RUN4CHARITY

Dynasty Hotel's Run For Charity joggerthon continues to receive public support, in spite of the country's economic woes.
"More than 500 sponsorship cards have been distributed or collected by individuals from the hotel, " said its general manager councillor Dennis Ngau Jok.
"The good show of support to this charity event reflects the generosity and caring attitude of Mirians in general," he added.
He said this after receiving sponsorship from EON Bank in Boulevard Commercial Centre yesterday.
Present also were the organising chairperson Fylice Loh, the bank's vice president, retail centre Miri, Chua Kheng Jin.
The event, scheduled on the 13 July 2008 at 6am, offers attractive cash prize to top placing including cash prize of RM1000.
The event last year attracted 286 runners for all categories.
The charity event have been held for the 5 consecutive years and money raised through the event is channeled to the needy and to charitable bodies like the Miri Kidney Dialysis Centre.
Every year, the hotel gave away festive goodies to the needy during the Chinese New Year, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the Gawai Dayak. ENDS.
Caption:08-7run4: STILL RUNNING: Chua (in white shirt) symbolically handing over the sponsorship to Dennis. Loh is on Dennis' right.

TOUGH TIME SELLING HOUSES?

The rising cost of building materials makes it almost impossible for private housing developers to continue their businesses, said a Miri-based pioneer housing developer Datuk Lau Siu Wai.
"The percentage of increase in the cost of building materials has reached an average of 37 per cent or more when the price of crude oil exceed US $143 per barrel, which make it impossible for private developers to build houses or to continue their businesses," said Lau, who is the Managing Director of Miri Housing Group of Companies.
He told this to the press in an interview at his office yesterday.
"The increase in the cost of building materials is a global phenomenon. There's nothing we can do about it. On our part, we endeavour as much as possible to find ways and means to improve on the techniques of construction with the hope that we can lower the construction cost. Apart from that, there's nothing much we can do," lamented Lau.
Inspite of having said all that, Lau had good news for prospective house buyers in Miri.
On July 6, Miri Housing is going to launch the sale of 134 units of low cost house at Desa Senadin at RM128,000.

"I therefore urge prospective house buyers to grab this golden opportunity of buying houses at affordable prices. It is not that we can play magic selling at such a low price.It is because one year ago I foresaw the cost of building materials would increase tremendously. Therefore, at that time I pay the deposit to tie up the price of building materials with the manufacturer. For example, I ordered steel bar at RM2,000 per tonne then. Now the price has increased to RM4,300 per tonne. Therefore, we are able to sell these houses based on the cost of building materials before they increased. If we were to base on present prices of building materials, the selling price would be around RM164,000," explained Lau.
He said the vacant lot at Desa Senadin area of 354 units of low cost housing plus would be completed within one year.
"The size of the houses, the depth and length are slightly bigger than the houses in the previous phases. This is an opportunity for those who dream of owning a house to buy at such an affordable price," said Lau.
Lau also pointed out to the price of houses sold by the National Housing Commission Bhd (SPNB) in Miri at RM149,000.
"This is the benchmark for us in the housing industry in light of the current economic scenario. Honestly, I cannot see how we the private developers can sell houses lower than the price sold by SPNB, " said Lau.
"To my understanding, the Housing Commission is not making any profit even though selling at the price," he added.

BOY WILL ALWAYS BE BOYS

The boys posing for the camera after home cell last Wednesday nite.

MIDTERM REVIEW

A rural youth leader welcomed the new thrust of the 9th Malaysia Plan Mid Term Review saying the rural poor stand to benefit if the implementation is effective.
"As a youth leader from a rural constituency, I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the Mid Term Review. This is the kind of things we in the rural areas are dreaming about but have been waiting for far too long. My request is that whatever the government planned to do to improve the quality of life of the rural population, it must be carried out now," said PBB Telang Usan youth chief councillor Dennis Ngau Jok.
"We are not demanding the government do this and do that. From the announcement of the Mid Term Review, we understand the government has the policy and the programme to help the rural poor. All we are asking is that whatever is planned for the rural poor must reach the rural poor. This is where effective implementation is vital. I agree with the statement made by Gerakan acting chief Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon that the "real test is to ensure that the delivery and implementation of various promises, programmes and projects. It is crucial to plug wastage and leakage through greater transparency and efficiency", " said Dennis.
He was interviewed by the Borneo Post on the Mid Term Review that was announcement by the Prime Minister recently.
An additional RM30 billion will be set aside for the rest of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) period to cover the escalating costs of existing projects.
The money, in addition to the original allocation of RM200 billion, will come from the recent fuel subsidy restructuring.
The Prime Minister, in tabling the Mid Term Review in Parliament recently said the government would undertake "people-centric" projects for the remaining period of the 9MP from 2008 to 2010 in light of rising oil prices and uncertainty caused by external factors.
The people-centric projects are those which provide basic amenities and directly benefit the people, such as water supply. Electricity, health facilities, education, low-cost housing, poverty eradication and public safety.
"The needs and expectations of the rural people in my areas are simple. All we need are good road systems, basic amenities such as water and electricity supply. Until these needs are not met, I believe the rural people will remain poor," said Dennis.
"With regard to the special focus group that will work towards the eradication of poverty by 2010, we want to see it being implemented now," he added.
This focus group has been set up to streamline, coordinate and assess programmes at state, district levels.
On enhancing education with emphasis given to rural schools, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, Dennis said it would be beneficial to the rural youths if more skills centres are set up in rural areas.
"Although, we have Giatmara in Marudi, it would be good if similar centres can be set up in either Long Lama or Long San. There were talks of setting up a community college in Long Lama before and until today there is no news of the centre," said Dennis.ENDS.
Caption: ACT NOW: Dennis Ngau Jok.

Son went missing

Received an SMS from a friend today requesting prayer for a mother whose 14-year son was reported missing after a game of hockey with his friends last Saturday. When the mother went to fetch her son, his playmates did not know where he went or what happened to him. A police report had been lodged.

THE PROMISE

THE TRUTH

THE AGONY OF WAITING

FAIR DISTRIBUTION

Pujut assemblyman Andy Chia gave a total of RM35,400 of his minor rural project (MRP) fund to 13 associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from his urban constituency yesterday morning.
While Pujut is an urban constituency with the majority of the constituents are Chinese, the distribution of the fund from the assemblyman covers all races in his constituency.
This can be seen from the list of the recipients. Among the notable bumiputera recipients are the Bisaya Association of Sarawak, Piasau Jaya Phase One Rukun Tetangga and Kg. Pengkalan Lutong Cempaka Tabika Perpaduan.
Two Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) are the recipients namely SMK Dato Permaisuri and SMK SK. St. Joseph Miri.