(1) PLAN FOR___INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT KEMUYANG SIBU

(2) EARTHFILLING OF LOW LYING AREAS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SIBU

(3) IMPLEMENTATION OF MINI MULTIMEDIA SUPER CORRIDOR (MSC)

(4) ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: EFFECT ON TIMBER INDUSTRY

(5) PLANS TO HARNESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(6) OVERSEAS TRIP DURING HAZE EMERGENCY

Speeches /Debates 

(1)BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1997

(2)LAND CODE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1997

(3)NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1997

(4)THE 1998 SARAWAK STATE BUDGET
 
 

I rise to participate in the debate on the Supply (1998) Bill, 1997.

Datuk Speaker, Sir,

In his Budget speech (at p.19), the Honourable Minister for Finance and Public Utilities reiterated the state government's full support to the strategies adopted by the national government in the Federal Budget 1998 where four major strategies are adopted, which are:

(i) strengthening economic fundamental and stabilising financial market;

(ii) maintaining sustainable growth;

(iii) continuing the process of deregulation and liberalisation of the economy; and

(iv) continuing the social agenda for further overall development.

The adoption by the State government of these major strategies of the national government is understandable, logical and prudent.

At p. 20 of the Budget speech, the Honourable Minister said the strategies of the state budget 1998 are formulated based on refinement of existing policies and new initiatives constituting medium to long term programmes as well as measures to address the challenges facing the state.

The 1998 State budget is rather conservative, and is tailored to meet the current requirements in view of the national economic crises. I am concerned that the state budget suffers a deficit of RM221 million.

However, it has the welfare of the people at heart. On that basis, it has to be

Datuk Speaker, Sir,

I would raise the following 12 issues which affect the people or some of the people:

(1) Coxsackie B Viral Infection:

It has been said that the recent Coxsackie outbreak and the haze episodes had somewhat disturbed and affected the tourism industry.

In Sarawak, the year 1997 had been marred by a few incidents, one of which is the outbreak of Coxsackie Virus B infection which saw the untimely death of 30 children in Sarawak. This august House should see it fit to record condolence to the family members of these 30 children.

It used to be said that Coxsackie virus is not serious enough to cause death. If that is the case, why should 30 children's lives be taken away? The federal and state governments alike should ensure that such catastrophe should not recur on our land.

Perhaps the state government should consider the setting up of a research centre at UNIMAS for the purpose of researching fully into this life taking epidemic.

The unfortunate episode in this calamity which began in May 1997 has been that the parents have no means of knowing the exact cause of their children's death. 

I understand that the medical and viral experts from Atlanta had or were in the process of compiling a report concerning this infection. Perhaps the Honourable Minister is now in a position to inform this august House and the people the status of this report, particularly the cause of the deaths, and what measures would the government take to prevent such similar incident in Sarawak in the future.

(2) Electricity Supply to Rural Areas:

(i) The gap between the rural folks and the urban settlers ought to be narrowed.

The government must step up and speed up electricity supply to rural areas, so that the rural folks may also enjoy the benefits of politics of development expounded by YAB the Chief Minister.

(ii) The government must step up and speed up electricity supply to all schools in Sarawak.

According to the federal Minister of Education, the total number of schools in Sarawak with no electricity is 678 out of which 612 are primary schools and 16 secondary schools.

The shocking figures is a clear indication that the government ought to make power supply to rural schools an urgent and top priority project for Sarawak so that Sarawakian pupils may chase up with Peninsular Malaysia.

Today, Peninsular government and students alike are talking about Information Technology, the Multimedia Super Corridor, distance learning, virtual library, telemedicine etc. They are moving fast and far into the information era. Unfortunately, the very basic electricity for this modern technologies are not even available in 678 Sarawak schools.

Unless some remedial action is taken, either by ourselves or with the help of the federal government, the disparity in development between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia will further widen. Sarawak will fall further and further behind the pace of development in Malaysia.

It is unfortunate that while the government at all levels are talking about Information Technology, yet, many school children are growing up in a so called educational environment without knowing what power supply is. These school children grow up without knowing how a telephone operates, without electricity and hence without computer and will be compute illiterate and left out of the mainstream of development in the information age as compared to their counterparts in schools which have electricity and computers.

