Fed government officially green lights Sarawak’s cancer centre, construction to start year-end
KUCHING, July 9: The Federal government has officially approved the establishment of the Sarawak Cancer Centre in Kota Samarahan, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. “I just got the news today. I was informed that the Federal government has agreed for us to set up our cancer centre,” he said. He said the Sarawak government would proceed with the construction, which costs over a billion ringgit, using funds from the State coffers, and the Federal government would reimburse the amount as welfare assistance later. Abang Johari said once Sarawak has its own cancer centre here, cancer patients in the State would no longer have to travel to Kuala Lumpur and spend a fortune on transportation. “If we rely on Kuala Lumpur, it’s very costly, and people may not able to get the treatment. “One is going there, and the family may follow. The fare will be high. Going over to KL could cost over RM1,000 and the economy is bad now. “So, being the head of the State government, I told the Federal government that as long as they agree, we build first and they’ll reimburse later,” he said during the 8th Asia Pacific Conference on Public Health (APCPH) official opening and gala dinner here today. When speaking to the press after the event, Abang Johari added that the construction of the Sarawak Cancer Centre is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. He said the cancer centre would be equipped with 300 beds, similar to each of the three new private hospital that are coming up in Sarawak in the next five years. Also present at the even were APCPH via vice chariman Dr Tahir Aris, Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang, and Kuching South City COuncil (MBKS) mayor representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Malaysia’s Sarawak seeks billion-dollar gains in global decarbonisation market
Source: Malaysia’s Sarawak seeks billion-dollar gains in global decarbonisation market
Abang Johari: New Kuching International Airport modelled after Hamad International Airport in Qatar
KUCHING, June 7 — The new Kuching International Airport (KIA) will be modelled on the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, Premier Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said here today. He said the state government is engaging consultants, who may be involved in the airport construction in Doha, to develop the planning for the construction of the new KIA. “The planning is expected to be completed within three years, and after which construction work will begin and how much the estimated costs will be known,” he told reporters. He was asked after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Innocement Sdn Bhd and PMW Industries Sdn Bhd on collaboration for the development of a manufacturing facility for the production of concrete products in Tanjung Manis in Sarikei Division. Abang Johari said the state government proposed building a new international standard airport based on the state’s long-term needs. “We want Kuching to become a hub with the airport that is capable of handling 15 million arrivals a year. “If we look at the development in South-east Asia, what we need is an airport with international standards equipped with the latest facilities including state-of-art information technology,” he added. He stressed the airport will become one of the catalysts to spur the state’s economy, especially in terms of air connectivity that will boost the tourism industry. “What I am saying is that we have two major projects in the pipeline that will expand our economy beyond 2030. “One is an airport and another a deep sea port at Tanjung Embang in western Sarawak,” he said. He said these two are strategic matters in the state government’s effort to make Kuching become a hub, saying that Sarawak is on the western part of Borneo which is along the shipping and flight routes from the east to the west.
Sarawakians can apply for carbon trading licences online from December
KUCHING: Sarawakians can now participate in carbon trading, with online licence applications opening in December. Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr. Hazland Abang Hipni, said that those with at least 100 hectares of land can apply for a carbon trading licence. He said the eligible land must be privately owned with a grant or be surveyed as Native Customary Rights (NCR) land. “Carbon trading offers a new income source for the people. Licences can be obtained through our ministry. “We also permit smaller land parcels to be combined to meet the 100-hectare requirement, subject to certain conditions. “All relevant information will be available by December. Online applications will open then, with applicable fees and so on,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Lestari ‘Keterangkuman’ Seminar at Pustaka Sarawak today. In addition to being taxed, Dr. Hazland noted that registered landowners will face restrictions, including a prohibition on tree cutting according to a set cycle. For the first cycle, trees in the licensed area cannot be cut for 30 years. He urged Sarawakians, especially villagers, to engage in this nature-based climate solution. “This is an easy way for people to contribute to climate solutions. Just plant trees. “If global carbon emissions are not addressed, by 2050, the temperature increase will be much higher, causing irreversible damage to the planet. “The 17th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – partnership for the goals, is crucial. We all must play our part,” he said.
23 European Union Delegates Arrived Safely in Sarawak
Abang Johari (2nd right) at the launch of InvestSarawak while (from left) Ong, Awang Tengah and Julaihi look on. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni KUCHING: The establishment of InvestSarawak is a pivotal initiative by the Sarawak government to facilitate the ease of doing business in the state. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said InvestSarawak is a one-stop centre (OSC) that aims to transform the investment landscape, increase trade and talent attraction for Sarawak. “InvestSarawak will play a key role serving as facilitator and adviser to provide invaluable local insights to all investors, both foreign and domestic. “They are also under the purview of my ministry, which is the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED),” he said in his speech during the launching of InvestSarawak and EU Business Day 2024 networking dinner here last night (Feb 14). Invest Sarawak is the state’s investment and trade agency that will play the role of the first point of contact for all investors. In addition, it will act as the key facilitator to all investors across sectors in the development, applications and approvals for investment projects in Sarawak. Touching on the programme, Awang Tengah described it as a good effort to gather local and global thought leaders under one roof, adding that the forum held attracted over 300 participants from more than 100 companies from the European Union (EU). “Sarawak’s unique offerings and Europe’s diverse markets offer huge potentials for mutually beneficial partnerships both in investment and trade. “For the past decade, there were 19 EU investments in Sarawak, specifically from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, totalling RM10.66 billion in sectors such as electric and electronic (E&E), basic metal and petroleum products,” he said. Present at the launch were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Ambassador of the EU to Malaysia Michalis Rokas, Minister of Women, Early Childhood, Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki and InvestSarawak chief executive officer Timothy Ong.
