Malek Appointed As New Sabah Deputy Commissioner Police

Kota Kinabalu: Melaka-born Datuk Abdul Malek Harun has been promoted as the new Sabah Deputy Commissioner of Police, taking over from SAC Datuk Tan Kok Liang on Monday.

The handing over of duties was witnessed by Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Hamza Taib at the police headquarters in Kepayan, here.

Abdul Malek takes over the duties from Tan who has been promoted to Bukit Aman as the Crime Investigations Department Forensics, Databank and DNA Deputy Director.

Hamza, in his speech, thanked Tan for his contributions during his more than five-year tenure as Deputy Commissioner as well as the contingent's Management Division Head, while extending his congratulations to newly-appointed Abdul Malek who will also lead the contingent's Crime Prevention and Eradication Department.

Abdul Malek, 58, who graduated from Universiti Teknologi Mara with a law degree, started serving in 1976 and was posted in several states including Sarawak.

He was Bukit Aman Crime Investigations Department Forensics, Databank and DNA Deputy Director for six years before being promoted to Sabah Deputy Commissioner of Police.

"I've served in Sarawak as well as other states in the peninsula and although I've been to Sabah on several occasions, this will be the first time I'll serve here," he said.

"I think the scenario in terms of looking at the infrastructure, its community and geographical aspect has a slight difference, thus, I will try to adopt what I've had experienced while serving in Sarawak," he said.

He pledged to continue the responsibilities that come with the appointment and assured that he will be with the State Police Commissioner and the contingent to meet the Government's agenda especially where the Royal Malaysian Police is concerned.

"We have the government transformation programme whereby the police force is very directly involved, namely in the National Key Result Area, where we have a Key Performance Index (KPI) to achieve particularly on crime and also people's perception towards the force," he said.Daily Express

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Pairin Called To Find Out Why People Rejected BN

 

KENINGAU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has called for a study why most people supported the opposition in the 13th general election (GE13).

To him, this has been a challenge and an important reminder to leaders and members of PBS to find out why the people backed the opposition.

“GE13 was very critical to BN and PBS and we need to assess the weaknesses of the party in preparation for the next general election,” he said when opening the Bingkor and Liawan PBS annual general meeting (AGM) held at the community hall here.

Pairin, who is the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Development, said he was not denying media reports about the political tsunami that befell the BN, and PBS needs to examine and be focused on why the people supported the opposition, especially the younger generation.

“What we had expected did not materialize and there were people who provided support for the opposition candidates, especially those who were relatively unknown.

“The ballot boxes ended up in favour of opposition candidates. Even the Bingkor chief could not explain why most of the people in the area have shifted their votes to opposition candidates. In anticipation of what we expect (victory), a setback happened instead,” he said.

Read more at Borneo Post

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Peruntukan Dana RM660 Juta Ditawarkan Mosti

 

KOTA KINABALU: Sebanyak tujuh dana melibatkan peruntukan sebanyak RM660 juta ditawarkan oleh Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (Mosti) untuk projek berkaitan penyelidikan, pembangunan serta pengkomersilan (R, D & C).

Menterinya, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin berkata dana berkenaan merangkumi dana sains, dana pra-komersilan, dana pembangunan dan penyelidikan pengkomersilan.

Sehubungan itu, pihaknya menggalakkan kepada mereka yang berminat khususnya di negeri Sabah dan Sarawak supaya mengambil peluang untuk memohon menyertai projek yang ditawarkan.

Ini kerana, beliau melihat kedua-dua negeri berkenaan mempunyai potensi tinggi dan kaya dengan sumber alam semulajadi bagi pelaksanaan projek R, D & C.

Walau bagaimanapun jelasnya, penyertaan dari Sabah dan Sarawak masih dianggap kecil berbanding negeri di Semenanjung.

“Dana yang ditawarkan ini adalah kesinambungan pembiayaan dana R, D & C di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMKe-10) bagi pelan pusingan ketiga (2012/2013).

“Sehingga 30 Jun lepas, sebanyak 1,168 projek diluluskan dengan melibatkan nilai sejumlah RM474.35 juta,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap sempena Sesi Dialog dan Taklimat Mengenai Dana Mosti peringkat Zon Sabah, di sini kelmarin.

Ewon berkata, mereka yang belum membuat permohonan pembiayaan diminta segera melakukannya kerana masih terdapat baki peruntukan yang belum diagihkan.

