The "Borneo Front" sounds appealing but it would not have any impacts in forthcoming GE15

 

The so called ‘Borneo Front’ pact that was mentioned and proposed by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan recently was interesting but it  would probably does not make any impact in the coming 15th General Election (GE15).

This is because in the last Sarawak’s state election, we saw almost all of PBK candidates had lost their deposits and it is only obvious our local folks are matured enough in making the right decisions.

Thus, the same results may likely happen again in the coming GE15... I am not being arrogant but then I believe the voters know who the candidates are.

It is appealing for them to establish a ‘Borneo Front’ by combining forces with local parties in Sabah to face the election, but there were no further details given on how such aspiration can be achieved.

There are 31 and 25 parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak and Sabah respectively in which the proposed pact was meant to secure the strength in numbers in Parliament to voice out the independence cause for us in Borneo states. Previously, PBK had also declared that it could win some seats in the recent 12th State Election held on 18 December last year but the results were otherwise even though had the second highest number of candidates by contesting in 73 out of the 82 seats.

Obviously the general election is coming, and PBK had come out again to say they are contesting either  going alone or in a pact with parties from Sabah and Sarawak. Democracy is alive and kicking but Sarawakians are already matured politically. Voon is my friend but it is hard for PBK and him to gain support in order to get anywhere. Nonetheless, I believe the participation of more parties in GE15 will make it more colourful. Well, the more the merrier. For the voters, this presents chance to make some extra income by installing party banners and billboards and flags. But comes election time, they know better whom and which party to vote.

The withdrawal of 88 athletes from Sukma 2022 will affect Sarawak's preparations for Malaysia's largest sports carnival

Recently I have mentioned again to our media friends on impacts of withdrawal by 88 of our athletes from competing in this year's Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) which to some extent affected the preparations of Sarawak's contingent to compete in the country's largest games carnival.

Looking at the large number of athletes who have withdrawn, we need look for their replacements  who can compete in Sukma which is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur instead of Johor Bahru.

In order to ensure the preparation of the Sarawak contingent runs smoothly, the management of our Sukma contingent will need replace or fill the vacancies of athletes who have been shortlisted but were unable to join the games.

There must be a plan or a way for us to dig out talents continuously to see the potential of athletes, so if there are one or two who come out of one sport, we believe we can find another one at least. For that matter, I will be meeting with all local sports associations and the respective sports development officers from Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) to ensure that there are athletes who could be picked to replace the withdrawn athletes.

Among the reasons why our athletes had withdrawn from competing in the this year's Sukma is because of the surpassing the qualifying age limit, having job commitments, some are already married and while there those who were offered to continue their studies at universities.

The 88 athletes who have withdrawn were actually bound to be competing in Sukma which was supposed to be held in Johor in the year 2020. The Johor Sukma was not held last year due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and it was also a factor affecting Sarawak’s preparations for the games as well.

When we faced the Movement Control Order (MCO) over the past two years, it has to some extent affected the preparation of athletes whether it is Sukma or other competitions. With Sarawak having entered Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), we do hope for all athletes to continue training and to return to their expected level of readiness.

Getting excited with development of Indonesia's new capital in East Kalimantan

There is much abuzz among our local folks on the relocation of the new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara in East Kalimantan and I have called on Sarawak-based construction companies to look into opportunities of taking part in infrastructure development there.

In fact, our construction companies are in position to participate in the development of the new capital where industries such as construction and food will see a tremendous growth when the things start to be implemented.

This is a good development for I believe it will bring about more development for neighbouring Sarawak and also for Brunei Darulsalam. Any of such development will have spin-off (effects) to the provinces in Kalimantan, and Sarawak, we will enjoy of the spin-off (effects) too. We have to wait and see, what are the areas we can be of help. We have to see where we can develop so that it will bring about mutual benefits for both.

When our Kuala Lumpur capital city was moved to Putrajaya, there was a huge boost to the construction industry there. If companies from Sarawak could compete and participate down there (in Nusantara), why not? Another positive impact on the local economy especially tourism is concerned is there will be more flights between Sarawak and Kalimantan with establishment of Nusantara which is expected to boost the growth rate in this region.

Looking forward to assessment exercise by National Geopark Committee on recognition of our Sarawak Delta Geopark

We look forward to positive outcomes of the assessment exercise to be undertaken by National Geopark Committee which is important to support our State Government's efforts in seeking recognition for Sarawak Delta Geopark (SDGp) establishment. 

The assessment exercise which will involve a panel of experts led by committee chairman, Professor Dato Dr Mokhtar Saidin is the next step forward for us in getting Sarawak worldwide recognition for its sustainability development initiatives with environmental preservation in mind. The establishment of a geopark is commendable to provide a development mechanism for progression in an integrated manner that includes the preservation of natural heritage, economic development and community development based on geological heritage resources. 

Thus, our development agenda can be done while protecting and conserving the geological heritage, biodiversity, history and culture of the state through sustainable development concept. Apart from having geoparks as areas that have geological heritage sites, such avenues that can also be used by all parties for the purpose of conservation, education and sustainable development. Our State Government also fully supports the SDGp which covers an area of 311,246 hectares covering land and water areas. It also represents the union of special geological, biological and cultural heritage found in Kuching, Bau, Padawan and Siburan. We support the selection of Sarawak Delta as a geopark which is appropriate as the area is suitable where the area has geological heritage and that it has many interesting geological and geomorphological features with high geoheritage value that Sarawak has.

Paying tribute to Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari on his 5th year term as our visionary Chief Minister

Syukur alhamdullilah our local folks celebrating the 5th year anniversary of our Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg who had brought our state and people to greater heights in terms of achieving the development agenda in establishing Sarawak a developed state in 2030.

His vision and experienced leadership had motivated us to continue working together in achieving the desired development goals and to deliver what the GPS Government had promised to our local folks. The few years of his leadership, our YAB Chief Minister had also provided clarity of purpose among our Wakil Rakyat while motivating and guiding our leaders to close ranks in realizing people-centric aspiration.