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The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Eyewear initiative identifies Sibu students with severe impairment
Soon Koh (second from left) presenting a pair of spectacles to a student while Wong Hua (right) looks on. MORE than 170 students in Bawang Assan, Sarawak, have received free spectacles through a programme called 'Clear Vision, Excellent Life'. The initiative for the area in Sibu district was organised by Sungai Empawah neighbourhood committee, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Bawang Assan branch and Norkiah Madani Community. The programme is aimed at helping students who have vision problems but cannot afford spectacles. PDP Bawang Assan chairman councillor Wong Hua said the initiative had come about following a request from about 20 schools with students who had difficulty following lessons. 'Clear vision is the starting point of dreams,' he said. 'Without the spectacles, affected pupils are left behind from the beginning.' Speaking at the spectacles handover ceremony, Wong Hua said a notification letter had been sent to all primary and secondary school heads in Bawang Assan to identify affected students, with eye examinations carried out during the school holidays in collaboration with local opticians. He expressed shock at learning that some students had severe vision impairment. Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who was present at the event, hopes that the students will be better able to focus on their studies with their new spectacles.
Borneo Post
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Gawai's Ngiling Bidai promotes unity, cultural heritage, says PDP man
Hillary (sixth left) presents a token of appreciation to Tiong during the event. BINTULU (June 14): The Ngiling Bidai ceremony, which marks the end of the Gawai Dayak celebration, serves as a meaningful platform to showcase and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak community, said Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Samalaju chief Hillary Mawan Antar. He highlighted that the event, which brings together people from diverse backgrounds, plays a vital role in strengthening community ties and promoting mutual understanding among Sarawak's multi-ethnic population – reflecting the spirit of Segulai Sejalai (Together in Unity). 'This reflects the importance of unity and national integration, which are essential in building a peaceful and stable nation,' he said in his welcoming remarks at the Ngiling Bidai 2025 Dinner, at Dinner World, Bintulu Sentral on Thursday. The event, themed Segulai Sejalai, was officiated by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, who is also Bintulu MP, Dudong assemblyman, and PDP president. Hillary also stressed that such gatherings offer valuable opportunities for people of different ethnicities to connect and engage with one another. 'This event is in line with the unity initiatives under Malaysia Madani and helps to foster a spirit of togetherness, symbolised through Segulai Sejalai,' he said. Gawai lead Ngiling Bidai PDP
Borneo Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Over 170 Bawang Assan students benefit from free spectacles under vision aid programme
Soon Koh (seated, sixth right) and Wong Hua, on his left, join others in a group photo with the school-children. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (June 13): The 'Clear Vision, Brighter Life' programme should be continued and even expanded, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. Speaking at the launch of the programme at a hotel here today, he said every pair of eyes being cared for would lead to a brighter future for those in need. 'Clear vision, brighter life must become our mission,' said the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice-president. Jointly organised by Sungai Empawah Neighbourhood Watch Committee (KRT), PDP Bawang Assan Division, and the Norkiah Madani Community, the programme was meant to provide free spectacles to students from low-income families. Meanwhile, PDP Bawang Assan chairman Councillor Wong Hua said to date, over 170 students had been listed as recipients under the programme. 'As of this afternoon (June 13), about 160 of them have already received their glasses, while a few are still waiting for eye examinations. We will continue to monitor the process and ensure that all eligible students receive the help they need,' he said. According to Wong Hua, this programme was initiated after receiving feedback from schools that many students were struggling with vision problems but could not afford spectacles due to financial constraints. 'Such issue not only affects their academic performance, but also undermines their motivation and self-confidence in pursuing education,' he said. 'We hope that this programme would open a window to their future, ensuring their learning journey is no longer hindered by poor vision,' he added. bawang assan free spectacles students wong soon koh
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PDP VP backs president's criticism of partisan interference in Sibu community association
