{"id":23281,"date":"2018-11-14T14:21:34","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T06:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/?p=23281"},"modified":"2018-11-14T22:07:57","modified_gmt":"2018-11-14T14:07:57","slug":"ucapan-penggulungan-yang-berhormat-datuk-dr-sim-kui-hian-menteri-kerajaan-tempatan-dan-perumahan-sarawak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/?p=23281","title":{"rendered":"UCAPAN PENGGULUNGAN YANG BERHORMAT DATUK DR. SIM KUI HIAN MENTERI KERAJAAN TEMPATAN DAN PERUMAHAN SARAWAK"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thank you very much Datuk Amar Speaker. G\u2019noon and Salam\u00a0Ibupertiwkiku<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

1. First and foremost, I wish to congratulate Yang Amat Berhormat\u00a0Chief Minister of Sarawak for tabling the biggest ever recorded\u00a02019 State Budget of $11.9 billion. The 2019 State Budget\u00a0continues to be development-biased with focus on high impact,\u00a0people-centric projects, particularly in the rural areas and with\u00a0commitment to ensure completion of all on-going projects. This is\u00a0a testament of the State\u2019s commitment under the able leadership\u00a0of Yang Amat Berhormat Chief Minister of Sarawak to fulfil the\u00a0aspiration of our people particularly, the rural population to have\u00a0the much awaited roads, bridges, increased connectivity and\u00a0coverage of treated water and electricity supply to bridge the gap\u00a0between the urban areas and rural areas and to spur our beloved\u00a0state towards a High Income Economy.<\/p>\n

2. I would like also to record my thanks to all Ahli-ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat who, during the course of their debates, have either\u00a0commented or raised matters related to my Ministry as well as\u00a0agencies and departments under my purview or watching brief. I\u00a0will now proceed with my winding up speech and I will attempt to\u00a0respond to issues raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat.<\/p>\n

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING\u00a0<\/b>(MLGH)<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

3. My Ministry and all the State departments and agencies under my\u00a0charge, namely, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Sewerage\u00a0Services Department, Housing Development Corporation, the 24\u00a0Local Authorities including MBKS are service-oriented\u00a0organisations. We pledge to do our best and are committed to\u00a0continuously enhance our service delivery in order to improve the\u00a0quality of life of the Rakyat. In addition to these, there are 2\u00a0Federal departments that are also under my watching brief\u00a0namely, Sarawak State Health Department and the Fire and\u00a0Rescue Department Malaysia, Sarawak.<\/p>\n

Development Projects and Programmes under Local<\/b><\/p>\n

Authorities<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

4. A number of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat has also highlighted various\u00a0issues and concerns relating to town beautification, provision of\u00a0infrastructures, municipal services and occurrences of flood in their\u00a0respective constituencies. These issues and concerns raised by\u00a0Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat will be looked into by the respective\u00a0agencies under my charge and in this respect, my Ministry will also\u00a0continue to seek for more State and Federal funding.<\/p>\n

5. For the information of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, in 2018, the State\u00a0Government has approved an allocation of RM53.23 million for the\u00a024 Local Authorities including MBKS, to implement 539\u00a0infrastructure projects such as provision of street lightings, traffic\u00a0lights, footpaths, public toilets, libraries, jetties and recreational\u00a0parks. Out of these, 223 projects were completed and the\u00a0remaining projects are at various stages of implementation.<\/p>\n

6. Apart from this, under the Cabinet Committee for Rural\u00a0Transformation, my Ministry has also received an allocation of\u00a0RM32.3 million for 51 flood mitigation projects to be implemented\u00a0by the local authorities, DID and JKR. Out of these, 41 projects will\u00a0be completed this year whilst the remaining 10 projects will be\u00a0completed in 2019.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker<\/p>\n

7. Under the Rural Transformation Projects (RTP), 495 projects\u00a0amounting to RM81.1 million were approved for implementation by\u00a0the local authorities this year. Out of these, 33 projects have been\u00a0completed while 462 projects are at various stages of\u00a0implementation.<\/p>\n

8. In addition to these, in 2018, another 68 projects have been\u00a0approved under YAB Chief Minister Walkabout Projects with a total\u00a0allocation of RM677.78 million. These projects are implemented by\u00a0DID, HDC, JKR and the local authorities. To-date, 2 projects have\u00a0been completed while 11 projects are at various stages of\u00a0implementation. 9 projects are currently in the process of award\u00a0while the remaining 46 projects are at design stage.<\/p>\n

9. For this year, a total of RM296.8 million was approved under the\u00a0Malaysian Road Record Information System (MARRIS) for\u00a0maintenance of roads including maintenance of road furnitures,\u00a0road verges, side drains, etc. in the local authorities areas. As at\u00a030th October 2018, RM178.4 million has been spent.<\/p>\n

10. Apart from State funding, my ministry has also received RM14.99\u00a0million from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government\u00a0(KPKT) for local authorities in the State to implement 465 minor\u00a0infrastructure projects this year. 75 projects were completed whilst\u00a0the remaining 390 projects are under implementation and will be\u00a0completed by the end of this year.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

11. To strengthen the capacity and the capability of the local\u00a0authorities to expedite the delivery of the approved projects, the\u00a0State Government has recently approved 75 technical posts such\u00a0as engineers, quantity surveyors, assistant engineers, assistant\u00a0landscape architect, assistant quantity surveyors and\u00a0draughtsmen. The recruitment will be conducted by my Ministry\u00a0and the successful candidates will then be deployed to the local\u00a0authorities and my Ministry.<\/p>\n

Skuad LA Serve<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

12. This LA Serve was set up in September 2017 and was fully\u00a0operational in February 2018. I wish to update this august House\u00a0on the implementation of LA Serve in the six pilot councils. Since\u00a0its implementation, the number of complaints in Talikhidmat has\u00a0reduced. In January to June 2017 there are 4,598 complaints, as\u00a0compared to 3,079 complaints for the same period in 2018. They\u00a0said squad has also solved 1,414 cases during their patrolling.<\/p>\n

13. In addition to LA Serve, MBKS has since the middle of this year,\u00a0embarked on I-People Apps as pilot project. The Apps is about the\u00a0real time communication between the people and MBKS. Some of\u00a0the important features of the Apps are photo attachment and geo\u00a0tagging. The map-based pin-drop location function will enable\u00a0MBKS to identify the exact location of the complaint and thereby\u00a0enabling MBKS to resolve the issue quickly. Up to 10th November,\u00a08,027 people have downloaded the Apps and MBKS has received\u00a0920 cases through this Apps.<\/p>\n

Community Development and Engagement Programmes<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

14. To date, my Ministry has disbursed RM2.4 million to the 23 local\u00a0authorities for implementation of various community development\u00a0and engagement programmes such as no plastic campaigns, 3R\u00a0programmes, community composting programmes and other\u00a0programmes to enhance the socio-economy of the community as\u00a0well as to promote unity among our Rakyat.<\/p>\n

15. Apart from this, my Ministry has since 2016 introduced the SMART\u00a0Community Award. The aim of this award is to recognise the\u00a0contribution of the local communities in improving their socio-\u00a0economy and to acknowledge their contribution towards\u00a0stewardship of the environment, beautification and community\u00a0services in their respective kampungs in collaboration with the\u00a0local authorities. The SMART Community Award has become the\u00a0benchmark programmes for 23 Local Authorities to enhance their\u00a0community development programmes in their respective\u00a0jurisdiction.<\/p>\n

Urban Poor Eradication Program (PPKB)<\/b><\/p>\n

16. The Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has\u00a0also allocated RM4.695 million in 2018 for the implementation of\u00a0313 house repair projects by local authorities in Sarawak under the\u00a0Urban Poor Eradication Programme (PPKB). My Ministry will\u00a0continue to bid for more funding under this program as well as to\u00a0monitor the implementation of these approved projects. To-date,\u00a0all the house repair projects have been completed.<\/p>\n