In urban areas, schools not only have computers, but also computer clubs are budding up and formed in these schools. It is logical to think that in time to come, these people will become the leaders of the nation, but the rural students are denied this opportunity by the sheer lack of power supply. They are denied a competitive edge.

(3) Cleaner Water for Rural Folks:

The rural folks have many disadvantages compared to their urban counterparts, but their contribution to society is enormous.

The urban folks enjoy uninterrupted tap water supply, but there are so many areas in the rural areas where water supply is not available. With the politics of development many longhouses are gradually enjoying water supply. But there are still many which do not have this services yet. 

If the water supply is not reachable to interior longhouses, that perhaps is understandable, but it is unfair that some rural folks just a stone's throw away from the water board is not granted this essential convenience.

Sungai Bidut is a mere stone's throw away from Sibu town. It is just across the Igan River. In 1996, a water tap was installed at the Sugnai Maaw Ferry point on the Sungai Bidut side. However, this only source of water supply has recently been taken off. I hope the Honourable Minister may explain why. In the event that it is taken off for repair, the reason would be unacceptable because such should not take weeks.

The Sungai Bidut water tap was closed and taken off immediately after the 1996 state election, although the rural folks were promised that it could be used without interruption, for so long as the people there support the Barisan Nasional. The present Minister for Infrastructure Development was duly elected. Why was the water tap taken off immediately after the election?

Following my complaint in May this year, during the time of the Coxsackie outbreak, the water tap was reinstalled. That was only short lived. It was taken off again recently.

The hard working rural folks in Sungai Bidut are concerned with their health. That is perfectly understandable in view of their recent experiences:

(a) In May, the Coxsackie virus B outbreak. No one knows whether these virus can be transmitted to the human body system by birds or through their excreta. In May and June, during the time of the Coxsackie outbreak, large number of birds had appeared in Singai Bidut. They berthed on roof tops. In due course, these birds, probably as a gesture of goodwill, deposited their payload on the roofs. Rain water will send this fertile substance to their water tanks, where the mixture of contaminated water is stored for human consumption. We have yet to know, and may never know the effects of this contaminated water when consumed.

(b) Starting from August, the haze attacked our state, where API reading soared to 839 on 23/9/97. The Honourable the Minister of Environment had said in his winding up speech on the debate on the Natural Resources and Environment Bill that certainly the haze is harmful to health. The effects would set in 15 or 20 years from now. Certainly, I would imagine that the particulate from the haze will be collected or deposited on wooden or metal structures. These particulate will be washed and flow into the tanks where the water will be scooped up for consumption. The presence of acid in the rain during the time of the haze of course is another concern.

Understandably, for the sake of health, the inhabitants at Sungai Bidut wish to see that clean water is supplied to their respective homes as soon as possible

The people at Sungai Bidut do understand that the country is facing an economic crisis presently. However, public health is a top priority matter. Many of the rural folks in Sungai Bidut have indicated their willingness to contribute part of the pipe installation costs. Their sincere offer is open, and I hope the government will act fast.

(4) Water in Sibu Town:

Great improvements have been made in the supply of water to the Sibu urban areas through the years and the Sibu Water Board must be commended for their great efforts. 

However, recently, on 13th November, many parts of Sibu received brownish tap water. I understand some residents called up the Sibu Water Board but had been told that the water was safe for consumption.

But residents have reservations, as one Internet surfer Libra posted on Sarawak Talk on November 16: 

When the tap water is brown in colour, there are several implications to note:

(a) There may be a leak, a huge leak somewhere along it's piping system. Anything can enter the system and thus cannot be considered clean or safe.

(b) The treatment time may be too short, in other words, fast turnover, so that there is not sufficient time for water sedimentation to take place and even less time allowed for the chlorine to act of the water.

In either of the above situations, pathogenic organisms are likely to linger on in the system in concentrations far higher than the allowable safety limits.

Even if chlorine and other chemicals have acted adequately to reduce the concentration of the viable micro organisms in the water, the brownish discoloration shows that there are still lots of particles in the water supplied. Micro organisms aside, there are questions pertaining to what about the chemicals, toxic or otherwise. What about other ingredients, biological products, eg human or animal waste, what about the odour?

