Malaysia’s first community radio station to broadcast from Kelabit Highlands

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/22/sarawak/9547543&sec=sarawak

Thursday September 22, 2011

By CINDY LAI
sarawakstar@thestar.com.my

MIRI: Bario Radio, the first community radio to be established in Malaysia, will broadcast in the Kelabit language by the end of next month.

This non-profit radio station will be managed by eBario Sdn Bhd, the operator of the award-winning eBario rural telecentre.

A dialogue organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to discuss the station’s policies and practices here yesterday garnered the participation of 20 interested parties from Bario and Miri.

The dialogue was aimed at stimulating public debate among the stakeholders on policy formulations and related practices that would allow further applications of community radio stations in Malaysia.

The station has received a RM50,000 funding from the International Fund for Agriculture Development and Centre of Excellence for Rural Informatics and will be managed by volunteers.

Bario Radio will be implemented next month with the installation of equipment followed by training of local Kelabits in the operation of the station.

The programmes will be conducted in Kelabit by volunteer broadcasters drawn from the community.

According to Unimas Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovations director Professor Alvin Yeo, the station would reach out to people in remote areas in Sarawak, initially around Bario.

“The dialogue was to raise awareness and understanding of guidelines for implementation among potential adopters of community radio stations.

“It was also an effort to initiate momentum for the wider deployment of community radio stations in Malaysia as a means of achieving the national development goals.

“Hence, it will create awareness among policymakers on the need of Malaysia’s indigenous people, particularly the Kelabits, to have their own media to overcome their vulnerability and marginalisation,” said Yeo.

The eBario project was started by the local university in 1998 to provide computers and the Internet to the remote and isolated highland community in Bario.

The project has had a considerable impact not only on the residents but also on the development of Government policies to provide similar facilities for the rest of rural Malaysia.

In 2002, the eBario facilities were handed over to the people of Bario and eBario Sdn Bhd was established as a vehicle to continue its operations and management.

The eBario telecentre was meant to provide communication technology for Bario to reach out to the world.

Under a new policy by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Comission (MCMC), other communities in Malaysia, especially isolated kampungs and ethnic groups that are starved of information, are assured of enjoying similar benefits.

Under this policy, MCMC granted the licence for the first community radio station to be operated as Bario Radio.

PBB Youth wing wants Orang Ulu assistant minister

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/15/pbb-youth-wing-wants-orang-ulu-assistant-minister/


by WB Ongie, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on September 15, 2011, Thursday


MARUDI: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan’s youth wing has joined the call for an Orang Ulu to be appointed assistant minister.

This follows an earlier call from the PBB Belaga youth wing.

PBB Telang Usan youth wing deputy chairman Councillor Garry Hashim Wan, who is a Berawan, said there has been no Orang Ulu assistant minister since the late Datuk Dr Judson Sakai Tagal.



Judson was Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office when he was killed in a 2004 helicopter crash.

“But at least the Orang Ulu have a representative at the federal level with Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, who is Baram MP,” he said after a Marudi District Council (MDC) meeting recently.

Currently, there are two Orang Ulu assemblyman in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) — Liwan Lagang (Belaga) and Dennis Ngau Jok (Telang Usan).

Meanwhile, Councillor John Terawe, a Kelabit from Bario, also supported the call.

He said an Orang Ulu should be appointed minister in the state cabinet or at the very least assistant minister.

Clinic is lifeline to rural community in Marudi

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/09/08/clinic-is-lifeline-to-rural-community-in-marudi/

Posted on September 8, 2011, Thursday

GOOD SERVICE: The Long Banga Rural Health Clinic plays a vital role in the lives of the rural folk it serves.

MARUDI: Thousands of residents from longhouses and villages in the rural areas of the Marudi District depend on the Long Banga Rural Health Clinic.

Besides Long Banga, the Kelabit, Saban and Penan communities from Long Beruang, Long Balong, Long Lamai and Long Peluan are also dependent on the clinic.

Serving the clinic is sole medical assistant Aduen Inspieng, who is originally from Julau.
For the father of one, the clinic’s remote location is not a problem.

“I like to serve the people of Long Banga and from other areas as the people here are all polite and ready to work together with the staff. Also when we need help, they will come and assist us,” said Aduen.

Assisting him are community nurse Jessica Taa from Bintangor and a clinic attendant.

Despite having just three staff, the clinic is known for being very clean, tidy and well-organised.

Long Banga is 10 hours by four-wheel drive vehicle from Miri.

Sarawak and Indonesia to continue fighting border crime

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/18/sarawak/9318276&sec=sarawak


Thursday August 18, 2011


KUCHING: Relations between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, Indonesia, have been described as good despite the occurrence of illegal cross-border activities.

