Serian Division to officially have its first Resident this Oct 1

TEBEDU: Serian will finally function as a full-fledged administrative division of the state this Oct 1 with the official appointment of its first Resident.

Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the ceremony in Serian would see the official handover of duties from the Residents of Kuching and Samarahan.

He pointed out that such ceremony was necessary as Serian – which was announced as the state’s 12th and newest administrative division on April 11 – was carved out from Kuching and Samarahan divisions.

He also revealed the Oct 1 function would also see the appointment of the first district officer for Tebedu, which was elevated to a full district status also on April 11.

“The ceremony will be witnessed by myself and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani, and attended by community leaders from Serian Division.

“The Resident will be a Bidayuh, while the district officer for Tebedu will be from the Punans or Penans, which is special for us,” he told reporters after launching the ‘I Want Sihat’ programme at Kampung Temong Putah yesterday, conducted by the Health Department.

He also explained the offices of Serian Resident and his deputies would be temporarily housed at Serian District Office until the completion of their own office block this December.

In response to a question, Manyin did not deny the possibility of Serian having its own Walikota, who would be appointed at a much later date.

He also mentioned that for now, Serian District Council would be the sole local authority for Serian Division, which covers the districts of Serian and Tebedu as well as the sub-district of Siburan.

On a related matter, Manyin announced the Health Ministry had agreed to build a Level-4 government clinic here.

“Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, state Health Department director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan and I went to meet Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam in Kuala Lumpur recently for this proposal, and he (Dr Subramaniam) agreed.

“The government clinic, to be headed by a doctor, will have its own X-Ray Unit. It will serve people of Tebedu so they need not travel all the way up to Serian or Kuching anymore (for treatment).”

Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyma, also disclosed plans to set up a Fire and Rescue Department station here.

“Both the proposed clinic and station would be in Bandar Mutiara – the nerve centre of Tebedu,” he added. Meanwhile, Manyin saw the efforts on holding the ‘I Want Sihat’ programme as one that could raise awareness of health among the people.

He said modern lifestyle and use of chemical input in agriculture had led to more people suffering from cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

The event yesterday was also attended by Serian district officer Sinde Muling, Serian district health officer Dr Sharifah Norashikin Wan Ahmad and local community leaders.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/09/23/serian-division-to-officially-have-its-first-resident-this-oct-1/#ixzz3vf6BvOlo

Two new state seats to be added in Bidayuh areas

SERIAN: Two new state seats of Serumbu and Bukit Semuja will be added to increase majority in Bidayuh community areas.

Chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem highlighted this during a handing over ceremony of land titles under Section 6 and Section 18 to landowners at Serian Community Hall today (Dec 22).

“The opposition party PKR has objected to the increase of seats and brought the matter to court,” he said.

“Why? Because they are afraid of the Barisan Nasional,” he added.

Adenan emphasised that the Bidayuh community was an important group in Sarawak whose status should be recognised.

“The small town Serian with Bidayuh-majority community has been elevated to a division. More such areas will be elevated in the future because the Bidayuh people deserve it,” he said.

The two new state seats will increase the majority in existing areas of Bengoh, Kedup, Tarat, Tasik Biru, Opar and Tebedu.

Meanwhile, Adenan also shared that construction for a 70km road connecting Serian-Pantu will be kickstarted in January of next year.

“This is not an empty promise. The project is worth RM16 billion,” he said.

“Today we prove to you that the government delivers its promises, not only with handing over of land titles but many others to benefit the people in Sarawak,” he added, pointing out efforts in decreasing electricity tariff, construction of Pan Borneo Highway, freedom to worship and making English an official language alongside Bahasa Malaysia.

As such, Adenan hopes the Bidayuh people can fulfill their promise when the state election comes.

