Rep urges immediate relocation of schools affected by floods, infrastructure upgrades in Tamin
Gira emphasises that schools regularly affected by floods must be moved to safer, more strategic locations. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (May 22): Several schools in the Tamin constituency may need to be relocated due to frequent flooding, said its assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang.
He emphasised that schools regularly affected by floods must be moved to safer, more strategic locations, adding that education is the foundation of progress, and no child should have their learning disrupted due to environmental challenges.
'This requires immediate action in identifying suitable areas, allocating funds, and fast-tracking construction to guarantee uninterrupted education for our future generations.
'I am appealing to government to relocate the schools namely, SK Ng Selangau, SK Kua Selangau, SK Sg Buluh and SK Pelugau,' he said in his Motion of Appreciation to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Gira also called for the establishment of a Selangau District Education Office to better serve the needs of the local community.
In addition to education-related matters, he outlined several key development priorities for the Tamin constituency.
These included infrastructure upgrades, improved rural water and electricity supply, enhanced internet connectivity, and support for agriculture, housing, and youth development.
On infrastructure, he requested that several gravel roads be upgraded to tar-sealed roads. These include Jalan Sapudun Balingian Selangau, Jalan Ng Sekuau to SK Pakoh Ulu Oya Selangau, Jalan Ulu Selangau, and Jalan SK Pakoh to Jalan Ulu Bunau Oya.
On rural water supply, Gira appealed to the federal government to expedite the construction of the long-awaited Stapang/Sekuau water treatment plant, first announced in 2016 with an allocation of RM117 million.
He also urged the swift implementation of the RM200 million upgrade for the Selangau Water Treatment Plant, including pipe installation to designated areas.
Electricity supply remains inconsistent in some longhouses, with applications still pending under the Additional Late Applicant Fund (Alaf) programme.
Gira called for faster approval and an upgrade from single-phase to two-phase power in areas where demand exceeds capacity.
On digital connectivity, he pressed for all telecommunications towers built in Tamin to be made fully operational to help close the digital divide.
For the agricultural sector, Gira urged the government to provide support to oil palm, coffee, and rubber farmers through subsidies, training programmes, and financial assistance.
He also advocated for the speedy construction of the Selangau Mini Sports Complex and affordable housing projects in Selangau town to enhance community wellbeing.
To spur local tourism and recreation, Gira proposed the development of eco-tourism and leisure spots in Ulu Oya, Ulu Mukah, and Ulu Selangau.
In a bid to empower local talent and entrepreneurship, he called for the creation of a Craft Centre and SME Hub in Selangau to support artisans and small business owners.
Gira also voiced concern over rising drug abuse and illegal online gambling, particularly among youth, urging authorities to implement effective preventive measures.
Lastly, he highlighted the importance of completing the Survey of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land to safeguard indigenous ownership.
He urged the government to allocate more resources to the Land and Survey Department to expedite outstanding surveys in Tamin. Christopher Gira Sambang DUN flood schools
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
18 hours ago
- Daily Express
Plans for aircraft replica at Tanjung Aru park
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: The Double Six tragedy in 1976. Kota Kinabalu: There are plans to build a replica of the Nomad aircraft involved in the 1976 Double Six tragedy at Prince Philip Park, Tanjung Aru, as part of its redevelopment, says Tanjung Aru Eco-Development (TAED) Chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia. He said the intention is not to relocate the existing memorial in Sembulan but to create an additional site of remembrance within the redeveloped Prince Philip Park. Advertisement 'This is about helping the public, especially younger people, understand the importance of the June 6, 1976 tragedy, which took the lives of several State leaders, including former Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens,' he told reporters after attending the 49th anniversary commemoration at the crash site in Sembulan on Friday (June 6). Acknowledging that the idea of a replica might be painful for some victims' families, he expressed willingness to meet them personally and adjust the plans if needed. He said it is not to sensationalise the event, but to honour those who perished. Pandikar said the park's redevelopment will also include elements that highlight Sabah's historical journey, such as a museum-like archive showcasing the State's path to independence. 'People might not go out of their way to visit formal archives, but if we place educational elements in a park they already enjoy, it becomes a space for everyday learning,' he said. The Double Six memorial component is expected to cost between RM100,000 and RM200,000, forming part of the larger RM35 million park redevelopment project. Pandikar expressed concern that many Malaysians, especially those from Peninsular Malaysia, are still unaware of the tragedy. He said during a recent talk most attendees had never heard of the incident. He supports the idea of incorporating the Double Six tragedy into the national school syllabus and was encouraged by the high turnout of young people at the recent remembrance ceremony. 'While the Sembulan site remains the official memorial, we support establishing more access points nearby to help more people, including foreigners, understand this important part of our history,' he said. The revitalisation of Prince Philip Park is part of a broader eco-tourism initiative under the Tanjung Aru Eco-Development plan. 'Our goal is to turn the park into a space that preserves memories, promotes learning and reflects our identity as Sabahans,' Pandikar said. * 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
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sarawak DUN wraps up session with six Bills passed, senator reappointed