Boiling may not remove the inorganic compounds, be it toxic or not.

From the many e-mails that I have received since that day, I can see the people in Sibu are concerned with the safety of their tap water. Lingering questions are abundant: After the Coxsackie, will there be an outbreak of another epidemic somewhere down the road? Waterborne disease(s)? Cholera? Typhoid?

I wonder whether there is any leak in the piping system on November 13. If there is any leak, why? Was it caused by digging up of roads again for some construction works?

I would hope that the authorities would carry out as little digging as possible on the roads once they are laid. Proper planning is required. Digging and refilling is not only costly, but also deface the surface of the road, making it uneven and bumpy, and an ugly site. Of course, a little error may result in leakage through the water pipe and hence contaminate consumable water.

(5) Better Roads for Sibu:

Recently, on 2nd November, 1997, the Honourable Minister for Infrastructure Development launched the Road Maps of Sibu. It would look likely that outstation people and foreign tourists will be able to travel with less problem in Sibu with the launching of the Road Maps for Sibu.

The Road Maps only serves to provide more details for the road network in Sibu Town. However, although not popular as a tourist destination, Sibu is not short of tourists.

The first road to greet tourists after landing at the Sibu Airport will be Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman. For the next 25 minutes or so, on their way to their hotels, the tourists or outstation people will experience its bumpy and uneven surfaces. A tourist couple from Australia whom I met a month ago at Premier Hotel described the road as "an undulating terrain".

When the said road was built, it was the pride of Sibu. Many have boasted of its flatness and smoothness, and had taken leisure rides on it to visit the new Airport Terminal. Not any more. A portion of the road collapsed just prior to Chinese New Year some years ago. Another portion moved and was life threatening before it was repaired. Throughout most of the road, one can see repairs. There are uneven surfaces. A lot of the road side are sinking visibly. I hope that the government through the relevant ministries would take remedial action on this road as soon as practicable.

Datuk Speaker, Sir,

There are other roads in Sibu town which are in need of repairs and maintenance. Many have sunk and have subsided considerably. They usually flood in the event of heavy down pour. Many of the drains serving them are clogged and need clearance in order that water would not collect there for too long after rains stop. These roads, to name a few, are Brooke Drive Lane 6 leading to Hua Kiew Road, Jalan Kandis, Merling Lane 5, Hock Ching Road, Rambutan Lane, Tiong Hua Road, Hua Khiew Road, Pigeon Road, and Foochow Lane, where many complain that it has not been maintained and refilled for more than 10 years.

I stand corrected because I am not a qualified engineer, but I think the clearance of the clogged drains and the Limbangan River would help divert the flow of much of the flood which has been occurring yearly in Sibu, particularly in low lying roads.

Bulatan Polyklinik and Bulatan Deshon are always flooded during and after rain. I hope the Ministry will look into raising the areas at these 2 roundabouts.

It is public knowledge that the soil condition in Sibu makes road construction and maintenance difficult. However, it may be advisable to engage a consultant to conduct a thorough study and to develop a long term road engineering strategy so that roads may not sink as they do. Such an engagement should be rewarding in the event that road maintenance costs may be reduced over the long run.

(6) Sports and Recreation:

The state government should pay more attention to enhancement of sports in Sarawak. Allocations should be increased in this sector in the near future. Sarawak used to be the power house of sports in Malaysia. However, it seems that this has now changed. A few examples would help make this picture clear.

(a) Sarawak, particularly Sibu, used to dominate in all volleyball competitions. In the 1960's and 70's, it used to be that the whole Malaysian volleyball team comprised of entirely players from Sibu. The situation has since changed.

(b) It used to be an insurmountable task to even dream of defeating the Sibu swimmers. Sibu swimmers dominated the National Swimming squads in the 1960's and 1970's. The scenario is no longer the case. At the moment, there is only one swimming pool in Sibu, the Delta Swimming pool. Bukit Lima Swimming Pool has been closed since 31st December, 1992. That was a long time ago. The Honourable Minister for Social Development had indicated on 26th November, 1996 in this august House that the project to redo and redesign the Bukit Lima Swimming pool was then at the tender stage. May the Honourable Minister enlighten this august House the progress of this tender at the moment. 