Sarawak Immigration Department director Datuk Robert Lian said these activities would instead foster closer cooperation between authorities from both sides to work together against crimes such as smuggling.

“This (smuggling) is the work of individuals. If there are smugglers in Malaysia, there are also smugglers in Indonesia. This (smuggling) should not create any tension between both countries because the battle is against these smugglers,” he told reporters when met at the Indonesian Consulate Office here after attending the 66th Indonesian Independence Day celebration yesterday.

Robert went on to say that both sides continued to strenghten border ties because of the common aim of wanting to maintain national security.


National loyalty: Suprapto witnessing the raising of the Sang Merah Putih at the Indonesian Consulate in Kuching in conjunction with Indonesia’s Independence Day yesterday.

Even now, he said, both sides were seeking cooperation through the bilateral Sosek-Malindo and BIMP-EAGA, an economic cooperation initiative between Southeast Asian nations to foster good ties.

Indonesian Consul-General to Sarawak, Joko Suprapto, said Indonesia had often looked forward to good relation and cooperation between the authorities of both sides.

“We are neighbours and we need to work hand in hand if we are to combat these (ill activities). We will therefore continue to do our part to strenghten relations.”

There are nine gazetted entry points — Sematan, Biawak, Serikin, Bunan Gega, Padawan, Tebedu, Batu Lintang, Lubok Antu and Bario — along the border of Sarawak with West Kalimantan. Four other gazetted entry points are shared with Brunei.

Yesterday’s celebration saw the raising of the Indonesian flag Sang Merah Puteh, the reading of the proclamation text and also Act 1945.

A breaking of fast and the celebration of Nuzul Al-Quran were scheduled for the evening.

Traditional craft can draw international visitors to boost rural economy

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/18/sarawak/9319183&sec=sarawak


Thursday August 18, 2011


By SHARON LING sharonling@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: Sarawak’s traditional beads have the potential to be a tourist attraction besides boosting the rural economy.

Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s bead-making industry, mainly found in the northern region, had yet to reach wide exposure beyond local shores.

“I feel it is time for us to expose the value of our beads in terms of their heritage and potential economic value,” he said when announ-cing the second Borneo International Beads Conference yesterday.

Johari said his ministry was currently in the planning stages of developing the rural economy through ecotourism, and that beads could play a part.

Interesting: Sarawak Museum honorary curator of beads Heidi Munan showing Johari pictures of beads at the press conference. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star

“One of the economic activities in rural areas is making beads. If we add value to bead-making, such as ensuring quality and good design, it can be an attraction that will lure tourists to visit the rural areas. The community can participate in rural economy by producing high quality beads that have a certain value,” he said.

As such, Johari said the conference from Oct 7 to 9 was a platform for the ministry to work with bead enthusiasts in promoting and developing the local bead industry.

“They can do research on the economic potential of beads and whether beads can become a designer item. A lot of research also needs to be done on bead making itself.

“Ultimately, if we have the infrastructure, Kuching or Sarawak will be known as a regional centre for bead research. That is the long-term plan,” he said.

Themed “Beads and Heritage”, the conference aims to showcase Sarawak’s bead culture to an international audience, preserve the state’s bead tradition in a commercially viable manner, encourage the production of quality beads, promote competent modern design in beads and beadwork and improve the earning power of cottage workers in the state.

It is also a platform to facilitate creative interaction between Sarawak’s bead craftsmen and internatio-nal counterparts and to share knowledge and expertise with international bead scholars and researchers.

Malaysia’s Heritage Commissioner Datuk Dr Zuraina Majid-Lowe will deliver a keynote address titled “Protecting our Assets and Pride”.

Papers will be presented by international speakers from the United States, India, Australia, Canada and South Africa as well as local speakers. About 200 participants are expected to attend the conference.

MASwings to adopt ‘unique’ water village

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/08/18/maswings-to-adopt-unique-water-village-latest/

by Sandra Sokial. Posted on August 18, 2011, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: MASwings, which sees the potential of Kampung Tanjung Aru Baru as a tourist destination, has expressed interest to adopt the village.

Describing the water village as unique, MASwings managing director Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang said they have agreed in principal to adopt the village in response to the call yesterday by its Village Security and Development Committee chairman Matsah Saad.

“I do believe that the village has potential to be developed into a tourist destination. It is a water village and houses are built on stilts above the sea.

“It is very unique and is not available in many places,” Mohd Nawawi told reporters after presenting Hari Raya goodies to 100 underprivileged people from the village and Kampung Tanjung Aru Lama.

He said the adoption programme may be extended to two schools in Kundasang and Kudat, and currently talks are ongoing to discuss details of the programme which is expected to take off by this year end or early next year.

