Dato Sebastian speech at the Dewan (25 Nov 2016)

suppadmin | November 25, 2016

SARAWAK BUDGET 2017

ADDRESS

Datuk Amar Speaker,

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to join the other Honourable members to debate on the Supply (2017) Bill, 2016. First of all, I would like to congratulate the Sarawak Government and YAB Chief Minister who is also the Minister of Finance for tabling a comprehensive and people centric Budget for the year 2017.

OVERALL

I understand that the next year budget is again going to be development biased and rural focused. This is good as this will help to speed up the development in the rural area in order for them to catch up with the urban but at the same time not forgetting to achieve a greater and more balanced development and to support a desired level of economic growth for the whole of Sarawak as promised by our Chief Minister in the Sarawak Election 2016. This shows that our Chief Minister really walks the talk.

Education and Infrastructure are very important for a country to develop, progress and prosper. It is heartening to note that the 2017 Budget gives greater emphasis in developing the necessary infrastructure and amenities such as roads, drainage, telecommunication, electricity and water supplies aimed at improving the quality of life, and at the same time attracting higher investment into these areas.

EDUCATION

Datuk Amar Speaker,

Education is always very important to Sarawak and it has always been a subject for discussion. For decades the directions and policies kept changing whenever a new Minister of Education was appointed. This is far from satisfactory. The medium of instruction was changed from English to Bahasa Malaysia some 40 years ago based on nationalistic sentiments. But the manner it was done had resulted in the drop of the standard in English to the extent that a significant portion of our graduates was not proficient in the English language and the graduates were unemployable in the global world including local market.

We all know the importance of English as it is the international language for communication, for all aspects of knowledge, for business and especially important for Science, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (also known as STEM). Our Chief Minister fully understands this and had decided that English would be the second official language for Sarawak. English would be used as a medium of instruction to teach in all schools in Sarawak.

I recognise and acknowledge the importance of Bahasa Malaysia as a national language. Both Bahasa Malaysia and English can indeed progress together and our students are smart enough to master an extra language with ease.

I am pleased also to note that in the Budget 2017 the government is also highlighting the serious issues on shortage of teachers as well as focusing on developing excellent teachers. Hence, we must be focused to achieve 90% of our teachers in all our schools to be locals, by year 2018. It is without doubt that we need all of our 4 Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) in Sarawak continue to operate and the call by our Chief Minister to halt the conversion of 2 IPG into vocational colleges need to be supported by all members of the august House. Yes, we need to have more vocational colleges or polytechnics to enlarge the local skilled workforce but these should be in addition to the IPGs and not at their expense.

TIMBER INDUSTRIES

Malaysia, except Sarawak, has banned the export of timber logs many years ago. 41 years ago, that was in November 1975, I graduated as sawn timber grader at Kepong Timber Research Institute Kuala Lumpur. Even at that time, timber merchants and companies were only allowed to export graded sawn timber products to overseas countries.

Timber logs were banned from being exported overseas. This greatly encouraged and helped the growth of the downstream timber industries and creating more jobs opportunities. The spinoff of small and medium wood-based industries greatly helped the economy of the country and the people at large.

I therefore fully support the intention of Sarawak Government to introduce new and refined timber industries policies to encourage more downstream activities. A proposed sum of RM 5 million will be allocated to establish a Timber Downstream Research & Development (R7D) Centre is a good start.

SARAWAK GOVERNMENT ONLINE SERVICES

Datuk Amar Speaker,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and offer my appreciation to the Sarawak Government for the initiative undertaken by State Civil Service (SCS) for venturing into online services for the benefit and convenience of the people and to reach out to them.

The Sarawak Government has implemented various ICT systems from different government agencies in enhancing their delivery services to the people.

It is a commendable effort by the State Service Modernisation Unit together with other government agencies in promoting their new online services at the DUN’s lobby during this DUN sitting. They are at the right of DUN’S lobby. This information is incredibly important to me as Wakil Rakyat to bring back to my kawasan to share and inform them. I was briefed by Madam Grace Houng Siew Hung, Principal Assistant Director of CMO that the services such as eBooking system and the JKR online water bill payment via Agen BSN are so important and convenient to the people.

I was informed that there are more than 500 Agen BSN throughout Sarawak to help easing the problem of rakyat in paying their water bills. The response by the public in using the eBooking system to book for facilities by the National Parks has been very encouraging. I am very thankful of their efforts and please keep up with the good work for the rakyat. Thank you.

HUDUD LAW

Datuk Amar Speaker,

Hudad Law is a very sensitive and important issue to us all in Sarawak. We are very concerned and feeling very uncomfortable that a Private Member Bill proposed by PAS Party President was debated in Parliament yesterday. It was deferred to next session.

SUPP is very firm and consistent. We had said that many times that we are totally against the implementation of Hudud Law in Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak. SUPP and Sarawak BN strongly opposed and had indeed instructed their respective Members of Parliament to oppose and vote against the proposed amendment of the Shariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1956, also known as Act 355 The proposed amendment is against the provisions of the Federal Constitution and against the safeguards provided for in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Datuk Amar Speaker,

Now, I would like to take this opportunity to touch on issues concerning not only my constituency Piasau but Miri as a whole. There are as follows:

i. Miri Moving Forwards

ii. Tourism

iii. Roads and Improvement. for Mulu National Park

iv. Miri Port Authority

v. New Service Industry

vi. Housing and Squatters

vii. Health Care

viii. Immigration at Sungei Tujuh, Miri

ix. Illegal Immigrants

x. Haze in Miri

MIRI MOVING FORWARD

Miri is not only the second largest city in Sarawak but it is also important as a historical place and, at the same time, a gateway to many places of touristic interests. Historically, Miri had been the birth place of the petroleum industry in Malaysia and her contribution to the economic development of Malaysia in general and of Sarawak in particular is unquestioned.