Population Control on Dogs<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

17. I wish to update Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat that the Local\u00a0Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-Laws, 2018 has already\u00a0been approved by the State Cabinet on 18th October 2018 and\u00a0shall come into force on 1st December 2018. With the coming into\u00a0force of the new By-laws, all the 26 dog licence By-laws of all local\u00a0authorities in Sarawak will be consolidated into one law. This is to\u00a0ensure uniformity and consistency in dog licensing and control.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

18. I will now address the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for\u00a0Pelawan on the new Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control)\u00a0By-Laws, 2018.<\/p>\n

19. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat, under By-Law 3 of the\u00a0said By-Laws, a fine for keeping a dog without a license is\u00a0RM5,000 while any person who obstructs Council officers from\u00a0carrying out their duties shall be dealt with under Section 162 of\u00a0the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996. Under the said Section 162,\u00a0any person who is found guilty of obstructing Council officers in\u00a0executing their duties shall be liable to a fine not exceeding\u00a0RM1,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or\u00a0both.<\/p>\n

20. On the issue on dogs catching, the decision as to whether or not\u00a0to outsource such activity is purely an operational issue. There is\u00a0no need for the law to provide for such transaction. Yes, all\u00a0mammals including cats can carry rabies virus but we ought to be\u00a0more careful with dogs because all the reported human rabies\u00a0cases in the State came from dog bites.<\/p>\n

Rabies<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

21. For the information of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, the battle against\u00a0rabies involves multi-agency collaboration led by the Department\u00a0of Veterinary Services Sarawak together with the Sarawak State\u00a0Health Department and the local authorities. The main task of the\u00a0local authorities is to remove targeted stray dogs from the streets,\u00a0to create awareness on rabies among the community and to\u00a0control population of dogs with owners through licensing.<\/p>\n

22. On human rabies cases, Sarawak State Health Department has\u00a0reported thirteen (13) laboratory confirmed cases, twelve (12) of\u00a0whom have died due to the disease.<\/p>\n

23. Up to the end of October 2018, all divisions in Sarawak except\u00a0Limbang have been declared as rabies outbreak areas under the\u00a0Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, 1999. A total of 20,127 cases\u00a0of animal bites from the outbreak areas have been reported to\u00a0Sarawak State Health Department since 1st April 2017. Out of this\u00a0number, 5,557 cases of high risk bites have received human anti-\u00a0rabies vaccination.<\/p>\n

24. A total of 825 awareness campaigns and talks have been\u00a0organised by the Sarawak State Health Department, Department\u00a0of Veterinary Services Sarawak and the local authorities which\u00a0were attended by 138,256 people. To-date, almost a million\u00a0(915,557) brochures have been distributed to the community and\u00a0531 posters and banners have been placed at strategic locations to\u00a0create awareness and to continually remind the public on rabies.<\/p>\n

25. Sarawak can be declared free of rabies only if the State remains\u00a0free of animal and human rabies for a period of at least 2 years.\u00a0The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted for rabies to\u00a0be eliminated globally by the year 2030.<\/p>\n

26. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek, has raised the issue on the\u00a0needs to remove stray dogs from our streets. I agreed with Ahli\u00a0Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek that targeted removing stray dogs\u00a0from the street is important but rabies eradication requires multi-\u00a0pronged strategies. As Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek is well\u00a0aware of, Sarawak is a vast state with porous boundaries with\u00a0Kalimantan. Under such circumstances, to control the movement\u00a0of stray dogs is definitely going to be a challenging task. The local\u00a0authorities will also continue to work closely with the Department\u00a0of Veterinary Services Sarawak and Sarawak State Health\u00a0Department so that their programmes and multi-pronged\u00a0strategies can achieve the desired outcomes in eradicating rabies\u00a0in the State.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

27. To-date, a total of 153 local authority staff has been deployed for\u00a0rabies eradication program. The main activity is the targeted\u00a0removal of stray dogs. Since the outbreak, about 11,000 stray\u00a0dogs have been removed by the 26 local authorities in Sarawak.\u00a0Apart from this, my Ministry has also initiated rabies awareness\u00a0campaign through printed as well as social media.<\/p>\n

Solid Waste Management<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

28. A number of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat has raised questions and\u00a0issues related to solid waste management and landfills. For the\u00a0information of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, the State Government is\u00a0currently conducting an integrated solid waste management study\u00a0for Sarawak and this study will provide a holistic plan for\u00a0sustainable and long-term solution on solid waste management for\u00a0the State. This study is expected to be completed by the end of\u00a0December 2018.<\/p>\n

29. For the information of all Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, the State\u00a0currently has three (3) sanitary landfills that are equipped with\u00a0proper leachate treatment plant while the remaining waste\u00a0disposal sites are all open dump sites. Solid waste management is\u00a0very costly. In 2017, the 23 local authorities under my Ministry\u00a0collected RM25.1 million for scavenging service from the\u00a0assessment rates. However, during the same year, the said local\u00a0authorities spent about RM58 million for the service. Apart from\u00a0the financial constraint, the local authorities also face other\u00a0technical issues and challenges like narrow roads, scattered\u00a0settlements, high water content in our wastes, etc.<\/p>\n

Sibuti Sanitary Landfill and Lambir Transfer Station<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

30. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lambir has raised the issue of Sibuti\u00a0Sanitary Landfill and Lambir Transfer Station. For the information\u00a0of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lambir, Miri City Council has no plan to\u00a0shut down and relocate the existing Sibuti Sanitary Landfill. The\u00a0facility is conveniently located to serve Miri, Subis as well as\u00a0Marudi and the landfill is 3 kilometres away from the nearest\u00a0kampung. The facility is also equipped with new RM23 million\u00a0leachate treatment plant which was recently operational and it\u00a0has a capacity to serve Miri, Subis and Marudi for the next 35\u00a0years.\u00a0As for Lambir Transfer Station, Miri City Council has applied for an\u00a0allocation of RM17 million this year, from the Federal Ministry of\u00a0Housing and Local Government to construct a new transfer station\u00a0at Kilometre 11, Miri-Bintulu Road. Miri City Council is still waiting\u00a0for approval of funding.<\/p>\n

Closure of Dump Site at Entulang<\/b><\/p>\n

31. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Begunan, the\u00a0State Government has approved a site for a new sanitary landfill at\u00a0Bukit Gran Stumbin. However, Sri Aman District Council has to\u00a0wait for the recommendations of the Sarawak Integrated Solid\u00a0Waste Management Study before planning and bidding for the\u00a0necessary budget to construct the new landfill. The closure of the\u00a0Entulang dump site can only be executed upon completion of the\u00a0new sanitary landfill.<\/p>\n

Issues Raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Online Gambling<\/b><\/p>\n

32. On the issue raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong and\u00a0Lambir on the grocery or convenience shops operating 24 hours in\u00a0their constituencies which may also be involved in the selling of\u00a0reload for online gambling, I wish to inform Ahli-ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Tupong and Lambir that any information on such\u00a0activities must be reported to the Police so that actions can be\u00a0taken under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.<\/p>\n

e-Sport Activity<\/b><\/p>\n

33. On the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong on e-Sport,\u00a0I wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat that my Ministry is in the\u00a0process of preparing a policy to regulate e-Sports activities. This is\u00a0to ensure that there is no element of gambling in the operations of\u00a0e-Sports centre. It is hope that this policy will strengthen the\u00a0enforcement of the existing Entertainments By-laws. This policy is\u00a0expected to be implemented early next year after consultation and\u00a0engagement with the various stakeholders.<\/p>\n

Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004<\/b><\/p>\n

34. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Piasau, the\u00a0gazetting of smoke-free zone is under the jurisdiction of the\u00a0Ministry of Health Malaysia and this law is only enforceable by the\u00a0authorized personnel of Health Department.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

