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Bars urge <b>Sarawak</b> to reconsider entry bans - The Borneo Post Online Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak

Bars urge <b>Sarawak</b> to reconsider entry bans - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 12:19 PM PDT

KUCHING: The three Bars of Malaysia – Advocates' Association of Sarawak (AAS), Sabah Law Association (SLA) and the Malaysian Bar – jointly expressed their deep concern in relation to the Sarawak government's move to deny opposition politicians entry into the state.

The opposition members who were denied entry into the state of Sarawak on March 25 were Rafizi Ramli, Chua Tian Chang and Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The latest PKR leader barred was Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is also PKR Women chief, yesterday.

"Ramli and Chua are MPs for Pandan and Batu constituencies, respectively. All three were held upon their arrival at Sibu Airport by Immigration officers before being placed on board a flight back to Kuala Lumpur that same day," said a joint statement.

"This measure by which the state government has chosen to act goes directly against the guarantee of freedom of movement enshrined in Article 9 of the Federal Constitution.

"Under Article 9, every citizen of Malaysia has the right to move freely throughout the Federation," the three Bars of Malaysia said in a joint statement signed by the presidents of AAS Khairil Azmi Mohd Hasbie, SLA GBB Nandy @ Ganesh and Malaysian Bar Christopher Leong yesterday.

Notwithstanding the special safeguards accorded to Sarawak under the Federal Constitution, the three Bars of Malaysia strongly urged the Sarawak government to exercise sparingly, fairly and with just cause the statutory powers it has over immigration and border controls.

"Section 67 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 makes it clear that the State's powers to restrict entry shall not have effect on a citizen who can show that he or she enters the state for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate political activity."

The three Bars of Malaysia said that in a country that professes democracy and free elections, such powers to restrict must not be used to obstruct the rights of citizens to participate freely and legally in the country's public affairs.

The three Bars of Malaysia called on the Sarawak State Government to immediately reconsider the entry ban that it has imposed, and to cease and desist from resorting to such action unless with a justifiable cause.

Further, the three Bars of Malaysia urge both the State and Federal governments to take positive steps to safeguard each citizen's right to travel freely and peacefully within his or her own country.

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Plenty of opportunities for SMEs in <b>Sarawak</b>, says Alliance Bank <b>...</b>

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 10:29 AM PDT

by Sharon Kong, sharonkong@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 28, 2014, Friday

KUCHING: Sarawak remains a strong and vibrant state with plenty of opportunities especially with the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and commercial sector that has seen much activity recently.

Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (Alliance Bank) executive vice president and head of group business banking Steve Miller shared that they made a big move this year as a bank to start investing a lot more in Sarawak.

"One of the major things we did last year was to invest in a new branch – so we opened a new branch in Bintulu.

"We currently have representation in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and a few branches in Kuching," he said in an exclusive interview yesterday.

"We are happy with our footprint in terms of major cities and we feel that we have good coverage," he highlighted.

Miller went on to explain one of the main reasons why they felt confident to add a branch and invest in more people here was they were now running Sarawak independently as its own region now, rather than being run jointly with Sabah.

He added the main reason behind that confidence was the fact that they really liked the business scenery here, with the vibrant SME and commercial sector.

"As a bank, we've always felt that the SME and small commercial space is the area that we like to focus on," Miller emphasised.

Going back to Bintulu, he noted that there are some major projects that are happening such as the Bakun Dam, the expansion of the port and so on.

Alliance Bank recognises a whole host of SMEs required to support that growth and those of larger industries.

"It was a branch that we set up that was very focused on business where normally a branch is open for the consumer side.

"This is one of our first branches that we really wanted to drive the small business angle to it," he explained.

With the Bintulu branch having been open for 10 months now, Miller indicated that typically for a branch, they are looking for a breakeven payoff within the first couple of years.

As of the third quarter, Miller concluded that the so far this year, Malaysian SMEs were growing above market average for loan growth and expects to have a strong finish to the year.

Specifically for Sarawak, it is one of Alliance Bank's smaller regions, in terms of not just branch size but also loan size.

Due to the small base of loans and customers, they are always expecting very large growth rates.

"As such, the bank's growth rates here are always going to be substantially higher than others because they need to catch up with the other regions," Miller explained.

With that, Miller is confident that Alliance Bank will most likely have a strong finish this year not just because of the new branches such as Bintulu, but also other areas such as Miri and
Sibu.

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Yong calls it a day at <b>Sarawak</b> Tung Yang Clan Association <b>...</b>

Posted: 24 Mar 2014 12:18 PM PDT

KUCHING: Leaders should always be responsible and sincere in leading their associations forward, said outgoing Sarawak Tung Yang Clan Association president Datuk Yong Khoon Seng.

Speaking at the association's annual general meeting here on Sunday, Yong said the establishment of an association was to promote and preserve the Chinese culture, unite all the Chinese community together and strive for the wellbeing of all.

"Associations should always be open and ready to accept changes or new ideas from time to time and able to face different challenges ahead," the former Stampin MP said in his presidential address.

As leaders, Yong said they should put the development of their respective associations as their top priority.

"It is not what you want or desire, it is the development of the association as a whole that matters the most. Therefore, if you are to join any association or organisation, do it with passion and responsibility."

During his speech, Yong, who has been the leader of Sarawak Tung Yang Clan Association for the past 36 years, expressed his wish to step down as president of the association to give way for new leaders to lead the association in the future.

"I hope that with the full support and cooperation from the leaders and members, the association can move forward to greater achievements and success. All the best to all of you."

