Latest news with #SimKuiHian
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak developing statewide sustainability roadmaps, to implement UN's Sustainable Development Goals
KUCHING: Sarawak is developing sustainability roadmaps for all 27 local authorities across the state to implement the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the local level. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said local authorities were developing the roadmaps with Urbanice Malaysia, an agency under the federal Housing and Local Government Ministry. "We want to see sustainability roadmaps for city, municipal and district council levels. "All this will be localised because we cannot expect to have the same SDG goals as London, Beijing or Washington. We are all different," he said on Friday (June 20). Dr Sim was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Urbanice and three local councils - Padawan Municipal Council, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council and Sarikei District Council - for the preparation of their SDG voluntary local review report. He said the sustainability roadmaps would help set the standard for local authorities to compare their progress with other cities. This, Dr Sim said, would help identify any gaps that need addressing or areas for improvement. He added that the voluntary local review by the three councils would allow them to look at their gaps in implementing the SDG. "The gaps can be due to local challenges in certain areas of Sarawak, such as places where we are still reaching out to supply electricity and clean water. "We're also looking at parameters such as the difference between urban and rural poverty," he said. Urbanice chief executive officer Norliza Hashim said Sarawak had achieved 58% progress in localising the SDG, above the national average of 43%. "This is the overall achievement of all the local authorities in Sarawak, based on data we got from the Statistics Department, the state government and the local authorities themselves," she said. Norliza also said Sarawak was the first state to evaluate the localisation of SDGs by all its local authorities simultaneously. "This is a good commitment. Then you can take action at the state level, not just at the local level, because you see the results as a whole," she said.
Borneo Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
VLR a transparent tool to identify gaps in Sarawak's development, says Dr Sim
Dr Sim (fifth left), Desmond (fifth right), and Norliza (fourth right) with the chairmen of participating local councils during a photo call after the MoU signing ceremony. – Ukas photo KUCHING (June 20): The implementation of Voluntary Local Reporting (VLR) based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sarawak is aimed at identifying gaps and planning improvements in a transparent and structured manner, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. He said the purpose of the VLR is not merely to benchmark Sarawak's current status against other regions but to genuinely assess strengths and weaknesses in order to improve the well-being of its people. According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Dr Sim said this approach reflects the sincerity of the Sarawak government to objectively assess existing strengths and weaknesses and strive to improve them for the well-being of the people. 'Through VLR, we can identify what else we need to do, what gaps we need to address, and all of these things actually show our sincerity, that we want to know and then we want to make improvements based on the data,' he said. Dr Sim was speaking after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), Sarikei District Council (MDS), and URBANICE Malaysia for the preparation of the VLR report at a hotel here today. The State Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the sustainable development roadmap will be tailored to the specific needs of cities, local councils, and local authorities. He explained that applying the SDGs at the local level helps align development with international standards and highlights areas for improvement. He also commended URBANICE Malaysia and the participating councils for leading efforts in drafting the VLR, which he said helps analyse challenges at the grassroots level and guides targeted solutions. 'This report will be part of the index, and through this report, the needs of the city will also be assessed. 'We also look at other parameters such as the frequency of power outages and so on so that we can make comparisons. 'If we say we have become better, how much better we are, or why we are still experiencing power outages, all of these are actually very important for the development of Sarawak,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Desmond Douglas Jerukan; URBANICE Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Norliza Hashim; MPP Chairman Tan Kai; MPKS Chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali; and MDS Chairman Stephen Wong Kie Yong. Dr Sim Kui Hian SDGs VLR Voluntary Local Reporting
The Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Sarawak Legislative Assembly to hold special one-day sitting on July 7
