Latest news with #AlanLing
Borneo Post
25-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
More EDC terminals needed to facilitate Sara aid processing, says S'wak PH man
Ling says in the context of Sabah and Sarawak, having a backup EDC terminal is especially important for retail shops in rural areas. MIRI (July 25): Selected retail traders included in the Rahmah Basic Contribution (Sara) aid programme should have more than one Electronic Data Capture (EDC) terminal, and a barcode scanner as a backup in case of equipment failure. An EDC terminal is a device used to process electronic payments for Sara recipients. According to Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling, in the context of Sabah and Sarawak, having a backup EDC terminal is especially important for retail shops in rural areas. However, he also describes the requirement to qualify for a backup EDC terminal as 'unreasonable and illogical'. 'I have been told that only those with over 120 transactions per day are eligible to apply for a second terminal. 'I think this requirement is nonsensical; this is ridiculous. 'We want to make things easier for the people, not make them queue up for long periods at the counter,' said the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak secretary in a statement. Adding on, he said that he had contacted Yayasan myKASIH regarding this issue. 'Yayasan myKASIH has been entrusted by the federal government to manage the Sara aid via MyKad, enabling the purchase of basic necessities at selected retail stores,' he added. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a one-off SaraRM100 aid for all Malaysians aged 18 and above. This marked the first time that cash assistance was being disbursed universally to all adult citizens via their MyKad. Back to the EDC terminal, Ling said some retailers were only provided with a single terminal. 'This is insufficient in handling peak-hour transactions. 'That's why I got in touch with them (Yayasan myKASIH), asking them whether or not we could request just one backup terminal because traders had been informed that in the event of a technical issue, the equipment must be sent to Kuala Lumpur for repairs, which could take time and cause much inconvenience to both the traders and the consumers.' Therefore, for Sabah and Sarawak, Ling suggested that an agency or non-governmental organisation (NGO) be appointed to handle the distribution of EDC terminals and barcode scanners under the Sara programme. 'This would ensure better understanding of local needs and challenges, and allow for more responsive support in the event of technical issues. 'It would also enhance the effectiveness of the federal government's initiative through the involvement of local agencies or NGOs. 'This is a request from the people and from the traders, for the benefit of all. 'We need sufficient terminals and accessible technical support, given the geographical scale and location of Sabah and Sarawak,' he added. Alan Ling EDC terminal Electronic Data Capture SARA
Borneo Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DAP man slams delay in reopening Jln Riam Lama, cites poor workmanship and safety risks
Ling at Jalan Riam Lama which has remained partially closed for several months following a landslide. MIRI (July 3): Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Alan Ling has urged the Miri Public Works Department (JKR) to expedite the full reopening of Jalan Riam Lama, which has remained partially closed for several months following a landslide. He said the incident was initially triggered by a burst underground pipeline belonging to LAKU, which subsequently damaged the culvert structure in the affected area. 'Although the culvert was finally installed after a long delay and the road was resurfaced – as confirmed by JKR on 24 June – the road is still not fully open to the public,' he said in a statement yesterday. Describing the prolonged delay as 'extremely disappointing', Ling stressed that Jalan Riam Lama is a vital route for residents in the area and urged authorities to ensure that repair works are completed promptly and up to standards. He also raised concerns over the absence of roadside safety barriers, pointing out that these could have been installed earlier when the erosion first occurred. 'Despite the urgency of the situation, it is unacceptable that the road has yet to be made fully operational. The delay in installing safety barriers raises further questions about the project's management,' he added. Following a site visit on Monday, Ling lodged a complaint through the Talikhidmat platform and followed up on the current status of the works. He said residents have expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress, especially regarding public safety and daily inconvenience. In response, JKR informed Ling that substandard work by the appointed subcontractor had contributed to the delay. The department has since instructed the contractor to redo the road surfacing, with remedial works expected to begin in the coming days, weather and material availability permitting. 'JKR must act immediately to ensure the road is safe for public use. The subcontractor responsible for the poor workmanship should face appropriate penalties, as their failure has directly caused the prolonged closure,' Ling said. He added that the situation constitutes an emergency and called for stricter oversight moving forward. 'Now we have to wait again. Who will be held accountable if an accident occurs? This is no longer a natural disaster – it is human negligence. The public should not have to suffer due to substandard repair work,' he said. Alan Ling dap Jalan Riam Lama miri
Borneo Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Call for urgent action on soil erosion threat in Miri's Taman Lai Pau
Ling points to the torn canvas used to cover the eroded slope in Taman Lai Pau. MIRI (June 19): Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Alan Ling has urged the Miri City Council (MCC) to take immediate and decisive action to address a serious case of soil erosion in Taman Lai Pau, which has been troubling residents since early January this year. Ling said he received numerous complaints from residents regarding a landslide caused by soil erosion during the rainy season earlier this year. The incident reportedly led to a significant amount of soil slipping into the drainage system, blocking water flow and posing a risk of drain collapsing. 'This issue is extremely concerning and could potentially endanger the safety of those living nearby,' he said, adding that residents have repeatedly lodged complaints, fearing the worsening of the erosion. He said he had formally written to the MCC regarding the issue and also forwarded a copy of the letter to the Land and Survey Department Miri in late April, shortly after residents alerted him to the problem. However, Ling expressed disappointment that no follow-up action has been taken to date. In addition to the formal letter, he said a report was also submitted through the Talikhidmat complaint system in an effort to draw the attention of the relevant authorities. He highlighted that the canvas used to temporarily cover the eroded area has since torn due to prolonged exposure, worsening the situation. 'Every time it rains, more soil flows into the drain, causing further blockages and increasing the risk of the drainage system collapsing,' he explained. Ling warned that continued delays by the authorities could lead to a disaster that may cost lives. 'We cannot afford to wait until a tragedy happens before taking this seriously. The safety and well-being of the residents must be a priority,' he stressed. In view of this, Ling urged MCC and other responsible agencies to take proactive and effective steps to resolve the issue before the next rainy season arrives. 'This is an emergency. It must be treated with urgency and not be pushed aside,' he added. Alan Ling landslide lead miri soil erosion Taman Lai Pau
Borneo Post
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Sports bodies can apply matching grant to organise events
Ling (second left) hands the cheque to Bintulu Division Traditional Archery Association president Mohammed Salleh. MIRI (April 28): National Sports Council management board member Alan Ling has alerted sports associations to the Sports Matching Grant (GPS). He said the federal government has allocated RM30 million under the GPS initiative to support sports associations to organise competitions so as to support sports development at the grassroots level. Ling made this call when he officiated at the recent Bintulu Open Archery Championships at Bintulu Stadium organised by the Bintulu Division Traditional Archery Association. 'This tournament is not only competitive but also able to unearth the talents of archery athletes who have high potential at higher levels including the SEA and Olympic Games,' Ling said. He added that another RM25 million has been channelled through the Community Sports Fund (DSK) to support healthy recreation programmes involving communities nationwide. 'The total amount of RM55 million reflects the commitment of the federal government in driving the development of sports from the grassroots level to the elite level,' he explained. Sports associations interested in applying for the grant can refer to their respective district Youth and Sports Offices for more information and application procedures. Ling, who was representing federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at the event, also presented a cheque worth RM25,000 as a GPS to the organising association. Alan Ling Sports Matching Grant
