Latest news with #ChimonUponKUCHING
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Ex-arts association S'wak president pleads not guilty to using forged RM500k grant offer
According to the charge, Mazuki allegedly used a forged grant offer letter dated Jan 17, 2024, relating to the publication of a cultural book, with the intention of cheating. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 10): A former president of the Malaysian Association of Arts and Culture Activists Sarawak claimed trial in the Magistrates' Court here today on a charge of using a forged government grant offer letter in connection with the publication of a cultural book. Mazuki Tambi, 52, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan after the charge under Section 471 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 468 of the same Code, was read to him. According to the charge, Mazuki allegedly used a forged grant offer letter dated Jan 17, 2024, relating to the publication of a cultural book, with the intention of cheating. The offence was allegedly committed at around 12.18pm at a house on Jalan Cenderawasih, Semariang Baru here on Feb 21, 2024. It was informed that an administrative officer at the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts doubted the authenticity of the grant offer letter submitted by Mazuki, involving an approved amount of RM500,000. A thorough review carried out by the ministry revealed the letter was not genuine. Following a police report lodged, Mazuki was arrested on April 30 this year. The court fixed Aug 12, 2025 for pre-trial case management and allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM2,000 with one local surety. Mazuki was not represented by legal counsel.
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Man in Kuching fined RM6,600 for meth possession, drug abuse
The offence was committed outside a house at Taman Hwa Ling, Jalan Matang here on February 18, 2025 at about 12.30pm. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 4): A 30-year-old man has been fined RM3,600 in default, eight months imprisonment by the Magistrates Court here today, for possessing 0.47grammes of methamphetamine. Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan meted out the sentence against Mohd Farus Junaidi after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act. This section provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both, upon conviction. The offence was committed outside a house at Taman Hwa Ling, Jalan Matang here on February 18, 2025 at about 12.30pm. According to the facts of the case, police found a container holding six transparent plastic packets containing crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine in Mohd Farus's possession during an inspection. He was subsequently arrested and a chemist report later confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine. In a separate charge, Mohd Farus was also fined RM3,000, in default ten months' imprisonment, for drug abuse involving amphetamine and methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act, which carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, and mandatory supervision of up to three years. Magistrate Ling also ordered Mohd Farus to undergo police supervision for two years, upon payment of the fine or completion of his custodial sentence. The offence was committed at the Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department Office here, on February 18, 2025 at about 2pm. He tested positive for both amphetamine and methamphetamine, which are listed under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The prosecution was conducted by Inspector Nur Syafiqa Nyaie Ilin, while Mohd Farus was unrepresented.
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Fatimah: JKM gives mothers one month before acting on baby hatch cases
The Baby Hatch at BMC. – Photo By Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 2): The Social Welfare Department (JKM) must provide a one-month window for mothers of babies left at baby hatches to come forward before any further steps are taken, said Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. 'This is an existing JKM regulation. It is mandatory to allow a one-month period for the baby's mother to come forward, in case she changes her mind and wants to take back and care for the child herself,' she said when contacted by Utusan Borneo . She was responding to public concerns over efforts by the Kuching Division Social Welfare Office (PKMB) to trace the mother of a baby boy placed at the Baby Hatch at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) on June 15, 2025. In a statement on Tuesday, PKMB Kuching said they were seeking the mother of the 14-day-old infant to obtain essential information for placement and birth certificate registration purposes. The move drew mixed reactions online, with some questioning whether it was appropriate to seek out the mother, given the confidential nature of baby hatches. Clarifying the matter, Fatimah reiterated that the tracing process is part of JKM's standard procedure, not to penalise the mother, but to give her a chance to reclaim the child if she changes her mind within the stipulated timeframe. She added that if the baby remains under JKM's care, its officers will manage the birth certificate registration process. The certificate, issued by the National Registration Department (JPN), can be completed even without the parents' details. 