Latest news with #Kong
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
We're only doing our job as opposition, Sarawak DAP tells GPS
Sarawak DAP's Michael Kong said it is unrealistic to expect the government to slash new borrowings from RM99 billion to zero within one to two years. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak DAP has fired back at Gabungan Parti Sarawak assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang for condemning the party's continuous attacks against GPS, calling it an attempt to stifle legitimate dissent and scrutiny. Michael Kong, an aide to Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen, said the party was simply fulfilling its role as the opposition and check and balance in the Sarawak assembly. 'Our duty is to represent the people, question excesses, and hold the government accountable. That is what a healthy democracy demands,' Kong said in a statement. Earlier, Lo said Sarawak DAP's repeated attacks on GPS called the government's unity into question. The Batu Kitang assemblyman said previous apologies from DAP over past offensive statements were discredited by their actions of repeatedly undermining Sarawak's leadership. Lo pointed out that DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook and adviser Lim Guan Eng had apologised to GPS over past statements by DAP leaders that offended the Sarawak government and people. He said these apologies, made before the unity government's formation, were quickly discredited by Sarawak DAP's actions. 'Sarawak DAP has done nothing but oppose GPS at every turn, questioning our policies, casting doubt on our initiatives, and repeatedly undermining Sarawak's leadership,' he said. Kong also slammed GPS assemblyman Wilfred Yap, who criticised the federal government for sidelining East Malaysia despite debt reduction by RM22 billion over the last two years. He said it is unrealistic to expect the government to slash new borrowings from RM99 billion to zero within one to two years, and that Yap's criticism 'reeks of double standards and selective outrage' 'It is deeply hypocritical for Yap to condemn the reduction of federal borrowings while applauding the Sarawak government's budgetary approach, which sees an increasing reliance on debt through its so-called 'alternative funding' mechanism,' he said. Kong also questioned Yap's criticism of the recently announced RM100 cash aid by the government to all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above. 'Cash handouts are one of the most effective ways to directly channel financial aid to the people, particularly those in the B40 group. 'Is Yap now suggesting that programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah should be discontinued because they are also cash handouts? 'If he truly opposes cash aid, he must also be prepared to tell the people of Sarawak that they should not receive any form of direct financial assistance,' he said.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Siburan shoplot tenant jailed 6 months for power theft, landlord gets DNAA
KUCHING (July 24): The Sessions Court here today sentenced an unemployed man to six months in prison for stealing electricity to power cryptocurrency mining machines at a rented shoplot. Judge Saiful Bahari Adzmi convicted Hii King Lee, 49, on his own guilty plea to a charge under Section 33(5) of the Electricity Ordinance (Chapter 50), which provides for a fine not exceeding RM200,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Hii, from Miri, committed the offence at a commercial shop lot in Siburan, Jalan Kuching-Serian at around 10.50am on June 21, 2023. Based on the facts of the case, a team of inspectors from Syarikat Sesco Berhad were conducting routine inspections of electricity meters at the commercial premises when they detected direct-tapping cables connected from the main wirings that bypassed the electricity meter. Further checks found 60 cryptocurrency mining machines connected directly via the direct-tapping cables, all of which bypassed the electricity meter. It was informed that Hii is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for power theft linked to cryptocurrency mining activities, after he was convicted on July 11 this year at the Miri Sessions Court. The accused is also currently facing several drug-related cases and corruption cases in Miri. Deputy public prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin of the State Attorney-General's Chambers handled the prosecution, while Hii was unrepresented. Meanwhile in the same courtroom, Chang Foh Foong, 53, the landlord who rented the shoplot to Hii, was jointly charged with the same offence but was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA). His lawyer Michael Kong in a statement to the press after the proceedings said his client maintained that he had no role in the offence committed by his tenant. 'After considering the circumstances and lack of direct involvement, the charges against the landlord were withdrawn, and the court granted him a DNAA,' he said. Kong said his client's only mistake was renting the premises to the wrong tenant and failing to transfer ownership of the electricity meter from his name to the tenant's after the tenancy agreement was signed. 'This incident should serve as a serious reminder to all property owners to always ensure that the name on your electricity meter reflects the current user or tenant. 'Failing to do so may expose you to criminal liability even if you had no involvement in any wrongdoing,' he added. Kong urged landlords and property managers to be vigilant and proactive in managing their tenancy agreements. 'It is not just about protecting your rights, but also safeguarding yourself from unnecessary legal consequences.'