Sharifah Hasidah moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 28): The first meeting of the fourth session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which saw the passing of six bills and the approval of a motion to reappoint a member to the Dewan Negara, was adjourned sine die at 5.13pm today. Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. On May 20, three bills were passed – starting with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Bill aims to strengthen the state's biodiversity governance, ensuring it remains effective, sustainable, and economically viable. It also empowers Sarawak to harness its rich biological resources while promoting the commercialisation of scientific advancements. The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Deputy Premier and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, was also passed on the same day. Awang Tengah said the amendments were essential in strengthening Sarawak's land management and administration, ensuring it remains efficient, adaptable and aligned with the current best practice and standards for governance. Also passed on May 20 was the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by Deputy Premier and State Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The amendment facilitates an increase in the number of councillors in several local authorities across Sarawak, including the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Miri City Council (MCC), as well as three municipal councils namely Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS). The number of councillors for each of these councils would be increased to 33 from 30, excluding the mayor and deputy mayor for the city councils; and the chairman and deputy chairman for the municipal councils. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas tabled the remaining three bills – the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025, which was passed on May 21, along with the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill 2025 and Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill 2025, both passed on May 22. The Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025 seeks to dissolve the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund, which has been deemed redundant in view of today's economic landscape. The trust fund, which was set up in 1985, served as a revolving fund consisting of money appropriated from time to time from the State Consolidated Fund into the trust fund for the purpose of building certain basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supplies to any development area. The august House also unanimously passed two Supplementary Supply Bills involving a total of RM391,429,717 for additional expenditures that were not covered in previous allocations. The Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill allocates RM153,769,197 to meet the cost of various services incurred by various ministries and departments for which funds were not provided for or insufficiently provided for in the 2024 estimates. The Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill provides RM237,660,520, including RM100 million required by the Sarawak Premier's Department to cater for rental of air-charter services due to increased activities. On May 22, the DUN also approved a motion to reappoint Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, 56, as a member of the Dewan Negara for a second term. The motion was proposed by Deputy Premier and Bukit Sari assemblyman, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and seconded by Deputy Premier and Batu Kawah assemblyman, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Ahmad's current term, which began on July 22, 2022, is set to expire on July 21, 2025. His new appointment will take effect the following day. During the sitting, a total of 320 questions, both written and oral, were submitted by 41 honourable members. Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah, in her remarks, emphasised the importance of maintaining the dignity and integrity of the DUN as the highest legislative authority in the state. 'All laws passed in this House must be respected, enforceable, and recognised without doubt. Let there be no question about their legitimacy,' she said. Sharifah also spoke of Sarawak's achievements on local, national, and international fronts. Citing the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, she reiterated the state's ambition to become a high-income economy and Asean's energy powerhouse. She praised Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg's leadership, noting Sarawak's increasing recognition as a hub for green energy and hydrogen innovation on the global stage. On the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sharifah reaffirmed Sarawak's unwavering commitment to asserting its constitutional rights. 'We will pursue our rights within the parameters of the law, guided by the Federal Constitution, MA63, the IGC Report, and Sarawak's State Constitution,' she said. Meanwhile, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar commended the cooperation and decorum demonstrated by assembly members. 'This eight-day sitting proceeded smoothly and with great order, thanks to everyone's dedication in upholding the sanctity of this august House,' he said. adjourned Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak DUN lead
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sarawak targets seamless 13MP execution with IRBM, value management, says Premier
Abang Johari explains that IRBM would serve as the foundation of the framework by ensuring that all projects align with Sarawak's 2030 development goals through strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 28): The Sarawak government will implement a comprehensive delivery framework to ensure the successful execution of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the state's development from 2026 to 2030, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the framework would incorporate Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM), Results-Based Budgeting, and Value Management to enable seamless coordination and performance monitoring of all initiatives under the plan. 'A strong plan alone is not enough. Sarawak's future depends on how well we execute it and how accountable we are in delivering results. 'To ensure the success of the 13MP, we will implement a comprehensive delivery framework, incorporating Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM), Results-Based Budgeting and Value Management for seamless coordination and performance monitoring,' he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. He explained that IRBM would serve as the foundation of the framework by ensuring that all projects align with Sarawak's 2030 development goals through strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. 'Results-Based Budgeting will enhance resource efficiency, linking funding to measurable outcomes,' he added. Abang Johari also stressed that every proposed project under the 13MP would undergo rigorous evaluation at the entry point to ensure its viability, readiness, and accurate cost estimation. 'Additionally, through Value at Entry, every proposed project will undergo a thorough assessment to ensure viability, readiness, and accurate cost estimation, reducing delays and improving execution,' he said. According to the Premier, Sarawak's 13MP will be driven by 10 high-level strategies and a reinforced focus on 15 socio-economic sectors and enablers in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030) serves as a crucial planning framework that reinforces our long-term vision,' he said. 'As we stand at the midpoint of PCDS 2030 and the final year of the 12th Malaysia Plan, we must now advance with speed, clarity and purpose.' He noted that the 13MP is designed to ensure Sarawak's development strategies and actions remain consistent with its aspirations, and are responsive to evolving economic, social, and governance dynamics. Among the 10 high-level strategies outlined are accelerating the clean energy transition, building a high-quality and inclusive society, optimising land use, attracting strategic industries, enhancing public safety and disaster preparedness, and fostering a strong and resilient Bumiputera business community. 13MP abang johari DUN IRBM
