Latest news with #Kuching


Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak govt dragging its feet on Ombudsman unit, says DAP
DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen says Sarawakians have waited for the progress on the Ombudsman check-and-balance mechanism. KUCHING : Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has accused the state government of dragging its feet through prolonged delays and a lack of transparency in presenting a report from the Ombudsman unit. Chong said the delay created the impression of a lack of political will and a tendency to 'pay lip service' to the principle of integrity and accountability in state administration. '(Is any) real work being done?' he said in an interview with FMT. He said transparency was crucial as the chairman of the state's Public Accounts Committee was from the ruling party whereas in Parliament, the chairman was from the opposition. Chong, who is Stampin MP, said Sarawakians have waited for news about progress on the Ombudsman mechanism, which was supposed to serve as a check and balance on government administration. In Nov 2023, Sarawak became the first state in Malaysia to have ombudsman law, with the setting up of an ombudsman unit, after the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 was passed at the State Legislative Assembly. A year later, Sarawak's deputy integrity and ombudsman minister Juanda Jaya said the Ombudsman unit is only expected to present its first report in the state assembly in 2025. Juanda was further reported as saying that the Ombudsman Ordinance came into effect in April and the Sarawak chief Ombudsman was appointed in June. But Chong, who is also the Padungan state assemblyman, said the process has been very slow and there have been no hearings. Chong said the Ombudsman unit has crucial powers to investigate complaints and oversee the conduct of public officials. He criticised the government for dragging its feet. The delay was unacceptable, as the state government has ample financial resources, Chong said. 'Sarawak is the richest state in terms of GDP, with RM14 billion in revenue. Yet we see slow action on this front.' Chong said the state government seemed to be giving the appearance of promoting transparency and accountability. 'There is no genuine oversight of the state administration,' he said.


Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Nuclear power a long-term option, not immediate solution, says DPM
Fadillah Yusof estimated that it would take 10 years before nuclear energy is implemented in Malaysia. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The government's stance on nuclear power is to treat it as a long-term option rather than an immediate solution, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said today. Citing the complexity and safety concerns associated with the technology, he said Malaysia was still in the early stages of studying its feasibility as part of the country's future energy mix. 'We are not saying that we are going ahead (with it). What has been approved is that we will consider nuclear as part of the potential energy mix,' Bernama quoted him as saying at an international energy week conference in Kuching. Fadillah, who is minister for energy transition and water transformation, estimated that it would take Malaysia at least 10 years to implement nuclear energy. He said extensive groundwork was being carried out, including international benchmarking and regulatory planning. 'I've visited the UK, France and Russia, and we will also be going to the US, China and South Korea. We are analysing all available technologies, including the safety and environmental implications,' he said. Fadillah emphasised that nuclear adoption must comply with strict international processes and treaties, particularly with regard to the impact on the environment. 'Only after we sign all 18 required international treaties, and receive approval at that level, can we even begin to consider incorporating nuclear energy in our national energy supply.' He also highlighted the importance of public acceptance, saying that without widespread support from Malaysians, the nuclear option would not proceed. 'We must engage the public and secure their buy-in,' he said. Separately, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said nuclear energy was not currently relevant for the state, given its abundant and diversified renewable energy sources. He told reporters that Sarawak had hydro, gas and solar energy, adding: 'With what we have, I don't think Sarawak needs nuclear energy.' He said Sarawak remains focussed on becoming a renewable energy powerhouse, targeting the production of up to 15 gigawatts by 2035 through existing clean energy sources. Abang Johari also said Sarawak was exploring energy production using hydrogen from water as a safer, cleaner and cheaper alternative to nuclear fission. 'We have the water resources to support it,' he said.


Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Law needed to curb overexposure of children in media, says Nancy
Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri said Malaysia currently lacks specific legislation to regulate how children are portrayed or exposed in digital and broadcast media. PETALING JAYA : Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri has called for a bill to regulate how children are portrayed or exposed in digital and broadcast media. Nancy said while many other countries already have strong legal frameworks in place, Malaysia currently lacks specific legislation on the matter. 'We need to do the same,' she told reporters during an event in Kuching. She said her ministry is ready to provide input to the legal affairs division of the Prime Minister's Department, the digital ministry, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission in drafting such a law. She said a recent United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) report revealed that 40% of children in Malaysia do not know how to protect themselves when using the internet, while 83% are exposed to various online risks due to insufficient protection. Nancy said the government will also hold discussions with Unicef and other countries to gather feedback regarding children's digital safety issues. Among the efforts currently being implemented are awareness campaigns on social media and television advising parents not to overexpose their children in the media for safety reasons. 'We do not encourage parents to overly expose their children on social media just because they think their child is cute, as this can pose serious safety risks,' she said. Nancy also emphasised the importance of school visits to educate students, teachers, and parents about the dangers and impacts of social media and digital technology on children.


Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
MP tells of land title problem for Sarawak churches, temples
Renovation works for the Sacred Heart Church at Kampung Pasir Hilir, Lundu, are stalled as a land title has yet to be obtained. KUCHING : Delays in issuing land titles under Native Customary Rights are hindering the federal government from funding the maintenance of non-Muslim houses of worship and also affects low-cost public housing, a DAP MP said. Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol. Mordi Bimol said the problem is prevalent in rural areas. Citing his constituency as an example, he said: 'In Mas Gading, applications for the renovation of religious premises were rejected because there's no land title.' Mordi, who is half Bidayuh, told FMT that under the Sarawak Land Code, NCR land is land occupied by the indigenous communities before Jan 1, 1958. While these rights are recognised under Sarawak law, the red tape made it almost impossible for land titles to be issued. Mordi said when one wanted to build a church, or houses for the poor, the contractors would need to obtain a land title from the land and survey department, which was also required to produce a supporting letter for the project. 'But the department cannot provide a supporting letter because there is no land title,' he said. The Sacred Heart Church at Kampung Pasir Hilir, Lundu, needs to be renovated to accommodate more congregants. The impact cuts across religious and ethnic lines. 'It is even difficult to renovate the Chinese temple in Mas Gading,' he said, and the problem also affected federal programmes such as housing projects for low-income groups. 'In fact, the people are willing to pay a monthly instalment of RM300 to RM400 for the homes, but they cannot apply because there's no land title,' he said. Land titles are also needed by farmers who wanted to apply for agricultural grants, he said. He said the issue had persisted despite federal funds being set aside every year to resolve the matter. 'But we only see results during elections,' he said, and wondered if such an approach was taken to woo voters.


Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Look to Sarawak for lessons on unity, says state minister
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak has long practised harmony and respect among its diverse communities. (Bernama pic) KUCHING : Political leaders must stop fuelling racial and religious extremism and instead emulate Sarawak's model of unity, says Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a state minister and information chief of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu. He said Malaysia must do more to bridge the gap between ethnic and religious communities, with past, present and future leaders bearing the responsibility to ensure that no form of racial and religious extremism exists. 'They must show a good example. If leaders start using race and religion, that is (how the) rot (starts),' he said in an interview with FMT. Citing Sarawak as an example of moderation, Karim said the state has long practised harmony and respect among its diverse communities. 'You don't have this problem here. You can go to a kopitiam selling mee jawa, curry or even pork. It's not a problem,' said Karim, who is state minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts. 'That doesn't make us less Muslim. Our mosques are full. During Hari Raya, we still wear our baju raya,' he said. Karim said Sarawak also promotes unity from an early age, through youth and school-based programmes that bring together pupils from different education streams. 'During school programmes, I insist participants come from all schools – Islamic schools, missionary schools, government schools and Chinese schools – to mix together,' he said. Christians and Muslims in same family Karim said the state's unique demographic pattern helps foster deeper interfaith ties, with some longhouses having the kalimah (name of Allah) on one side and a cross on the other. 'In the longhouses, you will find Muslims and Christians living together in the same family,' he said. Karim said the Sarawak government also ensures inclusivity is reflected in its institutions, and that he personally ensures appointments at his ministry are racially balanced. He added that unlike Peninsula Malaysia, where there is a federal Islamic department, Sarawak has also established a Unit for Other Religions to provide fair support to non-Muslim communities. 'Through this, more than RM100 million has been channelled to assist chapels, churches and temples,' he said.