Latest news with #PostCovid-19DevelopmentStrategy
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Uggah: PCDS 2030 ensures no Dayak left behind in Sarawak's devt
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (May 30): Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 is a policy of inclusivity that guarantees no individual, including members of the Dayak community, will be left behind in the state's pursuit of progress, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. He said the Sarawak government has committed substantial funding for rural development in line with this vision. 'Under Budget 2024, RM5,695 billion was allocated – and this has increased to RM6.8 billion in Budget 2025. These figures reflect our unwavering commitment to uplifting rural communities across Sarawak,' he said in his Gawai Dayak message today. Uggah noted that Sarawak is beginning to reap the benefits of its major bridge infrastructure projects. He said five bridge project had already been completed, including the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge in Pusa, Betong; the iconic Bintulu Jepak, Muara Lassa, Marudi and Batang Rajang bridges. He added that six more bridges, including the nation's longest river bridge, Batang Lupar 1 are expected to be completed by the end of this year. As such, the Bukit Saban assemblyman said it is only fitting that the Dayak community expresses its deepest gratitude to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his inclusivity and pro rural development policy. 'Our state has made impressive strides in development, thanks to two key factors: our stability and racial harmony despite being home to 34 different ethnic groups and the visionary leadership of our Premier.' Uggah pointed out that Gawai is a meaningful occasion for Sarawakians to express heartfelt gratitude for the blessings they have received over the past year. He said it is also a time to pray for continued guidance, good health and prosperity in the years ahead. 'As we welcome this festive season, I am deeply moved by the richness of the Dayak cultural and traditional heritage. Having attended numerous pre-Gawai gatherings and dinners, I am truly inspired by the vibrant cultural performances and traditional cuisine on display. 'These traditions are sacred and central to our identity, and we must continue to uphold and preserve them with pride, commitment and passion,' he said. He added that Gawai season should also serves a 'bridge' to strengthen the bond of friendship, unity and harmony among all Sarawakians. He reminded those travelling home by road, river, or air to take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe journey. 'Let us celebrate our diversity under the spirit of 'Segulai Sejalai' – Together in Unity. Me and my family wish to extend our greetings of 'Selamat Nyambut Hari Gawai Dayak 2025' to the Dayak community in Sarawak,' he said. Dayak community development douglas uggah embas Gawai Dayak pcds 2030
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
New community leadership proposal to be tabled by special committee in Q3 2025
Sikie speaking during today's DUN sitting. KUCHING (May 26): The Sarawak government has reviewed 923 applications for new community leader posts from all divisions across the state, says Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. According to him, this proposal for these Ketua Masyarakat and Ketua Kaum (KMKK) posts will be tabled at the Special Committee on the Management of KMKK Affairs meeting, set for the third quarter of this year. In Sarawak 'Ketua Masyarakat (community leader) hierarchy, the post of 'Ketua Kaum' or 'Ketua Kampung' corresponds to village headman, similar to 'Tuai Rumah', who leads a longhouse. Going up are the 'Kapitan' (clan/neighbourhood/group chief), the 'Penghulu' (sub-division or settlement chief), the 'Pemanca' (district or regional chief), and the highest 'Temenggong' (paramount leader). Adding on, Sikie said the applications were reviewed based on general guidelines, including jurisdiction area size and the rising number of households. One general criterion for the creation of a Ketua Kaum post would be the minimum of 20 households in a village, or 20 'doors' (units) in a longhouse. 'The Sarawak government is aware of the need to increase the number of KMKK positions across the state. 'This is to further enhance the effectiveness of government service delivery to the people,' he said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting earlier today. On salary and allowance adjustments for KMKKs, the Kakus assemblyman said the last revision made by the state government was in 2018, which set an increase of RM100. 'As such, a new proposal to revise the salaries of community leaders and the allowances for Ketua Kaum has been tabled at the special committee meeting, which has decided that the proposal should be further detailed. 'This is to ensure the proposed rates are reasonable and commensurate with the responsibilities and roles of KMKKs,' he said. In this respect, Sikie said the government acknowledged the increasingly important roles and responsibilities of KMKKs in line with the state's aspiration of achieving the developed status by 2030 under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. community leader DUN sitting John Sikie Tayai Ketua Masyarakat lead
