Sabahans get the goodies from federal government
May 31, 2008 Uncategorized
Sabahans get the goodies today from federal goverment.
They included measures for poverty eradication, a high-powered Cabinet committee to tackle the illegal immigrants, abolishment of the Department of Federal Development Sabah (JPPS) and an additional development grant of RM1bil.
Other goodies were a Petronas downstream petro-chemical plant for Sabah and a 300MW gas fuelled power plant as well as an additional RM400,000 allocation for each state constituency.
What will Sarawakians get? Obviously nothing so far except this. I’m not cheering yet.
SUPP is not being sidelined but not getting what it hopes for
May 30, 2008 Uncategorized
The guessing game is over who would be helming the Kuching City South Council (or Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan) mayorship. James Chan Khay Syn is the new mayor. A relatively unknown figure but successful businessman.
The state cabinet decided at its meeting yesterday to appoint Chan for the post which has been vacant since August 23 last year following the untimely demise of Chong Ted Tsiung. The news of Chan appointment was confirmed by Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Michael Manyin.
Reason given for the appointment due to the “political circumstances”. Manyin almost crudely told Chan you didn’t get it because you lost in the election.
“I think if SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party) wants its candidate as mayor, it better work hard to regain the four seats in Kuching so as to have stronger and better bargaining power,” Manyin said.
He pointed out that SUPP had made its case before the cabinet arrived at its decision, but at the moment, the cabinet feels it is better to have a non-politician to run the city to avoid controversy.
After Manyin made the announcement, Dr Chan told reporters of his confidence that all is not lost for SUPP and that the party will work closely with the new mayor.
Don’t banned Internet access in office if you want productive employees – study
May 29, 2008 Uncategorized
In an interesting study done in UK found that banning office workers from using the internet for personal use could actually be hitting productivity because staff need a break to help reduce stress, according to a new report.
The popular notion is that employees waste time on the Internet, but this research dispels such notion. It found that taking a 10-minute online break during the course of the working day helps reduce stress and results in a more happier workplace.
A study of 1,700 employees by computer games firm PopCap Games showed that people felt refreshed if they had an “ebreak” during the working day.
Most of those questioned said they would rather spend some free time surfing the internet to unwind rather than having a cigarette or tea break.
The report said that taking five minutes off to make a cup of tea was accepted, but using social websites was frowned upon.
Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic of London’s Goldsmiths University, who helped with the research, said: “Tea breaks and fag breaks have long been the most common types of break within office culture but the report shows that ebreaks are fast becoming the most popular choice of break for British workers.
“The report proves that a 10 minute ebreak a day can have significant benefits but, despite this, many bosses are banning them in the fear that they distract employees.
“By factoring in a dedicated slot for an ebreak bosses are fostering a more trusting working environment, boosting productivity and ultimately increasing their profit which surely makes good business sense.”
Via Google News
Bintulu-Miri Coastal highway
May 27, 2008 Uncategorized
Driving along the Bintulu-Miri coastal highway make you feel like you are not in Sarawak. The road is wider, straight with oil palm plantations as far as your eyes can see. Along the Suai-Miri stretch oil palm are largely grown on low , flat and sandy to peaty soils, while the Bintulu-Simalajau stretch are planted on rolling hills of clayey soils ( or as some would term them as mineral soils) and mostly on steeper elevation.
Scenic view along the Bintulu-Simalajau stretch.
One of Malaysia biggest oil palm company operating is Sime Darby. The Derawan, Takau, Sahua Estates which used to be under Austral Enterprise are now under the Sime Darby group of companies.
The Derawan Complex has an oil palm mill and if I’m not mistaken also a golf course.
Another view of the coastal highway along the Sahua-Derawan complex.
Squatter found along the coastal road. Look like an abandoned longhouse now.
More photos visit our flickr photogallery
Beach Resort Condominium Bintulu
May 25, 2008 Uncategorized
Beach Resort Condominium is currently the only condominium we have in Bintulu. The 16 storeys high condo construction was temporarily halted several years back. The construction only resumed after it was taken over by Piasau Konkrit Sdn Bhd a Shin Yang group of companies.
The condo is a strategically located. It is about 15 minutes away from the town center, about five minutes walk from Bintulu only zoological garden the Taman Tumbina. If you wish to own a unit of it – you can do so by contacting the developer – which Shin Yang Group.
Bandar Samarakan that never exist
May 25, 2008 Uncategorized
The blog has not been updated for the last two days as I away in Kakus, Tatau. On my way back to Bintulu today, I decided to get off the express boat at Kelebu jetty instead of at Tatau town. Kelebu is about about an hour express from Tatau town.
The reason why I get off at Kelebu was to see Bandar Samarakan town and the pulp and paper mill. At Kelebu I took a “kereta prebet” (a slang for unlicensed/illegal taxi) as commonly found in rural Sarawak to Bintulu as there were no taxis. I also asked him if he could later show me where Bandar Samarakan and the pulp mill located as I have never seen it before.