'If the baby's parents are unknown, the birth certificate will state 'NO INFORMATION' in the mother's name column,' she said. Currently attending the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Early Childhood Development 2025 in Manila, Bangkok, Fatimah further noted that if the baby is later adopted, a citizenship application may be submitted under Article 15(A) of the Federal Constitution. She also stressed that baby hatches are a safe option and a lifeline for vulnerable infants. 'The act of placing a baby in a baby hatch is a sign that the mother wants the baby to be safe and to have a brighter future, while also keeping her identity confidential. 'I want to stress that tracking down the mother is part of JKM's existing procedure, to allow time in case the mother changes her mind and wants to reclaim and care for the baby herself,' she said. Meanwhile, PKMB Kuching confirmed that the case is still under investigation by the Child Protector at the Welfare Office under the Child Act 2001. baby hatch fatimah abdullah social welfare department
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMART project sees 582 telecommunications towers in Sarawak completed, 90.2 pct coverage reached
Julaihi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 1): A total of 582 out of 618 telecommunications towers planned under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation (SMART) project have been completed, with the remaining 36 still under construction as of May 31. Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. These include 420 towers offering both Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) broadband services and 4G mobile connectivity via Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, 55 providing MySRBN-only access, and six serving as repeater sites. 'This marks a major milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity and bridge the digital divide across Sarawak. 'The current internet coverage by settlement stands at 90.2 per cent and is expected to reach 93.6 per cent by the end of 2025,' he said in a speech delivered by ministry deputy permanent secretary Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab for Digital Technology Nexus 2025 (DigitalNEXUS) organised by Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas) here today. Julaihi pointed out that Sarawak is among the earliest states to adopt 5G technology, with current Coverage of Populated Areas (Copa) reaching 63.8 per cent. 'The enhanced capabilities of 5G, such as higher speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity, are poised to revolutionise sectors including remote healthcare, industrial automation, transportation, smart cities, and entertainment,' he said. He added that the SMART initiative, one of the state's largest infrastructure projects, involves the rollout of 600 telecommunication towers and 18 repeater towers. Equipped with the MOCN system, it enables multiple telecommunications companies to share infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating coverage expansion. To further enhance access, Julaihi said initiatives such as WiFi Saluran and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) have been introduced to provide wireless internet to rural and suburban households. 'Complementing these efforts, the state's homegrown MySRBN initiative plays a vital role in delivering fixed wireless broadband to households, schools, and clinics in underserved areas, supporting e-learning, small businesses, telemedicine, and digital public services,' he added. The SMART initiative and expanding 5G coverage are part of Sarawak's broader digital transformation efforts aligned with the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030. julaihi narawi lead Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Minister: S'wak Native Courts' transformation awaiting legal clearance
Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai – Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 27): The transformation masterplan for Sarawak Native Courts is unable to proceed at this stage as the draft Bills for two proposed laws are still under review by the State Attorney-General's Chambers. According to Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, the proposed legislations are the New Native Courts Bill, intended to replace the current Native Courts Ordinance 1992; and the New Native Courts Judges Appointment Council and Native Courts Judges Remuneration Bill, set to govern the appointment and service scheme of Native Court judges. 'The ultimate objective of this transformation agenda is to restructure the current Native Courts and eventually, elevate their status to that of an independent and full-fledged judicial institution on par with the civil and Syariah courts,' he said in his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting yesterday. He added that this masterplan would be implemented in three phases over the next several years. 'The first phase requires the enactment of new state laws and amendments to existing legislation as the foundation for the restructuring process,' he clarified. Sikie, the Kakus assemblyman, also hailed the transformation and restructuring of the Native Courts as 'vital' in ensuring that 'justice would be served equitably across all segments of Sarawakian society'. 'Elevating the Native Courts to be on par with the civil and Syariah courts will uphold the dignity of native laws and ensure native communities have access to a competent, professional and respected judicial system.' He added that until the passing of the new Native Courts Bill in the august House, the Native Courts would continue to operate under the current Native Courts Ordinance 1992 and Native Courts Rules 1993. DUN sitting John Sikie Tayai legal fraternity Sarawak Native Courts