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
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tebedu rep: Amendments to biodiversity ordinance can end biopiracy
KUCHING (May 21): Biopiracy can be prevented and stopped following the amendments to the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance, said Dr Simon Sinang Bada (GPS-Tebedu). He said the amendment to Section 6 of the Ordinance opens the door for the Sarawak Biodiversity Council (SBC) to create, develop, apply and own intellectual property rights for all its research and development (R&D) work. '(This) will protect the Council from the threat of potential biopiracy),' he said in his debate supporting the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. He also cited the insertion of Section 6A in the amended Ordinance would allow the SBC to incorporate a company to commercialise its research findings. He said this would attract both local and foreign investors to invest in Sarawak, and would greatly contribute and improve Sarawak's socio-economic standing in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The groundbreaking research and development leveraging our abundant hydropower resources to support The Net Zero and Carbon Plan, and the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) developed from microalgae is a classic example that requires this Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Bill to be amended accordingly to meet the current needs and requirements. 'The findings from the research could be commercialised to monetise their findings—R&D is an expensive investment. It is right that this investment can be recouped, recovered and for the council to profit from their R&D. The partnering and collaborations with Mitsubishi Corporation had unlocked the full potential of outdoor algae cultivation,' he said. Meanwhile, Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS – Lingga) said the amended Ordinance is a critical enabler that empowers the SBC to build upon its existing achievements, effectively pursue its mission, and realise its ambitious vision for the future of biodiversity management in Sarawak. She explained this Bill strengthens the SBC's role as a leading force in conservation and sustainable development, by aligning its capabilities with Sarawak's broader economic and environmental goals. 'For example, imagine the SBC successfully isolated a compound with medicinal properties. This amendment would allow them to patent the compound, license it to a pharmaceutical company, and use the royalties to fund further research into other promising natural resources,' she said in her debate in support of the Bill.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Amendments to biodiversity ordinance can end biopiracy
Dr Simon Sinang Bada KUCHING (May 21): Biopiracy can be prevented and stopped following the amendments to the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance, said Dr Simon Sinang Bada (GPS – Tebedu). He said the amendment to Section 6 of the Ordinance opens the door for the Sarawak Biodiversity Council (SBC) to create, develop, apply and own intellectual property rights for all its research and development (R&D) work. '(This) will protect the Council from the threat of potential biopiracy),' he said in his debate supporting the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. He also cited the insertion of Section 6A in the amended Ordinance would allow the SBC to incorporate a company to commercialise its research findings. He said this would attract both local and foreign investors to invest in Sarawak, and would greatly contribute and improve Sarawak's socio-economic standing in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The groundbreaking research and development leveraging our abundant hydropower resources to support The Net Zero and Carbon Plan, and the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) developed from microalgae is a classic example that requires this Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Bill to be amended accordingly to meet the current needs and requirements. 'The findings from the research could be commercialised to monetise their findings—R&D is an expensive investment. It is right that this investment can be recouped, recovered and for the council to profit from their R&D. The partnering and collaborations with Mitsubishi Corporation had unlocked the full potential of outdoor algae cultivation,' he said. Meanwhile, Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS – Lingga) said the amended Ordinance is a critical enabler that empowers the SBC to build upon its existing achievements, effectively pursue its mission, and realise its ambitious vision for the future of biodiversity management in Sarawak. She explained this Bill strengthens the SBC's role as a leading force in conservation and sustainable development, by aligning its capabilities with Sarawak's broader economic and environmental goals. 'For example, imagine the SBC successfully isolated a compound with medicinal properties. This amendment would allow them to patent the compound, license it to a pharmaceutical company, and use the royalties to fund further research into other promising natural resources,' she said in her debate in support of the Bill.
