cost of RM1 million was from donations of party members and supporters.

"Soon Koh said he neither was aware of the whereabouts of the 50 share certificates nor the transfer share forms. He then suggested to sell the three units of shoplots and donate the proceeds to charitable organisations.

"I disagreed with Soon Koh's suggestion. The three shoplots are SUPP's properties. Any decision (to handle the property) must be made by SUPP," he said.

Pointing out that the 50 shareholders, 11 of them had since died, were all trustees of SUPP as none of them possessed the said share certificate, he said if indeed they had paid for the shares themselves, they should show the receipts.

Meanwhile, he said the SUPP Sibu branch building was opened in 1989 by the then Sibu branch chairman Tan Sri Dr Wong Soon Kai and witnessed by the late Stephen Yong, the then president of SUPP, and Sim Kheng Hong, the then party central treasurer, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the formation of SUPP.

Chih Yong urged SUPP party central to initiate legal action, if necessary, to recover the party's property.

"Any shareholder who does not want to surrender the shares to SUPP must be subpoenaed to testify in the court of law," he suggested.

The names of the 50 shareholders were released in the press conference yesterday.

They are Kiew Chiong Tiing, Kong Hua Kuong, Lau Choon Liong, Siek King Kuong, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (deceased), Wong Sing Hui (deceased), Estate of the late Tang Teong Kuok (deceased), Law Buong Hoo, Kong Sien Han, Estate of the late Ting Ming Hoi (deceased), Ling Chong Kiong, Wong Chih Yong, Toh Dee Kiong, Soon Choon Teck, Chong Yong Liew, Hu Yu Siong, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Wong Soon Kai, Ting Tiew Chai (deceased), Tiong Yong Ching, Dato Ding Lian Cheon, Lau Ai Tung, Lau King Kah, Wong Nang Yong, Ting Ping Hiong, Estate of the late Tieu Sung Seng (deceased). Ling Hau Woo, Wong Shing Kheng (deceased), Wong Soon Koh, Chai Chee Ai (deceased), Lee Hui Shing @ Lee Hie Sing, Tang Yu Chiang, Oliver Kuo Ging Bing, Chew Yew Jock, Lau Kah King, Tiong Chung Sing, Wong Teck Ho, Chai Siong Kee, Siaw Ai Kin, Nee Sin Ho, Augustine Ngu Liong Ing, Chua Chung Toi (deceased), Datuk Ting Ing Mieng, So Teck Kee, Wong Nang Sing, Goh Chung Siong, Wong Sing Chui (deceased) Lau Ngiong Teck, Tiong Tung Ung (deceased) and Wong Leh Kheng.

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Unkind for Bintulu MP to describe Soon Koh a dictator — Nansian

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:34 AM PST

KUCHING: It is most inappropriate and unkind for Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to describe Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh as dictatorial over the appointment of councillors.

Assistant Minister of Community Development Datuk Peter Nansian in a statement issued to the media here yesterday said Wong was merely the head of secretariat of a cabinet committee for the appointment of councilors apart from discharging his ministerial duty.

"As already clarified by (Dato Sri) Wong, the appointment of councillors was based on a Cabinet decision – giving priority to local elected representatives to make the recommendation but to be finalised by a Cabinet committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu with representatives from all four Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties at a meeting on Dec 20, 2013.

"Thus Wong, being the minister in-charge of local councils in Sarawak was merely the secretariat for the committee doing his ministerial duties as well as representing SUPP (Sarawak United People's Party). Therefore, for Bintulu MP to say that he (Wong) is dictatorial is most inappropriate and unkind," he said.

Nansian also said that for Tiong to say that G5 members were given priority in the appointment of councilors was also inaccurate because all BN elected representatives were given the priority to recommend someone to be councilors following guidelines from the Cabinet.

"Furthermore, the G5 does not interfere with the appointment of councillors in other council apart from councils in their own respective area.

"The rationale of giving the local assemblymen (representatives) priority to recommend someone as councillors is to strengthen the local government who can work together in serving the people better especially in the run-up to the next state election.

"This is contrary to Tiong's statement that seems to suggest that such arrangement is detrimental to the preparation for the next state election.

"Further, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president is a member of the Cabinet which made the decision and being a very loyal and understanding leader of a BN component party, he has been very accommodative on the matter and even acknowledged that such appointments can still be adjusted within a year or two.

"So why the big fuss, making mountain out of a mole hill and attacking fellow leaders and your own party president?" Nansian said.

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Lu: Have more direct flights to be more prosperous

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:34 AM PST

KUCHING: Sarawak has the potential to become a bigger economic hub if it is prepared to open up more international air routes.

A community leader, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, said with more economic growth and more economic activities Sarawak would be in a better position to beat inflation that was besetting the nation.

"Our leaders have to focus on beating inflation which I think has reached a critical level. The federal government has also tried various mechanisms and efforts in ensuring that the economy is not adversely affected by inflation. One of them is to attract more foreign investment and tourists to spend their money here," he said when contacted yesterday.

For instance, Chinese nationals could afford to spend their holidays, particularly Chinese New Year, abroad and when in Malaysia they preferred to be in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Sabah but not in Sarawak, he said.

"Sarawak does not have the pleasure of direct flights like the three destinations. We want the government to open new air routes and also direct routes to Sarawak," Lu appealed, adding that this Year of the Horse was a very good one for businesses and trade.

He commended Malaysians in general for enhancing racial harmony by celebrating Chinese New Year in peace and also by holding open houses.

He felt that the celebration this year was not that grand probably because the prices of most items had gone up faster than the income of many individuals. He said people were normally stingy when prices of goods were dearer.

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US ambassador and wife visit SBC

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 11:34 AM PST

KUCHING: US Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun visited Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) at KM 20 Jalan Puncak Borneo near here yesterday.

He was accompanied by his wife Melanie Billing-Yun and environment, science, technology and health officer of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Brock Fox.

Upon arrival at SBC, they were welcomed by SBC senior scientist Dr Charlie Yeo Tiong Chia and senior research officer for traditional knowledge documentation, Margarita Naming.

The ambassador and his entourage were later taken on a tour of the species of plants under research and study at SBC.

After that, they were brought to the Traditional Knowledge Documentation building and shown how plant species were preserved for documentation and storage for future reference.

They later had a closed-door meeting and briefing by SBC staff on SBC's activities.

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