(c) Sarawak emerged Champion in the Soccer Premier league recently. For reasons unknown, not a single Sarawakian player represents Malaysia in the ASEAN Games. It was an embarrassment that the Malaysian team was already kicked out of shape at the preliminary round. To many soccer fans in Sarawak, the fact that no Sarawakian makes it to the national team is an insult and had dented their pride.

(d) Ten-Pin Bowling is one category of sports which almost can guarantee Malaysia of some gold medals in the 1998 Commonwealth games. Malaysia is rated No. 3 in the world for Ladies and No. 10 for men in this sports. However there is only one Sarawak bowler picked for training in the Malaysian national men squad. The state government should take measures to see that Sarawakians improve in this "golden" sports, although Sarawak has never been strong in this sector. Hopefully the Sarawak state colour maybe held high proudly in time to come by Sarawak bowlers. Sadly, however, despite its promising coffer of gold medals in the Commonwealth Games for Malaysia, Ten-Pin Bowling has not been treated by the authorities as a sports in Miri and Sibu, as the respective Miri and Sibu bowling centres are paying entertainment fees to the municipal authorities. This is not right, and hopefully can be rectified quickly. Bowling is not an entertainment, but a sports, and its inclusion in the 1998 Commonwealth Games is clear proof to this. Apart from making allocations for and building more sports premises and complex, there must be sufficient specialised personnel and trainers. The government must ensure the emergence and revival of the old slogan, a healthy body with a healthy mind.

I am glad that the state government has earmarked a 5 acre piece of land situated at Bukit Lima for an integrated sports ground. I heard that some plans are already on. I hope that the Honourable Minister will enlighten this august house on the comprehensive plan for this sports complex.

(7) Illicit Samsu/Foochow Red Wine:

The Law Reform (Eradication of Illicit Samsu) (Amendment) Act 1988 had come into force on 9th October, 1997. This Act has drastic effects and consequences on a particular segment of the Chinese community as I shall explain in a moment.

By section 5(1) of the Law Reform (Eradication of Illicit Samsu) Act 1976 it is provided that no person shall have in his possession, custody or control illicit samsu other than under the authorisation of any written law.

By section 5(2) thereof it is provided that any person who contravenes section 5(1) shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and not less than 4 years, and also whipping of not less than 2 strokes.

Red wine, typically and traditionally consumed by Chinese Foochows and also some other dialectic groups, is one of those illicit samsu caught by the Act. Usually, a small quantity of red wine is used for flavour in cooking food. More generally, however, Foochow women consume red wine for warmth after giving birth. It is accepted that it has some warming effects. There is no adverse effects. There has never been any incidence of intoxication.

The coming into force of the Act will therefore catch the Chinese, particularly the Foochows. Before 9th October, 1997, some Foochows had been prosecuted in the Sibu Sessions Court, and had been released on good behaviour bond. The Public Prosecutor had appealed to the High Court, which disallowed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Sessions Court Judge. It is generally accepted that red wine is used for flavour and for Foochow women in confinement. Hence, they should not be punished. However, after 9th October, 1997, the situation has been changed, for there would be mandatory imprisonment and whipping.

I am quite sure the Honourable the Foochow Minister and Assistant Minister and many others in this august House have personal experience with this red wine by having been invited by some proud parents of new born babies to their homes to enjoy some Foochow noodles in thick chicken soup laced with red wine. I am sure they understand the predicament of these Foochow women at the moment.

I hope that the state government, particularly through the Foochow Ministers, would request the Federal government to exempt the Foochow red wine from the purview of the 1976 Act. The traditional drink of the Iban community, the tuak, is exempted under the Act. I cannot see any reason why the Chinese Foochow red wine cannot be subject to the same treatment. I hope that an exemption order will be obtained before any person is prosecuted in court.

(8) Sibu Library Computer/IT Corner:

Our Prime Minister is a prime mover and proponent in harnessing Information Technology. In fact, information technology is the vital key if the nation is to attain Wawasan 2020.