Sarawak To Allign With EU On Energy Production
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg recently announced their cooperation with the European Union (EU) in the energy production sector to reduce the effects of climate change. The cooperation was revealed during his speech at the dinner event held in conjunction with the launch of Invest Sarawak and Business Day, that has been attended by over 400 guests, including state Cabinet ministers, business representatives and 23 delegates from the EU. Abang Johari said the cooperation will involve technological development, especially in hydrogen production. “In line with technology advancement that will reduce dependence on fossil energy, which is constantly increasing in cost, I believe that the cost for hydrogen production will become cheaper within the next five to 10 years,” he said. He said Sarawak is taking the issue of global warming seriously, adding that the state wants to help reduce carbon emissions and the impact of climate change, which resulted in the highest temperature reading last year.
Awang Tengah receives courtesy call from Kuwait petroleum firm delegation
KUCHING (Jan 19): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan received a courtesy call from Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) at his office in Wisma Sumber Alam here yesterday. According to a news release, the KUFPEC delegation was led by its country manager Mohamad Al-Sabti. Awang Tengah, who is International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, chaired the meeting which was held to discuss investment opportunities between Sarawak and KUFPEC in oil and gas. Also present were Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and representatives from Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), Sarawak Energy Berhad and InvestSarawak.
InvestSarawak dan Surbana Jurong tandatangani MoU perkukuh inisiatif ekonomi hijau
DUBAI, 5 Dis: InvestSarawak dan Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pte Ltd menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) untuk memperkukuh inisiatif ekonomi hijau di Sarawak. MoU itu ditandatangani Ketua Eksekutif InvestSarawak, Timothy Ong Wye Ern dan Pengarah Urusan Surbana Jurong (Infrastruktur, Tenaga dan Industri) Tan Wooi Leong. Majlis yang berlangsung di Pavilion Singapura di Dubai semasa Persidangan Perubahan Iklim Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (COP28) hari ini, disaksikan Premier Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. “Daya tarikan Sarawak untuk pelaburan, khususnya dalam sektor yang mampan dan kolaborasi dalam sektor utama seperti pembuatan, pertanian komersial, pelancongan, perhutanan, perlombongan dan perkhidmatan harus ditekankan,” kata Abang Johari. Beliau turut menyatakan komitmen Sarawak untuk pertumbuhan ekonomi yang bertanggungjawab dan mampan, menggabungkan prinsip-prinsip Matlamat Pembangunan Sosial (SDG) dan Pemerintahan, Sosial, dan Alam Sekitar (ESG) ke dalam Strategi Pembangunan Pasca COVID-19 2030 (PCDS 2030). “Matlamat keseluruhan kita adalah untuk mempromosikan kemakmuran ekonomi, inklusiviti sosial dan kelestarian alam sekitar di rantau tersebut,” ujarnya. -TVS
Courtesy call to Dr. Sim, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government
Thank you very much for the courtesy call by Timothy Ong Wye Ern, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sarawak, a new Sarawak Gov one stop Investment centre. #investsarawak Timothy Ong, a fellow Josephian, previously was Senior Deputy Director @ Malaysian Investment Development Authority #MIDA. Head of Circular Economy, Biomass and Renewables Unit. Welcome home Timothy. Together, let’s accelerate the international network for nation building for Sarawak #SarawakFirst #jagasarawakbait2 Skh
Sarawak Budget: RM7 million for InvestSarawak 2023 to boost state’s economy
KUCHING, Nov 21: The Sarawak government remains committed to creating an ideal climate for investment through attractive policies and initiatives to shore up the confidence of both local and foreign investors. As such, a total of RM7 million has been allocated for the established InvestSarawak, an entity to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the state. Finance and New Economy Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the entity is to spearhead new directions by driving in local and foreign investors to uplift the state’s economy. “In this respect, we have established InvestSarawak to promote Sarawak globally towards attracting foreign direct investment,” he said when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2023 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today. On another note, the Premier also highlighted that the state will continue to provide platforms to assist young entrepreneurs to recover their businesses post-pandemic. “Various initiatives will continue to be implemented under the 2023 budget that ensures business continuity, among others, provision of soft loans, interest subsidies, financial assistance for start-ups, product development, capacity building, e-Commerce, and promotion and marketing,” he said. Among them are the Special Relief Fund, Targeted Relief & Recovery Facility (TRRF), and Penjana Tourism Fund (PTF) with an allocation of RM18 million while Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak and Small and Medium Industries Loan Scheme (SPIKS) were granted RM14 million. – TVS
