Pengerusi MPP, Tan Kai (tengah), menunjukkan poster promosi kempen cabutan bertuah ‘Bayar Cukai Taksiran dan Menang’ majlis tersebut yang menawarkan hadiah bernilai RM20,000. KOTA PADAWAN, 4 Mac: Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP) akan melaksanakan kempen cabutan bertuah khas ‘Bayar Cukai Taksiran dan Menang’ yang menawarkan hadiah keseluruhan bernilai RM20,000 bagi menggalakkan pembayar cukai menjelaskan bil tahun 2026 dengan segera. MPP dalam satu kenyataan memaklumkan program insentif itu terbuka kepada pemilik hartanah dan penghuni di bawah bidang kuasa majlis yang membayar cukai taksiran 2026 sepenuhnya, merangkumi bil penggal 1 dan 2. Pihak majlis menjelaskan bahawa peserta juga perlu menjelaskan sebarang tunggakan pada atau sebelum 31 Mei untuk melayakkan diri bagi cabutan tersebut. “Inisiatif ini diperkenalkan sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada pembayar cukai yang bertanggungjawab memenuhi kewajipan mereka lebih awal dan secara penuh. Ia juga mencerminkan pendekatan proaktif dan mesra pelanggan pihak majlis dalam memupuk budaya pembayaran tepat pada masanya,” jelas kenyataan itu. Cabutan bertuah tersebut dijadualkan berlangsung pada akhir Jun 2026 dengan menawarkan pelbagai hadiah menarik kepada pembayar cukai yang layak. Penyertaan terbuka kepada semua pegangan berkadar yang didaftarkan di bawah pemilikan individu dalam sistem MPP, manakala pihak majlis turut menyatakan bahawa ini merupakan kali pertama program seumpama itu dianjurkan. “Kami amat menggalakkan semua pemilik hartanah dan penghuni di kawasan MPP untuk menjelaskan cukai taksiran mereka secepat mungkin sebelum tarikh tutup pada 31 Mei bagi melayakkan diri untuk cabutan bertuah ini,” tambah kenyataan itu lagi. Menurut pihak majlis, pembayaran cukai taksiran yang tepat pada masanya menyumbang secara langsung kepada keupayaan majlis untuk menyelenggara kemudahan awam, menambah baik perkhidmatan perbandaran serta meningkatkan kualiti hidup komuniti Padawan secara keseluruhan. – TVS

MPP chairman Tan Kai (centre), deputy chairman Mahmud Ibrahim (right) and secretary Goh Thiam Ho promote the incentive programme. KUCHING (Feb 26): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has rolled out a first-of-its-kind incentive programme to encourage residents to settle their assessment rates early, as part of efforts to strengthen revenue collection and improve municipal service delivery. Under the initiative, ratepayers who fully pay both the first and second halves of their 2026 assessment rates and clear any outstanding arrears on or before May 31 will qualify for a lucky draw offering prizes totalling RM20,000. The draw is scheduled to take place at the end of June and is open to all rateable holdings within MPP’s jurisdiction registered under individual ownership, subject to terms and conditions. “The initiative reflects a more proactive and customer-friendly approach to public engagement, while rewarding responsible ratepayers who consistently meet their obligations on time,” MPP said in a statement. The council hopes the programme will not only incentivise early payments but also raise awareness of the importance of promptly settling assessment rates. Timely collections, it noted, are vital to sustaining and upgrading public amenities, enhancing municipal services, and supporting ongoing development within the council’s jurisdiction. Residents and property owners are therefore urged to take advantage of the initiative by settling their dues ahead of the deadline. MPP added that the programme underscores broader efforts to cultivate a strong payment culture among ratepayers and reinforce the shared responsibility between the council and the community in maintaining a well-managed and liveable municipality.

Fazzrudin (third left) presents caps and aprons to one of the traders during the walkabout at the Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar on Monday. — Photo by Roystein Emmor. KUCHING (Feb 23): The Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar continues to provide space and opportunities for small traders to do business and sell their products throughout the holy month, said Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman. “The annual event plays an important role in supporting small and micro entrepreneurs to generate additional income ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,” he told reporters after launching the bazaar and conducting a walkabout on Monday. He also thanked the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Emart in collaboration with Maggi, for organising the bazaar every year. MPP chairman Tan Kai said the bazaar also serves as a platform to promote unity among the people of Sarawak. “The spirit of Ramadan is about togetherness. Many non-Muslims also visit the bazaar, and this reflects the unity we value in Sarawak,” he said, adding that all community projects should continue to emphasise unity as a core principle. Meanwhile, Emart Group head of property Lee Leong Peng said a total of 63 stalls are operating at the bazaar this year, with 16 selling beverages and the remainder offering a variety of food items, including grilled dishes. “The Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar has been organised for more than 13 years to provide traders with business opportunities ahead of the festive season,” he said. The bazaar runs from Feb 19 to March 18. At the same event, Maggi distributed 500 cups of bubur lambuk to members of the public. During the walkabout, Fazzrudin also presented caps and aprons to participating traders.

