Dr Sim leads delegation to Manchester in UK to study housing, urban renewal models
KUCHING (April 28): A Sarawak delegation led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian is currently in Manchester, United Kingdom, on a working visit focused on housing and urban regeneration.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, shared in a Facebook post that Sarawak needs to plan ahead to meet growing demands for public housing and public transportation as part of its broader nation-building efforts.
He explained that the government is making progress towards achieving economic prosperity, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability goals under Sarawak's Post Covis-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
'For the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Sarawak is proposing to raise the target for affordable housing from the previous 3,000 units to 20,000 units. Such targets will require teamwork from different government agencies as well as private and public partnership,' he stated in the Facebook post.
Apart from deputy ministers and officials from Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Sarawak, members of the delegation also comprised representatives from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Sarawak, Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), Land & Survey Department Sarawak, Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Sarawak dan Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (SHEDA).
They visited the Urban Regeneration of New Islington in Ancoats, Manchester, where a former industrial site was transformed into affordable council housing, green spaces and enhanced connectivity (canal, public transport) with a vibrant, sustainable community.
They were also briefed on the Hulme Crescents Redevelopment Project, which Dr Sim described as another prime example of urban renewal that integrates public affordable housing within a planned, sustainable community framework.
Additionally, the delegation visited Heaton Park in Manchester, one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, spanning approximately 600 acres. Dr Sim Kui Hian housing urban regeneration working visit
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Employers must comply with September 15 holiday: Minister
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim speaks to reporters after officiating the Penang Human Resources Ministry Building at Weld Quay in George Town March 14, 2025. — Bernama pic PUTRAJAYA: Employers must comply with the declaration of Sept 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said in a statement, Wednesday. Sim said the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that Sept 15 will be designated as an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. 'This announcement is good news for workers in the public and private sectors nationwide. 'This additional holiday allows all Malaysians to celebrate unity, strengthen the spirit of nationalism and appreciate the uniqueness of the formation of Malaysia as a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country,' he said. Sim also called on Malaysians to use the long holiday for recreation, thus promoting well-being among workers and stimulating economic activities, which in turn will have a positive impact on the local economy. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the Government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192/5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Sim: Comply with ruling
Goodwill: Sim (left) and Fahmi believe the additional holiday reflects the spirit of Malaysia Day. Procedures must be followed as Sept 15 is declared public holiday PETALING JAYA: Employers must comply with the public holiday declared for Sept 15 by either giving employees the day off with regular pay or pay public holiday rates if they are required to work, says the Human Resources Ministry. Minister Steven Sim said employers can also offer a replacement day off for those who are required to work on that day. He explained the implementation of the holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951, and it must be done fairly. 'This long weekend can be used to promote wellness among workers and stimulate local economic activities. 'This, in turn, contribute positively to the community,' he said in response to the Prime Minister's announcement that Sept 15 is an additional public holiday. Sept 15 falls on a Monday, creating a long weekend as it is followed by the Malaysia Day public holiday on Sept 16. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the gesture is to honour the unity and uniqueness that underpin the formation of Malaysia. Sim said the holiday reflects the spirit of Malaysia Day, providing an opportunity for citizens to come together and strengthen national pride. 'This will also allow the public to appreciate the country's multiracial and multicultural identity,' he added. He also called on Malaysians to embrace the occasion by fostering harmony and solidarity in conjunction with the national celebration. To support a smooth rollout, the Labour Department is ready to assist employers and workers. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Labour Department is prepared to provide advisory services and answer queries from employers and workers regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Prime Minister's announcement reflects the government's commitment to ease the people's burden with various forms of assistance. He said the government's initiative would also further boost economic growth, provide relief to the people and strengthen the country's fiscal resilience in the face of global uncertainties. 'The government will continue to balance the need to improve the country's financial position with the responsibility to safeguard the well-being of the people,' he said, Bernama reported. Fahmi, who is also National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations main committee chairman, called on Malaysians to raise the spirit of love for the country. 'This is the time for us to unite our hearts, appreciate the blessings of independence and together contribute to the prosperity of the country,' he said. He said the government would continue to strengthen the development agenda through the 13th Malaysia Plan and the 2026 Budget which is currently being worked on for the benefit of the people.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Academic: Economic growth must bring tangible benefits to people
KOTA KINABALU: The country's positive economic figures must be translated into tangible benefits for the people, said Sabah Universiti Teknologi Mara senior lecturer Dr Jain Yassin. "This growth for sure strengthens investor confidence, and is good news. "We also welcome the increase in jobs creation, but hope more opportunities will be allocated to Sabah, especially given its higher unemployment rate compared with the national average," said the adviser for the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia-SDG (Sabah Region). He was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's annoucement that Malaysia's gross domestic product grew by 4.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Anwar said that based on early projections, growth in the second quarter was expected to reach 4.5 per cent. He also said Malaysia recorded its highest-ever approved investments last year, amounting to RM384 billion, a 17 per cent increase from 2023. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the labour market was improving, with the unemployment rate dropping from 3.9 per cent in 2022 to 3.0 per cent as of May 2025. Over 250,000 new jobs were created between 2023 and 2024. He also announced that the government will accelerate the hiring of over 4,352 healthcare staff, particularly contract doctors, across the country by the end of this year. Jais said the aid for padi and rubber farmers, along with improving access to education, was the right approach for Sabah. "These efforts directly benefit rural communities and are more impactful than financial assistance. "Overall, this reflects a grassroots economic strategy suited to Sabah. "While some initiatives remain macro and peninsula-centric, the focus is moving closer to the people. "We hope the 13th Malaysia Plan will emphasise sustainable strategies to ensure Sabah's long-term economic growth."