“It won’t be long from now, maybe in two to three months’ time. I hope you will show your gratitude so that together we can do more to ensure Sarawak continue to progress and become successful,” he urged.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/12/22/two-new-state-seats-to-be-added-in-bidayuh-areas/#ixzz3vJeOqYRV

YB Dato Sri Richard Riot Menyambut Ulang Tahun ke 25

YB Dato Sri Richard Riot Menyambut Ulang Tahun ke 25  menjadi Ahli Parlimen di Kampung Pichin

Malaysian birdnest product maker in US$200 million distribution agreements

KUALA LUMPUR Nov 8 (Reuters) - Malaysia's Swiftlet Eco Park Group (IPO-SWEP.N), one of the country's largest makers of products developed from edible bird nests, has signed distribution agreements worth $200 million to sell its products to China, India and the United Arab Emirates.

The company, which makes coffee, skin care products, puddings and candies with nests made from swiftlets' saliva, on Saturday made the agreements with Hong Kong Yooly International Trading Company, India's Knight Associates and Dubai's Total Support Holdings respectively, it said in a statement.

Cooperation welcomed to facilitate perimeter survey of NCR lands

KUCHING: The Land and Survey Department (LSD) appreciates cooperation from any party, including Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), in implementing native customary rights (NCR) perimeter survey programme under the new initiative.

In a statement yesterday, the LSD said application to join the programme could be submitted through DBNA, but NCR land claimants from the Bidayuh community could also submit their application directly to the department.

LSD said this was in line with the existing procedure publicised during the dialogue, and through brochures distributed from time to time.

“For example, survey works in Ri’ih area in Samarahan had been successfully implemented for both phases of survey through direct application to LSD.

“Whereas for applications done through DBNA such as Skuduk and Pisa, Kuching, both phases of survey were successfully implemented.

“This means that the LSD is open to cooperation from any party in the effort to ensure the NCR perimeter survey under this programme can be implemented smoothly.”

The LSD was responding to a Borneo Post article yesterday entitled ‘Bidayuhs encouraged to let DBNA document their NCR lands’.

LSD said for the whole state covering the Bumiputera community, 436 areas covering 654,223 hectares (1,616,585 acres) of land had undergone perimeter survey.

This comprised 90 per cent of areas targeted or 730,000 hectares as of end of this year.

“Individual lot survey could normally only be conducted after completion of perimeter survey, but due to requests from NCR land claimants, LSD conducted the individual lot survey
earlier.”

LSD said 14 areas had been individually surveyed involving a total of 3,772 lots, and they had been issued individual land titles under Section 18 of the state Land Code.

As for the Bidayuh community as a whole, a total of 50 areas covering 98,810 hectares (244,060 acres) of land had been surveyed in the first phase of perimeter survey under this programme.

Besides that, 14 areas are undergoing perimeter survey that involves areas estimated to be 36,504 hectares (90,164 acres).

As for the individual lot survey, three areas covering 1,141 land titles under Section 18 of the state Land Code had been issued through the same
programme.

“One more area, that is Kpg Gorog/Sibuloh Bau is in the process of being individually surveyed to cover an area of 2,303 hectares (5,691 acres).”

LSD said this new initiative NCR land survey is a continuous effort by the government in recognising native customary rights that will be continued in the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/11/12/cooperation-welcomed-to-facilitate-perimeter-survey-of-ncr-lands/#ixzz3rISruNRX

Bayoi wants Bukit Semuja

SERIAN: Former five-term assemblyman Frederick Bayoi Manggie is making a serious bid to contest the new state seat of Bukit Semuja.

Bayoi, who was Tarat assemblyman for two terms before then chief minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud asked him to contest for the newly-created seat of Kedup in 1996, is heading the PBB Triboh/Bukit Semuja Project, a committee tasked with lobbying for the seat to be allocated to PBB in the coming state election.

Committee secretary Johnny Gondok said as of today, Bayoi is the only serious contender with a real chance to win Triboh or Bukit Semuja for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 11th state election which many believe will be held in the first quarter of next year.

