Latest news with #UKPS
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Premier: Sarawak to offer scholarships for security studies at UK's Sandhurst
Abang Johari receives a portrait of himself in Sarawak Coast Guard uniform from Chai (fourth left). – Photo from Ukas KUCHING (July 2): Sarawak government intends to offer scholarships to Sarawakians interested in a security career to further their studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He was cited as saying by Sarawak Public Communications (Ukas) that this move is one of the human capital development initiatives for Sarawak. 'These students will be sent abroad so that they can be exposed to international-class security systems. 'This is not to establish our own military force, but rather we want to produce talent and expertise that can serve in various agencies including the police, military and UKPS (Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit),' he said during the UPKS 8th anniversary dinner at a leading hotel here last night. Abang Johari also emphasised that although security aspects are the jurisdiction of the federal government, the Sarawak government still plays a proactive role in strengthening the security of the people and state assets. 'We are not taking over the security jurisdiction, but we are helping the people to have more comprehensive security. Coordination between state and federal security agencies is very important,' he said. According to him, the Sarawak government is committed to empowering local youth to join the fields of security, enforcement and high-impact technology in order to support the state's development towards achieving advanced status. He said the development of a modern and competitive state requires the support of highly skilled, disciplined human resources who have mastered knowledge in cutting-edge technology. 'We need to train our own workforce. If we want to move forward, the younger generation must be exposed to modern security theories and disciplines,' he added. Also held concurrently with the anniversary dinner was the launch of Sarawak Command Net (SCNet), which Abang Johari said is a strategic step in strengthening the state security system and increasing the effectiveness of tactical communication between UKPS and other security agencies. 'SCNet technology will enhance coordination and operational effectiveness between UKPS and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department and other security agencies,' he added. Also present at the event were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister in the Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and UPKS director Datu Dr Chai Khin Chung.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak offers scholarships for security studies at UK's Sandhurst
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is ready to offer scholarships to Sarawakians interested in pursuing a career in security to further their studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the move is part of the state government's efforts to develop the talents of its young people to meet security needs. "At least they have the discipline... discipline and also new security theories. It's not that we want to establish our own army, but it's a matter of talent training. They can then work with the police, with the army, or work with us at UKPS (Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit)," he said. Speaking at the Sarawak Command Net (SCNET) launching ceremony in conjunction with the Eighth Anniversary celebration of UKPS here tonight, he said the establishment of UKPS was not intended to take over security powers from the federal government but rather to complement the state's needs. "Security powers are under the federal government. We are only helping with the existing level so that we feel safe with coordination between security agencies under the federal government," he said. Abang Johari said Sarawak has a very long coastal area, and this presents a challenge to be fully monitored by security agencies under the federal government and needs the assistance of the state government. He said the state also has many rivers that are not under the control of federal enforcement agency, and this matter can be addressed through the establishment of the Sarawak Coast Guard, which was established in 2019. "Our work now is to help us all make Sarawak a peaceful and prosperous area," he said. According to him, the launch of SCNET is an initial step for Sarawak to form a more sophisticated security communication network as part of the initiative to defend the state's security. "We can work with responsible parties for the sake of the sovereignty of Malaysia… this is what is important. The sovereignty of the country of Malaysia," he added. - BERNAMA
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Stapleford car park makes changes after criticism over fines
A Nottinghamshire car park criticised for issuing "heavy-handed" fines has made changes to its payment system in an effort to build goodwill with motorists. The privately-owned car park in Broad Oak Drive, Stapleford, is operated by the parking company previously charged for parking via a pre-paid permit system, which was criticised after one driver was fined after he stopped there to vomit and another drove onto it without parking to drop off his sister. UKPS has now introduced a 'pay and stay' payment system, which works like pay and display, but uses an online payment system instead of issuing tickets from a machine. A spokesperson for UKPS said: "We believe this adjustment restores access, rebuilds goodwill, and offers greater flexibility for everyone who needs to park in the area." Motorist Dave Knight previously told the BBC he had been fined £100 for stopping in the car park to be sick after stomach surgery, which gave him acid reflux. Another driver, Martin Leighton, started flagging down cars on their way into the car park and posted videos on social media to warn other drivers after he was fined for driving onto the car park for 70 seconds to drop off his sister and perform a motorists said they were unaware that only drivers with a permit were allowed to use the car park and claimed the signs warning motorists broke the rules as they were not "visible from a distance". UKPS denied their allegation, but said it has now decided to introduce a pay and stay system instead after it listed listened to feedback from the local Leighton said he welcomed the decision. "I think they've obviously listened to what people have been angry about... they've done something about it which I can respect them for," he said."The prices are not that extreme either really, they're quite reasonable and they fit in with every other car park pretty much that I know."However, Mr Leighton said the operator would have to stop issuing charges to those who enter the land accidentally to start rebuilding also said he was concerned that the pay-and-stay option required the use of the internet and a mobile phone, which could limit the accessibility for older said it remained "committed to being responsive, transparent, and community-focused"."Thank you once again to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts - we value your input and are proud to act on it," the company added.
