Category: General

KUCHING, The Borneo International Water and Wastewater Exhibition and Conference (BIWWEC 2024) that will be held here from Oct 23 to 25 will serve as a launching pad for Sarawak’s roadmap to the International Water Association’s (IWA) World Water Congress 2028.

Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the conference is also positioned to stimulate innovation, encourage cooperation and promote sustainability in water industry, hence enhance both socio-economic progress and environmental conservation in the region.

‘We are also pleased to announce the return of the Sarawak Utility and Telecommunication Conference 2024 (SUTC 2024) in conjunction with BIWWEC 2024.

‘There will be forums featuring over 50 international and local speakers and discussion panels with 80 sessions in four streams across three full days of BIWWEC and the key topics for this year’s conference are sustainable water, water and energy, financial sustainability for water assets and digital water inn
ovation,’ he said at a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly building here, today.

Last year, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced that Sarawak was chosen to host the IWA World Water Congress 2028 after presenting a successful bid in France.

Themed ‘Bridging Solutions for Sustainable Water’, BIWWEC 2024 is expecting 1,000 delegates and 55 exhibitors, with Abang Johari set to to officiate the conference and to deliver the keynote address.

Organised by the Malaysian Water Association (MWA) Sarawak Branch, the conference will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching bearing the tagline ‘Flowing Future’.

Since the beginning of 2011, BIWWEC has established itself as one of the leading water and wastewater related events in the region, attracting industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Asia and beyond.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) has called on Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR) to cooperate with Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM) in offering funding and scholarships for students furthering their studies in the institution.

Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick said such a collaboration would spark an interest in youngsters to explore the field of entrepreneurship and cooperatives and boost the university’s popularity among them.

“This cooperation will create opportunities for our students who did not get into universities from the UPU (Unit Pusat Universiti) process. So, I wish to promote this university (UKKM) as an option.

“I also want to see YayasanBank Rakyat offer funding to UUKM students next time,’ he told a media conference at the YBR Academic Excellence Award ceremony here today.

He said that, so far, UUKM is the only institution of higher education that focuses on the field of cooperatives by offering five courses in entrepreneurship and co
operatives up to the master’s degree level.

“So, I find this university (UKK) interesting and I want to publicise to the children of cooperative members and all students to further their education at this university,’ he said.

The UKKM has been operating as a private institution of higher education (IPTS) since March 29.

Meanwhile, a total of 200 outstanding YBR-sponsored graduates at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels in institutions of higher learning received cash incentives at the award ceremony.

YBR chairman Datuk Philip Benedict Lasimbang said a total of RM200,000 was allocated as a sign of appreciation to those who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) result of 3.5 and above from July 2023.

“A total of 187 graduates at the Bachelor’s Degree level and 13 at the Master’s level received the incentives, which will hopefully encourage and motivate them to be more successful, in addition to helping the graduates who are already employed,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended a personal donation to actor and comedian Ebby Yus to cover his medical and daily necessities.

In his social media post today, Anwar said the donation was presented to Ebby by his political secretary Ahmad Farhan Fauzi who visited the comedian yesterday.

Ebby is suffering from various complications of chronic illnesses, which have been limiting his involvement in the entertainment industry.

‘Praying for his continued strength and swift recovery, Insya-Allah,’ said Anwar in the post.

Last December, it was reported that Ebby, whose real name is Muhammad Yunus Abdul Rashid, 58, underwent a pacemaker implantation surgery due to heart problems.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Vietnam exported 83,067 tonnes of pepper worth 352 million USD in the first four months of this year, down 19.4% in volume but up 10.3% in value, the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) has reported. The average export price of black pepper was 4,065 USD per tonne and white pepper 5,678 USD per tonne, up 19.4% and 14.5%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. Asia currently accounts for 36.2% of Vietnam’s total pepper exports, but in the reviewed period, export volume to the regional market decreased by 52% from the same period in 2023, with the biggest decrease from the China, down 95.2%, followed by UAE with 23%.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is sparing no effort in luring more Filipinos to exercise their right to suffrage, as it aims to hold more ‘firsts’ in the history of voter registration activities in the country.

For Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, ensuring inclusive voter registration drives means going beyond the corners of enclosed and comfortable spaces in urbanized areas and bringing these closer to those living in the country’s remotest places, even if it means crossing rivers, climbing mountains and walking distances.

This comes as the poll body has set foot and held voter sign-up activities for the first time in areas it has never reached in the past.

‘We want our kababayans, who are qualified to register as a voter, their voices to be heard by participating in the country’s electoral exercises. The Comelec is ready to visit more areas in the county, so the people will be able to register and vote in the coming and succeeding polls,’ Garcia said in a recent interview.

Tigwaha
non tribe of Bukidnon

On March 18, members of indigenous peoples (IPs) who are first-time voters and applicants for transfer of registration were among those who participated in the one-day satellite registration at Sitio Kalinawan, Barangay Kibongcog in San Fernando, Bukidnon province.

A total of 71 IPs were able to submit their voter application and applications for transfer of registration.

The poll body is looking to establish a voting precinct at the sitio, where members of the Tigwahanon tribe reside, for next year’s polls.

‘Kailangan pag-aralan na ng Comelec kung kakayanin natin, halimbawa kung may 300 or 400 na botante bakit hindi dalhin and makina natin. Napatunayan naman mga bagong makina ay kayang kaya maoperate kahit walang kuryente basta may battery (The Comelec should study if this is possible, for instance, we have 300 or 400 voters, why not just bring our machine there. We have proven that new machines are operational even without power, as long as these have batteries),’ Garcia earlier sa
id.