    Dr Sim (seated, fourth left), other distinguished guests and members of the media during a photo call. KUCHING (Feb 13): Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has voiced concern that the media landscape has grown increasingly complex, with smartphones enabling anyone to act as a content creator or influencer, making the spread of misinformation and incomplete narratives easier. “In today’s environment, not everyone who produces content is a professional journalist. Some intentionally or unintentionally spread misleading or incomplete information, which can turn good efforts into negative perceptions,” said Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, during his ministry’s Media Night held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at a restaurant here on Thursday night. Dr Sim pointed out that negative stories often dominate headlines, while positive achievements, especially in healthcare and public service, tend to receive limited attention. He cited the dedication of doctors and nurses in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), many of whom choose to continue serving in Sarawak despite better opportunities elsewhere. “Many of our doctors could easily leave for higher pay, yet they stay because they want to serve Sarawak. How often do we hear stories about their sacrifices and achievements?” he asked. He reminded the media to support Sarawak’s nation-building efforts through fair and balanced reporting and to play a more proactive role amid the rapid rise of social media and digital platforms. He also proposed that negative reporting should be balanced with positive stories, so the public can gain a fairer and more accurate understanding of ongoing development efforts. “Sarawak nation-building cannot be done by the government alone. The media, civil servants and people must work together. Journalists shape public opinion, and that carries responsibility,” he said. Highlighting the influence of headlines, Dr Sim said different media framing of the same facts could produce vastly different public perceptions, especially on sensitive issues such as Sarawak’s oil and gas revenue. He referred to contrasting headlines on Petronas’ earnings and investments in Sarawak, noting that such framing could easily be politicised, making Sarawakians appear greedy or ungrateful, while also fuelling dissatisfaction locally. “Same facts, different headlines – the political interpretation becomes completely different,” he said, urging journalists to be mindful of context and impact. Dr Sim encouraged journalists to highlight Sarawak’s development milestones, including infrastructure expansion, flood mitigation, healthcare investment, free tertiary education initiatives and student loan assistance, where the Sarawak government currently covers 70 per cent of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments for eligible students. “If we don’t tell our own success stories, others will distort them,” he said. Dr Sim expressed hope that by 2030, Sarawak would be a model of prosperity, unity and social harmony. He thanked media practitioners for their professionalism and urged them to remain committed to ethical reporting, noting that responsible journalism is vital to sustaining public trust and social stability. Dr Sim, along with Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato’ Lo Khere Chiang, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) chairman Dato’ Wee Hong Seng and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai as well as Political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Kho Teck Wan later distributed Chinese New Year ang pow to members of the media.

Dr Sim (centre) poses for a group photo with attendees at the event. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (Feb 22): The Sarawak government has set its sights on building a lush 70-acre urban sanctuary, similar to KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur, under the multi-phase Ang Cheng Ho (ACH) Quarry redevelopment project as part of its plan to transform Batu Kawa by 2030. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the proposed park, set to be among the largest in Kuching, will form part of a comprehensive master plan for the area. The development will incorporate more than 40 acres of land across the road together with the over 20-acre quarry lake, creating a combined park area of about 70 acres. Dr Sim noted that he had met with private landowners surrounding the quarry to coordinate a comprehensive master town planning initiative to transform the area into a tourist resort destination complete with a shopping centre, hotel and other supporting facilities. “So eventually, this will be like the area behind KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) — a very nice garden setting, with a shopping centre fronting landscaped gardens and a park,” he said. Dr Sim, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, said this when met by reporters during a Chinese New Year open house at the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall here on Saturday. The multipurpose hall, managed by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), can accommodate between 800 and 1,000 people in an air-conditioned setting. It is part of Phase 1 of the redevelopment, which has been completed and is now open for community use. On the project’s progress, Dr Sim said the redevelopment is currently in Phase 2, with an allocation of RM8 million this year. This phase will include walking trails, rock-climbing and extreme sports facilities, as well as water sports activities around the quarry lake. “So, Phase 2 of the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry has started this year. We are looking to complete it within the year. It involves an allocation of RM8 million. “At the moment, the area is still quite dark. Under Phase 2, we will install proper lighting and introduce various sporting and recreational activities to activate the place,” he said.