Johnny said his assessment is based on Bayoi’s movements in the area including meeting up with PBB unit leaders in all the six polling districts which make up the new seat since the day the Election Commission (EC) proposed the creation of the seat among 10 others.

“From day one we have continued to work the grounds, meeting people and holding dialogues.

“Besides Bayoi we have yet to see any other personalities working the grounds of the new seat.

“With hardly six months to the election, anyone who hopes to make any impact on the voters in Triboh or Semuja at the 11th hour cannot hope to achieve what Bayoi has achieved,” Johnny told The Borneo Post in an interview yesterday.

Under EC’s initial proposal, the new seat was to be called Triboh. It was to consist of the polling districts of Triboh with 2,465 voters, Slabi (3,335), Pasar Serian (2,841), Kakai (755) Serian Hulu (1,163) and Sedihan (2,919).

Under EC’s second proposal, Triboh was renamed Bukit Semuja. Bukit Semuja retained all the polling districts except Sedihan which was replaced with Antayan (2,385 voters).

Bayoi has made all the necessary preparations in terms of ground machinery. It does not matter if it is Triboh or Bukit Semuja, the fact is he is ready for the election any time it is called.

“Until today, no one else has come out in the open, let alone gone to the ground, ready and willing to become the BN flag bearer in Triboh or Bukit Semuja,” Johnny said.

“This coming weekend (Sunday), if the police are satisfied with the security issue, we will be having a big dialogue in Kampung Riih Daso,” Johnny added.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/21/bayoi-wants-bukit-semuja/#ixzz3p9k2gQFD

BN can win all Bidayuh seats — Manyin

KUCHING: Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) chief advisor Dato Sri Michael Manyin is confident that BN can defend all the eight Bidayuh-majority seats in the coming state election.

The eight state constituencies are Bengoh (to be renamed Mambong), Opar, Tebedu, Tarat, Kedup, Tasik Biru and the newly created Serembu and Bukit Semuja seats.

“The support for BN is still solid among the Bidayuh community. I am confident that BN will retain all the Bidayuh-majority seats and winning the new ones if they are to be given to Bidayuh leaders,” Manyin, who is also PBB vice-president, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

He said the Bidayuh community was fortunate to be given a lot of attention by the government. Though he was not sure if the two new seats would be given to Bidayuh candidates, he was very certain that the Bidayuh community in the two new constituencies of Serembu and Bukit Semuja would give their support to BN candidates.

“For Bidayuh areas, facilities and infrastructure are there. There is no reason for the Bidayuhs not to support BN. In view of our small number, the Bidayuh community has also no choice but to support BN. That is the only way for us to survive. We have to continue to support BN if we want development to be continued in our areas,” said the Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister.

Out of the current six Bidayuh majority seats, candidacy for three of them had been announced: Manyin himself for Tebedu, Martin Ben for Kedup and Datuk Roland Sagah for Tarat. The fate of the other incumbents; namely Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Datuk Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru) and Ranum Mina (Opar), is yet to be known.

On the candidacy of Dr Jerip and Nansian as well as Ranum, Manyin said it depended on their respective party leadership, and the state BN chairman who has the prerogative to make the final decision.

“I don’t have the authority to nominate any candidate for any election. But once candidates are decided by their respective parties and BN leadership, then it is our duty and responsibility to make sure that they win the seats.

“But when a Bidayuh leader stands in an election, we always stand as a representative of the Bidayuh community, through the BN,” Manyin elaborated.

Due to the strong allegiance the Bidayuh community has for BN all this while, he believed that the opposition would have no chance in the Bidayuh-majority areas.

“Let them (PKR and DAP) squabble among themselves. They can contest in those areas but they pose no threat to us.

“I am confident that the Bidayuhs will give Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) and BN full support in the coming state election. BN will win all Bidayuh seats. We are very confident,” Manyin reiterated, referring to recent reports that PKR and DAP were on a collision course over Bukit Semuja, Kedup and Tebedu seats.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/20/bn-can-win-all-bidayuh-seats-manyin/#ixzz3p81fsljd

Tebakang

Small Tebakang bazaar. The cave edible nest trade started here decade ago.