Katanya, keprihatinan kerajaan dalam menyediakan dana bagi menggalakkan penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) serta inovasi bertepatan dengan cabaran dan daya saing sekarang.

“Usaha ini bertepatan dalam era di mana negara di dunia saling bersaing untuk meningkatkan daya saing dan kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi masing-masing.

“Malaysia akan terpinggir sekiranya tidak berusaha meningkatkan daya saing negara di arena antarabangsa,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau menjelaskan sesi berkenaan turut diselitkan dengan sesi klinik permohonan dana bagi membantu bakal pemohon mengisi borang permohonan sebagaimana yang dikehendaki.

Ewon berkata, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) menjadi tuan rumah sesi dialog berkenaan buat kali kedua.

Katanya, sebanyak 16 projek yang dilaksanakan di Sabah dalam RMKe-10 dan 62 projek pada RMKe-9 turut mendapat kerjasama baik daripada UMS khususnya dalam industri marin, rumpai laut dan akuakultur.

Turut hadir, Setiausaha Persekutuan Sabah, Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan; Ketua Setiausaha Mosti, Datuk Dr Rosli Mohamed, dan Naib Canselor, UMS, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah.Borneo Post

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City Waterfront To Be Completed End of This Year-Mayor

 

Kota Kinabalu: The City Waterfront project commercial lots are targeted to be completed by end of this year.

This was announced to Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir during his visit to the City Waterfront project with his officers on Wednesday.

Madingkir was also told that the launching and opening of the businesses will be in the first quarter of 2014 after their internal renovations for their own business requirements and features.

Currently the Hotel Zone is 100 per cent completed up to 5th floor and 90pc for the sixth floor, while the Designer suites (Condo) - Pelagos is 100 per cent complete up to the sixth floor and nearing completion on the seventh floor and Oceanus - commercial retail lots zone - 100 per cent completion for all the five floors.

The internal tiling, internal plastering to brickwall, external ceiling and all other related internal works are 90pc completed.

Accompanying the Mayor were City Hall Engineering Director Lee Tet Fon, City Planning Director Alijus Sipil, Property Management Director Noorliza Alip, Walter Kenson, Director City Landscape and other senior officers.

On hand to receive his entourage was Waterfront Urban Development Sdn Bhd Executive Director Johnson Koh and the company's architect, consultants and senior staff.

The Mayor's visit was a follow-up visit since April and he was shown and briefed on the current status of the development.

The biggest names for this mixed development properties are Hard Rock CafŽ and 5-star Hotel chain operators J. W Marriot.

As for the tenants who have confirmed their lots are: Nandos, Japanese outlets Shushi-tei & Yuzu and Jelly Bunny, Dorothy Perkins, Bonia, Selangor Pewter and many others.

The access road (service road) is being constructed together with the phase One B of the boardwalk.

This boardwalk when ready will be able to host water sports such as dragon boat races and other water sports activities. There is a special grandstand facing the sea for special events for VIPs and other specially invited guests to sit and watch the activities.

Madingkir showed concern and wants the project to be completed as soon as expected following the new schedule.

The contractor's Project Manager assured him that the company is concentrating fully to keep to the schedule of delivery to the developer.

With the recent progress and the efforts the company is taking, Madingkir is satisfied with the target and efforts being taken. However, he advised the contractor to work together with City Hall to ensure cleanliness of the construction areas and the main road.

Although certain sections of the road have to be used for loading and unloading purposes and also for heavy equipment to carry out their works, safety and public traffic access must be the foremost objective.

The developer and contractor also assured Madingkir that they will take all precautionary measures to ensure the cleanliness and smooth flow of traffic.Daily Express

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DBKK Ready Its Final Draft of Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020 by December

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is expected to complete the final draft of its Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020 by December, said Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir.

He said further inputs and views would be gathered from stakeholders to be included in the draft before it is submitted to the Central Town and Country Planning Board (CTCPB) and other higher authorities for consideration.

“Finally, if approved, it will be submitted to the Head of State for endorsement,” he said, adding that the statutory planning document would guide and control existing and future developments throughout the city area.

Officiating at the closing of the Kota Kinabalu Local Plan Draft Workshop here yesterday, Abidin said DBKK had conducted a Hearing Committee Meeting last year to gather inputs from developers and other related parties.

He said their views and suggestions were taken into consideration and included in the amendments made to the Local Plan.

He said City Hall was hoping to conduct another Hearing Committee Meeting within next month and October to further improve the draft, before it can be submitted to the CTCPB.