35. The Sarawak Government is very supportive of the initiative to ban\u00a0smoking in public places. Currently, there are already 23 public\u00a0places that have been gazetted as smoke-free zones under these\u00a0Regulations. From January until September 2018, 2,636 premises\u00a0were checked for compliance with the Regulations. The inspected\u00a0premises were the health facilities, government offices, airports,\u00a0educational institutions and religious premises. So far, Sarawak\u00a0State Health Department has issued compounds amounting to RM\u00a0437,052 this year.<\/p>\n

5-Footway in Bintulu<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

36. On the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tanjung Batu on 5-\u00a0footway in Bintulu, I wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat that\u00a0under by law 26(1) of the Local Authorities (Cleanliness) By laws,\u00a01999 prohibits any person to put, display, store or hang on or\u00a0above any footway, any goods, article or things for sale or\u00a0otherwise. Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) is enforcing what\u00a0is already provided for under the law when disallowing any goods\u00a0to be put on display at 5-footways.<\/p>\n

Lingga Waterfront Project<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

37. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lingga, RM5 million\u00a0was approved for Lingga Waterfront under YAB Chief Minister\u00a0Walkabout Projects. The project is currently at the pre-contract\u00a0stage and expected to commence in January 2019. The project will\u00a0take 12 months to complete.<\/p>\n

Poor Maintenance of Drain<\/b><\/p>\n

38. For information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lingga, Sri Aman\u00a0District Council will identify the problem location and take action\u00a0accordingly.<\/p>\n

Widening of Access Road to Rh Rawing and Rh Repong<\/b><\/p>\n

39. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Engkilili, Lubok\u00a0Antu District Council will study the need to widen the access road\u00a0to Rh Rawing and Rh Repong.<\/p>\n

Shortage of Manpower and Funding for Betong District<\/b><\/p>\n

Council Office Roof Repair<\/b><\/p>\n

40. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Layar, Betong\u00a0District Council has a total number of 74 posts out of which, 55\u00a0posts have been filled. The remaining 19 vacancies will be filled in\u00a0stages. In addition to this, the Ministry will deploy one Engineer\u00a0and one Assistant Engineer to Betong District Council by early next\u00a0year. On the issue of repair on the council\u2019s office, my Ministry will\u00a0look for necessary funding for the required works.<\/p>\n

Proposal for a New Selangau District Council<\/b><\/p>\n

41. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tamin, my Ministry\u00a0has no plan to set up Selangau District Council. Based on the\u00a0statistics, the population of Selangau is about 22,000 with 2,871\u00a0rateable properties which can generate assessment rates revenue\u00a0of about RM128,000. To run a small district council would require\u00a0funding of at least RM2 million a year. Therefore, to set up\u00a0Selangau District Council at this juncture is not financially viable.\u00a0However, notwithstanding this, Selangau area will still be serviced\u00a0by Sibu Rural District Council.<\/p>\n

Proposal for a Sub-office for Dalat and Mukah District<\/b><\/p>\n

Council at Balingian<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

42. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Balingian, Dalat\u00a0and Mukah District Council has a plan to have sub-office at\u00a0Balingian. Currently, the office is temporarily sited at Dewan\u00a0Masyarakat until we find new suitable office space in Balingian.<\/p>\n

Matang Metrocity Night Market<\/b><\/p>\n

43. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong has raised the issue of a new site\u00a0for Matang Metrocity night market. My Ministry will recommend to\u00a0DBKU to identify a space within the Metrocity development area\u00a0for the purpose of night market.<\/p>\n

New Simunjan Market<\/b><\/p>\n

44. For information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Simunjan, the State\u00a0Government has approved a new Simunjan market under RMK-11\u00a0costing RM3.5 million to be implemented by Simunjan District\u00a0Council. Currently, the said project is pending siting approval.<\/p>\n

Clogged and Broken Drains in Sibu<\/b><\/p>\n

45. As Ahli Berhormat for Bukit Assek is well aware of, Sibu town is\u00a0mainly sited on a low-lying peat swamp area. Based on technical\u00a0advice, any attempt to construct covered concrete drain would\u00a0create a host of other problems such as lowering of the water\u00a0table which may cause further ground settlement. A better\u00a0solution to avoid clogged drain due to rubbish is to get the people\u00a0of Sibu not to throw rubbish indiscriminately. In this respect, I\u00a0urge Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek to work together with\u00a0Sibu Municipal Council in their anti-litter campaign and to inculcate\u00a0the culture of shared responsibility in ensuring clean environment\u00a0just like in Japan.<\/p>\n

Recreational Park at Pantai Tanjung Batu<\/b><\/p>\n

46. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Samalaju has raised the issue on the\u00a0upgrading and improvement of facilities for Tanjung Batu Beach.\u00a0For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat, Bintulu Development\u00a0Authority (BDA) is currently redeveloping Tanjung Batu Beach\u00a0costing RM5.71 million. This project is scheduled for completion by\u00a0the end of 2018. The scope of works include improvement to\u00a0existing public toilet, gazebo, BBQ pits, children playground,\u00a0facilities for the disabled, construction of surau and improvement\u00a0of parking lots.<\/p>\n

Miri City Council Car Parking Contract<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

47. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Pujut has raised the issue on the selection\u00a0of contractor for Miri City Parking System. I wish to inform Ahli\u00a0Yang Berhormat for Pujut that the Miri parking management\u00a0contract was procured through open tender in 2013. The decision\u00a0by than Miri City Council to award the contract to Miri Parking\u00a0Systems Sdn. Bhd. was based on not just financial but also\u00a0technical capability consideration.<\/p>\n

Miri City Council Beach Cleaning Contract<\/b><\/p>\n

48. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Pujut has also raised the issue on Miri\u00a0beach cleaning contract. For the information of Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Pujut, the contract was awarded based on open\u00a0tender procedure and was strictly in compliance with all financial\u00a0regulations.<\/p>\n

HOUSING<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

I will now deliberate on housing.<\/p>\n

Housing for Low Income Group (B40)<\/b><\/p>\n

49. Under RMK-11 State funded project, my Ministry through Housing\u00a0Development Corporation (HDC) was allocated RM250 million to\u00a0implement 1,338 units at Darul Hana, Tabuan Melayu, Sematan,\u00a0Lundu and Bau in Kuching Division, 42 units at Kampung Tian and\u00a0Kampung Igan in Mukah Division, 110 units at Kemunyang and\u00a0Kampung Dato Baru in Sibu Division, 150 units at Kampung Baru\u00a0in Kapit Division and 128 units at Ranggau in Limbang Division.\u00a0These projects are mostly affordable homes for the low income\u00a0group.<\/p>\n

50. Apart from this, HDC was allocated a total sum of RM127 million to\u00a0implement one amenity project in Sibu and 13 related\u00a0infrastructure projects in Kuching, Sibu, Sri Aman, Betong and Miri\u00a0Divisions.<\/p>\n

Federal Funded Project<\/b><\/p>\n

51. As Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat are aware of, housing for low income\u00a0group is a joint responsibility of the State and Federal\u00a0Government. The current arrangement is for HDC to provide the\u00a0land and the Federal Government through Ministry of Housing and\u00a0Local Government Malaysia (KPKT), to provide funding for the\u00a0development of the houses. Currently, there are 2 approved\u00a0Federal funded projects which are now in progress namely,\u00a0Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Landeh, Padawan consisting of\u00a0443 units of apartments and Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR)\u00a0Petra Jaya, Kuching consisting of 208 units of single storey terrace\u00a0houses. Both projects are scheduled for completion by 2020. My\u00a0Ministry will continue to pursue for more funding from the Federal\u00a0Government to provide more affordable housing for the B40\u00a0group.<\/p>\n