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Kong: CVLB S'wak to work with DBKU on traffic, parking woes at Kuching Open Air Market
Kong (second right) listens to feedback from the people at the Open Air Market area in Kuching. KUCHING (July 23): Concerns have been raised over the lack of parking and traffic congestion in the Kuching Open Air Market area, said Commercial Vehicle and Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairman Michael Kong Feng Nian. He said he received such feedback from business owners during a visit to the Open Air Market earlier today, where he observed ongoing operations of the Kuching initiative. 'Several business owners highlighted the lack of parking spaces and poor traffic management in the vicinity. This situation has been further aggravated by the recent closure of the Saujana Bus Terminal and the adjacent shoplots, which previously provided much-needed parking,' he said in a statement. To address these concerns, Kong said CVLB Sarawak would engage with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) to explore possible solutions for improving traffic flow and parking availability. On another matter, Kong proposed the establishment of a proper and dedicated interchange for stage buses in Kuching to better support the city's public transport network. He said a well-planned bus interchange would serve as a central hub for stage buses and help create a more efficient and organised public transport system. 'As part of our continuous efforts to improve public transportation in the city, it is crucial for Kuching to have a proper and dedicated bus interchange,' he said. During his visit to the Open Air Market, Kong also walked around the area to engage with traders and business operators, seeking feedback on the impact of the Kuching service. He said he was encouraged by the generally positive response, noting that many local businesses appreciated the increase in foot traffic brought about by the bus service. 'Many have expressed satisfaction, especially noting that the increased foot traffic has brought renewed vibrancy to this part of downtown Kuching, which had seen a decline in recent years,' he added. Kong also encouraged members of the public to provide feedback on the Kuching initiative, which is currently under review. 'CVLB Sarawak is seeking feedback from the public to ensure we continue to serve the community effectively. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape a more reliable, inclusive, and people-friendly public transport system for Kuching,' he added. Feedback can be submitted via an online form available at:
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Sibu sends seven exponents to 6th Tang Soo Do Championship in Kuching
Kong (fourth left) hands over the TSDMDK flag to the Sibu team. SIBU (July 23): The Sibu Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan (TSDMDK) Association will be sending seven exponents to compete in the 6th Tang Soo Do Championship in Kuching from July 26-27. Organised by the Samarahan Tang Soo Do Association, the event aims to provide a platform for participants to showcase their skills and raise their standards in martial arts. The seven Sibu representatives are Karen Liu, Ng Mei Siang, Dylan Soo, Eileen Soo, Carson Soo, Aaron Wong, and Lai Neng Jie. In a speech delivered by his representative Derek Kong during the TSDMDK handing-over ceremony yesterday, Sibu MP Oscar Ling highlighted the increasing challenges faced by youth today. He said they are growing up fast, but their mental maturity often lags behind the content they are exposed to. 'We need more training programs more than ever to help children regain discipline, regain direction, and rediscover themselves,' he added. Ling also thanked the instructors, not just for teaching martial arts techniques, but for nurturing the values and character of young practitioners. He expressed appreciation to parents for encouraging their children to learn martial arts, saying it has 'planted the seeds of hope for their future'. Ling also expressed hope that the spirit of Tang Soo Do would continue to grow in the community and guide more youth towards the right path in life. Meanwhile, TSDMDK Sibu president and Grand Master Teng Tiong Kee extended his gratitude to Ling for his financial support. 'Your contribution has significantly bolstered our association's confidence and motivation to move forward,' said Teng. championship Kuching lead Sibu Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Community wades in to clean Sg Kayu Ara
It was his first time volunteering for a river clean-up and Angus Kong was visibly sweating from the effort. By the end of the event, the non-governmental organisation Kelab Komuniti Kita vice- president was too glad to flop into a chair to catch his breath. The tired bachelor, however, has no regrets taking part. Participants clear away close to half a tonne of rubbish from Sungai Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Along with some 30 other volunteers, he helped to remove close to half a tonne of rubbish within a 500m radius from Sungai Kayu Ara, near the site of Kampung Cempaka Flood Retention Pond in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 'Though the clean-up was within a small area of the river, I feel a deep satisfaction. 'It gives me a good feeling to know that we have made a difference, as the site looks clean now,' said Kong. Though not a resident of Kampung Cempaka, Kong, a Kuchai Lama resident from Kuala Lumpur, said he was motivated to take part after speaking to residents in the area. 'There were different stories from different generations. 'Those in their 70s and even 30s, have told me that they can still remember bathing in Sungai Kayu Ara. They would fish and catch eels by the river. 