Latest news with #GPS-Lingga
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Reconsider rejected Lingga-Banting access road project, rep tells SPA
Dayang Noorazah says that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 23): Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS-Lingga) has urged the State Planning Authority (SPA) to reconsider approving the proposed construction of an 11.3-kilometre access road connecting Lingga to Banting. She noted that the RM86.5 million project, proposed under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) allocation, was previously rejected by SPA due to an existing alternative route through Empelanjau. 'As the elected representative, I am voicing the hopes of the people of Lingga who wish for this road construction proposal to be given due consideration. 'The construction of this road would not only shorten travel distance for Banting residents to Lingga and Sebuyau but also ease their access to government services such as the Lingga District Office and the Health Clinic,' she said while debating the Motion of Appreciation for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. She added that the road could also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by improving regional connectivity. In addressing rural infrastructure concerns, she highlighted the recurring issue of floods affecting agricultural areas in the Maludam sub-district, which have severely impacted crop yields. 'The floods and high tides impact several villages, including Kampung Sungai Maludam, Sungai Melebu, Sungai Mulon, Sungai Daun, Sungai Merantik, Sungai Pedada and Tanjung Baru Maludam,' she said. Although RM40 million has been allocated by the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) for a flood mitigation project in Maludam, she argued that the funding is insufficient to address both flood prevention and agricultural infrastructure needs. 'Therefore, I appeal to the Sarawak government to consider additional funding for the second phase of the Flood Mitigation Project and the development of agricultural infrastructure in the area under the 13th Malaysia Plan,' she said. On a separate note, Dayang Noorazah congratulated the State Ministry of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development on the establishment of Sarawak's first One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC). 'The encouraging response received shows a pressing need to establish more OSEIC centres across all divisions of the state, especially in Sri Aman Division,' she said. She further urged that these efforts be expanded to meet the growing demand from parents of special needs children diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, or learning disabilities. Banting Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor DUN road project
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Harden: Sarawak focussed on shaping future-ready, employable workforce with industry-relevant curricula
Datuk Francis Harden – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING: The Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development is committed to ensuring Sarawak's tertiary education curricula remains industry-relevant, adaptive, and future-proof, said Deputy Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis. He said the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) is playing a crucial role in shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce aligned with the state's economic ambitions under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'This is so graduates are employable and equipped to drive Sarawak's socioeconomic transformation,' he said when responding to Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS-Lingga), during the question-and-answer session in the State Legislative Assembly here today. Dayang Noorazah had asked how the state government works with industry to align FTES with Sarawak's workforce and economic development needs. In response to a supplementary question on the ministry's programmes or platforms that link Sarawak's education system to industry demands, he cited the annual Sarawak Career and Training Fair (SCaTFair). 'It aims to provide information on education and career opportunities, enhance the employability of graduates and youth, and empower them to make decisions about their future,' he said. He added the ministry works closely with various agencies and stakeholders to ensure graduates are aligned with current job market needs. He said agencies such as Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) as well as strategic partnerships with key agencies including Social Security Organisation (Socso), Sarawak Skills, Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petrona), and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) have been instrumental in supporting these efforts,' he said. According to Harden, Sarawakians, regardless of location, can take part in and benefit from the state's high-tech economic growth. 'Our institutions emphasise hands-on, practical approaches that build both technical and critical thinking skills. 'Especially to the rural communities, with initiatives such as Industry Technology Outreach Programme (ITOP), Community Technology Outreach Programme (CTOP), Village Transformation Programme (VTP), and industry collaboration and mobile training units, they deliver high-value training on renewable energy, digital economy, and agro-industry directly to local areas,' he said. Francis Harden Hollis industry relevant lead