Issues Raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat<\/b><\/p>\n

Longhouse Loan<\/b><\/p>\n

52. Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat for Layar and Lingga have raised issues\u00a0on the longhouse loan. For the information of Ahli-ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Layar and Lingga, my Ministry will continue to\u00a0provide loans especially for building new longhouses but this\u00a0program is subject to availability of fund from the Federal\u00a0Government. For 2016, my Ministry has received a total of RM40\u00a0million from the Federal Government for implementation of this\u00a0programme. However for 2017 and 2018, my Ministry has applied\u00a0for RM50 million each year but the approved amount was only\u00a0RM10 million for each year. Since 2016 until now, 2,280\u00a0households have benefited from this programme.<\/p>\n

Affordable Housing in Samalaju Industrial Park<\/b><\/p>\n

53. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Samalaju has raised the issue on the non-\u00a0availability of affordable housing in Samalaju Industrial Park. I\u00a0wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat for Samalaju, that the State\u00a0Government has allocated 50 hectares for the purpose of providing\u00a0affordable housing in Samalaju Industrial Park. Bintulu\u00a0Development Authority will commence the infrastructure works by\u00a0next year.<\/p>\n

Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM)<\/b><\/p>\n

54. Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat for Serembu, Lingga, Machan, Kalaka,\u00a0Kabong, Balingian, Demak Laut and Beting Maro have raised the\u00a0issues on the provision of Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM) in their\u00a0respective constituencies.<\/p>\n

55. For the information of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, I have mentioned\u00a0in my last winding up speech that HDC shall conduct a demand\u00a0study before planning for any housing development projects. This\u00a0demand study will measure the level of demand and types of\u00a0houses that are required based on data collected within the\u00a0respective areas of study. These findings serve as a guide for\u00a0housing development planning. HDC will conduct the necessary\u00a0demand studies in Serembu, Lingga, Machan, Kalaka, Kabong,\u00a0Balingian and Demak Laut.<\/p>\n

56. In response to the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for\u00a0Machan, the State Government has recently introduced another\u00a0affordable housing program called Sri Pertiwi. Policies and\u00a0guidelines of this program have been approved by the State\u00a0Planning Authority on the 5th September 2018. The objective of\u00a0this program is to provide more choices of affordable housing for\u00a0the B40 and M40 groups. The houses under this program shall be\u00a0priced between RM 270,000 and RM 295,000 per unit.<\/p>\n

57. For the information of Ahli yang Berhormat for Beting Maro, HDC\u00a0has conducted the demand study in October this year. The finding\u00a0of the study revealed that, out of 445 respondents, 57% of the\u00a0respondents have indicated that they are interested to buy\u00a0affordable houses with price ranging from RM100,000 to\u00a0RM120,000. Since there is a demand for affordable houses in\u00a0Pusa, HDC will bid for necessary funding to implement this project.<\/p>\n

Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM) for Persatuan Veteran<\/b><\/p>\n

Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (PVATM) Kapit<\/b><\/p>\n

58. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Goram has raised the issue for the\u00a0Government to assist members of Persatuan Veteran Angkatan\u00a0Tentera Malaysia (PVATM) Kapit to construct house (Rumah\u00a0Mampu Milik) on their own housing lots.<\/p>\n

59. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Goram, there\u00a0is currently no specific housing programme provided by the State\u00a0Government for PVATM and therefore members of PVATM can\u00a0apply for Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) housing programme under\u00a0Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) which is also open to\u00a0general public.<\/p>\n

Rumah SPEKTRA Permata (RSP)<\/b><\/p>\n

60. Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong and Beting Maro have raised\u00a0the issue on the provision of Rumah SPEKTRA Permata (RSP) in\u00a0their respective constituencies. For the information of Ahli-ahli\u00a0Yang Berhormat for Tupong and Beting Maro, the implementation\u00a0of RSP is mainly to assist low income group (B40) who are\u00a0provided with residential lot to build their own house in Skim\u00a0Pembesaran Kampung and Skim Penempatan Semula. Ahli-ahli\u00a0Yang Berhormat for Tupong and Beting Maro are advised to help\u00a0identify suitable Skim Pembesaran Kampung or Skim Penempatan\u00a0Semula in their constituencies for HDC to implement this program.<\/p>\n

61. In response to the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for\u00a0Tanjong Datu, to expedite the construction of Rumah SPEKTRA\u00a0Permata (RSP) in Lundu and Sematan, I wish to inform Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat that HDC will commence construction of RSP for Lundu\u00a0and Sematan in early 2019. To-date, the earthworks for 26 units\u00a0of RSP in Skim Pembesaran Kampung Lundu and 25 units of RSP\u00a0in Sematan have been completed. The State Government has\u00a0approved an allocation of RM5.4 million for the construction of the\u00a026 units of RSP Lundu and RM5.27 million for the 25 units of RSP\u00a0Sematan.<\/p>\n

62. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Jemoreng has raised the issue on the\u00a0implementation of Rumah SPEKTRA Permata in Igan and Matu.\u00a0For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Jemoreng, tender\u00a0for the earthworks for 22 units of RSP Igan and 20 units of RSP\u00a0Tian is at tender evaluation stage and works is expected to start\u00a0before end of 2018. The earthworks is scheduled for completion\u00a0within 4 months. Meanwhile, the building works will start by the\u00a02nd quarter 2019. A total amount of RM15.7 million has been\u00a0approved for the implementation of both projects by the State\u00a0Government.<\/p>\n

Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM) and SPEKTRA Permata<\/b><\/p>\n

Housing (RSP)<\/b><\/p>\n

63. In response to the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Daro to\u00a0build more Rumah Mampu Milik (RMM) and Rumah SPEKTRA\u00a0Permata (RSP) in Daro, HDC will implement the RMM in Daro if\u00a0there is a demand for such housing and it is also subject to the\u00a0availability of suitable state land in Daro. Whereas, for Rumah\u00a0SPEKTRA Permata (RSP), HDC has proposed the development of\u00a0RSP in Skim Pembesaran Kampung Badong, Daro during the RMK-\u00a011 Mid-term Review but unfortunately, it was not approved. HDC\u00a0will continue to find ways and means to seek fund for this project.<\/p>\n

Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR)<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

64. On the issue raised by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lingga for more\u00a0Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) to be built in Lingga, I wish to inform\u00a0Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lingga that new Rumah Mesra Rakyat\u00a0(RMR) programs under Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB)\u00a0are currently put on hold pending direction from the Federal\u00a0Government.<\/p>\n

Industrialized Building System (IBS)<\/b><\/p>\n

65. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lambir has raised the issue on IBS and\u00a0suggested that the State Government to construct IBS Plant in\u00a0Sarawak. My Ministry through HDC will take note of the suggestion\u00a0from Ahli Yang Berhormat.<\/p>\n

Tribunal of House Purchaser Claims<\/b><\/p>\n

66. I wish to inform Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat that from 2015 up until\u00a0October 2018, the total number of cases solved by the Tribunal is\u00a0217 involving RM1.3 million worth of settlement in Sibu, Limbang,\u00a0Bintulu, Mukah, Miri, and Kuching Divisions. During the same\u00a0period, the Tribunal has also recorded 75 withdrawn cases as the\u00a0claimants and the respondents have agreed to settle their cases\u00a0outside the tribunal process.<\/p>\n

DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE (DID)<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

67. Drainage and irrigation is under the concurrent list in the 9th\u00a0Schedule of The Constitution of Malaysia.<\/p>\n

State Funded Flood Mitigation and Urban Drainage<\/b><\/p>\n

68. For the information of Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat in this august\u00a0House, in 2018, the State Government has allocated fund\u00a0amounting to RM11.82 million to implement five (5) urban\u00a0drainage improvement projects throughout the State. Out of the\u00a0five (5) projects, two (2) have been completed while another three\u00a0(3) are still under construction and expected to be completed in\u00a02019. The two (2) completed projects are drainage works in Lawas\u00a0Town and drainage outlet for Sarawak General Hospital. The three\u00a0(3) on-going projects are Drainage Improvement Works at\u00a0Kampung Gita, Kuching, Kampung Jeriah and Kampung Bahagia in\u00a0Sibu.<\/p>\n