Dahim Nadot appointed Serian Resident

SERIAN: The question of who would be picked first Resident of newly created Serian Division has been answered with the appointment of former Kapit and Sarikei Resident Dahim Nadot.

The appointment was announced by State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani at a packed community hall here yesterday which saw Kuching and Samarahan residents Shukarmin Chasemon and Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi hand over duties to Dahim.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the appointment marked the beginning of a new era and better prospects for the people of

Serian as they would be getting direct allocations from the government unlike when it was only a district before.

“We can now expect bigger allocation which means more development for the people.

We are very grateful to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for making our dream comes true.”

He said for a start, the division was requesting RM100 million

from the state government to implement necessary infrastructure and facilities such as a state complex to house various government departments and agencies in Serian.

Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, anticipated that in the next few years the new division would be undergoing tremendous changes, especially after the Serian extension programme was completed.

“In the next five years or so we will be able to see many new buildings come up at the Serian extension site which is now in the pipeline and this will be developed by both private and public sectors,” he said.

According to him, the proposed site covering 168 acres of land had been acquired and compensation settled.

He earlier said the proposal to raise Serian to a division was put forward several years ago and only materialised this year.

“So now we can look forward to brighter days ahead and with the capable team comprising the Resident, two district officers (Tebedu and Serian districts) I am confident that we can make it,” he said.

On politics, Manyin said the elevation of Serian to a division was one of the many great successes achieved by Adenan since taking over the helm in less than two years.

“If in that short span of time he (Adenan) can deliver that much imagine how much more he could do if he were to stay on for another five years.

“So I want to call on all the people of Serian and also other divisions to continue giving him undivided support to enable him to lead the state at least for another term,” he said.

Human Resource Minister and Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot, State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah, Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip

Susil, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and other dignitaries were among those present to witness the historical occasion yesterday.

Earlier, Manyin and Riot attended a briefing at Serian District Office where extension work is being carried out on the offices of the Resident and Deputy Residents.

The construction of the office block started in August at a cost RM3 million is expected to be completed in December.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/02/dahim-appointed-serian-resident/#ixzz3nMTkwMiW

Siburan elevation to district

KUCHING: State Legislative Assembly (DUN) deputy speaker Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn will propose to the state government to have Siburan upgraded from a sub-district to district.

According to him, this is to ensure that better government services can be provided to the community there.

“By right, Siburan should be upgraded to a district status because its population is now more than 100,000 people.

“I will be working with Siburan Sub-District Office administrative officer Ranum Bari to prepare a proposal on this matter and submit it to the state government,” he told reporters when met after presenting 373 recipients with welfare aid worth RM500 each at the Padawan and Siburan Sub-District Flood Relief Welfare Aid Phase II presentation ceremony at Siburan Hall here yesterday.

Others present included Kuching Resident Shukarmin Chasemon, Kuching district officer Ibrahim Kipli, Padawan Sub-District Office administrative officer Rangen Jamang, Bidayuh Temenggong (Kuching Division) Austin Dimin Niyon and Padawan District police chief Supt Ng Ah Lek.

Sagah, who is also Tarat assemblyman, added that Siburan should also be equipped with a Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) considering that the people in this sub-district lived quite far from Kuching.

“With the availability of an RTC, this would provide the people here with the convenience of acquiring services provided by government departments,” he said.

Among the areas under Siburan sub-district are Siburan, Mambong, Beratok, Tapah, Tabuan Dayak and Mile 16 Jalan Kuching-Serian, with a population consisting of Bidayuhs, Ibans, Chinese and Malays.

Meanwhile, Ranum revealed that Siburan sub-district will be under the jurisdiction of Serian Division from today onwards.