'However, those in their 20s say their parents did not allow them to even go to the river for safety reasons,' said Kong. Old tyres, pipes and plastic bags that have been fished out from Sungai Kayu Ara. This difference made Kong realise how far and quickly the water quality has degraded in Sungai Kayu Ara that flowed through several industrial and populated residential areas. Though he was realistic about how much the water quality could be improved from a clean-up, he hoped the initiative would spark river pollution awareness among the present generation. Assorted rubbish The river clean-up programme that Kong and other volunteers took part in was the first for Kampung Cempaka, a Chinese new village in Petaling Jaya. Volunteers, who had gone into the foul-smelling waters of Sungai Kayu Ara, pulled out all kinds of rubbish. While most were plastic bags, mineral water bottles and gardening waste, also making into the half tonne pile of rubbish collected by the riverbank were old clothing, discarded food cans, parts of a rusty zinc roof and a 3m-long plastic pipe. Volunteers from Petaling Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said these types of junk were nothing compared to what they had experienced in their line of duty. 'We have pulled up larger items like refrigerator, mattress and sofa,' said Azmi Ahmad, a public assistant with Petaling DID, whose one-year-old daughter joined in the event. Some believe the junk may have been dumped at secluded riverbanks by fly tippers, he said, adding that there were also those who treated rivers as a place to dump waste. As for smaller items like plastic bags and bottles, public littering was mentioned as a main cause. When rubbish is thrown indiscriminately, they get blown into waterways, possibly through storm drains, added Azmi. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor John Leong, who organised the river cleanup, said the programme at Kampung Cempaka Flood Retention Pond in Lebuh Bandar Utama was a pilot project. The goal, he said, was to scale up public participation. 'This will not be a one-off event, but I plan to make this a regular activity with clean-ups taking place monthly or several times a month. 'We plan to do one more clean-up for World Rivers Day at the end of September, where participation will be open to the public,' he said. Volunteers hauling the collected rubbish from the river into a roll-on roll-off bin provided by MBPJ. Expenditure for the clean-up in Kampung Cempaka was RM5,500, he added. The money was spent on buying personal protection equipment like wet suits, nets and gloves for the volunteers. Another RM2,500 was used for the rental of tent, chairs and tables as well as food catering and use of a generator. A little goes a long way River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (Redac) director Chang Chun Kiat said river plogging and local clean-ups are not only cleaning tools. They are, he said, also important contributors to data collection and citizen engagement that shaped the River Health Index (RHI), a framework that included physical, chemical and biological indicators, as well as sociological factors such as public access, community involvement and awareness. 'Despite its limited scope, such clean-up programmes can improve water quality at the targeted stretch, particularly in terms of poor aesthetics by reducing the presence of visible waste that can contribute to flooding. 'Community-based river monitoring initiatives have shown that regular river plogging activities, held weekly or biweekly, can lead to noticeable improvements, especially in terms of dissolved oxygen and reduced floating debris,' said Chang, adding that if nothing was done, the consequences could be dire. Redac is the research arm of Universiti Sains Malaysia's Engineering Campus, commissioned by DID through its Humid Tropics Centre division in Kuala Lumpur (HTC-KL) to refine the RHI. HTC-KL is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's hydrological programme. Chang said one of the most immediate and visible consequences of rivers with rubbish in Malaysia was the increased risk of flash floods, especially in urban areas. 'Large volumes of floating and deposited rubbish block stormwater drains, culverts and river channels, reducing their carrying capacity. 'This is a major concern among government agencies, engineers and the public. These blockages disrupt natural water flow, turning moderate rainfall events into destructive floods, damaging infrastructure and livelihoods,' he said. Chang added that when rubbish remained in rivers, it became a source of continuous pollution. 'Plastics, heavy metals, oils and untreated organic waste release toxins and harmful substances into the water. 'This not only affects the appearance and smell of the river, but also leads to unsafe levels of chemical, biological and physical contamination. 'This makes the water unfit for human consumption, agricultural use and aquatic ecosystems.' Chang added that water supply agencies must then spend more resources on advanced treatment processes, driving up costs and straining municipal systems. In rural areas, untreated river water may directly threaten public health. 'There is also the threat to aquatic life and biodiversity. Aquatic organisms are particularly vulnerable. 'Fish, amphibians, birds and invertebrates often ingest plastics or become entangled in waste, leading to injury, starvation or death. 'As plastic waste degrades into microplastics, it enters the food chain, affecting not only wildlife but also humans who consume fish and use river water. 'Over time, entire ecosystems may collapse, with species decline and habitat loss becoming irreversible without major intervention,' said Chang. Call for more involvement Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who is also Bandar Utama assemblyman, hopes the river clean-up project will result in ideas on more diverse methods to improve the river condition in Kampung Cempaka through small-scale projects. 'This is not only about cleaning the river, but also the surrounding environment. 'We could maybe have plants around the area. 'We also want to look at how we can get our students, especially those from universities or high schools, to join us and understand how rivers can be protected and kept clean. 'Most importantly, this programme will give our team more first-hand experience when it comes to handling environmental issues or when we want to improve certain river conditions. 'It will also help to strengthen relationships within the community,' said Jamaliah. She hoped there would be new and different faces taking part in future clean-up events in Kampung Cempaka. She also hoped the event would kickstart an awareness campaign on nature appreciation and river care in Bandar Utama. 'At the same time, it is a way for us to provide a platform for residents who enjoy serving their community,' she said.