69. Under YAB Chief Minister Walkabout Projects, a total of RM128.86\u00a0million was approved for the implementation of 11 projects; six (6)\u00a0riverbank protection projects, three (3) flood mitigation projects,\u00a0one (1) concrete walkway and one (1) rural road project. The six\u00a0(6) riverbank protection projects with a total cost of RM52.2\u00a0million were approved for implementation at Simunjan, Gedong,\u00a0Kampung Penasu, Sungai Matu, Sungai Seloating, Lawas and\u00a0Kampung Sungai Bedil to Kampung Lintang, Kuching.<\/p>\n

70. The three (3) flood mitigation projects are at Taman Tunku and\u00a0Taman Ecopark both in Miri and Kampung Tuie, Betong with total\u00a0cost of RM30.5 million and works will commence early next year.\u00a0For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lambir, the flood\u00a0mitigation project at Taman Tunku shall also include Sg Rait and\u00a0Tukau areas. However, this project will be implemented in phases\u00a0with priority given to Taman Tunku.<\/p>\n

71. Two (2) other YAB Chief Minister Walkabout projects are the\u00a0concrete walkway at Kampung Tian Matu and the road linking\u00a0Kampung Penasu to Nanga Semah, Daro with a project cost of\u00a0RM6.16 million and RM40 million respectively.<\/p>\n

Federal Funded Projects<\/b><\/p>\n

72. In 2018, the Federal Government has allocated an amount of\u00a0RM54.08 million for flood and riverbank protection works. This\u00a0funding is meant for flood mitigation projects, riverbank protection\u00a0works, river cleaning and maintenance and to reinstate any\u00a0infrastructure that has been damaged due to flooding.<\/p>\n

73. The flood mitigation project at Jalan Tun Razak, Bintulu is\u00a0scheduled for completion by December 2018 and the current\u00a0progress is 91%. The flood mitigation projects for Sibu Phase 3\u00a0and Projek Lembangan Sungai Bersepadu (PLSB) Sungai Sarawak\u00a0with a project cost of RM100 million and RM150 million\u00a0respectively, are under review by the Federal Government. The\u00a0sub-projects for PLSB Sungai Sarawak include flood mitigation\u00a0works at Batu Lintang, Sarawak General Hospital, Federal\u00a0Quarters, Sungai Sinjan, Sungai Gersik, SK Muara Tuang, Taman\u00a0Unigarden, Taman Malihah and Sungai Tabuan.<\/p>\n

74. In 2018, the Federal Government has allocated RM14 million for\u00a0the implementation of three (3) Rancangan Memulihkan Koridor\u00a0Sungai (RMKS) in the State. Out of these three (3) projects, two\u00a0(2) have been completed, namely RMKS in Gedong and Simunjan\u00a0towns while RMKS Batang Kayan in Lundu town is still on-going.\u00a0The current physical progress of this project is 76% and is\u00a0scheduled for completion by the end of December 2018.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

75. The Government will continue to give priority to Stormwater\u00a0Management Drainage Master Plan study for urban centres in\u00a0Sarawak with the approved funding of RM11 million under RMK-\u00a011. Stormwater Management Drainage Master Plan for Sarikei and\u00a0Bintangor was completed on 31st October 2018.<\/p>\n

76. Stormwater Management Drainage Master Plan studies for other\u00a0main towns namely, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Debak, Spaoh,\u00a0Saratok, Limbang and Lawas are scheduled to commence under\u00a0Rolling Plan 4 (2019).<\/p>\n

Coastal Erosion Protection and River Mouth Rehabilitation\u00a0<\/b>Projects<\/b><\/p>\n

77. The Federal Government has approved a total of RM115.55 million\u00a0under RMK-11 for coastal erosion protection projects. Coastal\u00a0erosion protection works at Kampung Serpan was completed in\u00a0May 2018. Three (3) other projects at Kampung Sebuyau,\u00a0Samarahan, Kampung Buntal, Kuching and SK Badengan, Mukah\u00a0are currently under construction. The other five (5) projects\u00a0namely at Pekan Sematan, Kuala Baram Kampung Batu 1, Oya\u00a0Hilir, Kampung Semarang and Kampung Muara Tebas are at\u00a0planning and design stage.<\/p>\n

78. In addition, RM29.96 million has been approved for the\u00a0implementation of 4 river mouth dredging works at Sungai\u00a0Sematan, Sungai Buntal, Sungai Bako and Sungai Limbang. This is\u00a0to mitigate flood and facilitate river navigation. The dredging\u00a0works will be carried out next year.<\/p>\n

Issues Raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat<\/b><\/p>\n

Flooding at Kampung Hulu, Kampung Tengah dan\u00a0<\/b>Kampung Hilir Sri Aman<\/b><\/p>\n

79. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Lingga, DID has\u00a0submitted proposal for riverbank erosion protection project\u00a0covering Kampung Hilir, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Hulu in\u00a0RMK-11, estimated at RM29 million but the proposal was not\u00a0approved. DID will resubmit the said proposal again under the\u00a0next Rolling Plan for consideration.<\/p>\n

Riverbank Protection Works at Batang Mukah<\/b><\/p>\n

80. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tellian, DID has\u00a0put up proposal to the Federal Government under the RMK-11 to\u00a0request for an allocation of RM8 million to implement erosion\u00a0protection works at critically eroded riverbank with length of 515\u00a0meter at Sungai Penakub \/ Sungai Tellian, Mukah but the proposal\u00a0was not approved. DID will submit a revised proposal for the\u00a0riverbank protection works of 1.45 kilometre from Sungai Penakub\u00a0to the river mouth of Sungai Tellian to the Federal Government for\u00a0consideration in the RMK-12.<\/p>\n

Coastal Erosion at Kabong Area<\/b><\/p>\n

81. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Kabong, DID will\u00a0put up a study for the proposed diversion of river mouth of Sungai\u00a0Ulu Alit \/ Sungai Bubus with the estimated cost of RM1.5 million in\u00a0the next Rolling Plan.<\/p>\n

Tidal Flood at Lorong Foochow, Kuching<\/b><\/p>\n

82. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Pending, on the\u00a0upgrading of the earth drains, MBKS has been bidding for the\u00a0required funding of RM6 million since RMK-10 but, it was not\u00a0approved. I also wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat that based on\u00a0technical advice, upgrading of earth drain and raising of the road\u00a0level in the Lorong Foochow areas will not be effective in\u00a0mitigating the flooding issues. The area is naturally low-lying and\u00a0tidal flooding is the dominating factor. As I have already explained\u00a0in my last winding up speech, based on the technical advice, the\u00a0most effective measure is to construct a barrage near Sungai\u00a0Tabuan river mouth with an total estimated cost of RM380 million.\u00a0Therefore, I hope Ahli Yang Berhormat for Pending can help to\u00a0secure the required funding from the Federal Government.<\/p>\n

Flood Mitigation and Drainage Improvement Works at\u00a0<\/b>Tupong Area<\/b><\/p>\n

83. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong, DID has\u00a0submitted to the Federal Government under RMK-11, two (2) flood\u00a0mitigation proposals, namely for Taman Sejoli and Jalan Matang\u00a0Baru costing RM16 million but both proposals were not approved.\u00a0Apart from these, DID has also bid for State funding under RMK-\u00a011 Mid-term Review to implement two (2) drainage improvement\u00a0projects at Kampung Pinang Jawa Fasa 2 and Jalan Matang Baru \/\u00a0Batu Kawa at an estimated cost of RM18 million but it were not\u00a0approved. DID will continue to source for funding to implement\u00a0these projects.<\/p>\n

Flood Prone Areas along Batang Sadong<\/b><\/p>\n

84. On the request for flood mitigation measures raised by Ahli\u00a0Berhormat for Bukit Semuja, I wish to inform Ahli Yang Berhormat\u00a0that the construction of flood mitigation measures such as bund\u00a0and riverwall are not only costly but can also lead to a false sense\u00a0of security when people start building on low lying platform or\u00a0extend their stilt house to ground level. Bunding also requires\u00a0space and buffer along the riverbanks of Batang Sadong which are\u00a0not available in these existing villages. Therefore, as per expert\u00a0technical advice, a more practical approach for villages along\u00a0riverine areas that are subjected to tidal flooding and riverbank\u00a0failures is to relocate them to higher ground.<\/p>\n

