Serian Town will be transformed by 2020

State govt to transform state’s newest division with administrative complex, new township

Abang Johari (right) meets the ‘Ring Lady’ from Padawan at Pesta Birumuh 2017. — Photo by Kong Jun Liong

SERIAN: Serian Division, particularly the town area, will have a new look once the state administrative complex and conference centre, to be built on a 32-acre site, costing about RM200 million are completed by end of 2019.

Located near both projects is the 145-acre Serian New Township, which is being constructed in stages and due for completion within the next eight to 10 years.

A state government-linked company (GLC), Sarawak Incorporated Sdn Bhd is developing the administrative complex and conference centre on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis, while another GLC Borneo Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (BDC) is developing the Serian New Township.

An earth-breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the projects was held at a site off Serian-Tebedu bypass, not far from the Resident and District Office, yesterday prior to the guests attending the Pesta Birumuh 2017 at the nearby Serian Sports Complex.

Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at and performed the earth-breaking ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

Also present were Human Resources Minister and Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot, as well as assistant ministers Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Roland Sagah, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh.

Sarawak Incorporated chief executive officer Zainudin Jaafar, who gave a briefing on the projects, said a lake within the site would also be beautified and maintained.

“So far, the projects have moved smoothly. By 2019, Serian will have a state administrative complex and a conference centre.”

On the administrative complex, Zainudin said the design would incorporate the iconic Baruk (traditional Bidayuh roundhouse) to reflect the local Bidayuh ethnic group who makes up the majority in Serian.

An artist’s impression of the state administrative complex which incorporates a Baruk.

It would also comprise a six-storey office complex cascading downward to two-storey office connected to one block of double storey reception/lobby and exhibition or function hall.

The total walled-up area is about 20,000 square meters for offices, cafeteria, common hall/meeting room and other office facilities with 360 open space car parking facilities.

He also said a multi-service counter would be set up along the Urban Transformation Centre concept to facilitate (public) dealing with the government in Serian. The complex would also incorporate design-for-maintenance concept focusing on reduction in operating costs, energy-saving and environmental consideration.

As for the conference centre next to the state administrative complex, Zainudin said it would comprise a 3,180 square-meter main hall which can accommodate 2,000 guests, exhibition areas, conference rooms, cafeteria, covered car parking space of 140 bays in the basement, 380 bays of open parking space, open forecourt and facilities for disabled persons.

“Initially, the plan was to only accommodate 1,000 people. But the previous chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had requested the capacity to be doubled, when he came to launch the project last year. It is not only open for Serian folk, but everyone can come here to hold events and conferences.

“Both projects will be start. The administrative complex will be built in September and is expected for completion by August 2018, while the conference centre will be built by end of this year and is expected for completion within the next 24 months,” Zainudin said

Meanwhile, a press kit for the Serian New Township said site clearing works had been done from last December to middle of this month. This will be followed by earthworks and major infrastructure and river improvement works.

The mixed-use development spreads over 145 acres is estimated to have a gross development value of RM600 million. It will include a central business district and modern residential neighbourhood.

The commercial and residential developments at the Serian New Township are also slated to become the catalyst for social and economic growth in the division.

Manyin assures greater development in Serian

Manyin (fifth left) together with Snowdan (fourth left), John (fifth right), Serian Resident Dahim Dadot (third left) and community leaders at the dinner on Saturday.

SERIAN: The convincing win of Sarawak BN in Serian during the May 7 state election will be returned to the people through various development projects that can improve and modernise the division further.

In giving this assurance, Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said the state BN won 77.8 per cent or more than two thirds of all seats in the State Legislative Assembly in what was the best and unprecedented victory in Sarawak’s political history.

“After the election, we (state BN) will not be focusing on politics but rather on ways on how to develop Serian as there are still a lot of room for improvement,” said Manyin during the Serian BN thanksgiving and victory dinner and 2016 Gawai celebration at SJK Chung Hua, Serian multipurpose hall on Saturday.

Among the two major projects which will be carried out in Serian this year, he revealed, is the construction of a Government Administrative Centre which was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem during the election campaign.

He expected the construction of the centre to start by October this year and completed within two years.

Another project in the pipeline, he added, is the construction of a conference centre that is expected to rival the iconic Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

“The chief minister has also urged all of the ADUN (state assembly members) to fulfil our promises made during the campaigning period,” said Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, on behalf of other BN lawmakers present at the function – Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn (Tarat), John Ilus (Bukit Semuja), Martin Ben (Kedup), Snowdan Lawan (Balai Ringin) and Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem.