The state government must be given credit for giving emphasis to Information Technology. I am glad to see that public libraries now have computers with internet capabilities.

At the Sibu Municipal Library, there is only one unit of computer for internet users. Charges are RM2.00 per 15 minutes or part thereof. Maximum log on is one hour per person. Users cannot down load information into diskettes, but can ask for print at RM0.30 per page without graphics, or RM0.50 per page with graphics. On enquiry, I have been told that normally only students use the facility. Sometimes there could be a long queue.

As there is only one computer for use, it is very inconvenient. There is no privacy, as there are always eyes watching from behind as you surf the net. It is unsatisfactory. It does not encourage Information Technology.

I hope that the Honourable Minister will look into this aspect of the public's complaint.

I propose the following:

(a) Increase the number of computers to at least 5; (b) Charges be reduced from the present RM2.00 per 15 minutes to RM0.10; (c) printing be reduced to 1/3 of the present charges; (d) down loading of information should be permitted provided that the diskettes are scrutinised or bought from the public library (to ensure that users do not use old or virus contaminated diskettes); (e) the Computers be located not in the general staff office, but at a separate room to be called "Sibu Public Library IT Corner". I note there is a rather spacious empty room on the first floor of the building.

(9) Squatters:

Datuk Speaker, Sir,

Ahli Yang Berhormat for Tubong has raised this matter although in a different light. Some comments had been made on YB Member of Parliament bagi Bintulu but I think in a democratic system like ours, the Member of Parliament for Bintulu is entitled to make his observation and express his view. In the same vein, Ahli Yang Berhormat bagi Tupong is entitled to make his own observation and I, myself, am entitled also to make my own observation.

Datuk Speaker, Sir, Squatters have always been a social problem and a sensitive issue in Sarawak. 

That there are squatters occupying state land in the major towns in Sarawak bespeaks of the disparity in development between the urban and rural areas. As the effects of the current difficult economy is expected to be felt only in 2 years time, and as more and more people are compelled to do belt tightening, it is perceivable that more and more rural folks will move to the urban areas, the so called "greener pastures". Those who have no land of their own and cannot afford accommodation will be forced to squat on state land.

That most squatter houses are disorderly and unsightly is unquestionable. But no one in their right frame of mind would prefer squatting on government land so as to make themselves the subject of scorn and hatred and the subject of eviction proceedings at the discretion of the authorities. Nobody would imagine they like to see riots police with automatic rifles accompanying enforcement officers from the Land & Survey Department tackling and pulling down their little sheds of life. 

Tuan Speaker, Sir, 

I am concerned with the recent demolition action of 57 squatter houses at Kampong Siol Kandis Baru, Kuching. The uncompromising actions by the Land & Survey Department had left some 200 poor people homeless.

At law, they are wrong to occupy state land. They were wrong not to comply with the removal notices. But my understanding is, most of these squatters are genuinely poor, and there is nothing wrong socially, morally, legally, to be poor. 

It is really, really sad to listen to their stories, their bewilderment. Now that their roofs were taken off, where are they going to shelter against the element? A woman had just given birth, resting in her small shed, but she was chased out. Her house torn down. From many photographs that I happened to see, there were little children around when the demolition teams came. Adults do understand they were on the wrong side of the law, although they would still hope for some compassion. But these little children could not. They could not understand compassion. They would only have the memory of the apparent militant action of the teams of enforcement personnel. They would remember the riots police with automatic rifles. They would wonder what serious wrong their parents had committed in their little sheds of life.

On my part, Tuan Speaker, with all respect, I don't know why some alternative arrangement could not have been made. When I visited them on Friday last week, they said they had liaised with YBs and Ministers and so on, but to no avail. Some said, the Land & Survey personnel said they could stay there just a wee longer, but their barren little sheds were dismantled regardless. 

It has been said law has its passionate or compassionate side. Maybe the Land & Survey Department has special reason to dismantle these squatter houses on that day, and that day only, but still, there is always room for empathy, for special consideration. 

I appeal to the government to be compassionate towards these squatters. Circumstances like loss of a bread winner, or broken family, may have forced them to their present predicament. 

