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All-round support for Rahmah Eyeglass Package

BY ABIDGAIL MERTA GANGGANG & LILIANA SHERYN KUCHING: People have welcomed the government move to include eyewear in its Payung Rahmah initiative. The extension of coverage via the Rahmah Eyeglass Package was announced by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub recently. The initiative that makes eyewear more affordable or accessible for […]

Rationalising fuel subsidy system a must: Economists

KUCHING: The government should consider market prices at the pump for everyone, and distribute fuel vouchers to the lower-income segments. Centre for Market Education (CME) economist Carmelo Ferlito said this would allow beneficiaries in need of the subsidy to monetise by selling excess vouchers to those who need them more. “Although not perfect, implementing a […]

Initiatives to transform local councils in pipeline

MIRI: Several measures and initiatives to transform the local councils (PBTs) in the state will be undertaken to enhance the capacity and management capabilities, says Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil. In disclosing this during the Miri City Council (MCC) Chinese New Year open […]

Period poverty a stark reality in poor homes

KUCHING: Few days ago, Health Minister, Dr. Zaliha Mustafa announced initiatives to combat period poverty. Her announcement to make free sanitary pads available at the ministry drew a lot of attention on social media with users weighing in on how the programme should be conducted. The programme was launched in the Health Ministry’s main office […]

Fadillah to focus on fostering closer ties between Sarawak, Sabah and peninsula

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof’s focus will be on implementing various initiatives to foster closer relations between Sarawak, Sabah and the peninsula. Fadillah, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said the initiative to bridge the facilities and development gap in Sarawak and Sabah was also his main concern after he was […]

Mohamed Khaled to explore new initiatives, take MOHE to greater heights

PUTRAJAYA: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin wants good policies under his ministry’s previous administration to continue to be implemented. Mohamed Khalid said at the same time, he would also be focussing on efforts to explore new initiatives that would take the higher education sector to greater heights. “The last time I was […]

Handicraft sales up RM17mil, beating target of RM15.5mil

TOTAL sales of handicraft in Sarawak have topped RM17mil as of October, beating its target of RM15.5mil. Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia, Sarawak Branch reported that the total sales for 2019 was RM31mil compared to RM15.7mil in 2021, with about 15 per cent from online sales. “The number of […]

Development priorities under discussions

SPAOH: More discussions will be held on development priorities under the newly formed Betong Integrated Development Agency (BIDA). Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said an initial discussion was recently held with all elected representatives and several government officials in the division. “Our next discussion will involve all the community leaders in the division,” […]

More policies needed to encourage public to use electric vehicles

KUCHING: More policies need to be established to encourage the use of electric vehicles, says Dr Hazland Abang Hipni. The Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister stated that the government, especially the federal government, should look at the implementation of policies that could cultivate the public’s interest in using electric vehicles. Using Norway as an […]

Mission to produce 10,000 certified technologists by 2025

KUCHING: Sarawak aims to have 10,000 certified technologists (Ts) by 2025. In revealing this, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Ts Dr Zaidi Razak said Sarawak needed as many certified technologists in order to attract more investors to help its economy flourish to achieve developed status by 2030. “We want to be the first to […]