Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said he was disappointed with the blackout which plunged towns and villages between Kuching and Sibu into total darkness for several hours starting at 6.38pm on Saturday.

He said such incident should not have happened now because the state had hydro energy resources supplying power to the state.

“However, it happened again on Saturday. It reflects a bad image among visitors to the state. It is rather disappointing because it also happened several times before.

“Something needs to be done to avoid similar recurrence in future. The blackout is particularly bad because many renowned persons from throughout the nation are here,” he told reporters after handing over the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia’s Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards (TOYM) 2016 at a leading hotel here last Saturday.

The prestigious event, which was held here for the first time and hosted by JCI Mandarin Sibu, witnessed 30 men and women from throughout the country who achieved excellence in their respective careers nominated to receive the awards.

As if the Saturday blackout was not enough, another one happened again here at 3.30am yesterday. Supply was restored about one-and-a-half hours later. It was reported that the blackout occurred due to tripping of the Oya-Selangau 275kV transmission line.

In his speech earlier, Wong said the success of a country depended on its dynamic economy, social cohesion and political stability whereby all relied on the quality, level of education and potential of the youths.

He said the 10 outstanding young people of TOYM 2016 came from various background who had undergone various challenges before becoming successful in their respective careers.

They were Datuk Andrew Wong Kee Yew in academic leadership and accomplishment, Datuk Sri Vincent Tiew Soon Thung (business, economic and/or entrepreneur accomplishment), Adrian Tah Kean Kok (cultural achievement), Dr Soo Wincci (cultural achievement), Dr The Chee Ming (medical innovation), Lim Tau Hoong (scientific and technology leadership), Yew Ling Lee (personal improvement and/or accomplishment), Datuk Teh Tai Yong (political, legal and government affairs), Datuk Choo Beng Kai (contribution to children, world peace or human right) and Dr Renard Siew Yung Jhien (moral and/or environment leadership).

Chairman of Sibu Muncipal Council Datuk Tiong Thai King, president of JCI Malaysia Datuk Terry Ong , organising chairman of TOYM 2016 Eliah Lau Kiing Wang and president of JCI Mandarin Sibu Kan Wen Chess were among those present.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by The Borneo Post

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