KUCHING: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly will convene for a one-day sitting on July 7, confirms Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. "We are only informed that there will be a special sitting on July 7. It will be a one-day sitting," he told reporters on Friday (June 20). When asked what the agenda for the sitting would be, Sim said he did not have the details. "You have to ask the Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg)," he said. A notice, signed by Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, said the sitting of the fourth term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly was convened in line with the provision of Standing Order 8(3). According to the Sarawak constitution, the state legislative assembly was required to meet at least once every six months. Standing Order 8(3) provides that the legislature can meet at an earlier date should public interest require it. The state assembly's most recent meeting was held from May 19 to 28.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Deputy Premier: Culinary arts can foster global friendship, cultural exchange
Dr Sim (second right), together with Ling Ling (third right), Wee (third left) and Blanca (second left), sampling the Tapas of Sarawak during the opening of the event. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 18): Culinary arts can serve as a bridge for fostering international friendship, cultural exchange and sustainable development, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. He emphasised that food and culture, which are integral in daily life in Sarawak, have the power to connect people globally. 'Many people are not familiar with Sarawak. Because of that, they have yet to discover the treasures we offer. 'Our neighbour, Sabah, is more well-known, but sometimes, the best things are discovered last while the lesser ones are found first. 'We are not talking about race or religion — we are simply talking about food. And food, in itself, is a symbol of our unity,' he remarked when officiating the TAPAS Competition, Exhibition & Seminar 2025 yesterday, which runs from June 17 to 19 at KTS Garden here. As such, Dr Sim expressed hope that the cultural exchange with Valladolid, Spain would serve as an opportunity to further introduce Sarawak's culture, cuisine, and creative potential to the world. Interestingly, he observed that the national flags of both regions share 75 per cent of the same colours — red and yellow — and noted that while Kuching is recognised as a Unesco City of Gastronomy, Valladolid holds the title of Unesco City of Film. He also thanked the organisers for curating the entire competition ecosystem, including the rules, recycling practices, climate impact awareness, and the use of plastic. Meanwhile, Dr Sim announced that the Kuching Food Festival 2025 is set to run from July 25 to Aug 17, with a target of attracting one million visitors. 'It is well known that Sarawakians living in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore often bring their friends home to sample the wide variety of food at the festival. 'We are even providing opportunities for students from institutions of higher learning to sell their creative food ideas to the public. 'Just look at how food brings people together — this is the kind of unity that draws people closer,' he said, adding that Sarawak has much to learn from other cultures in shaping a better future. Also present at the event were Minister of Tourism, Events and Urban Branding of Valladolid, Spain, Blanca Jimenez Cuadrillero; Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng; and Sarawak International Technical and Vocational Education Association president Sim Ling Ling. culinary arts cultural exchange Dr Sim Kui Hian local food
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim: Sarawak to continue upholding religious freedom, supporting all faiths
Dr Sim (second left) presents certificate of participation to a stall operator. At left is Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How. – Photo by Hii Kheng Juong KUCHING (June 15): Sarawak will continue to uphold religious freedom through rendering support to the development of various religions in the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian The Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government noted that Sarawak has remained financially strong and politically stable due to the state government's commitment to inclusivity and religious tolerance. 'The Sarawak government will not stop its support for all religious organisations in carrying out their charitable and educational activities,' he said at the launch of the Kuching Buddhist Fellowship's charity fair today. Dr Sim highlighted that the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), inaugurated by former chief minister the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, has been granting funds to various non-Muslim religious bodies over the years. He said Unifor annual allocation, amounting to RM100 million, has helped many Buddhist and Christian organisations in improving their infrastructure and community services. Citing the charity fair as an example, he said such programme should serve as a platform for religious leaders to instil positive values and characteristics in young devotees. According to Dr Sim, it is crucial for participants, especially youth, to learn about the importance of showing compassion to others rather than being preoccupied with electronic gadgets. To contribute to the state's development, he said religious organisations must play a role in educating children from a young age, guiding them onto the right path. 'It does not matter how much you have donated to charities because every little effort counts. It is the spirit of contribution that we want to promote among the community.' Dr Sim was delighted to note that Buddhist organisations have been promoting compassion, positivity and equality, all of which are commendable qualities that are in tandem with the principles of nation-building. He hoped that all Sarawakians will keep up their efforts of safeguarding the state toward ensuring that all continue to enjoy stability and prosperity. Dr Sim Kui Hian lead religious freedom religious organisations support