“This is part and parcel of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, dubbed the ‘Wings of Love’ which is aimed at reaching out to those in need, and focusing on three main fields, namely community service, education and environment,” said Mohd Nawawi.

He said similar project is carried out in Sarawak where MASwings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, has adopted two schools, one in Bekalalan and the other in Bario.

Touching on yesterday’s event, he said the two villages were selected due to its proximity to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

In his speech earlier, Mohd Nawawi said he is willing to act as the middle person to bring the villagers’ grouses and concerns to the highest authority.

“We understand there are a lot of expectations from the people when we adopt a village, but it is part of our CSR. A lot of funds are needed to reconstruct a village, so being a corporate company, we can only help to forward what they need to the higher authorities,” he said.

Partnership aims to improve ICT in rural areas

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/25/partnership-aims-to-improve-ict-in-rural-areas/


by Ghaz Ghazali ghazghazali@theborneopost.com. Posted on July 25, 2011, Monday


WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP: Fitri (left) and Captain Nawawi pose next to a VSAT unit at the Ba Kelalan STOL port.

BARIO/BA KELALAN: The collaboration between Maxis Bhd (Maxis) and MASwings Sdn Bhd (MASwings) is slated towards developing the information and communication technology (ICT) connectivity in rural areas of East Malaysia.

With regards to this, MASwings had installed a number of satellite system VSAT (very-small-aperture-terminal) units at several ‘short take-off and landing’ (STOL) port stations in the state as part of its plan to enhance MASwings operational capabilities towards better services to its rural customers.

MASwings’ managing director Datuk Captain Mohd Nawawi Awang said the facility would, amongst others, allow the airline to use on-line data and telephony communications that would make internet access, automated check-ins, load-sheet processing and other reservation as well as e-ticketing applications possible.

“Under the first phase of VSAT project development, MASwings will make these services available in Bario and Ba Kelalan and to extend to other four STOL port stations — Long Akah, Long Seridan, Long Lellang and Long Banga — under phase two in the immediate future.

“We have installed VSAT facility in Bario and Ba Kelalan since December 2009; by which the project had benefitted MASwings and the communities at these two stations,” he told The Borneo Post during the launching of these VSATs in Bario and Ba Kelalan.

Apart from MASwings online operations, the VSAT units would also be used to set up basic GSM services for voice and SMS for the people of these rural communities.

Meanwhile, Maxis’ senior vice president and head of business services, Fitri Abdullah believed that the collaboration was truly a ‘win-win’ proposition by both companies; at the same time, benefitting the communities in the rural areas.

“It has been two years since I met up with Datuk Seri Idris Jala (then the managing director of Malaysia Airline, the parent holdings of MASwings) to discuss about the idea to set up VSATs with nano-based station system at STOL ports in rural areas within Sarawak and Sabah, serviced by MASwings.

“In saying this, we are proud to partner with MASwings to develop the ICT infrastructure here,” he said.

Nonetheless, Fitri disclosed that setting up the stations in both Bario and Ba Kelalan had been a different ball game for Maxis as both areas, until recently, had no regular electricity supply.

“As such, both MASwings and Maxis have agreed to invest in solar power-generated system in both areas. On our side, we have invested over RM100 million over the last 18 months to upgrade the capacity of these stations in both states.”

To date, Maxis has built 96 units of nano-based stations in rural areas throughout Sarawak and Sabah.

“We are expanding. The plan is that by this year’s end, we will have a total of 120 stations. With MASwings, we have done STOL ports in Bario, Ba Kelalan, Mulu and a few other places. I believe that there are a few more STOL ports in the two states that can benefit from the facility, so that not only MASwings will be better connected but also providing basic GSM services to the communities,” added Fitri.

On the newly-installed KU-band VSAT powered by Ipstar from Measat-5 in Bario, Fitri added that there was also a wi-fi hotspot, ranging within 40- to 50-metre radius around Bario town centre.

The speed of this VSAT set would be at one-megabyte up and two-megabyte down.

“Maxis’ aim has always been towards developing good ICT infrastructure not only in the urban areas, but also within the rural areas as well. While we also have one nano-based station in Ba Kelalan, we are positive that due to network necessity in Ba Kelalan, the Maxis technical will come here and perform a review to set up another VSAT in Ba Kelalan,” he stated further.

Adding to this, Captain Nawawi remarked, “Our partnership with Maxis has and will be benefitting towards our operations in remote areas, in terms of facilitating e-ticketing and bookings data transmission between these rural stations and the main offices in Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu, as well as other centres.

“In line with our status as a community airline, we want to contribute to the community here.”