Latest news with #BawangAssan
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
SUPP Bawang Assan committed to supporting community through frequent mobile services
Lau (right) provides an explanation to an elderly man during the mobile service. SIBU (June 1): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch aims to enhance the frequency of its mobile services to better connect with and support the community. Its chairman Kevin Lau said that aside from addressing public concerns and feedback regarding council matters, road conditions or drainage issues, the mobile service also helps with applications for the Kenyalang Gold Card and Senior Citizen Health Benefits. 'I think every time when we offer mobile services, we always obtain quite good responses from those who seek out these services. So, we will try to do it as frequently as possible as part of our service to the people,' he told The Borneo Post when met during the mobile service at a coffee shop here yesterday. He added that as the Sarawak government has been implementing various forms of assistance, they will also explore ways to enhance support for this application. 'The key point we want to emphasise is that it is essential for everyone to register for Sarawak ID and S Pay Global, as it is very likely that all future assistance will be channelled through these applications.' Lau mentioned yesterday's mobile service was very meaningful, as it coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival. 'Today (May 31), we will be distributing about 100 dumplings to the public as a gesture of our well wishes to them. 'I think what is even more important is to commemorate the deep meaning of this celebration. The Dragon Boat Festival has always been about promoting unity,' he said, adding that the Gawai Dayak celebration was a similar occasion. 'We want to spread this message especially in our society. We are delighted to have a harmonious society in Sarawak, where people of all ethnicities interact and mingle well. 'We hold mutual respect and always practice tolerance, nurturing a closer-knit community with a more unified stance, which has become a part of our Sarawak culture,' he said. bawang assan Kevin Lau mobile services SUPP
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No final decision on re-delineation of Sarawak electoral boundaries
KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, today said no final decision has been made yet on the proposed re-delineation exercises of electoral boundaries in Sarawak. She said discussions between the state government and the federal government were ongoing. "In respect to the demand for additional seats for parliamentary and state constituencies, the discussion is still ongoing and the exact number of additional seats has yet to be finalised," she said when replying to Bawang Assan State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh during a question-and-answer session in the State Assembly. Sharidah Hasidah said that the discussions in relation to strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of MA63, and the Sarawak government would continue to pursue the matter. She said the Sarawak government had consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat, as originally envisaged under the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962. Wong had wanted to know when the constituency re-delineation exercises would be completed and how many additional parliamentary and state seats would be provided.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No final decision on Sarawak electoral boundary re-delineation, says deputy minister
Slug: izfinal HL: No final decision on Sarawak electoral boundary re-delineation, says deputy minister Sulok Tawie KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, said today that no final decision has been made on the proposed re-delineation of electoral boundaries in Sarawak. She said discussions between the state and federal governments on the matter are still ongoing. "With regard to the demand for additional parliamentary and state seats, discussions are still in progress and the exact number of additional seats has yet to be finalised," she said when replying to Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh during the question-and-answer session in the State Assembly. Sharifah Hasidah also said discussions concerning the strengthening of Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and that the Sarawak government will continue to pursue the matter. She said the Sarawak government has consistently pushed for the restoration of one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat, as originally envisaged under MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report of 1962. Wong had asked when the upcoming constituency re-delineation exercise would be completed and how many additional seats would be allocated at both parliamentary and state levels.
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Soon Koh: Continued attention needed to address water, infrastructure needs in Bawang Assan
While thanking the state government and relevant ministries for their efforts thus far, Soon Koh says Sibu's water supply problems stem from its geographical location in low-lying peat swamp areas. KUCHING (May 22): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has called for continued attention to address the persistent water supply issues and infrastructure needs affecting his constituency. While thanking the state government and relevant ministries for their efforts thus far, he said Sibu's water supply problems stem from its geographical location in low-lying peat swamp areas. 'Because of that, over time, water pipes have sunk several metres underground, making them prone to frequent leaks and bursts, leading to repeated supply disruptions,' he said when debating the motion of appreciation on the Governor's opening speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. He also acknowledged that while water supply is primarily a federal responsibility, funding delays and slow implementation have compounded the problem. 'People in general are not aware that water supply is very much the federal government's responsibility, but the state government has recently stepped in to help mitigate the issue,' he said. In this regard, he expressed his appreciation to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi for his active involvement in addressing water supply issues in Sibu. Turning to road infrastructure, Wong noted the recent completion of the Jalan Sungai Bidut/Kampung Tutus/Kampung Sebedil/Kampung Bungan Kecil road project (Package A) which cost RM103 million. He said planning is underway for the Jalan Rantau Panjang/Rassau road project in Batang Igan estimated at RM254 million, and maintenance works for Jalan Kampung Sebedil worth RM500,000. 'Additionally, several road proposals have been submitted under the 13th Malaysia Plan, including the RM435 million Jalan Sungai Bidut/Batang Lassa/Kadang Sawai Jaya road, and the SK Tanjung Panasu bypass to Aup/Rantau Panjang estimated at RM5 million,' he said. bawang assan DUN wong soon koh
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Soon Koh: Addition of non-partisan councillors right move to foster inclusivity, public trust
Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today voiced strong support for the inclusion of non-partisan councillors in Sarawak's local councils, saying it would promote inclusivity, neutrality, and improved public trust in local governance. He said the appointment of councillors not affiliated with any political party is a necessary step toward fairer and more representative grassroots governance. 'Increasing the number of councillors is not just about numbers. It must be about representation — not just political, but professional, ethnic, and social representation,' Wong added when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, Recalling his time as Minister in charge of Local Government nearly two decades ago, Wong said the then-Chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, had directed that several council seats be reserved for individuals from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional backgrounds who were not affiliated with any political party. Wong thus stressed that the additional three councillor positions should be used to introduce more diverse and independent voices into the councils, representing professionals, community leaders, and civil society members with no direct political affiliations. 'That directive was made to ensure objectivity, neutrality, and the capacity to serve all segments of the community without fear or favour. A non-partisan councillor serves the people, not a party. 'Such appointments must also be merit-based, not politically motivated. Only then can the people view the councils as trustworthy and inclusive institutions because public confidence in local governments depends heavily on perceived fairness and responsiveness,' he said. He also highlighted that current councillors, particularly in larger councils such as Padawan, are overburdened by multiple committee assignments and daily demands that often resemble full-time roles, hence this contributes to burnout and may affect the effectiveness of councillors. Wong thus proposed that councillors be selected based on their qualifications, community involvement, and relevant experience, rather than their political loyalty, and urged the Ministry to prioritise merit over partisanship in future appointments. He further suggested that allowances for councillors be reviewed and potentially increased, noting the increasing expectations placed upon them. With those remarks, Wong expressed his support for the Bill, noting that it reflects an important evolution in Sarawak's local governance system to meet present-day demands. The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled earlier today by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, seeks to increase the number of appointed councillors from 30 to 33 in major city and municipal councils. Dr Sim said the amendment aims to enhance service delivery, grassroots participation, and the councils' ability to manage growing and increasingly complex urban populations.