According to him, this is following the handing over of administrative duties of Serian Division to its new Resident today, with several villages under Siburan sub-district coming under the new division.

“October 1 (today) marks a historic moment for Siburan where 25 villages under this sub-district will be under Serian Division administration whereas 32 villages will remain under Kuching Division through Padawan sub-district,” he said.

He also noted that 21 out of 47 villages under Padawan sub-district would also be placed under the jurisdiction of Serian Division.

“Villages which remain under Siburan sub-district are Kampung Sentah, Masaan, Sg Duuh, Tijirak, Siga, Sinjok, Mundai, Maang, Sg Riset, Skuduk, Plaman Payang, Chupak, Duras, Beradau, Prutan, Sebanyis, Tabuan Rabak, Pulau Kandis, Menjau, Patung, Kerumboi, Kuang-Toop, Batu Gong Baru, Batu Gong Lama, Jawa Gunda as well as Mile 15 to 18 in Siburan, Mile 21 to 26 in Tapah, and Mile 19 to 20 in Beratok.”

On the other hand, villages which are now no longer under Siburan sub-district are Kampung Seratau, Sidanu, Quap, Permas, Betung, Mambong, Sikog, Simboh, Petag, Staang, Bangau, Bunuk, Semaba, Bumbok, Tematu, Sudat, Dangak, Sagah, Bratan, Punau, Giam Baru, Giam Lama, Gerung, Karu, Semadang, Danu, Git, Nyiru Grait, Bawang, Bratan Asah, Sinar Baru and Mile 10 Market in Kota Padawan.

Villages under Padawan sub-district which will be relocated to Serian Division are Kampung Sarig, Pesa, Simpok, Peraya, Stabut, Krian, Sira, Subang, Pesang, Begu, Patos, Gayu, Serumah, Pekan Teng Bukap, Kawa Belimbing, Darul Islam Belimbing, Semaru, Bukit Nanas, Plaman Dunuk, Padus Stubot, Bisira Rayang, Senah Rayang, and Rudan.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/10/01/sagah-proposes-elevation-of-siburan-to-district/#ixzz3nGbrpNHI

Serian now a division

Performers from DBNA Serian re-enacting a farming scene, as they march into Serian Mini Stadium. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa

SERIAN: People here could not be more jubilant upon knowing that the status of their district has been elevated into a division – the latest addition to the existing 11 across the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced the good news during the kick-off of Pesta Birumuh 2015 at the mini stadium here yesterday.

The state leader surprised many with his opening remark, saying: “The date, April 11, 2015   is a historic day for Serian, because it will become a division.

“I declare that from this day onwards, the Serian and Tebedu districts together with Siburan sub-district, will constitute the Serian Division.

“OK, your wish is granted.”

Adenan’s words were immediately followed by a rapturous applause – running up to five minutes – from the audience, the majority of whom had been eagerly anticipating the announcement.

Many have speculated over the past several weeks, that this year’s Pesta Birumuh would be the venue for the chief minister to make such long-waited announcement, following intense efforts by local leaders to push for the elevation of Serian into a division.

Sarawak, unlike other states, is divided into divisions which are of higher status than districts. Each division is headed by a resident.

In this respect, Adenan explained that administrative arrangement for the new division – to be carved out from Samarahan and Kuching divisions – would follow soon after this.

He added Serian would become the first predominantly-Bidayuh division.

“Since the Malays already have Samarahan, the Ibans with Betong and Kapit, the Melanaus with Mukah, the Chinese with Sarikei and Sibu, as well as the Orang Ulus with Miri and Limbang, there also ought to be a Bidayuh division.

“You (Serian people) deserve it. You have come of age; you want to be recognised in having a rightful place in Malaysia and Sarawak. Be proud of being Bidayuhs, who are strong in their culture and traditions.

“People of other ethnic groups share the joy of this historic moment with their brothers and sisters from the Bidayuh community,” he said.