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Ba Kelalan trader pleads guilty to dealing in LPG cylinders without licence, fined RM10,000
committed the offence at a premises in Kampung Punang Kelalan, near the international border in Ba Kelalan, at 1.30pm on April 22 this year. – Stock photo MIRI (May 22): A trader was today fined RM10,000 in default 10 months in jail by the Limbang Sessions Court for dealing in subsidised gas cylinders without a licence. Dison Sakai, 55, from Ba Kelalan pleaded guilty before Judge Monica Linsua to a charge under Section 20(8) of the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016, which provides a fine of between RM10,000 and RM100,000 or imprisonment for two years, or both, upon conviction. According to the facts of the case, the accused was caught attempting to transport 30 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders out of Sarawak without a valid licence. He committed the offence at a premises in Kampung Punang Kelalan, near the international border in Ba Kelalan, at 1.30pm on April 22 this year. Investigations revealed Dison was running a retail LPG business using a business licence issued by the Lawas District Office, without obtaining a licence from the Director of Gas Distribution Sarawak as required by law. In mitigation, Dison's lawyers Eunice Ding and Joshua Baru pleaded for a lenient sentence as this was their client's first offence, and that he would apply for the necessary licence in accordance with the DGO 2016. The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Ronald Felix Hardin and prosecuting officers Paddril Peter and Luqman Hakim from the State Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS), had earlier argued that the accused's act of selling LPG to foreign parties could undermine the regulation of Sarawak's oil and gas industry. Also present during the proceedings were officers from the UKPS and the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication. ba kelalan fine licence subsidised LPG cylinders
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Driver hit with £100 fine after stopping to be sick
A driver who was hit with a £100 parking charge when he needed to stop after being sick has joined others to warn against accidentally entering privately-owned Knight is one of many people who have been charged for entering a car park run by operator UKPS in Broad Oak Drive, Stapleford, 50-year-old said signs warning of the charge were too small to read on the approach to the site and he argued there was no leeway time to exit upon realising it was said in a statement the signage complied with parking industry regulations and a manual check of CCTV is carried out before issuing any parking charge. Mr Knight, who received the charge in 2023, told the BBC he had undergone stomach surgery a few weeks prior to the incident and had been told by doctors that complications such as acid reflux or vomiting could have serious said his subsequent appeal was rejected on the grounds his brother had left the vehicle to fetch him water to alleviate his sickness, meaning he was deemed to have "parked" there. On-site signage states that by entering the land, users agree to abide by the terms and conditions, which require vehicles to have a parking permit registered with is no option of obtaining a pay-and-display ticket to stay on the Knight spoke to the BBC after joining forces with other locals who have received the charge more recently and feel the operator is being questioned why the signs were much smaller and noticeably less bright than those in a nearby council car park."That [the council signage] is green and yellow, and the board's about 10ft by 5ft. And you've got this [the private car park signage] which is a little 1ft square sign and the print is so small," he said."If you're driving in here, everything would be a fuzz to you on the notices because they are so small." Martin Leighton, from Beeston, said he received a charge in March for unknowingly entering the land for 70 seconds to drop-off his sister and perform a told the BBC he would have turned around on the road but there were other vehicles behind him wanting to get the 41-year-old is flagging down cars and posting videos on social media to stop as many drivers from entering the land as possible."It's just too much money to give away nowadays, it's not fair," he said."If it was £25 that's punishment enough, but £60 or £100, no-one's got that sort of money.""If I had been parked up, if I left my vehicle and completely ignored the legislation, I can understand them being angry and invoicing me."But if it's someone just turning around then I don't think that warrants a £100 fine." Both men and other locals have claimed the operation of the car park violates the private parking sector's Code of Practice, which sets out the rules concerning consideration time and signage for private parking was introduced in October 2024 by the two trade associations of the industry, the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC).Section 3.1.3 (b) states that signs "must be sufficiently large to be visible from a distance and legible on approach".Section 5.1 (b) and (d) states that drivers need time to "identify and read" parking signs, and time to leave the site if they "decide not to accept the terms and conditions".But the IPC told the BBC that the Code of Practice's rules on signage were not retrospective and would not be enforced until the end of 2026. A spokesperson for the car park operator said it "always operated within the letter and spirit of the code" and it managed the car park "fairly"."At UKPS Ltd, we remain committed to providing a positive and fair parking experience for all motorists using our sites," they said."If a motorist believes a Parking Charge Notice has been issued in error, or contrary to the relevant Code of Practice in place at the time, we strongly encourage them to appeal, first to ourselves, and if the motorist is still not satisfied, to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS)."Regarding the claims that its signage was inadequate, UKPS said that it was "compliant with the code".Furthermore, the company said that five minutes was allowed for a motorist to read the terms "as laid out in the Code of Practice".However, the latter point is disputed by Mr Leighton who stated he was on the site for roughly 70 seconds. Feedback 'passed on' UKPS said the car park may offer a pay-and-display option in the future."We have listened to the concerns raised by the community and understand the wider parking challenges faced by commuters and local residents in Stapleford," the spokesperson said."In light of this, UKPS Ltd has passed on this feedback to our partners, who are actively working on plans to convert the site into a Pay for Stay car park to better serve the local community."This change is intended to offer a more flexible and accessible solution for those who need short and long-term parking in the area." Mr Leighton and Mr Knight said they have both paid their charge but would continue to raise awareness of the fact that the land is privately-owned and requires vehicles to have a valid Leighton said videos he has posted on social media about the car park have received 50,000 views."I don't want little old ladies to turn around in that car park and get fined for someone sat watching a camera," Mr Leighton said."I'd like the see two signs on either side as you enter this car park." Derek Millard-Smith, a specialist lawyer in the UK parking sector, said parking on private land was generally governed by contract said PCNs were "a contractual debt" that could ultimately be pursued through the civil courts and result in a County Court Judgement, which can affect your credit urged anyone who believes they have wrongly received a PCN to appeal against it, either through POPLA or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS).POPLA is the appeals service for PCNs issued by car park operators that are members of the British Parking Association (BPA).The IAS is for PCNs issued by members of the International Parking Community (IPC), which includes reporting by Caroline Lowbridge