“This second Draft Hearing will specifically gather inputs from all objectors, specially non-governmental organizations (NGOs),” he said, adding that it was hoped the Local Plan could be used as an example by other local authorities in Sabah.

He explained the document was a complete reference containing written statements, memorandum and layout zoning plan.

The document is in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of the Town and Country Planning Ordinance, he added.

“I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the general public for their exemplary and disciplined responses to the planning process conducted by City Hall.

“With your continuous support, I believe we can transform Kota Kinabalu City into a world class Nature Resort City by 2020,” he said.Borneo Post

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Sabah's Allocation Spending Performance Above National Average

 

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded an allocation spending performance higher than the national average, having effectively utilized the funding channelled by the federal so far this year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Sabah had utilized RM1.206 billion or 39.48 per cent from RM3.056 billion given by the federal as of August 15.

The allocation was approved for Sabah under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP) Third Rolling Plan, for implementing 449 projects.

“This performance is 4.98 per cent above the national average, which is only 34.5 per cent,” said Musa in a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office after the State Action Council meeting yesterday.

Apart from commitments at the federal level, Musa who is also the Finance Minister, said he had reminded civil servants in Sabah to always uphold their state-level Aku Janji.

He stressed that all agencies must work closely as a team to ensure all development projects and programmes were implemented efficiently and effectively.

“We realize that civil servants face various challenges in ensuring successful implementation of government policies and programmes, especially with the advancement of social media technologies.

“The social media have been proven to be an effective tool in narrowing the gap between the government and the people. Through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on, the views of the people can be communicated directly to the government without going through the bureaucracy in the conventional channels.

“However, the social media also pose new challenges to civil servants, as they are also exploited by certain quarters to launch a war of perception against the government and government agencies.

“In this regard, we need to enhance our skills in utilizing the social media so that we can expose the people better to the truth and reality, not the perceived reality created by certain irresponsible groups,” he said.Borneo Post

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Pemimpin Kemajuan Rakyat Perlu Sentiasa Turun Padang-Musa

 

KOTA KINABALU, 20 Ogos- Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman meminta semua Pemimpin Kemajuan Rakyat (PKR) yang baharu dilantik di negeri ini supaya sentiasa turun padang untuk mendengar masalah dan keperluan rakyat kerana kegagalan berbuat demikian akan mengundang kemarahan rakyat.

"Jangan malas melawat kampung atau mendekati rakyat, kerana inilah antara punca rakyat peringkat akar umbi marah kalau kita tidak melawat kawasan masing-masing," katanya.

Musa berkata demikian ketika menyampaikan amanat kepada seramai 48 orang PKR yang sebelum itu mengangkat sumpah jawatan di hadapan beliau di Wisma Innoprise, Likas, dekat sini Selasa.

Turut hadir pada majlis angkat sumpah itu ialah Timbalan Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman, menteri-menteri dan pembantu-pembantu menteri.

""Oleh itu, adalah penting bagi semua PKR dan wakil rakyat sentiasa turun padang di kawasan mereka.

"Sekiranya kita tidak melawat di pelosok kampung, maka apa juga masalah yang timbul di kawasan itu, kita tidak akan tahu sehingga menyebabkan rakyat hilang kepercayaan kepada kita yang telah memberikan mandat dan kepercayaan kepada kita (pada pilihan raya umum yang lepas)," katanya.

Musa yang juga Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri berkata PKR merupakan mata dan telinga kepada kerajaan dan wakil rakyat di kawasan masing-masing.

Beliau turut menekankan betapa pentingnya hubungan baik antara PKR dan wakil rakyat bagi memastikan segala masalah dapat dibincangkan dan diselesaikan bersama.

Musa berkata jawatan PKR bukan satu keistimewaan tetapi diiringi dengan satu tanggungjawab besar.

"Tanggungjawab dan peranan PKR ini penting untuk bekerjasama memastikan apa juga program, projek pembangunan dan dasar-dasar kerajaan dapat disalurkan kepada rakyat di peringkat akar umbi supaya rakyat secara keseluruhannya mendapat manfaat daripadanya," katanya.

Beliau berkata kerajaan BN diberikan mandat oleh rakyat kerana mereka percaya kerajaan BN dapat membela nasib mereka.

"Mereka percaya kita boleh menjalankan tugas dengan baik dan membawa perubahan yang boleh memberi manfaat kepada rakyat secara keseluruhannya," katanya.

