Author: Abdus Salam

KUCHING (Nov 20): The Proof-of-Concept (POC) exercise for the prototype Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicle at Kuching-Samarahan Expressway has officially commenced effective today. Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, in an announcement on its Facebook page, advised road users to take extra care while travelling near the POC route, particularly between the Sarawak Heart Centre Roundabout and Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Roundabout It also attached a notice for the traffic flow and location of flagmen throughout the POC period. According to the notice, the POC exercise at Kuching-Samarahan Expressway are being carried out from 5am to 8pm on Nov 20 (today)…

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) – The United States and China have disagreements and need “in-depth” and “comprehensive” dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and stabilize ties, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, said on Thursday, kicking off a long-anticipated visit to Washington. Standing next to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Wang said the two countries share important common interests and challenges that they need to resolve together. “Therefore, China and the United States need to have dialogue. Not only should we resume dialogue, the dialogue should be in-depth and comprehensive,” Wang said, speaking through an interpreter. Dialogue would help reduce misunderstandings, help…

KUCHING (Oct 28): The Kuching Autistic Association’s (KAA) ‘Bicara Autisme 2.0’ programme on Saturday highlighted the experiences of women caring for children with autism. The talk represented the association’s highlight of its collaboration with the Welfare Department (JKM) of Sarawak. Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah officiated at the event, held at a local hotel. KAA in a press release shared during the programme said the participants had the opportunity to listen to information and experiences shared by three panellists: Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) psychiatrist Dr Ng Boon Seng, Tan Wei Na, and Irene…

Readers discuss Canberra’s defence strategy, and the scourge of armed conflict I felt a touch of déjà vu when I read the op-ed warning of dangerous superpower tension in the South China Sea (“South China Sea: US-China confrontation looms large”, September 29). All the more so because here in Australia, preparation for possible military conflict in the region continues apace with the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review announced recently by our federal government. That review urges the reconfiguration of our defensive capacity aimed at placing our military on a much sounder footing. Australian defence weaponry and personnel are being concentrated in northern Australia,…

KUCHING (Oct 8): The Kuching International Airport buzzed with excitement, as teenage Muaythai sensation Muhammad Johan Ghazali received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival here tonight. Affectionately known as ‘Jojo’, the Muaythai exponent was greeted by enthusiastic supporters who chanted his nickname at the arrival hall to celebrate his return to the state. At 8.48pm, Jojo emerged from the arrival hall to chants of “Jojo! Jojo!” from his eager supporters. He graciously acknowledged the warm welcome, and took the time to meet his fans, pose for selfies and engage in conversations. Jojo (back, second left), his coach Addy Singpayak (right)…

MANILA, Philippines — The military has reported a “concerning resurgence of Chinese swarming activity” in Philippine waters, with some three dozen Chinese fishing vessels spotted in three land features alone in the past weeks. In a statement yesterday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Western Command (WESCOM) said aerial patrols on Sept. 6 and 7 showed 23 Chinese fishing vessels in the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef, five in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal and two in Baragatan (Nares) Bank. “The increased presence of CFVs (Chinese fishing vessels) raises concerns regarding the potential implications for Philippines’ maritime security, fisheries conservation, territorial integrity, and…

During the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, CGTN’s Liu Yang sat down with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The prime minister shared insights into the two countries’ diplomatic ties, and his perspective on the benefits that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought to Malaysia and the rest of the region.  LIU YANG, CGTN Reporter “Chinese president Xi Jinping put forward the proposal of building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future in 2013. As far as you are concerned, over the past decade what has the China-ASEAN relations achieved and how can we further implement this proposal in…

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will have several bilateral meetings with other world leaders on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.  Marcos will meet with Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The discussions will likely focus on bilateral cooperation, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said at a Palace press briefing. “With Vietnam, the focus will be on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and, of course,…

TGS and JV consortium partners PGS and SLB have announced that pre-funding has been secured to expand the multi-client 3D coverage in the Sarawak Basin, offshore Malaysia. The survey is the third phase of a multi-year contract awarded by PETRONAS in August 2020 to acquire and process up to 105 000 km2 of multi-client 3D seismic data over a five-year period in the Sarawak Basin. The first phase of the Sarawak multi-client 3D project encompassed 8400 km2, succeeded by an additional 6800 km2 during Phase 2. Kristian Johansen, TGS CEO, commented: “Sarawak basins are one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting exploration…

Back in 1999, the Philippines grounded a warship near Ren’ai Jiao in the South China Sea. It repeatedly promised to remove it, but nothing happened. On August 5, two Philippine vessels sailed into the area not to remove, but to deliver construction materials for overhauling and reinforcing that ship. China had repeatedly warned against that action, but eventually the China Coast Guard (CCG) had to step in to stop them. It’s not the first incident this year. In April, the CCG had to stop two Philippine vessels from barging into these waters. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the vessels…