Bund \/ Flood mitigation at Kampung Simunjan Jaya,\u00a0<\/b>Kampung Tabuan Iban and few kampung at Rangawan\u00a0<\/b>zone.<\/b><\/p>\n

85. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Simunjan, DID has\u00a0requested for fund for riverbank protection works at Kampung\u00a0Sageng Hilir as well as improvement works at Kampung Tabuan\u00a0Iban, Kampung Simunjan Jaya and Sungai Rangawan from the\u00a0Federal Government but was not approved. DID will continue to\u00a0source for funding.<\/p>\n

Flash Flood in Repok<\/b><\/p>\n

86. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok, the Urban\u00a0Stormwater Drainage Master Plan Study for Sarikei and Bintangor\u00a0was completed on 31st October 2018. Structural measures such as\u00a0communal detention pond and drainage upgrading will be\u00a0implemented subject to funding availability. Non-structural\u00a0measures such as regulating land use, gazetting of river reserve,\u00a0regulating building platform levels and etc. will also be carried out.\u00a0In addition, all new land developments are required to apply the\u00a0Best Management Practices (BMPs) as stipulated in Sarawak Urban\u00a0Stormwater Management (SUStoM).<\/p>\n

87. To strengthen the capacity and the capability of DID to expedite\u00a0the delivery of all the approved projects, the State Government\u00a0has recently approved 96 new posts consisting of 15 engineers\u00a0and 81 assistant engineers.<\/p>\n

SEWERAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (SSD)\u00a0<\/b>Urban Sewerage<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

88. I will now update the various sewerage projects in the State which\u00a0are undertaken by the Sewerage Services Department.<\/p>\n

Septic Sludge Treatment Facilities<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

89. Under RMK-11, the Federal Government has approved a total of\u00a0RM60 million to build four (4) additional septic sludge treatment\u00a0plants in Sarawak to serve the towns of Betong, Sarikei, Kapit and\u00a0Limbang. The Department is finalising the design of these plants.\u00a0However, these 4 projects have been put on hold by the Federal\u00a0Government. Sewerage Services Department has on the 13th\u00a0September written to the Federal Ministry of Water, Land and\u00a0Natural Resources for these 4 projects to be continued. To-date\u00a0we have not received any feedback from the said Federal Ministry.<\/p>\n

Centralised Sewerage Systems<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

90. The construction of Miri Centralized Sewerage System, Phase 1,\u00a0Package A involving the sewer network has achieved 31%\u00a0progress and it is on schedule for completion in year 2021. The\u00a0open tender for Package B involving the construction of the\u00a0centralized sewage treatment plant was called on 20th August and\u00a0closed on 10th October this year. The tender is now under\u00a0evaluation. The total scheme value for Package A and Package B is\u00a0RM428 million.<\/p>\n

91. For the Kuching Centralized Sewerage System, Zone 1 Package 2\u00a0Contract with an allocation of RM20 million is now scheduled for\u00a0completion in January 2019. It is now 62% completed. For\u00a0Package 2 Contract, which has commenced on 15th September\u00a02017, the progress is on schedule at 7%. It is scheduled to\u00a0complete in 2023.<\/p>\n

Sewerage Master Plan Studies<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

92. The Federal Government has also approved RM1 million each for\u00a0three (3) sewerage Master Plan studies under the RMK-11 First\u00a0Rolling Plan (2016-2017). These master plan studies are for our\u00a0smaller urban centres of Kota Samarahan Town, Sarikei and\u00a0Bintangor Town, and Mukah Town. These studies have been\u00a0successfully completed.<\/p>\n

SARAWAK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT<\/b><\/p>\n

Health Services<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

93. I shall now touch on the services provided by the Sarawak State\u00a0Health Department, a Federal agency under my watching brief.\u00a0Protecting the safety and health of the Sarawak population from\u00a0various infections and diseases is an important aspect of the\u00a0services provided by Sarawak State Health Department. Despite\u00a0efforts put into preventive and control measures, diseases\u00a0continue to occur causing morbidity and mortality.<\/p>\n

Dengue and Malaria<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

94. As of 27th October 2018, 540 dengue cases were reported in\u00a0Sarawak compared to 834 cases over the same period in 2017, a\u00a0decrease of 35.3%. Sarawak State Health Department is\u00a0committed to continue to collaborate with the community and\u00a0other non-health agencies in the State to further prevent and\u00a0reduce dengue cases in Sarawak.<\/p>\n

95. As Sarawak has been free from indigenous human malaria\u00a0(falciparum and malariae malaria since 2013 and vivax malaria\u00a0since 2016), we must be cautious with imported malaria cases so\u00a0that the infection is not reintroduced back to the State. To-date,\u00a0251 imported human malaria cases were reported as compared to\u00a0163 cases over the same period last year. These imported human\u00a0malaria cases are mostly brought into the State by Sarawakians\u00a0who got infected while working overseas. We urged the companies\u00a0who have Sarawakians working in Malaria endemic countries to be\u00a0more proactive and responsible by ensuring that the returning\u00a0workers are free from Malaria.<\/p>\n

Non-Communicable Disease (NCD)<\/b><\/p>\n

96. Non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, hypertension\u00a0and heart diseases continue to pose problem. Up to September\u00a02018, a total of 150,149 old and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus\u00a0cases were registered in Sarawak.<\/p>\n

97. As for hypertension, the cumulative number of diagnosed cases\u00a0continues to increase from 137,713 cases registered in 2017 to\u00a0357,268 cases in 2018, making the prevalence of hypertension in\u00a0Sarawak at 16.4%.<\/p>\n

98. We believe many of us do not go for health screening, therefore\u00a0are not aware of our sugar level and blood pressure reading. We\u00a0urge the people of Sarawak to go for health screening to know\u00a0your health status. If found to have the disease, early treatment\u00a0can be given and possible complications can be avoided.<\/p>\n

99. Efforts for early detection of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) at\u00a0community level such as Komuniti Sihat Pembina Negara\u00a0(KOSPEN) and early intervention to the high-risk group to prevent\u00a0complications of NCD are on-going.<\/p>\n

Rural Transformation Initiative; Key Result Areas 2 – Rural\u00a0<\/b>Health Services<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

100. Apart from fund received from the Federal Government, Sarawak\u00a0State Health Department also received fund from Sarawak State\u00a0Government. Through the Sarawak Cabinet Committee, a sum of\u00a0RM6.01 million has been allocated for the Rural Transformation\u00a0Initiative Key Result Area 2 on Rural Health Services. This fund is\u00a0to (1) repair and upgrade 22 dilapidated rural clinics (RM 3.14\u00a0million), (2) establish the second cluster-clinic centred at Klinik\u00a0Kesihatan Sungai Asap to purchase new medical equipment and an\u00a0ambulance (RM 700,00), and (3) procure equipment and vehicles\u00a0for Rural Clinics Visiting Doctor (RCVD) teams (RM 2.17 million).<\/p>\n

Expanding Speciality Services to Minor Specialist and\u00a0<\/b>District Hospitals<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

101. Sarawak State Health Department is planning to expand the\u00a0speciality services in minor specialist and district hospitals. In\u00a02019, a physician will be posted to Serian Hospital, an obstetric\u00a0and gynaecologist to Sri Aman Hospital as well as a paediatrician\u00a0and a physician to Limbang Hospital.<\/p>\n

102. In Bau Hospital, a hospital cluster programme was implemented\u00a0since September 2018 to reduce the waiting time for operation\u00a0theatre procedures. Since then, a surgical team from Sarawak\u00a0General Hospital has started performing surgeries and procedures\u00a0at the said hospital.<\/p>\n