He further pointed out that development projects which go hand-in-hand with the expansion of Serian town would be the ideal platform for the state government to improve the livelihood of the Bidayuh-majority division.

According to him, the socio-economic level of the people in Serian could be gauged from the huge number of 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) recipients in the division.

“When there are a lot of BR1M recipients, it signals that there are still a lot of Serian people who are not well off,” he elaborated.

Meanwhile, Manyin explained the portfolio of his new ministry to the some 500 guests at the dinner, saying it is almost similar to the former Ministry of Social Development.

He said the only extra role is ‘solidarity’, which is to maintain and improve the state’s unity and harmony among the people of different races, religions and cultures.

“We are thankful that the unity and solidarity in Sarawak is unwavering and the ministry will assure that this will be maintained and safeguarded to make the state a role model for other states and nations,” said Manyin.

He also said the recent state election saw all the candidates from different political divides campaigning in peace while paying great respect to their opponents by not stirring sensitive issues.

“That is what we are in Sarawak. That is our Sarawakian way and a reflection of a true Sarawakian,” he pointed out.

 

Manyin urges Kpg Taee folk to lead the way

SERIAN: Kampung Taee folk have been urged to produce more graduates, skilled workers and talented sportspersons and artistes.

Minister of Youth and Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, who made the call, said the village, being the first Bidayuh village in Serian to receive formal education, should take the lead in human capital development.

“We must work together so that the Bidayuhs, being the minority group, are not left behind as the country achieves developed nation status. No matter where you come from—Bukar or Sadong, or from Serian, Padawan, Penrissen, Bau or Lundu—we, as Bidayuhs, should by now be dialect-blind and region-blind so that we remain united and able to move forward together,” he said at the Gawai Dayak eve dinner at the village on Tuesday.

The dinner, themed ‘Makat Mera Maju Bisamah’ (Let’s Rise and Progress Together), featured several cultural performances by the village’s cultural troupe.

On the May 7 state election, he thanked voters in Kampung Taee, the biggest Bukar Bidayuh village in Tebedu constituency, for his victory.

He attributed their support as a key factor to his re-election for the fifth consecutive term as Tebedu assemblyman, which was achieved with a higher majority.

“I got re-elected for five more years. For this, I want to say a big thank you to voters in Kampung Taee.”

Manyin retained Tebedu after he defeated Alex Saben from PKR by a 6,193 vote-majority, the highest vote-majority among all eight BN Bidayuh assemblymen.

Also present at the dinner were political secretary to the chief minister, John David Nyauh, Serian District Council councillors and community leaders.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/06/03/manyin-urges-kpg-taee-folk-to-lead-the-way/#ixzz4Dv1ihSrj

SAO John Ilus, BN direct candidate for Bukit Semuja

KUCHING, April 12 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Adenan Satem today announced the names of 11 more BN candidates for the 11th state election, bringing to 69 the number of the coalition's candidates announced so far.

Eight of them from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), they being Datuk Idris Buang (for the Muara Tuang seat), Awla Dris (Simunjan), Shafiee Ahmad (Daro), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya (Jemoreng), Mohd Chee Kadir (Kabong), Jefferson Jamit Unyat (Bukit Goram), Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz (Kalaka) and Datuk Ambrose Blikau (Katibas).

Three are BN direct candidates, namely Miro Simuh (Serembu), John Ilus (Bukit Semuja) and Gerawat Jala (Mulu).

Kabong and Bukit Goram are two of the 11 new seats out of the 82 at stake in the election. The Election Commission is scheduled to announce the dates for nomination and polling on Thursday.

Adenan, who is also PBB president, said he had announced all the PBB candidates for the 40 seats that the party would contest.

"So far, we have announced the names of (BN) candidates for almost 70 seats," he told a press conference at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.

Dr Juanda Jaya is the former mufti of Perlis.

Adenan reiterated that all BN candidates must sign an oath of loyalty to BN, and the BN direct candidates must resign from their parties as a prerequisite to being fielded.

Asked whether the direct candidates have resigned from their parties, he said some of them have already resigned and some will do so soon.

"It is up to them later, upon winning the election, to join any BN component party of their choice, including PBB. However, they cannot go against BN because they won using the BN symbol," he said.

When asked if they could join PBB, Adenan said PBB made no excuse to being the strongest BN party in the state.

"We have worked very hard for this and for the party. What is important is BN will have more seats," he said.

Adenan also said that the presence of UMNO leaders in the state and those who would come in greater numbers and frequently during the polls was not a problem to the state.

"They are not a liability to the state. They come here to help us. They are holding posts in the federal government," he said.

Adenan said he regretted that certain people had begun to question the state's autonomy on immigration.

