RM73mil to boost padi production in Sarawak

Friday May 15, 2009

KUCHING: The Federal Govern­ment has allocated nearly RM73mil to fund large-scale padi cultivation in Sarawak.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said RM52.8mil would be used to build basic drainage and irrigration infrastructure in five of the eight areas earmarked for the projects.

He said the eight areas, covering a combined 43,000ha, were targeted to produce over 200,000 tonnes of padi a year.

Dr Chan, who is also state Agricul­ture Modernisation Minister, said the state’s rice consumption was about 220,000 tonnes a year, and that it only produced 54% of the rice it required.

He told Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN — Asajaya) during question time that RM20mil would be used to develop a seed processing complex and ancillary facilities.

“The state government has acquired 166ha in Stumbin for the development of a certified seed production and processing centre. About 58ha of the land has been cleared.

“The construction of the proposed complex is scheduled to start next year for completion in early 2011,” he added.

Sarawak aiming for beef self-sufficiency

BY JACK WONG

Wednesday May 16, 2007

KUCHING: Sarawak's import bill on beef was slashed by more than half to RM24mil in 2005.

State Assistant Minister for Food Production Datuk David Teng Lung Chi said the value of imports had dropped from RM50mil in 1998.

To increase the cattle population for beef production, the state Agriculture Department had distributed nearly 3,900 heads of cattle to 24 oil palm plantations for breeding purposes, he said.

"The State Economic Development Corporation is invoilved in the import of suitable cattle breeds for sale to the department," he told Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during question time at the Sarawak State Assembly on Wednesday.

Teng said to meet the state's beef sufficiency level of 15% at 3.26kg per capita consumption, some 1,262 metric tonnes of beef (equivalent to 7,000 heads of cattle) were required.

Sarawak State Elections: Barisan Nasional line-up

Saturday May 6, 2006

This is the Sarawak Barisan Nasional line-up of 71 candidates announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at 4pm today

Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak (PBB)
1. N3 Tanjung Datu - Datuk Adenan Satem
2. N4 Pantai Damai - Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi
3. N5 Demak Laut - Dr Abang Draup Zamahari Abang Zen
4. N6 Tupong - Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman
5. N7 Samariang - Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali * (W)
6. N8 Satok - Datuk Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Openg
7. N14 Asajaya - Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
8. N15 Muara Tuang - Datuk Seri Mohammad Ali Mahmud *
9. N17 Tarat - Roland Sagah Wee Inn
10. N18 Tebedu - Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong
11. N19 Kedup - Frederick Bayoi Manggie
12. N20 Sadong Jaya - Datuk Wan Wahap @ Wan Abdul Wahab Wan Sanusi
13. N21 Simunjan - Mohd Naroden Majais
14. N22 Sebuyau - Julaihi Narawi
15. N23 Lingga (new seat) - Simoi Peri * (W)
16. N24 Beting Maro - Bolhassan Di @ Ahmad Di
17. N30 Saribas - Dr Wahbi Junaidi
18. N31 Layar - Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang
19. N32 Bukit Saban (new seat) - Robert Lawson Chuat Vincent Entering *
20. N33 Kalaka - Abdul Wahab Aziz
21. N35 Belawai - Hamden Ahmad
22. N36 Semop (formerly Serdeng) - Datuk Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar
23. N37 Daro (new seat) - Murni Suhaili *
24. N38 Jemoreng (formerly Matu Daro) - Gani @ Abu Seman Jahwie *
25. N44 Machan - Datuk Gramong Juna
26. N49 Nangka - Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah
27. N50 Dalat - Fatimah Abdullah @ Ting Sai Ming
28. N51 Balingian - Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud
29. N55 Katibas - Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan
30. N58 Jepak - Datuk Talib Zulpilip
31. N60 Kemena - Dr Stephen Rundi Utom
32. N62 Lambir - Swin Jemaah @ Aidan Wing
33. N67 Telang Usan - Lihan Jok
34. N68 Bukit Kota (formerly Limbang) - Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail *
35. N71 Bukit Sari (formerly Lawas) - Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasin @ Tengah Ali Hasan

Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP)
1. N1 Opar (new seat) - Ranum Mina
2. N9 Padungan - Lily Yong Lee Lee (W)
3. N10 Pending - Datuk Sim Kheng Hui
4. N11 Batu Lintang - Chan Seng Khai
5. N12 Kota Sentosa (new seat) - Datuk Yap Chin Loi
6. N13 Batu Kawah - Tan Joo Phoi *
7. N16 Bengoh - Dr Jerip Susil
8. N27 Simanggang - Francis Harden Hollis
9. N28 Engkilili - Jonathan Krai Pilo *
10. N39 Repok - Datuk David Teng Lung Chi
11. N40 Meradong - Wong Zee Yeng * (W)
12. N45 Bukit Assek - Ngieng Kiong Ann
13. N46 Dudong - Dr Soon Choon Teck
14. N47 Bawang Assan - Datuk Wong Soon Koh
15. N48 Pelawan - Goh Chung Siong
16. N59 Kidurong - Paul Yong Khing Kee *
17. N63 Piasau - Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam
18. N64 Pujut (new seat) - Chia Chu Fatt *
19. N65 Senadin Lee Kim Sin @ Lee Kim Shin

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
1. N25 Balai Ringin (new seat) - Snowdan Lawan *
2. N26 Bukit Begunan - Mong Dagang
3. N29 Batang Ai - Dublin Unting Ingkot
4. N43 Ngemah - Alexander Vincent *
5. N52 Tamin - Joseph Mauh Ikeh *
6. N53 Kakus - John Sikie Tayai
7. N54 Pelagus - Larry Soon @ Larry Sng Wei Shien
8. N56 Baleh - Datuk Dr James Jemut Masing
9. N57 Belaga - Liwan Lagang *

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
1. N2 Tasik Biru - Peter Nansian Ngusie
2. N34 Krian - Datuk Peter Nyarok Entrie
3. N41 Pakan - Datuk William Mawan Ikom
4. N42 Meluan - Wong Judat
5. N61 Bekenu (new seat) - Rosey Yunus * (W)
6. N66 Marudi - Sylvester Entri Muran
7. N69 Batu Danau (new seat) - Palu @ Paulus Palu Gumbang *
8. N70 Ba'Kelalan - Balang Rining

* new candidate
(W) woman candidate

BN members were told to stay united -Karim

February 18, 2006

The state BN members were told by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to stay united and work together for the state's development. -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah 

KUCHING -- A closed-door dialogue between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders during the BN Backbenchers Club Retreat 2006 Saturday focused on the development needs of the state.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Peter Chin said the members of the state BN asked for a bigger allocation for Sarawak under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

"They believe Sarawak needs more funds to catch up with the development in other states," he told reporters after attending the two-hour dialogue at the Holiday Inn Resort Damai Lagoon in Santubong, about 50km from here.

Chin said the dialogue only "touched a bit" on the Sarawak state election which is expected soon.

"We did not deliberate too much on the state election because the matter will be decided by the Chief Minister (Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud)," he added.

Abdullah, who is also the BN Chairman, arrived here this afternoon for the retreat.

The Prime Minister was welcomed at the airport by a crowd of about 7,000 people led by Abdul Taib.

Assemblymen call for more studies on inland fishes

May 3, 2003

KUCHING - Three State Assemblymen yesterday called for solutions that would enable sustainable breeding of precious but drastically dwindling inland fishes, namely Empurau and Terubok.

Lee Kim Shin (BN - Senadin) suggested that studies and research to be carried out to enable simulated breeding of Empurau fish, which could be only be found in the upper reaches of the Rajang River near Kapit.

The rare but delicious fish, which commands a high market price of RM180 per kilo, has experienced a decline in its population due to overfishing.

"Continued indiscriminate overfishing may eventually lead to extintion (of Empurau fish). Research should be carried out on the possibility of having simulated habitat for Empurau fish hatcheries," he said, when debating the new state Inland Fisheries Bill 2003.

Based on initial studies, Empurau fish can only breed in fast flowing streams, notably the Pelagus rapids.

Meanwhile, during the same debate session, Abdul Karim Hamzah (BN - Asajaya) suggested that the government gazette the lower reaches of Batang Lupar and Batang Lassa as fisheries sanctuary for the breeding of Terubok fish.

"This is due to the suitable water properties and planktons in these two rivers," he said, adding that there was a real need for these two spawning grounds to be protected for the long term survival of Terubok in Sarawak.