Wong stresses the importance of fair and balanced leadership appointments, calling for capable individuals from across the political spectrum to be given the opportunity to serve. – Photo by Chimon Upon SIBU (June 11): Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has voiced support for party president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing's recent remarks criticising the reduction of community leaders into mere 'party assets.' He stressed the importance of fair and balanced leadership appointments, calling for capable individuals from across the political spectrum to be given the opportunity to serve. In a statement, Wong referred to Tiong's recent allegation that a political party had interfered in the outcome of the Persatuan Ketua Kaum Masyarakat Cina Sibu Sarawak (Sibu Chinese Community Leaders Association) election. He described the incident as part of a broader pattern of political meddling in grassroots affairs. According to Wong, PDP had nominated 14 candidates for the association's executive committee, none of whom were successful. The Bawang Assan assemblyman claimed the newly elected committee appears heavily aligned with one particular political party, which he said goes against the association's original inclusive spirit. He also criticised the association's subsequent clarification statement, calling it unconvincing and evasive. The former Sarawak minister questioned how the association could exert such influence over its own internal election and urged component parties within the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition to address the matter through calm and constructive dialogue. He emphasised the need for a transparent, fair, and inclusive resolution due to its broader impact on the Chinese community. Wong said if the association truly wants to be seen as impartial and community-driven, it should welcome representation from all political parties. 'Only then can the association rightfully claim to represent the broader Chinese community, rather than functioning as a partisan 'one-voice' platform,' he said. He further questioned whether community leaders aligned with a single party would extend help to individuals from differing political backgrounds, noting that such behaviour is becoming increasingly common in Sibu. Wong praised Tiong for speaking out, saying he exposed what he described as an ongoing attempt by a political party to dominate local influence and treat community positions as political tools. 'The people of Sibu are well aware of the unscrupulous tactics employed by the said party. As the party president rightly pointed out, this party seeks to monopolise influence at the local level. 'If it is truly that dominant, would it also adopt the same attitude during elections? If so, does it still require the support of allied parties? Let it then 'perform' accordingly during elections — and we shall all watch in silence to observe its real influence,' he said. He again criticised the association's rebuttal as ineffective, asserting: 'Facts speak louder than words.' 'If the association truly wishes to earn the public's trust, it should transparently publish the list of newly elected committee members so the public can assess their political affiliations and backgrounds for themselves. The truth will then become evident to all.' Wong also warned against excessive reliance on constitutional provisions to justify exclusionary decisions. He said any objective observer can see the imbalance when a committee consists entirely of members linked to one party, risking turning the association into a partisan body and abandoning its core mission of community service. He cautioned that such developments could erode the independence of civil society organisations in Sibu. Wong called on the unnamed political party to stop interfering in grassroots matters, especially in the appointment of community leaders. He warned that continued involvement could provoke public discontent and weaken the integrity of local associations. Political parties at the local level should not be leading the charge in sowing division or partisanship, he said. 'Instead, they should serve the public with humility and act as effective bridges between the government and the people, ultimately working for the betterment of the entire Chinese community and its future,' he concluded.
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sikie: Tuai Rumah elected without political interference
Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai KUCHING (June 10): Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai said community leaders, particularly Tuai Rumah, are elected and that his ministry does not interfere in the election process. 'We do not interfere in their election,' he said when asked to comment on recent remarks by Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who claimed that the appointment of community leaders had been influenced by political interests. Sikie, who oversees Native Adat, explained that community leaders (KMKK) are elected through a process overseen by their respective District Offices, with district or administrative officers supervising the elections. However, he said he was unsure whether the appointment process for all community leader posts in the Sibu Chinese community, in particular, was being properly monitored. 'Tuai Rumah in longhouses are elected by their respective members of the longhouses, supervised by the Penghulu of the area and also by officers from the respective District office,' said Sikie, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Senior Vice President and Kakus assemblyman. Yesterday (June 9), it was reported that Tiong, who is also Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture had warned a certain political party leader against meddling in the selection of committee members for the Sibu Chinese Community Leaders Association. Stressing the importance of honouring fair and transparent selection processes, the Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman – without naming names – said he had recently received complaints about the said leader 'persistently interfering' in the election of the association's committee members. 'It appears this leader is attempting to manipulate the outcome through party influence, sparking strong discontent among the people.' Separately yesterday, John Brian claimed that political interference in the appointment of Tuai Rumah has long occurred in the Dayak community. He claimed that such practices not only 'contaminates' the customs and traditional social structure of the Dayak community but also erodes their trust in grassroots leadership. 'These are also often used as a political tool to ensure support for certain parties, thus weakening the autonomy of the community,' he argued. community leaders John Sikie Tayai lead political interference