Adenan also said he was so happy and impressed by the overwhelming spirit of the Bidayuhs during yesterday’s Pesta Birumuh; so much so that he announced a RM2 million grant to the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) – an increase from the initial RM1 million allocation – to mark the historic occasion.

The chief minister’s announcement, as delightfully surprising as it was, was earlier hinted by Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot and Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin.

Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, said local Bidayuhs had been dreaming for the day that Serian would be elevated into a division.

He also challenged the community to fully utilise the progress and development taking place in their areas to elevate themselves as global players, highlighting Miss Malaysia / World 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha and 2012 London Olympics bronze medal winner Pandelela Rinong Pamg as fine examples.

Riot, who is also Serian MP, said the new division fully deserved its status given it being the fixed deposit for Barisan Nasional (BN).

He pointed out that as far as Serian parliamentary constituency was concerned, it had never fallen to the Opposition.

“The state election is to be held next year, but I remain confident that the people here would ensure the three state seats under Serian – Tebedu, Kedup and the newly-proposed Bukit Simuja – would be won by BN,” he said.

The function yesterday had full attendance by all the three MPs and six assemblymen from the Bidayuh community.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Pesta Birumuh founder Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and assemblymen from nearby constituencies were also present.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/04/12/serian-now-a-division/#ixzz3X2f78xOm

Ketua Menteri Sarawak merasmikan Pesta Birumuh di Serian

SERIAN: Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Ade-nan Satem telah merasmikan Pesta Birumuh 2015 yang diadakan pada 11 hingga 13 April depan di Stadium Mini Serian pada jam 10 pagi hari ini.

Menurut Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, pesta itu diadakan bertujuan memelihara dan mengekalkan budaya serta tradisi masyarakat Bidayuh dan kaum lain seperti Melayu dan Iban yang turut menuai padi.

“Ia merupakan acara tahunan kali ketiga anjuran Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh (DBNA) dengan kerjasama Pejabat Daerah Serian dan agensi awam terlibat.

“Seperti rutin tahun sebelumnya, perarakan kontinjen dari kampung terlibat dengan memakai pakaian tradisional atau kostum tertentu akan menjadi tarikan utama dan dijangka menarik lebih ba-nyak penyertaan,” katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat bersama AJK Pesta Birumuh 2015 di sini semalam.

Pengisian program turut menyaksikan 200 peserta motosikal berkuasa tinggi dari negara jiran Indonesia dan Brunei yang menyertai Serian Bike Gathering anjuran Kementerian Pembangunan Sosial Bahagian Samarahan.

Ia merupakan kerjasama Kelab Permotoran dan Kelab TEGAR Bikers serta akan mengadakan pameran dan rondaan di sekitar kawasan Serian bermula jam 8 pagi.

Selain itu, Majlis Daerah Serian (MDS) akan meng-adakan International Remote Control (RC) Boat, Car and Helicopter .

Pihak Kuching RC Power-boat Club di Tasik Danu Se-rian telah menerima penyertaan 700 peserta dengan 1,000 bot setakat ini.

Penutupan dan penyampaian hadiah akan diadakan pada 12 April oleh Menteri Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Perhubungan Sarawak Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.

Sesi karaoke Birumuh Idol dan perasmian Stadium Mini Serian juga akan diadakan pada hari yang sama.

Tebedu Inland Port is to become International port

KUCHING: The Tebedu Inland Port is poised to become an international port with various initiatives being undertaken by the government.

Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin said he himself had met with Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and two ministers in Jakarta pertaining to the matter. The facility comes under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communication.

“We (government) want the port to be of international standard and for that reason I have met with the authorities in Malaysia and Pontianak (Indonesia) to discuss the matter,” Manyin told reporters yesterday, adding that they wanted it done as soon as possible.

He earlier presented Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) at the Tebedu community hall. Some 1,934 people received the assistance totalling more than RM604,300.

