Latest news with #DAPSarawak
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MyKiosk units in Tabuan Jaya remain vacant, says Chong
Chong addresses the issue of underutilised MyKiosk units during his site visit. KUCHING (May 27): The MyKiosk units at Tabuan Jaya remain unoccupied more than six months after their construction, said DAP Sarawak chairman and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen. Chong attributed the lack of interest to initial restrictions imposed by the Kuching City South Council (MBKS), which only allowed fruits to be sold at the kiosks ― despite the presence of nearby hawkers already selling fruits, vegetables, and plants. 'Even though MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng recently said vegetables can also be sold there, those who went to apply were told applications are closed until July,' Chong said during a Facebook livestream from the MyKiosk site at Tabuan Jaya. He offered two suggestions to improve the situation: 'First, allow a wider variety of goods to be sold here, and quickly open applications for interested hawkers. Second, consider relocating the kiosks slightly to make room for more parking ― at least 50 scapes could be added.' Chong also criticised the current placement of the kiosks, saying they occupy too much space and have reduced parking availability for nearby shopkeepers, hawkers, their customers, and residents. He noted that the MyKiosk project at Tabuan Jaya was federally funded, while MBKS was responsible for the construction tender process. 'This is a good policy from the federal government,' he said, calling for better implementation at the local level. According to a recent news report, a total of 7,235 kiosk units have been built under the 2023 and 2024 national budgets, with 562 units – or approximately 7.8 per cent – allocated to Sarawak. The MyKiosk initiative aims to support the B40 group and micro, small and medium enterprises by providing standardised, safe and comfortable business spaces to boost income and socio-economic standing. Chong Chieng Jen hawkers kiosks lead MyKiosk
Borneo Post
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Not our kenyalang': Affin Bank slammed for mistaking Sarawak's iconic hornbill
Yong highlights the difference between the hornbill species during the dinner. KUCHING (May 16): The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak organising secretary Violet Yong has called on Affin Bank to issue a correction and public apology for using the wrong hornbill species on a bank card designed to represent Sarawak, calling it a 'cultural misrepresentation'. Speaking during a DAP Sarawak fundraising dinner here on Thursday, Yong said that the hornbill depicted is the 'Great Hornbill' – a species not native to Sarawak. 'The Hornbill shown on the card is called the Great Hornbill which can only be found in West Malaysia, India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. 'It is not the Rhinoceros Hornbill or locally known as 'Burung Kenyalang', the state bird of Sarawak and how can Affin Bank use a wrong identity to represent Sarawak?. 'The Sarawak state hornbill has a black neck, while the one on the card has a white neck, confirming it is the wrong species,' she said. Given that the Sarawak government holds a 31.25 per cent stake in Affin Bank, Yong expressed disappointment that such a mistake occurred. 'This should not have happened as the card is meant to represent Sarawak and none of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders pointed this out. 'If this card is our pride, Affin should use the correct hornbill species for it as I believe that the card's graphic designer is not a Sarawakian,' she emphasised. Yong urged the bank to recall the card and replace it with the correct image of the Rhinoceros Hornbill, while also issuing a formal apology to the people of Sarawak. As of press time, Affin Bank has yet to issue a public response on the matter. The event, themed 'Rocket Night', drew over 1,000 attendees and was graced by DAP Malaysia chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who is also Digital Minister cum Damansara MP. Its publicity secretary cum Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, meanwhile, delivered his speech via live video conference while abroad. Present were DAP Sarawak chairman cum Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen; vice chairman cum Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol; assistant publicity secretary Michael Kong, DAP Johor secretary Andrew Chen; and event organising chairman Sim Kiat Leng. Affin Bank dap hornbill kenyalang violet yong
Borneo Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Fix Kuching Civic Centre roof now before disaster strikes, Chong tells S'wak govt
Chong Chieng Jen KUCHING (April 22): The Sarawak government should take immediate action to replace the roofing sheets of the Kuching Civic Centre instead of dilly-dallying, said DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen. Chong, who is Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said he had heard the tender for the roofing sheet replacement would only be called sometime in July this year. 'To allow such a life-threatening structure to remain in our midst and literally towering over our heads for months, that is most irresponsible of any government. 'I therefore call upon the state government to act immediately and replace the roofing sheets of the Kuching Civic Centre tower without further delay. 'Knowing there is this clear and present danger, we should not wait till disaster to happen before we act,' he said in a statement. According to him, he has received messages of concern from the residents around the building, stating that there have been at least two occasions where roofing sheets from the tower were blown off — one landing in the backyard of a nearby house and another somewhere around Sarawak Club. He said that although it was extremely fortunate that no one was hurt on both occasions, these polycarbonate roof sheets, measuring 20 feet x 4 feet each, could 'cut like a giant knife' when falling from such a height. 'It is a danger not only to the neighbouring properties but also a threat to the lives of the people nearby — residents, pedestrians or passers-by. 'One shivers at the thought of another such incident happening at any moment, especially during strong winds' he said. On April 9, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu said the Ministry would work with the Public Works Department (JKR) to inspect the Kuching Civic Centre's roof after a component was blown off and fell into a nearby home garden the previous day. He also said that all of Sarawak's civic centres are now under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Mysed)'s purview and will come under a redevelopment masterplan. It was recently reported that the conversion of the polycarbonate roof to an iron roof would begin in July, with an estimated cost of between RM200,000 and RM300,000. Chong Chieng Jen Kuching Civic Centre lead replace roofing sheets
