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The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sarawak a beacon of unity, says Wan Junaidi
At attention: Wan Junaidi (second from left) saluting a police guard of honour as he arrives at the opening of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawak remains a model in preserving and strengthening unity and social harmony, says Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. The Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri said unity in diversity amid the state's rich cultures, ethnicities and faiths was the key to Sarawak's stability and progress. 'Sarawakians should continue to maintain their unity and harmony. 'We should respect one another and avoid issues that touch on religious, racial and cultural sensitivities,' he said in his opening address at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, which held its sitting here yesterday. Wan Junaidi also expressed appreciation for the close ties between the Federal and Sarawak governments, saying that as a result, various issues involving the state's rights and interests had been resolved. 'I hope all of Sarawak's demands enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and federal and state constitutions can be resolved speedily to benefit the state and nation. 'I also urge the Federal Government to fulfil its responsibility towards the socioeconomic development and security of Sarawak,' he said. Additionally, Wan Junaidi called for the collaboration between Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and PETRONAS to be finalised swiftly to benefit the development of the state's oil and gas industry and the mutual prosperity of the state and nation. He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal Government for agreeing to the Sarawak government's move to appoint Petros as the sole gas aggregator in the state under the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, whereby Sarawak has the executive and legislative power to make state laws on electricity and gas distribution. He said the move was in line with the recommendation of the IGC Report, which was implemented through the Borneo States (Legislative Power) Order 1963 made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in accordance with Article 95C of the Federal Constitution. 'This constitutional right should be respected to enable Petros to carry out its gas aggregator role and ensure that the development of the gas industry in Sarawak contributes to the national and state economy,' he added. Earlier, Wan Junaidi inspected a guard of honour, comprising 105 police personnel, during the opening parade. They were accompanied by a police band playing the national and state anthems. Prior to the Head of State's opening address, the state assembly observed a minute's silence for late former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and former Serian MP Datuk Amar Dominic Dago Randan.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak welcomes AWS investment to drive digital transformation by 2030
State Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi (centre) sharing a light moment with AWS regional managing director for worldwide public sector in Asean (second left) at the AWS Sarawak public sector innovation forum in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawak welcomes investment from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate its digital transformation toward achieving high-income status by 2030, says Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. The state Utility and Telecommunication Minister said the US-based company could contribute to Sarawak's digital economy with its plans to invest US$6.2bil (about RM26bil) in Malaysia through 2038. "With our digital transformation underway, please allocate part of your US$6.2bil to Sarawak. "If we can expedite digital transformation, especially in the rural areas, it will help us achieve our target," he said at the AWS Sarawak public sector innovation forum on Monday (May 5). AWS, the cloud computing division of Inc, launched the AWS (Malaysia) Asia-Pacific Region on August 20204 with a 15-year investment plan to boost the country's digital economy. Julaihi also said Sarawak aimed to fully digitalise state government services by 2030. "As of 2024, we have established a baseline of 1,106 government services, with 54.7% already digitally enabled," he said.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Stories in a city of contrasts
The historic Fort Margherita, which will be the starting point of this year's Kuching Heritage Race on May 10. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star AMID the sleek high-rises and bustling markets of Sarawak's capital Kuching, history whispers from every corner. Colonial-era facades, weathered shophouses and riverside kampungs jostle for space with modern development, crafting a cityscape where heritage and progress coexist. For the Kuching Heritage Awareness Society (KHAS), this tapestry of old and new isn't just a backdrop – it's a living classroom. Founded in 2017, the non-profit has made it its mission to reignite pride in Sarawak's cultural legacy through its flagship event: the Kuching Heritage Race. Now in its seventh edition, the annual scavenger hunt-style challenge transforms the city into a playground of discovery, blending history, tradition and a dash of mischief. 'We take fun very seriously,' laughed KHAS president Philip Yong, ahead of this year's race on May 10. 'Each race takes a lot of organisation, but it's fun learning about your own heritage. And you get to take part in activities that otherwise might be lost, the games we played as children.' Teams of two to five participants decode riddles to locate checkpoints across Kuching, tackling tasks that range from the whimsical to the physically daring. Past editions have seen racers attempt lion dances under the scrutiny of seasoned performers and a roti canai seller judging participants' dough-flipping skills. Other challenges included top spinning, performing a ribbon dance and blowing the blowpipe. 'It's all these things we have that we want people to appreciate and hopefully pass on to the next generation,' Yong said. A participant performing a ribbon dance during last year's Kuching Heritage Race. — Photo courtesy of the Kuching Heritage Awareness Society Each race explores a different neighbourhood, spotlighting hidden gems. In 2023, teams navigated Batu Kawa's old bazaar, its pre-war shopfronts echoing tales of 19th-century traders. The year prior, Kampung Nombor – a Satok village crisscrossed by Venice-like waterways – took centre stage. 