Latest news with #SarawakStateAssembly
The Star
22-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sarawak acts against alien fish
Invasive foreign fish species such as suckermouth catfish and African catfish have been identified as major threats to Sarawak's native fish ecosystem. State Deputy Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said their presence threatened local species such as empurau and tengadak (lampam sungai). Foreign fish species also disrupted the environmental balance and impacted livelihoods of local communities who rely on inland fishery resources, he said. 'Some of these alien fishes are farmed commercially. 'I hope farmers will not arbitrarily release these fishes into our rivers or lakes,' he said in his reply to a question from Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir (GPS-Kabong) during the Sarawak State Assembly sitting in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Bernama reported Dr Abdul Rahman saying that the ministry, in collaboration with various agencies, had implemented a programme to hunt invasive foreign fish species in Sungai Sarawak. This effort, he said, was aimed at reducing their threat, raising public awareness and conducting an inventory of inland fishery resources. To a supplementary question from Mohd Chee, Dr Abdul Rahman said various initiatives were also being undertaken to replenish local fish stock. 'Sarawak Agriculture Department, under my ministry, is actively carrying out a programme to release native fish fry such as empurau, tengadak, lampam jawa as well as udang galah into rivers across Sarawak. 'This is part of efforts to restore the ecosystem and improve native fish populations. 'In Kabong alone, in September 2022, a total of 5,000 lampam fry were released into Tanjung Kembang, while in November 2024, 6,000 lampam fry were released at Rumah Jambu Rantau Sukat Orban,' he said. Apart from inland waters, efforts are also being intensified to strengthen marine fisheries resources, with a total of 201,972 artificial reef units anchored across 77 marine areas in Sarawak as of last year. 'In Kabong waters alone, 17 artificial reef units were anchored in July 2024 and another 17 units are scheduled to be deployed this August. 'This project is supported by an allocation of RM20mil from the Federal Government and RM30mil from Sarawak government,' Dr Abdul Rahman added.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
US tariffs seen having limited impact on Sarawak
KUCHING: The reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States have had limited impact on Sarawak's economy, a state official said on Tuesday. Sarawak Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said the state's exports to the US totalled RM1.2 billion in 2023, contributing just 0.9 per cent to overall exports. The main export to the US was ferroalloy. 'Sarawak's main exports consist of liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum, palm oil and aluminium. These exports amounted to RM102.6 billion in 2023 and contributed 78.4 per cent to Sarawak's total exports. 'Our main export market is Asia, which accounted for 73.4 per cent of overall exports. This new tariff is expected to have minimal direct impact on Sarawak,' he said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak State Assembly sitting today. Mussen was responding to a question from GPS-Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnichal Rayong, who asked about the impact of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on Sarawak's economy. According to Mussen, the tariffs have limited impact on the state's economy primarily due to the export destinations of Sarawak's key commodities. LNG is predominantly exported to Japan and China; palm oil is mainly sent to China and India; and petroleum exports are largely concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. 'As a result, Sarawak's trade flows remain resilient, supported by its trade relations, which are more focused on other countries,' he said. Meanwhile, Mussen said Sarawak would continue to refine its economic policies by adapting to global trade dynamics, in line with proactive measures taken by the Federal Government to address the impact of the reciprocal tariffs. He said these measures include strengthening trade partnerships, diversifying export markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, investing in strategic industries, and exploring bilateral trade agreements to safeguard economic stability.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
US tariffs seen having limited impact on Sarawak
KUCHING: The reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States are expected to have limited impact on Sarawak's economy, a state official said on Tuesday. Sarawak Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said the state's exports to the US totalled RM1.2 billion in 2023, contributing just 0.9 per cent to overall exports. The main export to the US was ferroalloy. "Sarawak's main exports consist of liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum, palm oil and aluminium. These exports amounted to RM102.6 billion in 2023 and contributed 78.4 per cent to Sarawak's total exports. "Our main export market is Asia, which accounted for 73.4 per cent of overall exports. This new tariff is expected to have minimal direct impact on Sarawak," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak State Assembly sitting today. Mussen was responding to a question from GPS-Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnichal Rayong, who asked about the impact of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on Sarawak's economy. According to Mussen, the tariffs have limited impact on the state's economy primarily due to the export destinations of Sarawak's key commodities. LNG is predominantly exported to Japan and China; palm oil is mainly sent to China and India; and petroleum exports are largely concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. "As a result, Sarawak's trade flows remain resilient, supported by its trade relations, which are more focused on other countries," he said. Meanwhile, Mussen said Sarawak would continue to refine its economic policies by adapting to global trade dynamics, in line with proactive measures taken by the Federal Government to address the impact of the reciprocal tariffs. He said these measures include strengthening trade partnerships, diversifying export markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, investing in strategic industries, and exploring bilateral trade agreements to safeguard economic stability.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Veteran journalist James Ritchie dies today
KUCHING: Veteran journalist James Alexander Ritchie, better known as James Ritchie, died at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) today. He was 75. The passing of James was confirmed by Datuk Seri Robert Jacob Ridu, a former Sarawak State Assembly Speaker and a family member. 'We are saddened to inform you that veteran journalist Mr James Ritchie, who is also a family to me, has gone to be with the Lord. He passed away peacefully at SGH today. May his soul rest in eternal peace,' he said in a short statement to the media here. James was awarded the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2024 Award in a celebration held here last year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the award to James, who has dedicated over five decades to journalism since 1971. Starting as a cadet journalist at the Straits Times in the federal capital at the age of 23, James slowly climbed the career ladder in the journalism industry, particularly in Sarawak. Covering high-profile cases, stories that he wrote had ranged from the raid of the Japanese Red Army on the American Embassy at the AIA building in Kuala Lumpur, the capture of 'Master of Disguise' Lai See Kiaw, as well as notorious gangster Wong Swee Chin, infamously known as 'Botak Chin'. His notable scoops include stories about Bruno Manser, who lived with the Penans in Sarawak, which appeared in the New Straits Times, before he came up with a comprehensive account of the Swiss environmentalist through a book entitled 'Bruno Manser - The Inside Story' that was published in 1994. James was also in the thick of the moment when Sarawak's politics was in crisis back in 1987, where the state leadership of then chief minister, the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, was challenged by a group of politicians who went against him, before emerging as the victor. This political scenario had inspired him to come up with another book entitled 'Abdul Taib - A Gentleman's Victory.' He has held several prominent roles in journalism and media throughout his career, including as Sarawak New Straits Times journalist in 1981, Public Relations Officer at the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department (1998), and Media Consultant for Sarawak Digest (2022). His other positions include special writer at Sarawak Tribune in 2022, Editorial Advisor and Executive Director at Eastern Times (2006), and Executive Director at New Sarawak Tribune (2010). His significant contributions to writing and journalism have earned him much recognition, including the Shell Kenyalang Gold Award, AZAM Press Award, and Ang Lai Soon Gold Award.