Issues Raised by Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat\u00a0<\/b>Upgrading\/New Klinik Kesihatan for Sarikei<\/b><\/p>\n

103. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok has raised issue on construction of\u00a0a new clinic for Sarikei or upgrading of the existing Klinik\u00a0Kesihatan Sarikei to address the congestion due to space\u00a0constraint at Klinik Kesihatan Sarikei. I wish to inform Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Repok that Sarawak State Health Department is\u00a0currently in the process of renovating the patient waiting area in\u00a0Klinik Kesihatan Sarikei to accommodate the increasing number of\u00a0patients. Sarawak State Health Department will also put up a\u00a0proposal for a new clinic in Sarikei for consideration in RMK-12.<\/p>\n

Posting of Medical Officers to Health Clinics in Balingian\u00a0<\/b>Sub-District<\/b><\/p>\n

104. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Balingian has raised the issue for medical\u00a0officers to be posted to health clinics in Balingian sub-district.\u00a0Currently, Klinik Kesihatan Balingian has a permanent medical\u00a0officer and for Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Balingian, a medical officer\u00a0will be posted by end of this year. As for Klinik Kesihatan Kampung\u00a0Teh which has recently been upgraded from klinik desa to klinik\u00a0kesihatan, a medical officer will be posted there by next year.<\/p>\n

New Hemodialysis Unit for Kapit Hospital<\/b><\/p>\n

105. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Goram,\u00a0Sarawak State Health Department has no plan to expand the\u00a0Hemodialysis Unit of Kapit Hospital. The existing Hemodialysis Unit\u00a0is sufficient to cater for the needs of Kapit Division. Currently,\u00a0there are 13 machines catering for only 57 patients.<\/p>\n

New Clinic for Nanga Mekey<\/b><\/p>\n

106. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Pelagus has raised the issue on new clinic\u00a0to be built at Nanga Mekey. For the information of Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Pelagus, this area is served by mobile health\u00a0services from Klinik Kesihatan Merit on regular basis. The current\u00a0mode of delivering health services is adequate to cater for the\u00a0needs of the population at this moment.<\/p>\n

New Klinik Kesihatan Serian<\/b><\/p>\n

107. For the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Semuja, the\u00a0Ministry of Health Malaysia had received a notification from\u00a0Economic Planning Unit on 24th October 2018 that the new Klinik\u00a0Kesihatan Serian project had been cancelled. Nevertheless,\u00a0Sarawak State Health Department has been informed by the\u00a0Ministry of Health Malaysia to resubmit the project application in\u00a0Rolling Plan 4 (2020).<\/p>\n

Upgrading of Health Facility in Murum<\/b><\/p>\n

108. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Murum has raised the issue on upgrading\u00a0of the health facility in Murum. I wish to inform Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Murum that Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Asap will be\u00a0upgraded to become the centre for a cluster clinic system that will\u00a0serve as a referral centre for nearby clinics by the end of this year.\u00a0At present, 5 medical officers have already been posted to KK\u00a0Sungai Asap and a Family Medicine Specialist will soon be posted\u00a0to this clinic. Apart from that, a full dental service will be provided\u00a0at KK Sungai Asap in 2019.<\/p>\n

109. For the time being, Ministry of Health Malaysia has no immediate\u00a0plan to build a Hospital in Sungai Asap area. However that decision\u00a0will be review in the future based on the needs of the population.<\/p>\n

110. Sarawak State Health Department is continuously monitoring the\u00a0need for establishment of new clinics in the area. For Tegulang,\u00a0Metalun and Jelalong, the process to identify and procure suitable\u00a0sites is on-going.<\/p>\n

111. Meanwhile for Linau, the existing KK Lusong Laku will continue to\u00a0serve the population in Linau. Continuous effort will be made to\u00a0maintain and refurbish the existing clinic.<\/p>\n

Skim Bantuan Kesihatan<\/b><\/p>\n

112. Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat for Tupong and Demak Laut have\u00a0raised the issue on the Skim Bantuan Kesihatan\/e-sihat and\u00a0medical card. I wish to inform Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat that the\u00a0new Skim Bantuan Kesihatan Kebangsaan announced during the\u00a0Budget 2019 is still being debated in Parliament. The Ministry of\u00a0Health Malaysia will issue the details of the implementation\u00a0guidelines only after the budget proposal is approved. At present,\u00a0Sarawak State Health Department is actively doing free screening\u00a0as early as after the child is born and continues as the child goes\u00a0to primary school and secondary school. For adults, they are\u00a0welcome to come to any health facilities for health screening.<\/p>\n

FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT MALAYSIA SARAWAK<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Fire and Rescue Stations under RMK-11<\/b><\/p>\n

113. Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Station was completed on 12th\u00a0October 2017 and officially started the operation on 1st January\u00a02018. Meanwhile, the construction works and progress for 5 new\u00a0Fire & Rescue Stations namely Samalaju is 98%, Selangau 77%,\u00a0Daro 72%, Batu Niah 62%, and Sibu Jaya, 27%. Samalaju Fire\u00a0and Rescue Station will be handed over by JKR Sarawak to the Fire\u00a0and Rescue Department Malaysia Sarawak on 10th December 2018\u00a0and is expected to be operational by January 2019. On the Matu\u00a0Fire and Rescue Volunteer Station, the construction on the building\u00a0will commence in early 2019.<\/p>\n

Fire Safety Awareness Program<\/b><\/p>\n

114. Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia Sarawak is committed to\u00a0implement public educational and awareness program in fire safety\u00a0to the community in Sarawak. As of September 2018, the\u00a0department has carried out 1,490 Public Awareness Programs and\u00a0Fire Safety Campaigns. As an outcome of these programs and\u00a0campaigns, a total of 503 Bomba Community teams are currently\u00a0operating in the State with 4,771 members.<\/p>\n

Statistic of Emergency Calls<\/b><\/p>\n

115. Up to October 2018, Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia\u00a0Sarawak has received 12,365 emergency calls compared to 6,418\u00a0calls recorded for the same period last year. Rescue and Special\u00a0services call has increased from 4,835 to 10,098. It consists of\u00a0road traffic accidents, emergency medical rescue services, search\u00a0and rescue (SAR), patrolling services and etc.<\/p>\n

Canine (K-9) Unit<\/b><\/p>\n

116. In October this year, Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia\u00a0Sarawak has acquired 6 United Kingdom (UK) trained dogs\u00a0comprising 4 English Springer Spaniels, a Border Collie and a\u00a0Labrador breed. They are currently placed at Serian Fire and\u00a0Rescue Station. These dogs are specially trained to assist in fire\u00a0investigation, wilderness and cadaver. The service of these dogs\u00a0will definitely enhance Fire and Rescue Department operations.<\/p>\n

POLITICAL ISSUE<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

117. Let\u2019s we not forget that our August house celebrated 150\u00a0anniversary this year and all the elected Ahli ahli Yang Berehormat\u00a0are duty bound to follow the strong tradition of speaking up for\u00a0Sarawak and for the people of Sarawak in this August House.\u00a0Some of us are priviledged not just to sit in this August House in\u00a0Sarawak but also sit in the Parliament of Malaysia. While I was a\u00a0member of Senate, in the Parliament of Malaysia I had spoken in\u00a0every Senate sitting for Sarawak on topics including<\/p>\n

\u2022 Without Sarawak, there is no Malaysia but without Malaysia,\u00a0there is still Sarawak<\/p>\n

\u2022 regaining our rights under MA63 (not re-negotiating as\u00a0Sarawakians expect nothing more and nothing less as\u00a0stipulated in MA63),<\/p>\n

\u2022 having 1\/3 of the Member of Parliament of Malaysia from\u00a0Sabah and Sarawak (so as to safeguard Sabah & Sarawak\u00a0interest from constitutional amendment just because we are\u00a0minority in terms of population),<\/p>\n