'A lot of people also didn't know that SK Rakyat was one of the first public schools in that area. These are little things that we learn along the way,' said KHAS vice-president Dona Drury-Wee. Collaboration with residents is key. KHAS partners with village committees to learn about their history and traditional practices. 'Generally if there are local vendors, we try to include them in some part of the race. 'When we did it in Kampung Nombor, there was a roti canai seller, so we got him to judge the participants flipping a roti canai,' Drury-Wee said. Proceeds from the event go to underfunded local charities. For Yong (left) and Drury-Wee, the Kuching Heritage Race is a fun way to learn about the city's history and cultural practices. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star 'It's completely non-profit and voluntary. The funds raised will be given especially to charities that are underfunded and less well-known,' Yong said. This year's theme, 'Past, Present and All Together', mirrors Kuching's own duality. The route starts at the historic Brooke-era Fort Margherita towards the traditional riverine villages of Kampung Boyan, Kampung Gersik and Kampung Surabaya nearby. 'Every year the hope is the same: to create better awareness and appreciation of what we have and to encourage people to think about preserving their heritage,' Drury-Wee said. Yong added that it was important to remember the past while moving into the future. 'With progress and change, we must not forget our traditions and where we come from. 'Even when life is changing so much, we build on what we have,' he said. As Kuching hurtles towards tomorrow, its stories – of colonial intrigue, Dayak craftsmanship and kampung camaraderie – remain alive in the laughter of racers chasing clues, the thud of a coconut strike, and the swirl of a ribbon dance. And for now, that's heritage worth running for.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
New Asean strategic plan paves way for stronger, more resilient region
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg (centre) doing the traditional Asean handshake with sociocultural ministers from the region at the opening ceremony of the 33rd ASCC council meeting in Kuching. – ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/ The Star KUCHING: Asean must strengthen its resilience, particularly among its people, as we continue to face a multitude of interconnected challenges and emerging risks, especially for vulnerable economies, Brunei's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Seri Setia Awang Nazmi Mohamad said. He said this at the 33rd Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting held on April 23-24 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The minister, who is the ASCC Council Minister for Brunei, welcoming the finalisation of the ASCC Strategic Plan, stressed the need to prioritise the most impactful measures for better use of resources and stronger stakeholder involvement. He also shared his views on strengthening cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, and collaboration with ASCC partners, to contribute to the effective implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan. The meeting themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' was chaired by Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and ASCC Chair 2025 Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. The ASCC ministers endorsed the ASCC Strategic Plan and noted its submission to the High-Level Task Force on Asean Community's Post-2025 Vision to be submitted to the Asean leaders. The ASCC ministers also discussed the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Results Framework, which would translate to the meaningful implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan. The ASCC ministers further exchanged views on the strategic directions for ASCC and encouraged the ASCC Sectoral Bodies to accelerate the implementation of their respective work plans. They also noted the progress of submission of several ASCC documents which will be submitted to the Asean leaders for adoption and notation at the 46th Asean Summit to be held next month – Asean Creative Economy Sustainability Framework, Asean Declaration on Drug Security and Self-Reliance and Checklist on Fair Recruitment and Decent Employment for Migrant Workers. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was among those present during the meeting. The 33rd ASCC Council Meeting was preceded by the 11th Ad-Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Strategic Plan and the 38th Senior Officials' Committee for Asean Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) Meeting held on April 21-23. Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Nor Ashikin Johari, as Brunei's SOCA leader, also attended the meeting. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sarawak sets up gender equity unit
Welcome to the event: Fatimah (second from right) arriving for the International Women's Day conference in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Efforts to improve gender equity in Sarawak will be strengthened through a new dedicated unit in the state Women and Family Department, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah. The state Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister said the gender equity unit was set up earlier this year as part of the department's strategic planning. 'The way forward is to have a formal unit as we did not have one before. 'We were already advocating for gender equity but it was not in a formalised form. So now it's a formal unit with a proper structure and manpower,' she said after launching an International Women's Day conference here yesterday. Fatimah said the unit would look at gender equity in various fields, including education and politics, from various perspectives. She said it would benchmark the best practices from Malaysia and internationally to come up with guidelines and strategies on gender equity. 'The first thing we need to do is collaborate. We need not reinvent the wheel because there are many others who are doing this,' she said. She added that a head had been appointed for the unit and its operational details were being worked out. Fatimah also said the state government approved a women's leadership chair to be established at the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus last year. 'This is also in place now and we are fine-tuning its operations and programmes, including research which is very important to see where our baseline is and how we go forward,' she said.