Historical the small fishing Miri town grew because of the discovery of oil in 1910.. One hundred and sixteen years ago.. Sarawak Shell Berhad had played an important part with the growth of Miri, contributions to Miri and Sarawak economy, social developments, culture, educational.

I therefore would like to urge our Sarawak Govt to help Shell to stay in Miri and Bintulu and to continue its important contribution to the Miri and Sarawak economy and social developments.

In recent times, Miri has witnessed a significant decline in its economic activities particularly in the oil & gas industry, timber industry and those ancillary service industries. This has significantly impacted the Miri’s community in terms of its local businesses, social security and quality of livelihood.

In view of keeping and improving the liveability of Miri City and its social economic development, we need to have a forward looking plan to achieve this goal. A cohesive and comprehensive approach towards this end has to be committed by the local government, communities and business sectors at large.

I am pleased to note that the 2017 budget indicates a very pro-active approach on the government’s part in leading the drive and getting all necessary parties to be involved. We should think out-of-the box and find new synergies with its existing environment and tap into those under-developed resources and exploit those natural advantages in order to reap the profits.

Due to her strategic position, Miri evolved into the melting pot she is of the diverse cultural systems from so many different races who live in the city or in its immediate hinterland. These richly cultural races include Malays, Ibans, Chinese, Kayans, Kenyahs, Kelabits, Lun Bawangs, Berawans and etc. Visitors to Miri cannot help but be intrigued by the mix of so many cultural systems which exist in perfect harmony with each other.

Miri City has developed into a great shopping destination in the northern Sarawak. It has great diving spots within an hour boat ride away. It is also the gateway to the many natural beauties like the Mulu National Park, the Niah National Park, the Lambir Hill National Park and the Loagan Benut National Park. Undoubtedly Miri is a beautiful city and has a lot to offer. We need more promotion and marketing of Miri in overseas and in Malaysia.

I am happy to note a sum of RM 48 million will be allocated in the 2017 budget for the purpose of creating new growth impetus by leveraging on tourism as the key driver.

Federal Government should also allocate a like sum of RM48 million to Sarawak Ministry of Tourism .

It is hope that tourism industry players will benefit from those initiatives in government’s efforts to transform the tourism industry in Sarawak..

TOURISM

In line with “Miri Resort City” mandate, tourism is an obvious industry we should put more emphasis on. It is also to Miri’s natural advantages that being close to Brunei and Sabah, there are a lot of synergies that we can capitalize on and cross pollinate with our neighbors. In order to create a lively and interesting ambiance for tourists to feel worthy of staying in Miri for a longer duration, we need to encourage and promote improvements in the following aspects.

Food & Beverage (F&B)

We need to develop new and unique F&B attractions to complement its existing entertainment and F&B services and offerings. Both tourists and locals alike, welcome an unique F&B attraction. We can explore into several possibilities, like, Food Street, Food Trucks Park, Miri Riverine etc.

These sorts of offerings will improve the catering to both tourists and locals, and generate new businesses and new jobs. Local Councils should allow these and indeed be seemed to promote these new areas of economic activities where ordinary people can actively participate and hope to make a reasonable living in this challenging time.

Hotels and Accommodation

We believe that Miri has already established itself to be gateway to Bario Highland, Mulu National Park, Tusan Beach and Niah Cave National Park. We can value-add to these existing establishments by creating more theme related or creative resorts around them making those destinations more interesting and attractive. This will draw in more tourists who will prolong their stay.

Museums and Heritage Centre

In order to enhance Miri as an interesting destination for Culture and Arts of Sarawak, it is important to develop museums and centers for arts, culture, heritage and history. The existing facilities like Miri Petroleum Museum, Handicraft and Heritage Centre should be upgraded with more facilities, e.g. cafe, shops and exhibits range.

New theme or interest museums, gallery and local arts centre should be set up.

Upgrading Miri Airport

Our State Government must fight for the landing rights of international airlines to Miri. I understand both the Minister of Tourism and the Assistant Minister of Tourism are actively pursuing their efforts to negotiate for more new direct flights to Miri. We are looking forward to receiving the tourists in early 2017.

We need more qualified trained and professional tourist guides. Courses must be organised by the government as soon as possible.

ROAD and IMPROVEMENTS FOR MULU NATIONAL PARK

Mulu National Park is world renowned. The only access to Mulu by tourists is by air to the small airport of the park. Flights can be cancelled and severely delayed due to poor weather conditions that make it unsafe to fly to the small airport. Furthermore, tourists do not want to travel half way round the world to be told that they cannot get to Mulu National Park due to bad weather. This leads to bad publicity.

I agree with the Honourable Member for Telang Usan that it is time that we build a road to the Mulu park. The new road can stop at a river jetty near a kampung and outside the boundary of the national park. The jetty point can be man by Park personnel. The jetty point must have facilities like secured car parks, café, toilet facilities and shops selling local produce. Tourists can only enter the Park by river transport from the jetty.

This ensures that there are no unauthorized visitors to the Park. The river ride can also serve as a tourist attraction as it passes the scenic jungle. This will help to bring tourism related economical developments to the rural places, and also provide tourists with a more definite and interesting transport to the Mulu National Park.

The road proposal will help open up the Mulu National Park that will benefit the community economically. The Jetty Entrance Point is where we can manage the number of people entering the Park, just in case it gets too popular and the government does not want too many visitors in the Park at any on-peak period. It will also be good to increase the number of flights to Mulu National Park from Miri.