Manyin said Indonesian president had also promised to allocate RM500 million (2 trillion rupiah) for construction of the port at the Indonesian border for the benefit of the two countries.

He said the port was previously used under the Border Trade Agreement (BTA) signed in the 70s. Under the agreement each trader could only bring in RM600 worth of trade per month.

“With such practice, we cannot develop the port, and now we want to make it an international standard trade,” he added.

On the Tebedu Industrial Park, Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, said that infrastructure such as dual carriageway road, water and electricity supplies were already there.

He, however, said it was a matter of promotion to attract both local and foreign investors.

He said the government would also promote the industrial estate to lure local workers.

On BR1M, Manyin said the government acknowledged the need to help the lower income group.

He said the financial assistance was only a temporary one provided by the Barisan Nasional (BN) while transforming the people to increase their household income.

“The government sees the need to help the lower income group, but at the same time develop rural areas to enable the people to increase their income,” he said.

He urged the rural people to make full use of the infrastructure like roads provided by the government to develop their land. He also urged the rural farmers to make full use the fertilizer subsidy to plant commodities like pepper, cocoa and oil palm.

A political secretary to chief minister John David Nyaoh, Serian district officer Sindie Muling and Tebedu SAO Udin Dungak were also present at the function.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/19/manyin-tebedu-inland-port-to-be-an-international-port/#ixzz3VIfcsiSE

Pesta Birumuh 2015 di Serian

SERIAN: Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Ade-nan Satem akan merasmikan Pesta Birumuh 2015 yang akan diadakan pada 11 hingga 13 April depan di Stadium Mini Serian sekitar jam 10 pagi.

Menurut Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pelancongan Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, pesta itu diadakan bertujuan memelihara dan mengekalkan budaya serta tradisi masyarakat Bidayuh dan kaum lain seperti Melayu dan Iban yang turut menuai padi.

“Ia merupakan acara tahunan kali ketiga anjuran Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh (DBNA) dengan kerjasama Pejabat Daerah Serian dan agensi awam terlibat.

“Seperti rutin tahun sebe-lumnya, perarakan kontinjen dari kampung terlibat dengan memakai pakaian tradisional atau kostum tertentu akan menjadi tarikan utama dan dijangka menarik lebih ba-nyak penyertaan,” katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat bersama AJK Pesta Birumuh 2015 di sini semalam.

Pengisian program turut menyaksikan 200 peserta motosikal berkuasa tinggi dari negara jiran Indonesia dan Brunei yang menyertai Serian Bike Gathering anjuran Kementerian Pembangunan Sosial Bahagian Samarahan.

Ia merupakan kerjasama Kelab Permotoran dan Kelab TEGAR Bikers serta akan mengadakan pameran dan rondaan di sekitar kawasan Serian bermula jam 8 pagi.

Selain itu, Majlis Daerah Serian (MDS) akan meng-adakan International Remote Control (RC) Boat, Car and Helicopter .

Pihak Kuching RC Power-boat Club di Tasik Danu Se-rian telah menerima penyertaan 700 peserta dengan 1,000 bot setakat ini.

Penutupan dan penyampaian hadiah akan diadakan pada 12 April oleh Menteri Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Perhubungan Sarawak Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.

Sesi karaoke Birumuh Idol dan perasmian Stadium Mini Serian juga akan diadakan pada hari yang sama.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/24/adenan-akan-merasmikan-pesta-birumuh-2015/#ixzz3VIf2JF9J

Federal subsidy to benefit 61,000 families in Sarawak and 15,000 in Sabah, says minister

KUCHING: The federal government is allocating RM70 million for the hill padi farm subsidy programme for Sarawak and Sabah.

In disclosing this, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the programme was meant to support hill padi farmers in the two states.

According to him, the subsidy would benefit 61,000 families in Sarawak and 15,000 families in Sabah covering an area of about 71,000 hectares.

