Latest news with #Gerawat


Borneo Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index rises to 81.5 pct this year, nearing national benchmark
(From left) Lon, Aminuddin, Gerawat and Awang Raduan launch the Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme 2025. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 30): Sarawak has seen an improvement in its Industrial Harmony Index (IHI), which rose to 81.5 per cent this year from the 79.3 per cent in 2022. Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the index indicated good relations between employers and employees driven by mutual respect and dispute resolution through collaboration. 'This shows the reality of harmonious industrial relations and labour scenarios in Sarawak,' he said when officiating the Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme 2025 at a hotel here today. He was also confident that Sarawak could meet or exceed the national benchmark of 83 per cent. I have high hopes and believe our workers and companies will take the necessary steps to further improve performance.' Themed 'Sustaining Industrial Harmony through Legal Empowerment', the programme is part of the National Industrial Harmony Action Plan (Petik) and has entered its fourth year since its introduction in 2022. Organised by the Sarawak Industrial Relations Department (JPP), it aims to expose stakeholders to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and to the practices of harmonious industrial relations that should be upheld in workplaces. 'Through this programme, participants also have the opportunity to share their experiences on challenges in human resource management within the legal framework, specifically under the Industrial Relations Act 1967,' he said. This year's seminar saw the participation of 250 attendees, including employers, workers, trade unions, training providers and academics. Gerawat noted that Sarawak is on track to meet the national IHI benchmark of 83 per cent, and urged more companies to participate in the IHI Self-Assessment (IHI SA) via the Industrial Relations Information System (IRIS) provided by the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM). He also congratulated TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd for being crowned national champion in the Large Company Category of the Harmonious Company Award 2025, calling it a proud achievement for Sarawak. In line with efforts to enhance labour-management cooperation, Gerawat also called on more employers to adopt the Productivity-Linked Wage System (PLWS), noting that companies eligible under the IHI SA are entitled to receive the Harmonious Company Rating Certificate (SPSH). He said Sarawak is expected to have a workforce of 1.5 million by 2030, and it is hoped programmes like this will benefit industry players as industrial harmony is essential to ensuring the nation's and state's industries remain competitive on a global scale. Also present were Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia (JPPM) deputy director-general Aminuddin Ab Rahaman, Immigration and Labour Management Unit director Richard Lon, and Sarawak Labour Department director Awang Raduan Awang Omar. gerawat gala Industrial Harmony Index


The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Better but still room for improvement for Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index score, says state deputy minister
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala (centre) opening the Sarawak industrial harmony programme in Kuching. KUCHING: Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index score increased by nearly 3% from 2022 to 2024, but there is still room for improvement, says Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Office Datuk Gerawat Gala. He said the state's score rose from 79.3% in 2022 to 81.5% last year, slightly below the national score of 83%. "This is a satisfying achievement. We are happy with the progress, which shows that we are moving in the right direction. "But I hope this achievement will continue to increase in the coming years because we want to be at least the same, if not better, than the national score," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak industrial harmony programme here on Wednesday (July 30). Gerawat expressed confidence that companies in Sarawak would take positive steps to improve their performance in industrial harmony. He said that two companies from Sarawak made it to the finals of the Anugerah Syarikat Harmoni 2025 awards, which recognised companies that implemented best practices to create a conducive and harmonious work environment. "This shows that the landscape of industrial relations in Sarawak is harmonious," he said. In his speech earlier, Gerawat said employers and employees should work together to resolve industrial issues. "Confrontational and combative methods of resolving differences between employers and employees are always a lose-lose situation for both parties. "In modern times, this approach is out of date. It's always productive to be collaborative between employers and employees," he said. As such, he called on employers and workers' unions to inculcate a culture of collaboration and consultation in resolving disputes. "Employees will be motivated to be more productive in a conducive work environment," he said.


Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
RM100 aid welcome, but inaccessible for many in rural Sarawak, say reps
Gerawat says the initiative, credited directly to recipients' MyKad and usable only at authorised supermarkets or mini markets, does not take into account the unique challenges faced by rural communities. MIRI (July 25): While the federal government's latest RM100 cash aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative has been lauded as a timely relief for many Malaysians, elected representatives from rural Sarawak have raised concerns that the current rollout mechanism risks leaving out communities in the interior. Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said the initiative, credited directly to recipients' MyKad and usable only at authorised supermarkets or mini markets, does not take into account the unique challenges faced by rural communities. 'Assistance that helps reduce the people's burden is always appreciated. However, for those in the interior without access to approved outlets, this RM100 becomes inaccessible, unless they travel to town, often spending more than RM100 just to get there. 'This defeats the very purpose of the aid,' he told The Borneo Post when contacted for comments on the aid distribution. To address the issue, Gerawat suggested expanding the Jualan Rahmah programme to remote communities and allowing the RM100 credit to be used there. He also proposed extending the validity of the aid to one year, to give rural recipients sufficient time to utilise it. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced several Madani appreciation measures, including the RM100 Sara assistance, a freeze on toll rate hikes for 10 highways, and a reduced RON95 fuel price of RM1.99 per litre. However, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau noted that many of the measures appear to be more applicable to urban populations, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia. 'The only direct benefit for our rural folks is the RM100. But how can they use it if they have no access to the outlets, or if they don't have a MyKad?' he questioned. Dennis pointed out that some villagers in longhouses still do not possess identity cards, due to a combination of remoteness and logistical hurdles. 'It's not that they don't want to apply. Some were born and raised deep in the interior, and getting to the nearest JPN (National Registration Department) office, even during mobile outreach visits, is a journey full of challenges.' He added that fuel price reduction, toll freezes, and even EPF-related announcements hold little relevance in the rural belts of Sarawak, where roads remain limited and fuel prices are already higher due to transport costs. 'The delivery system needs to reflect the realities in Sarawak's interior,' Dennis stressed. Both leaders agreed that while the Unity Government's intentions are noble, a 'one-size-fits-all' approach risks further marginalising those living far from urban centres, unless a more inclusive distribution mechanism is adopted, one that reflects the unique needs of rural Sarawak. Their concerns are grounded in personal experience: Gerawat hails from Pa' Lungan, a remote village in the Bario highlands near the Malaysian-Indonesian border, while Dennis is from Long Bedian, deep in central Baram region. Dennis Ngau gerawat gala rural Sara aid


Borneo Post
23-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Free Tertiary Education Scheme's long-term sustainability to be prioritised with any expansion plans
Abang Johari listens as Gerawat makes a point during the town hall session. MIRI (July 23): Any expansion of Sarawak's Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) must be carefully deliberated to ensure its long-term sustainability, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Premier said this in response to questions from students during the town hall in conjunction with Sarawak Day here yesterday, where FTES was enthusiastically discussed. Abang Johari explained the tertiary institutions that will offer free education to Sarawakians next year are state-owned. 'We want to send 'Anak Sarawak' to these institutions and the latter's tuition fees will be taken care of by the state government. 'If we brazenly expand the initiative to other institutions, particularly those owned by the federal government, it might not be possible because they don't offer that,' he said. He pointed out that the state government decided to introduce the programme after improving its revenue from RM6 billion to over RM12 billion as this would ensure the programme could be a long-term one. 'Now that we are able to implement it, we are doing it carefully to make sure all Sarawakians can benefit from it,' he added. On his hope for the future of Sarawak and its development, Abang Johari said the younger generation should prepare themselves to lead. 'Self-confidence, discipline, social interaction skills, and the ability to work as a team are the four essential criteria that will shape Sarawak's future leaders,' he said. Abang Johari is seen in a group photo with the town hall attendees. These qualities are important not only for individual success, but also for building a resilient society that can adapt to rapid changes in technology, economy, and global dynamics, he stated. Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak's ongoing transformation agenda, particularly in digital economy, green energy (methanol production), and the recent launch of the KETEQ AI nano chip are among the government's efforts to improve and upgrade the state's economy to attract young Sarawakian talents to return to the state. He also reminded students that while artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most widely used technologies today and has the potential to ease many aspects of work, it must be approached with caution. 'Like deepfakes, imagine President Donald Trump speaks fluent Iban, it would be both absurd and alarming,' he said. He emphasised that using AI effectively requires not only a solid understanding of the technology, but also a strong ethical foundation and critical thinking skills as misusing AI could negatively impact society. The town hall session moderated by Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala was attended by over 1,500 including ministers and deputy ministers; students from 17 secondary schools and 11 public tertiary institutions; and representatives from 20 non-governmental organisations. Sarawak Day celebration minister in charge Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin presents a memento to Abang Johari. Also seen is Gerawat. Abang Johari Free Tertiary Education Scheme lead


Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Petronas, Sabati equip Long Banga clinic with essential medical supplies
Gerawat (second right) and others conduct a tour around the Long Banga Health Clinic. MIRI (July 12): Long Banga Health Clinic has received a significant boost with a donation of essential medical and non-medical equipment worth over RM50,000, courtesy of Petroleum Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati). The contribution, made under Petronas' 'Uplifting Lives' initiative, aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services for the remote Baram community. Among the donated items were a defibrillator machine, syringe and infusion pumps, trauma kits, solar-powered street lights, office furnishings, and transportation support from Miri. Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, who officiated at the handover ceremony today, expressed hope that the community would make full use of the equipment. 'I hope the local community in Long Banga will fully utilise the equipment donated by Petronas and Sabati,' said the Mulu assemblyman. In addition to medical supplies, the clinic also received a laptop, printer, washing machine, brush-cutter, filing cabinets, foldable tables, mattresses, and more. Also present at the ceremony were Sabati executive committee member Datin Esther Mujan Balan; Petronas Sarawak general ganager Norazibah Md Rabu; public health medicine specialist Dr Noor Izni Mohamed Shapie, representing the Miri Health Officer; Pertama FerroAlloys Sdn Bhd general manager Yuki Nakamura; Long Banga community leader Robin Udau; and chairperson of the clinic's advisory panel Lawai Lahang. gerawat gala Long Banga Health Clinic Petronas sabati