Can you see Bandar Samarakan in the pic? The Bandar Samarakan township was planned to be built on the left hand side of this road. As you can see in the above pic, the area is still very much a covered by forest.
Bandar Samarakan – After about 15 minutes drive from Kelebu he stopped at the location as seen in the pic above. I was surprised when he said this is where the Bandar Samarakan town supposed to have been constructed. The place was still very covered by forest and there was no sign of development had taken place in the area.
The town when it was launched eleven years ago was said to be one of the biggest pulp and paper producer in South East Asia. Perhaps as a show of commitment and support for the ambitious project government immediately spent RM47 million to upgrade an existing logging road to the proposed township and mill.
In 1996, the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), a state statutory body, entered into a joint venture with Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd. (APP) to implement the project. APP is the majority shareholder and the project manager under the joint venture agreement that led to the formation of new joint venture company called Borneo Pulp & Paper Sdn. Bhd (BPP) . Barely a year later, APP pull out of the project citing financial problem.
However, rumors were aplenty as to why APP pull out. One of them include APP felt the legal disputes with natives over land issues was damaging to the company reputation internationally. They were also of the opinion that if BPP loss the case (which they did, and then repeal) the land bank size would be substantially reduced, rendered the project commercially unattractive.
Acacia forest. This forest was once a virgin tropical rainforest, where the “kenyalang” (hornbills) “ungka” (gibbon) and “babi kampung” (wild boar) were found. But now the tropical rainforest has been replaced with acacia forest. The Kenyalang, gibbon, wild boars have long been gone. The Ibans living in the surrounding areas now require permission to enter the ‘new’ forest.
In the end, the company eventually collapsed. The project then taken over by a new consortium known as Grand Perfect Sdn Bhd. However, twelve years on, the construction of the pulp mill has yet to start and the development of commercial tree plantation is far behind schedule.
The proposed Bandar Samarakan also never took off and the road leading to it eventually left un-attended. The people that government promised to benefit from this “satu lagi projek kerajaan Barisan Nasional” complaint that the road are now full of potholes, badly damaged, and unsafe.
It is pity to see people like Jambai and the longhouses folks found along the road have been denied the benefit of this important infrastructure after the proposed Bandar Samarakan and pulp mill project failed.
Jambai who became jobless after a logging camp operating near his longhouse ceased operation, had turn his Perodua Kembara to a “kereta prebet” to support himself and his families including aging parents.
“I just hope relevant authorities would do something to repair the road as people like me depend on them to make end meets” he said.
Even parrot campaigns for Obama
May 22, 2008 Uncategorized
Obama is a phenomenon. His appear extend beyond human race. Even parrot campaign for him. Watch the video below close. The parrot actually yelling Obama slogan “Yes, we can”.
The video have been making round the internet and pick up by widely read blog including Washington Post.
That letter was not written by me says Che Det
May 21, 2008 Uncategorized
Che det today denied writing a letter purportedly to Ehud Barak asking for money.
“This letter is not from me or from my office. Firstly, the font used is not the same as the type in all my letters from the Prime Minister’s office”
“The Malaysian Coat of Arms at the top is not similar to the one on all my letters from the Prime Minister’s office”
“The address at the side of the Coat of Arms is not the same as on my official paper. Often no address is printed, only “Prime Minister Malaysia” on the top right-hand corner,” Tun said in his blog – Chedet.com
Sarawak to have 52 dams in year 2020
May 21, 2008 Uncategorized
Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) has identified fifty two (52) dam sites for hydro power projects (including Bakun) for the whole of Sarawak when Malaysia aspires to be fully developed nation in year 2020.
Once completed, these hydro powers will generate a whooping 25,000 MW reported Eastern Times in a special tribute to Sarawak Chief Minister 72nd birthday today. Murum dam expected to commence by the second quarter of the year will generate at least 944 MW.
Another dam sites identified by SEB include Baram (1,000 MW), Metjawan (300 MW), Baleh (1,400) and Limbang (150 MW).
The report said with Sarawak is currently undergoing a second wave of development, demand for electricity will increase in order to attract energy intensive industries.
Government have identified 67 industries for the SCORE corridor, however priority will be given to only 10 industries. These include oil-based, aluminium, metal based including steel, nickel, zinc, gas, tourism, palm oil and timber based industries.
Once these industries start operating – Bintulu will be the world most polluted place on earth – I predict. How will Simalajau National Park in particular and tourism in general fit into this and thriving?
Ten tips on how to ‘lobby’ from Malaysia former premier
May 20, 2008 Uncategorized
Che Det has several tips on how to ‘lobby’ a buzzword today among Malaysian rent seekers.
1. In some ways Malaysia is ahead of some developed countries in the appreciation of what is right and what is wrong.
2. In the United States lobbying is permitted and honourable. Many famous figures, especially former members of the Government have firms which offer lobbying services.
3. Foreign countries, including Malaysia find this service very convenient. We lobbied for some favourable policy to be shown for palm oil, tin and rubber imports into the United States for example.
More here