Musa juga mahu semua pemimpin termasuk PKR sentiasa berwaspada terhadap apa sahaja anasir tidak bertanggungjwab yang cuba melemparkan pelbagai fitnah terhadap kerajaan BN dan wakil rakyat yang mewakili kawasan masing-masing.

"Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab PKR untuk menepis segala fitnah daripada pihak tidak bertanggungjawab agar rakyat tidak keliru dengan fakta-fakta yang diputarbelitkan," katanya.

Berikutan senario politik yang sudah berubah, Musa meminta semua PKR supaya meningkatkan pengetahuan tentang pengggunaan teknologi maklumat (ICT).

"Dengan kecanggihan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT), pelbagai saluran termasuk laman sosial seperti Facebook dan Twitter digunakan oleh pihak tidak bertanggungjawab untuk mengelirukan rakyat dengan apa yang telah dilakukan oleh kerajaan. Sebab itu, semua PKR perlu menguasai ICT," katanya.BERNAMA

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DUN Luluskan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan Tambahan Pertama 2013

KOTA KINABALU, 19 Ogos- Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabah meluluskan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan Tambahan Pertama (2013) selepas dibahaskan pada peringkat jawatankuasa Isnin.

Rang Undang-undang itu memperuntukkan wang tambahan sebanyak RM943 juta kepada beberapa kementerian dan jabatan untuk membiayai perbelanjaan tambahan bagi perkhidmatan.

Antara Kementerian dan jabatan terbabit ialah Kementerian Pembangunan Infrastruktur, Kementerian Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan, Kementerian Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan dan Kementerian Pembangunan Sumber dan Kemajuan Teknologi Maklumat.

Turut menerima peruntukan itu ialah Jabatan Ketua Menteri, Jabatan Air Negeri Sabah, Jabatan Pertanian, Jabatan Keretapi Negeri Sabah, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Kebajikan Am, Jabatan Perpustakaan Negeri Sabah, Jabatan Pembangunan Perindustrian dan Penyelidikan dan Jabatan Bendahari Negeri.

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Komputer Negeri Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran, Perkhidmatan Am Perbendaharaan, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri, Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Negeri Sabah, Jabatan Perhutanan, pejabat daerah dan Pencaruman kepada Kumpulan Wang Berkanun turut menerima peruntukan tersebut.

Terdahulu, ketika membentangkan Rang Undang-undang itu, Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman berkata perbelanjaan tambahan itu penting bagi memastikan jentera pentadbiran bergerak lancar.

"Sebahagian besar daripada jumlah Anggaran Perbekalan Tambahan 2013 iaitu sebanyak RM740,224,670 tidak melibatkan aliran tunai tetapi diperlukan untuk mematuhi peraturan perakaunan.

"Jumlah tidak melibatkan aliran tunai ini termasuk jumlah bayaran dividen yang dilabur balik dalam Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) sebanyak RM225 juta, Sedco (RM144.42 juta), Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd (RM74 juta), Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd (RM57.2 juta) dan Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd sebanyak RM41.67 juta," katanya.

Musa yang juga Menteri Kewangan Negeri berkata pelarasan Akaun Pendahuluan Diri yang terlibat dalam kerja-kerja kecemasan bagi memulihkan kerosakan utiliti dan kemudahan-kemudahan infrastruktur seperti paip dan loji air, sistem pengairan dan saliran serta landasan keretapi sebanyak RM184.04 juta, juga tidak melibatkan aliran tunai.

"Ia juga tidak melibatkan aliran tunai untuk caruman kepada Kumpulan Wang Pusingan Pinjaman Perumahan - Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Berhad (BHMF) sebanyak RM11.57 juta atas sebab tambahan jumlah kelayakan pinjaman perumahan Anggota Pentadbir dan kakitangan kerajaan dan pertambahan bilangan permohonan dan pelarasan Buku Akaun Bendahari Daerah Keningau sebanyak RM2.33 juta," katanya.

Musa berkata ini bermakna hanya RM202,764,760 sahaja yang melibatkan aliran wang tunai dalam Anggaran Perbekalan Tambahan Pertama 2013.BERNAMA

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Projek SOGT Perlukan Kemahiran Tinggi dan Pengalaman Global-Teo

KOTA KINABALU, 19 Ogos- Kemahiran teknologi yang tinggi dan pengalaman global diperlukan untuk pembangunan Projek Terminal Minyak dan Gas (SOGT), kata Menteri Tugas-Tugas Khas Datuk Teo Chee Kang.

Beliau berkata kekurangan dari segi keupayaan kewangan dan teknikal telah menyebabkan konsortium antarabangsa diperlukan untuk bekerjasama dengan kontraktor tempatan.