"We have to protect the state's interest against unsavoury political and religious elements," he said.

He said the state government would ban some UMNO people from entering the state if they were found to be wanting to act against the state's interest.

-- BERNAMA

State Government Office Complex, Serian

Andu iti, andu da paling ripu rami da Serian, apabila YAB Datuk Patinggi Adenan melancarkan pingundah ofis bauh , pusat konferen dengan bandar bauh. Acara iti mbuh odog tundah da Dewan SJK Chung Hua Serian.

Pan Borneo Highway from Serian to Pantu

PM says Pan Borneo Highway will boost economic growth, development and unity in Sarawak

SERIAN: The Pan Borneo Highway will benefit Sarawak in terms of development, economy and unity.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the project would not only be a catalyst for economic growth but a game changer that would bring huge transformations to the state’s landscape.

The RM16-billion project was also expected to create an eight-fold multiplier effect on the state’s economy, he said.

“Thirdly, if we want to be a united and developed state, we must ensure a better and effective connectivity for the people, not only in terms of telecommunications like handphone, but also in terms of mobility.

“When this highway is completed, it will be easier for Sarawakians and Malaysians in general to move around and communicate with one another.

“This will surely strengthen the spirit of unity and turn Sarawak to be more united,” Najib said when launching the construction of the 75km stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway project from Serian roundabout to Pantu junction here yesterday.

He said construction of the stretch costing about RM1.46 billion was the third and biggest package compared to the other two packages launched previously. The first package is from Telok Melano to Sematan and the second   from Nyabau to Bakun intersection.

By the end of this year, 10 packages of the project would be implemented in Sarawak. The fourth  package is to be launched next month, he added.

“The Pan Borneo Highway project is a gift from the federal government to Sarawak. In April 2013, I made a pledge that if BN (Barisan Nasional) is given the mandate in the 13th general election, one of our main promises is that we would implement Pan Borneo Highway for Sarawak. We honoured our promises to Sarawakians.”

Najib assured that the Pan Borneo Highway project would be implemented despite the drop in prices of oil and commodities, adding what made it more meaningful was that the highway would be without toll.

With the states in Peninsular Malaysia from Perlis to Johor seeing rapid development and changes after the construction of the North-South Highway, he believed that Sarawak too would see tremendous development from Sematan to Lawas after the Pan Borneo Highway project is completed.

“When the federal government agreed for this highway project to be implemented, I told them early that I wanted the contracts for this project, be they small or big, to be awarded only to Sarawakian companies owned by Sarawakians.”

In reiterating his commitment to Sarawak, he said the government of the day did not only have a dream for Sarawak, but also plans and vision for the people of Sarawak because Sarawakians needed to get all the benefits for being a partner in the federation.

“Don’t be influenced by the opposition – they can promise anything but they cannot deliver for the people of Sarawak. We have delivered for the people of Sarawak. I also said when we implement this project we must be fair because Sarawak has many races and ethnicities.

“We have to ensure that there is social justice in anything we do and all the ethnics will benefit from the implementation of this Pan Borneo Highway project. We want to ensure that the people of Sarawak would benefit from this.”

Among those present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Naroden Majais and Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/03/14/eight-fold-multiplier-effect/#ixzz42ybJhYSy

YB Dato Sri Michael Manyin wants Bidayuh to unite for progress

SERIAN: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong wants the Bidayuh to be more united in their struggle to becoming a developed and progressive community.

The Tebedu assemblyman said the Bidayuh community should not identify themselves according to their regional groupings such as Bau-Jagoi, Bukar or Sadong but instead think of themselves as one community.

“We should not think of ourselves as Bidayuh Serian, Bau or Lundu, instead we must adopt a ‘sehati sejiwa’ mentality for us to develop together with the more progressive communities.”

“If the Chinese, Malay and Iban communities can be developed, then so can the Bidayuh community,” Manyin stressed in his speech at the Serian Division Bidayuh Community Leaders Association appreciation and award presentation event held at the Serian Community Hall yesterday.

He added this would be in tandem with the plan of turning Sarawak into a developed state by the year 2030.

“One of the great policies that our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has implemented is bridging
the urban-rural divide. This will help to ensure that the people living in the rural areas will experience the same development as those enjoyed in the urban areas.

“Therefore, it is imperative that the Bidayuh community band together to ensure that we are not left out in this development,” Manyin added.

During the event, Manyin presented certificates of appreciation to over 20 Bidayuh community leaders who retired in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/02/05/manyin-wants-bidayuh-to-unite-for-progress/#ixzz3zGFfD0Xx