Latest news with #ZULAZHARSHEBLEE
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Elvis ready to make waves in Singapore
Sarawak, Elvis Priestley Clement on action during 3 meter springboard. He won gold. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star KUALA LUMPUR: He may share a name with a rock 'n' roll legend, but 18-year-old Elvis Priestly Clement (pic) is making a name for himself in a completely different arena – the diving pool. Once a relatively unknown athlete competing at last year's Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuching, the Sarawak-born diver is now gearing up for the biggest stage of his career – the World Championships in Singapore from July 26-Aug 2.
The Star
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Johan Setia and Kuching record unhealthy air quality
Hazy conditions: Boats crossing the Sarawak River in Kuching. The city registered an API reading of 116. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star PETALING JAYA: Two areas recorded unhealthy air quality levels as isolated hotspots continued to be detected across Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as parts of Sabah and Sarawak. As of 6pm yesterday, Johan Setia in Selangor recorded an air pollutant index (API) of 151 while Kuching in Sarawak registered a reading of 116. Another 61 monitoring stations, including those in Batu Muda (Kuala Lumpur), Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Tanjung Malim (Perak) and Seri Aman (Sarawak), reported moderate API readings. The API scale classifies air quality as follows: 0–50 (good), 51–100 (moderate), 101–200 (unhealthy), 201–300 (very unhealthy) and above 300 (hazardous). Regionally, most of the southern Asean region experienced dry and cloudy conditions yesterday, with showers only in parts of central and northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) reported scattered hotspots in Kalimantan, with isolated ones in Sumatra, Sabah and Sarawak. Localised smoke plumes were also observed in Sarawak and Kalimantan. 'Hotspot activity in the region remains subdued,' said the ASMC. Looking ahead, dry weather is expected to continue over much of southern Asean, except in parts of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and southern and eastern Kalimantan, where rain is forecast. 'While showers may ease fire and haze activity, isolated hotspots and smoke plumes could still develop in fire-prone areas experiencing prolonged dryness. There is also a risk of transboundary haze,' said the ASMC, adding that prevailing winds are expected to blow from the southeast to south. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Department of Environment (DOE) has carried out 4,184 ground patrols and 645 drone flights since the beginning of the year to monitor open-burning activities that may contribute to haze. Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said during the same period, the department has issued 58 notices of instruction, initiated 27 court actions and imposed 59 compounds on parties found guilty of offences related to open burning. 'The DOE has intensified enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas with high potential for open burning while continuously monitoring the API readings,' he said in a statement. Wan Abdul Latiff added that the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in addressing open burning and managing the country's haze situation. 'All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas prone to fire such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones and industrial sites. 'They must also take proactive steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties, which could lead to open burning, either deliberately or unintentionally,' he said.
The Star
29-06-2025
- General
- The Star
A symbol of unity and faith
Sacred space: Uggah (centre) at the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Poh (right) and Chin. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The new Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan here stands as a striking landmark of Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. This could be seen in the church's location in the city centre in close proximity to other religious houses of worship, he said. 'We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. 'This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come,' he said at the church's opening ceremony yesterday in a speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The new church is a mere 2km or 3km away from the Floating Mosque, St Thomas' Cathedral (Anglican), Sikh Temple and the Tua Pek Kong temple. And the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Hindu temple is just 850m away. Abang Johari commended the spirit of togetherness that made the church a reality, as the Catholic community collaborated with friends and supporters from other faiths and walks of life. He said the completion of the church showcased what a united community could achieve with a shared purpose and collective goodwill. 'This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith,' he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh said St Peter's Church complemented Kuching's religious harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted that the opening ceremony was attended by people from different faiths who had been working together for peace and harmony. 'So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. 'Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project,' he said. The RM38mil church, which seats 1,000 people, commenced construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations as well as RM3mil in grants from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin said the building was inspired by the neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral here. 'In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. 'The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but was constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood,' he said. The church's Gothic features include spires, flying buttresses, pointed arches and stained glass windows. Chin said the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also said the tiles were produced by a local factory while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist and fittings by local artisans. 'This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it,' he said.
The Star
28-06-2025
- General
- The Star
New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) entering the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh (right) and rector Rev Vincent Chin. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The newly opened Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan stands as a testament to Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier highlighted the church's location in the city centre, close to other religious houses of worship, as a reflection of the region's spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. "We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come," he said at the church's opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28). His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Abang Johari praised the collaborative spirit that brought the church to fruition, with the Catholic community working alongside friends and supporters from various faiths and backgrounds. He noted that the completion of the church demonstrated the power of a united community working towards a shared purpose and collective goodwill. "This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith," he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh described St Peter's Church as more than just a building, but a landmark of harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted the opening ceremony's diverse attendance, with people from different faiths contributing to peace and harmony. "So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. "Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project," he told reporters. The RM38mil church began construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations and received RM3mil from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) over three years, including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin explained that the building was inspired by the classical neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral. "In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood," he said. With a seating capacity for 1,000 people, the church's Gothic features include pointed spires, flying buttresses, arches, and stained glass windows. Chin noted that the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also mentioned that the tiles were produced by a local factory, while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist, and fittings by local artisans. "This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it," he said.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Gawai parade highlights diverse heritage in Sarawak
Vibrant display: Participants in traditional costumes taking part in the annual state Gawai parade in Kuching. – ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawakians showcased their rich multicultural heritage during the annual state Gawai parade here. Over 3,000 participants in 92 contingents from the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities took part in the Niti Daun parade yesterday. Dressed in traditional costumes, they made a colourful sight as they walked from the Tun Jugah Building to the Kuching Waterfront, accompanied by 12 decorated floats. This year's parade, organised by the Orang Ulu community, began with the traditional Mamat ritual at the Tun Jugah Building. Historically, the thanksgiving ritual was conducted prior to headhunting expeditions and to seek blessings for the padi planting season. In modern times, the ritual continues to represent the core values of thanksgiving, unity, strength and courage. The parade was flagged off by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, accompanied by other state dignitaries. Participant Vanessa Livan Sigau, of mixed Kayan-Kenyah heritage, said this was her second time taking part in the parade. 'I look forward to opportunities to showcase my culture and traditional costume,' she said, pointing to her beaded sash, belt and feathered headgear known as tapung se'. Watt Enjup, a member of the Persatuan Kebajikan Terabai Menua contingent, said the parade brought together Sarawakians from all races to celebrate the Gawai festival together. 'It shows that Sarawak has many ethnic groups, but we are all united,' he said. Also taking part was a contingent from the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Sarawak branch and a delegation from North Kalimantan. Gawai is a festival celebrated by Sarawak's Dayak community on June 1 and June 2 to mark the end of the harvest season. The festival is a time for thanksgiving, celebrating diverse cultures, and strengthening bonds of friendship through open houses and other traditions.
