Latest news with #WongSoonKoh
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
S'wak redelineation talks with Putrajaya ongoing, state assembly told
filepic of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex in Kuching in sharon's e-mail KUCHING: Discussions on a constituency redelineation exercise for Sarawak are ongoing with the Federal Government, says a deputy minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department. Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said no final decision had been made on the redelineation exercise or the number of additional seats for Sarawak. "The Sarawak government has consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation each for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat as envisaged under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962," she said in a written reply in the state assembly on Friday (May 23). Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) had asked when the redelineation exercise would be completed and how many additional state and parliamentary seats would be created. "In respect to the demand for additional seats for Parliament and the state assembly, the discussion is ongoing and the number has yet to be finalised. "The discussions on strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of MA63," Sharifah Hasidah said, adding that the state government would continue to pursue the matter.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No final decision on re-delineation of Sarawak electoral boundaries
KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, today said no final decision has been made yet on the proposed re-delineation exercises of electoral boundaries in Sarawak. She said discussions between the state government and the federal government were ongoing. "In respect to the demand for additional seats for parliamentary and state constituencies, the discussion is still ongoing and the exact number of additional seats has yet to be finalised," she said when replying to Bawang Assan State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh during a question-and-answer session in the State Assembly. Sharidah Hasidah said that the discussions in relation to strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of MA63, and the Sarawak government would continue to pursue the matter. She said the Sarawak government had consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat, as originally envisaged under the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962. Wong had wanted to know when the constituency re-delineation exercises would be completed and how many additional parliamentary and state seats would be provided.
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Soon Koh: Continued attention needed to address water, infrastructure needs in Bawang Assan
While thanking the state government and relevant ministries for their efforts thus far, Soon Koh says Sibu's water supply problems stem from its geographical location in low-lying peat swamp areas. KUCHING (May 22): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has called for continued attention to address the persistent water supply issues and infrastructure needs affecting his constituency. While thanking the state government and relevant ministries for their efforts thus far, he said Sibu's water supply problems stem from its geographical location in low-lying peat swamp areas. 'Because of that, over time, water pipes have sunk several metres underground, making them prone to frequent leaks and bursts, leading to repeated supply disruptions,' he said when debating the motion of appreciation on the Governor's opening speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. He also acknowledged that while water supply is primarily a federal responsibility, funding delays and slow implementation have compounded the problem. 'People in general are not aware that water supply is very much the federal government's responsibility, but the state government has recently stepped in to help mitigate the issue,' he said. In this regard, he expressed his appreciation to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi for his active involvement in addressing water supply issues in Sibu. Turning to road infrastructure, Wong noted the recent completion of the Jalan Sungai Bidut/Kampung Tutus/Kampung Sebedil/Kampung Bungan Kecil road project (Package A) which cost RM103 million. He said planning is underway for the Jalan Rantau Panjang/Rassau road project in Batang Igan estimated at RM254 million, and maintenance works for Jalan Kampung Sebedil worth RM500,000. 'Additionally, several road proposals have been submitted under the 13th Malaysia Plan, including the RM435 million Jalan Sungai Bidut/Batang Lassa/Kadang Sawai Jaya road, and the SK Tanjung Panasu bypass to Aup/Rantau Panjang estimated at RM5 million,' he said. bawang assan DUN wong soon koh
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Soon Koh: Addition of non-partisan councillors right move to foster inclusivity, public trust
Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today voiced strong support for the inclusion of non-partisan councillors in Sarawak's local councils, saying it would promote inclusivity, neutrality, and improved public trust in local governance. He said the appointment of councillors not affiliated with any political party is a necessary step toward fairer and more representative grassroots governance. 'Increasing the number of councillors is not just about numbers. It must be about representation — not just political, but professional, ethnic, and social representation,' Wong added when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, Recalling his time as Minister in charge of Local Government nearly two decades ago, Wong said the then-Chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, had directed that several council seats be reserved for individuals from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional backgrounds who were not affiliated with any political party. Wong thus stressed that the additional three councillor positions should be used to introduce more diverse and independent voices into the councils, representing professionals, community leaders, and civil society members with no direct political affiliations. 'That directive was made to ensure objectivity, neutrality, and the capacity to serve all segments of the community without fear or favour. A non-partisan councillor serves the people, not a party. 'Such appointments must also be merit-based, not politically motivated. Only then can the people view the councils as trustworthy and inclusive institutions because public confidence in local governments depends heavily on perceived fairness and responsiveness,' he said. He also highlighted that current councillors, particularly in larger councils such as Padawan, are overburdened by multiple committee assignments and daily demands that often resemble full-time roles, hence this contributes to burnout and may affect the effectiveness of councillors. Wong thus proposed that councillors be selected based on their qualifications, community involvement, and relevant experience, rather than their political loyalty, and urged the Ministry to prioritise merit over partisanship in future appointments. He further suggested that allowances for councillors be reviewed and potentially increased, noting the increasing expectations placed upon them. With those remarks, Wong expressed his support for the Bill, noting that it reflects an important evolution in Sarawak's local governance system to meet present-day demands. The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled earlier today by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, seeks to increase the number of appointed councillors from 30 to 33 in major city and municipal councils. Dr Sim said the amendment aims to enhance service delivery, grassroots participation, and the councils' ability to manage growing and increasingly complex urban populations.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Land Code amendment ‘timely' in protecting Sarawak's natural wealth
Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a timely measure to safeguard Sarawak's natural wealth while balancing economic development and environmental protection, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. He expressed his firm support for the amendment, but noted concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over Clause 3, which introduces harsher penalties for those found extracting, removing or transporting rock materials without a valid licence. However, Wong brought up Clause 4 of the Bill, which empowers the Director of Lands and Surveys to issue licences for the export of rock materials from Sarawak. 'In doing so, we must ensure that resource extraction contributes meaningfully to the state's economy, while also maintaining environmental sustainability and our long-term sovereignty over Sarawak's natural wealth,' he said when debating the amendment Bill in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Wong pointed out that rock materials such as granite, limestone, silica sand, kaolin clay and even rare earth elements were of high commercial value domestically and internationally. He said given their depletable nature, he urged that exports be tightly regulated and aligned with Sarawak's constitutional right to manage its own land and resources under Article 95B(3) of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'Once these materials are gone, they are gone forever. That's why we must set annual limits on how much can be extracted and exported.' Thus, he stressed that all exports must be licensed and subject to strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), with operators held accountable for rehabilitation and pollution control. In addition, he proposed that a special resource fund be established, financed through export duties and royalties, to support infrastructure development and environmental conservation. Wong also advocated for exploring local processing of certain rock materials before export, as part of Sarawak's push for downstream industries, which would help generate employment and spur domestic economic growth. 'Before every licence is issued, we must assess whether the rock material can be processed locally. This would create value-add opportunities and benefit our local communities.' Emphasising the need for effective enforcement, Wong called for stringent monitoring mechanisms to track the movement of rock materials and to clamp down on illegal mining and exports. 'The Land Code (Amendment) Bill represents a significant step in asserting Sarawak's control over its land resources. If implemented responsibly, the export of rock materials can yield long-term benefits for the people of Sarawak today and for future generations,' he said.