"Sehubungan itu bagi projek SOGT EPCC (kejuruteraan, pemerolehan, pembinaan dan pelaksanaan), Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) telah mewujudkan satu pasukan bersepadu dengan Konsortium Samsung Engineering dan Naim Engineering yang merupakan sebuah kontraktor Malaysia," katanya pada sesi soal jawab persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabah di Likas, dekat sini Isnin.

Teo berkata SOGT EPCC terdiri daripada satu konsortium antara kontraktor antarabangsa yang terkenal dan merupakan kontraktor Malaysia sementara Samsung merupakan kontraktor antarabangsa yang mempunyai pengalaman global yang luas dalam pembangunan projek mega di seluruh dunia.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menjawab soalan Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (PKR-Klias) mengenai peluang syarikat tempatan mendapatkan kontrak daripada SOGT di Kimanis, Papar dan Projek Ammonia Urea Sabah (SAMUR) di Sipitang.

"Bagaimanapun, terdapat lebih kurang 50 syarikat tempatan yang telah menjadi subkontraktor bagi projek mega ini di mana kesemua syarikat tersebut berstatus Bumiputera.

Selain syarikat yang beroperasi secara sendirian, terdapat syarikat yang bekerjasama sebagai rakan kongsi dengan syarikat-syarikat dari luar, katanya.

Teo berkata kontraktor utama yang terlibat dalam SAMUR merupakan satu kombinasi antara kontraktor antarabangsa dan kontraktor Malaysia iaitu membabitkan Mitsubishi Corporations Industries Ltd (kontraktor Jepun), PT Rekayasan Industri (kontraktor Indonesia) dan Apex Energy Sdn Bhd dari Malaysia.

"Kombinasi kontraktor utama ini adalah strategik dan penting kerana kontraktor antarabangsa bukan sahaja mempunyai teknologi yang tinggi dan berpengalaman luas tetapi juga mempunyai keupayaan dari segi kewangan serta perhubungan kerjasama yang baik dengan kontraktor tempatan," katanya.

Beliau berkata sehingga kini lebih kurang 80 peratus daripada subkontraktor yang melaksanakan SAMUR merupakan syarikat-syarikat tempatan Sabah.BERNAMA

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Upper Padas Hydroelectric Project Improve SESB's Capability to Generate Power

 

Tenom: The Government has identified a unique hydroelectric project with high potential to generate reliable and affordable electricity for the long term for Sabah.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili said construction of the Upper Padas Hydroelectric Project (UPHEP) situated at the Padas basin, up-stream of Kuala Tomani in Tenom, would proceed next year.

With a capacity of 180 MW, the project is targeted for completion in 2019.

Dr Ongkili said the project had been approved with a government soft loan of RM569 million for SESB's equity injection into a special purpose company to be set up to undertake the project.

The total project cost is estimated at RM2.3 billion, he said, when opening PBS Kemabong division AGM, Saturday, where he informed the division members on the Government measures to improve electricity supply in Sabah.

Earlier, Dr Ongkili, who is also PBS deputy president, made an aerial inspection of the project site as well as the existing Tenom Pangi hydro power station.

On the potential of the project, he said the UPHEP would not involve a large water catchment area at only 590 hectares or involving 2.3 hectares per megawatt.

In comparison, the Bakun hydroelectric project requires up to 29 hectares of land per megawatt of power generated and the Murum hydro with 26 hectares per megawatt.

"Hence, this project can qualify for the Clean Development Mechanism status under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change," he said.

Furthermore, he said, the construction of the UPHEP would not only increase SESB's capability to generate power but also provide a flood mitigation measure especially for Beaufort and Tenom.

He also stressed that the project would create employment for 1,000 people during the construction as well as resuscitate the economy in Tenom.

"This infrastructure is expected to save the Government about RM4bil in 40 years of the project operation as it is undertaken by SESB and a consortium to be set up by the federal government.

This can also subsequently reduce SESB's dependency on government subsidy, aside from costs and losses saved from possible flooding," he said.

The State Government, he added, would ensure the preservation of the ecosystem at the project site.