Yong said over the years, Sarawak Tung Yang Clan Association had done a tremendous job in bringing everyone together for the wellbeing of all.

"It is the hard work and cooperation among the past and present leaders and members that have contributed towards the development and betterment of the association. I hope you all will continue to strive harder so as to bring in more new members, especially the young ones to make the association stronger and train them up to become future leaders." He also hopes parents will encourage their children to join or take part in the various activities held by the association.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Tung Yang Association also presented rewards to 35 of its members' children who excelled academically.

The association, during the annual general meeting, also recorded their appreciation to Yong for his contributions to the association and wished him happy retirement.

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Jeffrey praises courage of <b>Sarawak</b> leaders - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 04:02 PM PDT

KUCHING: State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah Chapter chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is full of praise for Sarawak's Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem's recent assertive stand on honouring the Malaysia Agreement.

He described the recent statements made by Adenan as the 'light' especially for people like him (Jeffrey) who believe the Malaysia Agreement is above the nation's constitution.

"If I don't see light, I won't be talking about it all the time," he told reporters when announcing a public forum to be jointly organised by Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF) and Sarawak Association for Peoples' Aspirations (Sapa) on April 27.

Jeffrey, who is chairman of both BHF and United Borneo Front (UBF) which fights for more rights for Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the Malaysian Federation, was commenting on statements made by Adenan regarding the Malaysia Agreement.

Adenan, in a recent interview with a national daily, had said Sarawak's relationship with the federal government must be constitutionally correct because Sarawak is an autonomous state according to the Malaysia Agreement, and a party to the formation of Malaysia.

The chief minister also said the relationship between Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur is different from that between Pahang and KL.

Adenan also expressed his willingness to request for higher oil royalty for Sarawak, by saying he would like to have 20 per cent royalty compared to five per cent now.

Jeffrey, currently Bingkor assemblyman in Sabah, said he encouraged the Sarawak government to move a motion in the State Legislative Assembly to review the Malaysia Agreement and also the oil royalty.

On his part, he would do the same in Sabah Legislative Assembly, stating that many in Sabah also want the Malaysia Agreement to be reviewed and oil royalty to be increased.

Jeffery also praised former chief minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for vocally voicing for Sarawak's rights to be protected.

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Aussie tradition in <b>Sarawak</b> football continues – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b>

Posted: 19 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PDT

by Matthew Umpang, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 20, 2014, Thursday

KUCHING: The latest Sarawak foreign import signing from Australia Ryan Griffiths is

excited to follow the footstep of his fellow countrymen who had played for Sarawak in the past.

Names like David Evans, Alistair Edwards and John Hunter bring a flood of memories to older Sarawak football fans.

They belong to a previous era when Sarawak emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Malaysian football.

Speaking to reporters during his unveiling ceremony at the Stadium Negeri yesterday, Griffiths was well aware of the past contributions of the string of Aussie players who played for Sarawak in the 1990s and after.

"I have heard a lot about Sarawak and I am just excited to be here.

"I think it is interesting for the fans to know that I have met Edwards when he was with the national team as a coaching staff a few years ago," he added.

The 32-year-old Griffiths played for the Australian national team between 2006 to 2008.

He was a member of the Beijing Guoan who won the Chinese Super League in 2009.

The striker was top scorer for Australian League side Newcastle United Jets for two seasons between 2011 and 2013.

Ryan, whose brother Adam is playing for Kedah in the Premier League, was signed by Sarawak from Adelaide United.

Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Datu Sudarsono Osman, who introduced Ryan to fans at the Stadium Negeri yesterday, was glad to welcome the newest Croc on board.

"I think Ryan has got what it takes to play here in Malaysia. His addition to the squad is indeed vital for our Super League campaign this season," he said.

The new signing immediately joined his new team for training after meeting up with Sudarsono, other FAS officials and members of the press.

Fans can expect to see him in action next Tuesday when Sarawak take on Selangor at the Stadium Negeri.

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Work begins on &#39;Life of Sape&#39; movie - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 12:05 PM PDT

by Lim How Pim, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 28, 2014, Friday

KUCHING: Pre-shooting on the movie 'Life of Sape' began at a hotel here yesterday.

The one-and-a-half-hour movie is believed to the first of its kind to promote local native culture and the lifestyle of Sarawakians.

Shooting is expected to take around two weeks, during which the crew will travel between the city and Kampung Peninjau Lama in Siniawan.

Director Annie Goh said her crew of 40 volunteers has a passion for film making.

"All those taking part in the film went through auditions and more importantly, they come from Miri, Bintulu and Sibu, and are contributing to 'Life of Sape' as volunteers.

"'Life of Sape' will be shown at local cinemas and we aim to air it on local TV stations and Astro," Goh told reporters after the pre-shooting launch.

Goh will be assisted by Singaporean actor Alvin Giam, who will consult on directing and producing. Guests at the launch included Temenggong Lu Kim Yong – who is sponsoring accommodation for the crew; Jonathan Chai – legal advisor; and Dr Philip Kho – who has arranged for a shoot at Borneo Medical Centre.

Chai said it is time for the state's local film industry to take shape, saying the people ought to support those who want to contribute to Sarawak.

He said Sarawak could emulate Taiwan, which has produced quite a number of films and TV series.

"Taiwanese film 'Cape No. 7' is one among those that promotes the local culture in Taiwan. Likewise, 'Life of Sape' has the potential to show the world local culture in Sarawak," he
said.

'Life of Sape' will donate 80 per cent of its profits to charitable organisations such as Kuching Life Care Society.

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