He was referring to the automated counting machines (ACMs) which are currently being manufactured by Miru Systems Co Ltd., at its plant in South Korea.

The Joint Venture of Miru Systems Co Ltd, Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (MIRU-ICS-STCC-CPSTI) bagged the over PHP17 billion Fully Automated System with Transparency Audit and Count (FASTrAC) project.

It will be manufacturing 110,000 ACMs to be used in the May 12, 2025 polls.

MILF camps

As the peace process in Mindanao continues to reap gains, the higher level of cooperation between the Philippine government and former Moro rebel groups has paved the way for the participation of residents in former conflict-hit areas in various democratic processes.

For the first time, the poll body has also entered two known-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps in Maguindanao del Norte province, where it had conducted Special Register Anywhere Project (SRAP) for two days.

A total
of 1,586 applicants signed up during the two-day voter registration activities in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town and Camp Abubakar in Barira town on April 15 and 16.

These include 1,095 applicants from Camp Darapanan and 491 applicants from Camp Abubakar.

Aside from Comelec officials, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim also joined the SRAP activities.

The BARMM official lauded the Commission’s effort as they are making it easy for those who would like to register and eventually participate in the country’s elections.

Under the RAP, any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the country may register at the RAP booths by submitting their application form, documentary requirements and have the biometrics taken.

Garcia had said they are looking to establish a special polling place in the camp.

‘We will try that on Election Day, if the estimated 5,000 voters in C
amp Darapanan are registered, to bring the new voting machines and allow them to cast their votes,’ he added.

Sitio Kapihan

On April 25, members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) living in a community in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering in Socorro, Surigao Del Norte were informed about the salient features of the automated poll system and the new ACMs during the satellite voter registration in the area.

This is the poll body’s first visit to the community which made headlines in 2023 due to the controversy involving its leader Jay Rence ‘Senyor Aguila’ Quilario.

Aside from the voter information drive, qualified residents also had the chance to register. The poll body has yet to release data on the number of registrants in the area.

Garcia said they are also considering the creation of a precinct in the community so that residents do not have to travel far just to cast their votes.

The community has 5,000 residents, almost half of whom are eligible to vote.

More SRAPs

With more than four mont
hs to go before the Sept. 30 deadline, Garcia said the poll body is set to hold similar voter registration activities in Iligan City and in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

At the same time, the Comelec chief asked the public to support the endeavor.

‘Sa ating mga kababayan huwag na sana po nilang kwestyonin ang intensyon, ‘yung desire ng Commission alam nyo talaga dahil sa ginagawa natin naikakalat natin ang information. Nagkakaroon ng interest ang mga kababayan natin na magparehistro (We urge our people not to question our intentions. It is the Commission’s desire to disseminate information on voter registration. Our people are becoming interested in signing up as voters),’ he said.

Based on its latest data, the Comelec has so far processed a total of 2,725,085 voter applications as of May 7.

This nears the poll body’s target of 3 million new voters for the 2025 polls.

‘Siguro kung hindi natin ginagawa itong pagikot-ikot nating ito, ‘yung pagpapagod nating lahat na ito na umiikot ikot tayo
sa eskwelahan, pribadong kumpanya, government agencies, sa mga katutubo, sa mga malalayong lugar na hindi napupuntahan hindi siguro ganyang karami ang nagpaparehistro ngayon (If we do not hold these caravans, we are not exerting efforts to go around schools, private companies, government agencies and areas of Indigenous Peoples, far-flung areas, we would not be able to get that big figure of voter registrants),’ Garcia added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard is set to build a sub-station in Dipaculao, Aurora following a land grant from the municipality.

The PCG said the 500-square-meter lot was donated by Dipaculao Mayor Danny Tolentino to the PCG District North Eastern Luzon and was received by District Commander, Captain Ludovico Librilla Jr., in a ceremony.

During the ceremony, Librilla said the land grant is a ‘step towards safeguarding the nation’s interest.’

‘With this new acquisition as a result of the partnership, the PCG ensures the safety and security of our coastal waters, protecting our marine environment and maritime resources by activating PCG sub-stations to every municipality in the coastal areas of the Philippines,’ he said.

The PCG has vessels or aerial assets patrolling the Philippine Rise, a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau located near Aurora.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan thanked Dipaculao for the land grant and said the donation is a ‘testament to the trust and unwavering support of th
e municipality of Dipaculao and its residents to the PCG.’

The initiative to establish the sub-station was proposed during a courtesy call of Librilla to Tolentino.

It was later followed by the attendance of officers of the PCG Station Aurora to committee meetings of the Committee on Land Use and Utilization that paved the way for the Sangguniang Bayan resolution authorizing Tolentino to donate the lot.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ATHENS: AstraZeneca will withdraw its coronavirus vaccines, British media reported Wednesday.

The decision by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company came as a result of declining demand for the jab as more updated vaccines target newer variants of the virus, according to Sky News.

It added that the voluntary withdrawal of the jab started in the EU, with the European Medicines Agency announcing that the vaccine is no longer authorized for use.

While the company argued that more than 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use and over three billion doses were supplied globally, the broadcaster noted, ‘The vaccine had only been in use for a few months before reports emerged of unusual blood clots.’

Source: Philippines News Agency