SESB is currently conducting a detailed engineering study and relevant activities associated with the special Environment Impact Assessment study.Daily Express

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Projek Pembinaan Jalan Pan Borneo Kini 93 Peratus Siap

KOTA KINABALU, 16 Ogos- Rangkaian jalan raya Pan Borneo yang menghubungkan Sarawak, Brunei dan Sabah kini siap 93 peratus dengan selebihnya masih dalam proses pembinaan, kata Timbalan Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Menurut beliau, jalan raya Pan Borneo sepanjang 2,239 kilometer bermula dari Sematan di bahagian barat Sarawak melalui bandaraya Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang, Lawas, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan dan seterusnya ke Tawau, Sabah.

"Keseluruhan jalan raya ini telah berturap dan sepanjang 248.65 kilometer mempunyai tahap empat lorong atau enam lorong manakala bakinya masih ditahap dua lorong, ini tidak termasuk 'missing link' sepanjang 50 kilometer dari Kalabakan, Sabah ke Serudong, Kalimantan yang masih dalam proses pembinaan," katanya pada majlis taklimat media mengenai Jalan Raya Pan Borneo di sini hari ini.

Rosnah berkata, bagi tahun ini, kerajaan memperuntukkan sebanyak RM89 juta untuk melaksanakan program membaik pulih Jalan Raya Pan Borneo iaitu RM41.8 juta bagi negeri Sabah dan RM47.2 juta bagi negeri Sarawak di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10.

"Sebanyak 109 projek telah dikenal pasti iaitu 86 projek di negeri Sabah dan 23 projek di negeri Sarawak yang melibatkan skop membaik pulih jalan, membina lorong-lorong memotong, rawatan kawasan kemalangan dan menaikkan aras jalan yang sering di landa banjir," katanya.

"Sehingga kini sebanyak 74 projek atau 67.8 peratus telah dan sedang disiapkan manakala bakinya 35 projek atau 32.2 peratus sedang dalam peringkat pembinaan dan dijangka akan siap menjelang tahun 2015 dengan kos RM277.5 juta," katanya.

Rosnah berkata projek jalan raya itu telah dimulakan pada tahun 1963 iaitu sebaik sahaja Persekutuan Malaysia dibentuk dan pada peringkat awalnya sebahagian besar jalan raya itu terdiri daripada tanah dan batu kerikil.

"Kerja-kerja menaik taraf dan menurap keseluruhan jalan raya ini telah dimulakan pada tahun 1968 menerusi Rancangan Colombo dan pada 1973, barulah kerja turapan menggunakan kaedah 'flush sealing' dibuat dan disiapkan akhir tempoh RMKe-8," katanya.

Katanya, melalui Pelan Induk Highway Network Development Plan Phase 2 (HNDP 2) untuk Sabah dan Sarawak, kementerian merancang untuk menaik taraf keseluruhan jalan raya ini ke tahap jalan berkembar, empat lorong secara berperingkat mulai tahun 2011 dengan anggaran kos RM22 bilion, iaitu RM12.5 bilion di Sarawak dan RM9.5 bilion di Sabah.

Ketika ditanya mengenai cadangan untuk membina laluan bagi kenderaan berat seperti lori yang mengangkut kelapa sawit, kayu balak dan arang batu di Sarawak, beliau berkata pihaknya akan mengkaji perkara tersebut.BERNAMA

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Sabah needs more allocation for rural development - Radin

KOTA KINABALU: The Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Radin Malleh has urged the federal government to provide more allocations for rural development in the state.

“Sabah, being a big state, is still lacking in infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supply especially in the interior areas,” he said at a media luncheon here yesterday.

He said the role of his ministry was not only on poverty eradication in terms of improving the living standard of the rural poor but also encompassed infrastructure facilities.

He added that other relevant ministries and agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Regional and Rural Development; the state Ministry of Infrastructure Development; and Agriculture and Fisheries Departments also play a complementary role in rural development.

Radin also hoped that the federal government would channel development allocations direct to the state government for better coordination of development efforts.

He described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s recent announcement of the three key thrusts in the development of Sabah in the next five years as very appropriate.

The Prime Minister had said in his speech during a breaking-of-fast ceremony with the Sabah BN leaders hosted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman recently that priority would be given to security, development and welfare for the people in the state.

Najib said in the first thrust the Barisan Nasional government will develop the army camp at Sahabat Felda as an important base in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and restructuring the coastal villages in Sabah’s east coast without causing any burden to local residents.

The second thrust involves the ongoing development for basic infrastructure in the urban and rural areas.

Najib said the third thrust will cover the people’s welfare, not only in terms of physical development but also on matters which involved the people’s interests.

Earlier, Radin said the media plays an important role in society and has an impact on the lives of the people.

Source: New Sabah Times

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