Latest news with #BatuKitang
Borneo Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DAP's seat increase opposition shows lack of vision for Sarawak, says SUPP woman
Tnay claims that DAP 'opposes any matters or decisions beneficial to Sarawak's development', reflecting what she described as the opposition party's 'typical peninsula-centric mindset'. KUCHING (July 11): Sarawak Democratic Action Party's (DAP) opposition to the proposed increase in state seats suggests it lacks commitment to improving services for the people or envisioning a better Sarawak, said Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Batu Kitang secretary Amy Tnay. She claimed that DAP 'opposes any matters or decisions beneficial to Sarawak's development', reflecting what she described as the opposition party's 'typical peninsula-centric mindset'. 'The State Legislative Assembly merely proposed and passed a bill to increase seats, paving the way for the Election Commission to delineate new constituencies,' she said in a statement yesterday. 'No specific regions were mentioned or finalised for delineation, and DAP's resistance even at this preliminary stage demonstrates its opposition to Sarawak's need for greater representation.' She added that such an exercise aligns with the demands of changing times including urban development and population growth, enabling more effective regional development and public services. Tnay said at present, state assemblypersons are tasked with overseeing large constituencies with significant populations, making it challenging to deliver effective development and services throughout their tenure By dividing densely populated and rapidly developing areas into new constituencies, she said the original scope of representation could be shared by two elected representatives instead of one, thereby enhancing service delivery and development for residents. 'However, if DAP assemblymen lack the drive to actively bring development and serve the public, the size or population of their constituencies becomes irrelevant.' Tnay further criticised DAP's inconsistency, stating that while the party often highlights Sarawak's infrastructure shortcomings, it simultaneously opposes initiatives such as the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system and new airport construction. 'They lament the hardships faced by the people but support the federal decision to expand the scope of the Sales and Services Tax (SST),' she said. She also noted DAP Sarawak's silence on key federal matters, including the Education Ministry's lack of transparency regarding the costs of the national flag badge programme despite previously expressing concern over state expenditure. 'The Sarawak government remains resolute in its stance to increase not just state seats to foster better development and services for Sarawak and its people, but also parliamentary seats to align with the Malaysia Agreement 1963, ensuring Sarawak and Sabah each has one-third representation in Parliament,' she said. amy tnay dap increase state seats lead oppose SUPP
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak assembly passes bill to increase membership to 99 as DAP rep is ejected
KUCHING: The Sarawak state assembly has passed a bill to increase its membership to 99 from the present 82. The house also ejected DAP Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen from the assembly for obstructing government backbencher, Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang), from debating the bill. Chong, who is the Sarawak DAP chairman, refused to sit down and stop interrupting Lo. This left Speaker Tan Sri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar with no choice but to call the sergeant-at-arms to escort Chong out. Following partisan lines, lawmakers from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition voted for the increase while the two opposition assemblymen, Chong and Violet Yong (Pending), voted against. The Bill only needed a simple majority to pass. The four-party coalition of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the lynchpin of the coalition, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), holds 80 of the 82 seats in the legislature. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah, in tabling the Composition of Membership Bill 2025, said Sarawak's vast geographical expanse and the extensive area state representatives representing rural constituencies must cover were key reasons that necessitated the need to redraw the state's electoral boundaries. He said the state, over the years, had witnessed significant demographic changes, urban expansion, and increasing demand for fair representation. The increase, Karim said, will ensure the needs and concerns of the rakyat are more efficiently and effectively addressed. "This proposed increase in the number of elected representatives is bold, reasonable, necessary and will enhance accessibility to the government," he said in today's special one-day sitting of the assembly to pass the bill. Karim said he hoped the re-delineation exercise would be completed soon for the 17 seats to be contested in the coming state election, which is expected sometime next year, before the state government's mandate expires at year-end. Sarawak is exercising its legal rights to increase the seats under Article 14 (1)( 3) of the State Constitution. Karim said the proposed increase was also in line with Article 113 (II) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for a review of electoral boundaries after an interval of not less than eight years. The last re-delineation exercise in Sarawak was carried out in 2015. Karim said the assembly, as the legislative authority, "must remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our people ... to ensure that it continues to reflect the voices and aspirations of all Sarawakans." He said there has been a significant increase in the state's population and number of voters since the last re-delineation exercise, especially with the voting age reduced from 21 to 18. When the first direct election to the assembly, which was then known as the Council Negri, was held in 1969, the house had 48 elected members. In 1985, the number rose to 56 and then 62 in 1995. In 2005, the seats were increased by nine from 62 to 71.
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
GPS man calls on Sarawak to build its own oil refineries
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang said Sarawak should emulate Singapore and better harness its resources for a better future. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A Gabungan Parti Sarawak assemblyman has proposed that the state emulate Singapore and build its own oil refineries. Lo Khere Chiang said Sarawak would be able to reduce crude outflow, boost revenue and create thousands of skilled jobs for locals if it had its own refineries, the Dayak Daily reported. 'The time has come to harness our resources for our own future,' the Batu Kitang assemblyman from Sarawak United People's Party was quoted as saying. Singapore's oil refining sector is primarily concentrated on Jurong Island. Its three main refineries have a refining capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day. Lo's call for Sarawak to build its own refineries comes amid the state's push for greater control over its oil and gas resources. Earlier this evening, the federal and Sarawak governments reaffirmed the respective roles of national oil company Petronas and Sarawak's state-owned Petros in developing the state's oil and gas industry. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Anwar said the joint statement issued with Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg recognised Sarawak's growing capabilities and its rights under the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) and the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO), while preserving Petronas's strategic role at the national level. Separately, Lo claimed that there was growing discontent over how the PDA and Territorial Sea Act 2012 (TSA2012) had been imposed 'without consultation, consent or fairness on Sarawak'. He said for the past 50 years, Sarawak had surrendered more than RM1 trillion worth of oil and gas while receiving disproportionately little in return. 'This is being used to attack the GPS government.'
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
e-Invoice rollout crucial for digital economy push, says Batu Kitang rep
Lo (fourth right) joins committee members and other guests for a group photo. KUCHING (May 19): The phased implementation of Malaysia's e-Invoice system represents a vital step in the nation's digital transformation, moving beyond trend to necessity, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang. Speaking at the 2nd e-Invoice Seminar hosted by the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Batu Kitang Youth section at SUPP headquarters yesterday, Lo highlighted the importance of inclusive collaboration between government, the private sector, and the wider community in facilitating the transition. 'For many small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), hawkers, and micro-businesses, technology can appear daunting, but I believe after today's seminar, much of that fear will subside and their understanding of e-Invoicing will grow significantly,' he said. The seminar attracted over 500 participants and was designed to equip attendees with the practical knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to navigate the full implementation of the e-Invoice confidently. 'Today's seminar is more than just a talk. It's a bridge connecting government policy with the real-world needs of businesses, helping them to adopt and use digital tools like e-Invoices effectively,' he said. He also commended the SUPP Batu Kitang Youth for their dedication and proactive approach in organising the event. 'Their efforts not only simplified a complex subject but also introduced what was once an intimidating policy to grassroots businesses and the general public in an accessible and engaging manner. 'Whether you are a large corporation or a roadside vendor, we are here to support you,' said Lo. 'The insights shared today will not only help you remain compliant and avoid penalties but also ensure your operations run smoothly in the digital era.' digital transformation e-invoice lead Lo Khere Chiang
