Sarawak Latest News

Muslims are urged to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to upgrade themselves while helping to revive the glorious era of Islam.

Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud said Islamic teachings could produce strong and high quality Muslims in future.

“Emphasis on knowledge as the cornerstone of progress and strength, as taught in the Al-Quran, is as relevant and essential in present times as in a past civilisation that the world looked up to for advances and leadership in many fields” added Taib.

Salahuddin (right), accompanied by (from left) Daud, Awang Tengah and others, leading the procession in Bintulu.

He stated this at a mass gathering held at the Civic Centre here yesterday morning in conjunction with the state-level Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) celebration here.

His text of speech was read by Second Resource Planning and Management Minister and Public Utilities Minister, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

As such, Taib said they should be smart and work diligently to grab every opportunity made
available.

“Only those who can identify their weaknesses and redress them in the efforts to revive the glorious days of Islam will be able to prove that they are the best and the chosen
ones.”

Taib pointed out that this called for revival of the basic, as taught in the Al-Quran, to pursue knowledge and excellence which were the past foundations of success, as spelt out in the teaching of Islam which called for determination and commitment to progress.
He added that Prophet Muhammad’s exemplary leadership and teachings emcompassed all the values of Islam which united people and factions while emphasising unity, justice and progress based on knowledge in all fields.

Main asset

“Consolidation and unity are still the main asset. In the context of Malaysia, various agenda and programmes have been drafted to overcome the various problems affecting the ummah and the multi-religious society,” remarked Taib.

Earlier, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs), Datuk Haji Daud Abdul Rahman exhorted the Muslims to cooperate among themselves and work closely with other non-Muslim communities for greater progress, unity and harmony.
He said the teachings of Islam should spur the Muslims to live exemplary lives and become role models for others since Islam was one of the main religions in the world.

Later, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Norkiah, Tengah and wife, Datin Amar Dayang Mordiah binti Datuk Haji Awang Daud, Daud and other dignitaries led the procession around Bintulu Town which started and ended at the Civic Open Field. It covered a distance of 3.5 kilometres.

An estimated 10,000 p articipants from 113 contingents from various government departments and agencies, private sector, statutory bodies, corporate bodies, mosques, suraus, clubs, associations, learning institutions and hadrah groups took part in the procession.

Among those present were Assistant Environment Minister, Dr Abang Rauf Abang Zain, State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya, Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Haji Putit Martzen, State Director of JAIS, Datu Misnu, Jepak State Assemblyman, Datuk Haji Talip Zulpilip and Kemena State Assemblyman, Dr Stephen Rundi anak Utom.

The poor condition quality of road maintenance works along the Bintulu-Tatau road irked Bintulu Member of Parliament, Dato Seri Tiong King Sing.

According to Tiong, HCM Engineering a peninsular based Class A contractor was doing a poor job in repairing and maintaining the Bintulu-Sibu road.

“During fine weather, there are plenty of pot holes along the road, and the road condition worsens during the rainy season,” he told reporters yesterday after paying a site visit to the Bintulu-Tatau Road where a section of the road caved in last week.

He said he had received numerous complaints from motorists who had suffered punctured tyres while travelling between Bintulu and Sibu. Tiong admitted he was unhappy what the contractor had done in carrying out maintenance work along this stretch of road.

A visibly upset Tiong said the diversion constructed by the contractors should be compact and solid enough for motor vehicles to past through and should not be full of mud.

“The contractor should not justified poorly done works by blaming the weather” Tiong said.

“In Peninsula Malaysia, the diversions are constructed within days and are in tip-top condition, even for heavy vehicles,”
he said.

The Bintulu MP said he would brought up the problem in the next Parliament sitting and recommended that that their contract be reviewed or terminated.

“Hey, have you been to bing cheng located within the vicinity of ParkCity Commerce square?

“ya, I really like to travel there. The food there is sooo niceee! Last time when we were there, my dad came back with 3pounds heavier!”

“er…not that bing cheng, it’s Ice City, ”

“hahahaha…” I can only laugh to cover my embarrassment.

I mistakenly thought my friend was talking about another bing cheng which is Penang in Chinese. Oh my. That’s how I first heard of Ice City

in Bintulu. After the first visit, I find my friends and I keep yearning of it whenever the weather is scorching hot. The ambience is comfy and homely.

Sausages, French Fries and Chicken burger that make up Set B is highly recommended by my friends while French Fries gets a thumb up from me. I think they sprinkle pepper and spices on the French Fries which make them taste so yummy. We ordered the second plate of that after finishing the first one.

The pricing range is from RM4.80 – RM8.00 which is actually very reasonable and affordable especially for us being a student.(the ice is a bit overpriced i would say. overall the place is nice, food so-so but the ice is still acceptable).

I have seen many teenagers sitting in this café sipping and chatting away in a bunch. A place to bond your friendship I can say.

Just imagine, Outside is searing hot and you are staying indoors in an air-conditioned closure having snowy ice filled in your mouth…

Em…the feeling is indefinable and you got to find out yourself.

Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) has agreed to invest a further $19.5 billion in Australian natural resources firm Rio Tinto in what will rank as China’s largest outbound investment to date. The unlisted Chinese metals and mining firm will invest $12.3 billion in aluminium, copper and iron ore joint ventures and another $7.2 billion in two tranches of convertible bonds.

The bonds will increase Chinalco’s shareholding in the Rio Tinto Group to 18% upon conversion. The bonds have a maturity of 60 years and are convertible at any time from 41 days after closing. The Australian bonds pay an annual coupon of 9% while the UK bonds pay 9.5%. $3.1 billion of the bonds will convert into Rio Tinto shares at a price of $45 per share and the balance $4.1 billion will convert at a price of $60 per share.

Read it at FinanceAsia

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he would support the proposed second bridge crossing the Kemena river if there’s a viable plan for such project.

“If you have a good plan for the bridge I’ll be happy to support it,” he said replying to Dato Morshidi Abdul Rahman, the executive chairman Golden Gulf International Flying Academy (GGIFA) suggestion for such a bridge.

Morshidi said, that a second bridge was needed to further spur balance development on both sides of the Kemena river.

According to Morshidi the parent company of GGFIFA Gulf Golden Square had submitted a proposal to the state government through Bintulu Development Authority on a private financing initiative (PFI).

He assured the state government would look into the proposal.

“However the chief minister the financing need to be studied carefully before the project to be seriously considered,” he said at the signing GGFIFA MoU signing ceremony at Bintulu Airport on Monday.