\u2022 Urgent need for Sarawak to catch up with infrastructure\u00a0development not just in our rural areas but the glaring unfair\u00a0infrastructure shortcomings such as<\/p>\n

o the lack of a UNIMAS hospital (despite being the 5th\u00a0oldest out of 23 public universities in Malaysia with a\u00a0medical faculty),<\/p>\n

o the need of a cancer hospital in Sarawak<\/p>\n

o the need for a sport school in Sarawak (despite having\u00a0produced the most successful Olympians in Malaysia),<\/p>\n

o unfortunately it all fell onto deaf Malaysan ears.<\/p>\n

I was waiting in great anticipation when PH came into power in\u00a0May hoping that they will deliver to Sarawak all that was listed in\u00a0their PH Manifesto.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Unfortunately PH Sarawak<\/p>\n

\u2022 Instead the janji to Sarawak of 20% oil royalty became 20%\u00a0oil profit,<\/p>\n

\u2022 Instead the restoring of Sarawak\u2019s right under MA63 became\u00a0a lop sided Malaya majority MA63 steering committee,<\/p>\n

\u2022 Instead of the promise No.41 of PH Buku Harapan page 90\u00a0\u201cTo ensure the prosperity of the people of Sabah & Sarawak\u00a0by enhancing the state economic growth namely through\u00a0supply of clean water and clean energy to urban & rural\u00a0areas, build roads & highways to connect towns & cities\u00a0throughout Sarawak, bul more public schools & health\u00a0centres, Sarawak is marginalise again in 2019 Federal\u00a0Budget<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

I was very very happy especially when the member for Kota\u00a0Sentosa reassured our fellow Sarawakians of 30% Federal\u00a0development budget for Sabah & Sarawak, but instead not only\u00a0the Federal Budget 2019 did not allocate 30% development\u00a0budget for Sabah & Sarawak, but even some of the previously\u00a0approved projects were cancelled or put on hold.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

More than 6 months has passed since GE14, but some PH leaders\u00a0and some PH honorable members in this August House still\u00a0continue to blame the previous BN Govt for their own failures and\u00a0inability to fulfil their GE14 promises and pledges. Even Tun Daim,\u00a0the Chairman of Council of Eminent Person (CEP) under PH\u00a0Government was quoted as saying \u201cit is time for PH to start\u00a0delivering its promised and stop pointing fingers at the previous\u00a0government\u201d<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Our members of Parliament Malaysia from Sarawak, as\u00a0representative of the people of Sarawak, must be Sarawak First\u00a0and should not instead help to speak up and defend Malaya at\u00a0best and at worse not knowing what to do in Parliament of\u00a0Malaysia by asking what are we Sarawakians fighting for!<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Lets all the members of Parliament from Sarawak realised that it is\u00a0not merely what is written in the constitution, or what was taken\u00a0away intentionally or unintentionally over the years but also what\u00a0is not written in the constitution but was in the original spirit as in\u00a0the IGC and Cobbold Commission Reports. It is never too late to\u00a0right what is wrong.\u00a0All Sarawak members of Parliament of Malaysia are of the people\u00a0of Sarawak, by the people of Sarawak, and for the people of\u00a0Sarawak, hence must be at all time, Sarawak First, whether you\u00a0are inside or outside the Parliament of Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

I would like to congratulate YAB CM Abg Jo and this August House\u00a0for supporting the 5% Sales Tax on exported petroleum products\u00a0with an estimated revenue of RM3.9B for Sarawak next year. It is\u00a0a small step on our road to financial independence, truly an\u00a0appropriate historical milesone in the 150th annivesary of this\u00a0August House. After 55 years of forming Malaysia as one of 4\u00a0equal partners, fellow Sarawakians, is time to trust only\u00a0Sarawkains and to take steps to look after our Sarawak. We must\u00a0not fail the late Tok Nam\u2019s constant reminder \u201cJaga Sarawak baik-\u00a0baik\u201c<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

With our own Sarawak money, we not only can proceed with our\u00a0much needed infrastructure development ourselves without being\u00a0at the mercy of the Federal government, but also sharing out with\u00a0every Sarawakians (as advised by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Linggi in\u00a0Lan Berambih 2019), such as YAB CM Abg Jo\u2018s policy of RM1,000\u00a0for education for every Sarawakian born from next year. I am\u00a0supportive of more people centric policies raised by our Ahli YB for\u00a0Meradong for more direct and immediate impact such as RM1,000\u00a0to parents of every Sarawakian born, RM1,000 for every\u00a0Sarawakian who passes away in order to assist the high cost of\u00a0living nowadays.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Indeed the sustainability of Sarawak Financial Independence relies\u00a0on prudent and transparent management of Sarawak\u2019s wealths\u00a0including the setting up of professional managed Sovereign Fund\u00a0like in Norway as suggested by some Ahli-Ahli Yang Berhormat.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

I was shocked to hear some of our members in this August House\u00a0stating that the 5% Sales Tax on exported petroleum products will\u00a0have severe impact and hardship on Sarawakians! The policy of\u00a0GPS under YAB CM Abg Jo is definitely people centric, not people\u00a0hardship.\u00a0Why are we helping Petronas to make 100% profits from our\u00a0100% Sarawak Oil & Gas. Are you Malaya First or Sarawak First?\u00a0We merely claim 16 days out of 365 days of Oil & Gas from\u00a0Sarawak per year. I am sure if we put this critical issue to vote by\u00a0all Sarawakians, (we need to find a mechanism, and perhaps\u00a0through the suggested Referendum Ordinance by Ahli Yang\u00a0Berhormat for Piasau), not only will Sarawakians support but may\u00a0want to claim more than 16 days out of 365 days!<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Despite the political differences, I had faith and confidance in our\u00a0Ahli Ahli YBs in this August House to come together (though some\u00a0were a bit reluctant) as Sarawak First as seen in support of the\u00a0motion for the Consultative Committee on MA63 in this August\u00a0House on 6 November 2018. Truly another historical milestone of\u00a0great significance in the 150th Anniversary of this August House as\u00a0after all Ahli-Ahli Yang Berhormat from the August House similar to\u00a0our fellow Sarawakian in Parliament Malaysia are of the people of\u00a0Sarawak, by the people of Sarawak and for the people of Sarawak.\u00a0Hence Sarawak First.<\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/b><\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

118. Before I conclude, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate\u00a0and thank Datuk Amar Speaker for your wisdom in ensuring that\u00a0the proceedings in this august House were conducted with dignity\u00a0and proper decorum.<\/p>\n

119. I would also like to put on record my thanks and appreciation to\u00a0Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Datuk Amar State Secretary of Sarawak\u00a0and all officers from the various Ministries, State and Federal\u00a0Departments as well as government agencies for their hard work\u00a0and dedication in ensuring the smooth proceedings of this august\u00a0House. My special thanks also go to our friends from the media\u00a0who have provided detail coverage throughout the sittings.<\/p>\n

120. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Sarawakians\u00a0Merry Xmas & Happy 2019.<\/p>\n

Sekian Terima Kasih & Salam Ibupertiwiku<\/p>\n

\"IMG_3511\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thank you very much Datuk Amar Speaker. G\u2019noon and Salam\u00a0Ibupertiwkiku Datuk Amar Speaker, 1. First and foremost, I wish to congratulate Yang Amat Berhormat\u00a0Chief Minister of Sarawak for tabling the biggest ever recorded\u00a02019 State Budget of $11.9 billion. The 2019 State Budget\u00a0continues to be development-biased with focus on high impact,\u00a0people-centric projects, particularly in the rural areas and with\u00a0commitment to ensure completion of all on-going projects. This is\u00a0a testament of the State\u2019s commitment under the able leadership\u00a0of Yang Amat Berhormat Chief Minister of Sarawak to fulfil the\u00a0aspiration of our people particularly,Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23282,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23281"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23281"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23283,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23281\/revisions\/23283"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}