Sarawak has land, so much that we can afford to give 2020 acres to federal government for federal projects in Kuching. 

It is important that these people be resettled. One way to solve the squatter problem is to allocate them with a piece of land and to help them build a shelter over their heads, or to build more affordable houses for them. In many situations, these squatters need time and persuasion to move out, because to them moving to a new place means a new area of uncertainty. It is a new beginning on unfamiliar ground. They are only human to think like this.

Of course, squatters are not confined to Kampong Siol Kandis Baru in Kuching. They are disbursed throughout the divisions in Sarawak. According to written answers given to me by the Honourable Minister in May, 1997, there are on record at the Land & Survey Department 15,859 families living in squatters, and the government has resettled only 6,017 families over the past 5 years. They are the same social problem which needs special tact on the part of the government to solve.

DAP's Dominic Ng Kim Ho was arrested for his appeal to the enforcement personnel at Kampong Siol Kandis Baru. He is now facing a charge in court for obstructing law enforcement officers. It would be sub judice and against the Standing Order for me to talk about the charge against him, and I would therefore not do so. 

However, I think there is one important discovery from his one night stay at the police lock up. According to Mr. Dominic Ng, the police lock up was unhygienic, being infested with lice and cockroaches. 

(10) Ferry Services:

Credit is to be given to the government for making improvements to the ferry services at Durin, Upper Lanang and Sungai Bidut ferry points. We have now two ferries doing alternate crossings at one time.

Some travellers and commuters between Sibu and Sarikei are still expressing dissatisfaction over the services. It is hard to please all. A wait of up to one hour is not infrequent, which is of course so much better than the previous 4 to 5 hours. A net surfer called "Watchman" posted in the Internet like this:

"As a frequent traveller to Sarikei, I really hope that the ferry service at Lanang can be further improved. When I went to Sarikei 3 days ago, I waited for more than one hour for the ferry".

Sometimes a ferry breaks down, and replacement is not available. I hope that the government can place on standby one ferry which can be called in use the moment one of the ferries at these 3 ferry points breaks down. Such speedy action will reduce the inconvenience to the public. Of course, waiting means fuel consumption, which means money. Waiting also means loss of working hours.

I would again call upon the government to reconsider awarding the ferry and wharf services by open tender, and not giving them to those who are connected with a political party without a transparent tender.

(11) Bridges:

Although the federal government has announced the deferment of mega projects, e.g., the Bakun HEP, because of the current economic perturbation, I am glad to see that the government has decided to implement the construction of the Durin Bridge.

The earth breaking ceremony for the Durin Bridge construction was performed as far back as August, 1996. I would be grateful if the Honourable Minister could enlighten this august House as to the progress of this important project for the central region.

I would also ask the government to consider the offers of private entrepreneurs to construct the Igan and Lanang Bridges, on terms and conditions acceptable to the government, for instance, through the exchange of state land or forest concession. 

In the event of these bridges being constructed, I hope the government would honour the promises that there would be no toll imposed on the usage of the bridges.

(12) Land Acquisition:

There are occasions where land had been acquired by the state government under the Land Code. But sometimes not all the acquired land will be used for the purposes as gazetted. What would happen to this unused land, though acquired?

Lots 141 and 143 Block 18 Seduan Land District is one typical example. Out of 9.79 acres acquired by the government in 1979 for the purpose of a burrow pit, only 1.50 acres were used. The rest was left unused for many years. In 1992, the previous owners asked that the unused portion of the land be returned to them. The Land & Survey Department indicated that it would be considered. LCDA became involved, and the previous owners wanted to enter into a joint venture agreement with LCDA to develop the land. An extensive proposal was submitted, but the LCDA refused the request, and alienated the land to a third party who had influential positions. 

There is no provision under the Land Code covering the situation like this. I ask the government to consider making amendment to the Land Code so that the previous owners are given the priority to buy back their land at a predetermined price before alienating it to a third party.

With these observations, Datuk Speaker, Sir, I wish to express my support to the State Budget as proposed and tabled by the Honourable Minister for Finance and Public Utilities. I wish the state government every success in its implementation, and also hope that in quick time our economy will recover, for the benefit of all and sundry.