“With the subsidy, the ministry (Agriculture and Agro-based) is targeting to increase to three metric tonnes per hectare the hill padi production compared to 743 kg per hectare previously,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Earlier, he launched a fertilizer and weedicide subsidy scheme for hill padi for Sarawak and Sabah at Kampung Gahat Mawang, near Serian.

Under the scheme, farmers were given 200kg of compound fertilizer per hectare, 100 kg of urea (fertilizer), 8 litres of paraquat (weedicide) and three litres and four litres of other brands of weedicide.

In his speech, he said the ministry was allocated RM2.2 billion this year to develop the padi and rice industry in the country.

With the allocation, the ministry hoped to increase hill padi production, hence increasing the income of the farmers, he said.

At the event, Ismail Sabri also launched a hill padi planting technology manual from research conducted by Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) to increase production.

Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dato Sri Michael Manyin, assistant ministers of agriculture (Research and Marketing) Datuk Mong Dagang and Datuk Sylvester Entri (Farmers Organisations) were also present at the function.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/03/07/rm70-million-windfall-for-hill-padi-planters/#ixzz3TeXhlUpM

Serian Town and Farmer's Market

Serian : A small market town about 1 hour from Kuching. The main attraction is an excellent farmers' market selling all manner of fruit, vegetables and forest produce and a thriving fish market. If you are lucky you will also see sago worms, a favorite local delicacy, offered for sale. The Serian District Council has a number of chalets at nearby Ranchan Pools, a local beauty spot. Chalets RM 50-100, Dormitory RM 100 10 beds). Tel: 876681 Fax: 874799.

The town is very famous for its durians, which are popularly believed to be the best in Sarawak. This has prompted the Serian District Council to erect a giant monument to this "king of fruits" right in the middle of the market square. However, other monuments such as the tiger and the buffalo statues seem out of place as there are no tigers or buffalos in this district. 

The town is very well connected to its rich hinterlandboth by road and by water and thus one can find all sorts of jungle produce available in the jungle produce market but lately, most of these produce were brought in from Kalimantan, Indonesia as the price are cheaper.

The district population (year 2010 census) was 90,763.^[1] About 65% of the population are Bidayuh. The other main ethnic groups are Iban, Chinese, and Malay.

SMK Tebakang celebrates double joy

SERIAN: It was a night of double joy for SMK Tebakang last Saturday as the school celebrated its 40th anniversary and the launch of its long-awaited alumni association.

The dinner held at the Serian community hall was attended by former students and graced by several former principals including the first principal Jonas Noeb who headed the school when it was established in 1974.

Even the guest-of-honour Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin was a former principal having helmed the school for eight years and three months.

Manyin, in his speech, praised the ex-students for initiating and forming the alumni association as a platform to network and to work with other entities.

Noting that the alumni comprised individuals who had excelled despite early hardship, he called on the alumni to assist their alma mater with programmes that can improve the school’s academic achievement.

“In those (early) days, there were not enough food, and we lacked basic facilities. And yet, the students then did well, as they benefited from the ‘blessing of scarcity’.

“It’s now time for the alumni to give back to society, by helping SMK Tebakang to excel. Just because the school can now afford to give six meals a day to the students, we do not want them to suffer from the ‘curse of luxury’, so please assist in building up the standard of the school,” he said.

As the elected representative for the area and a former principal, Manyin said he is always with SMK Tebakang, and feels proud when the school does well but sad when it did otherwise.

He also pledged RM20,000 as grant for SMK Tebakang Alumni Association to organise programmes this year.

Meanwhile, the school principal Carter Ballang and alumni association president Dr Alim Impira pledged to work together to improve the academic performance.

The dinner’s highlight was the singing of the school’s anthem ‘Tebakang Peduli’ in Malay, English and Bidayuh.

Among those who attended the dinner were former Sri Aman MP Jimmy Donald, also a former principal and Serian District Council deputy chairman Dr Simon Sinang Bada.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/02/smk-tebakang-celebrates-double-joy/#ixzz3QdGKCpf3