S’wak to have mobile app for foreign worker permits
KUCHING: Sarawak will soon have a mobile application for a common data service to eliminate bureaucracy, as well as ease and expedite the process of applying for foreign worker permits, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier said the app will be particularly useful for those in the construction, manufacturing, and plantation sectors.
He pointed out this is necessary because Sarawak is facing a labour shortage, which is further compounded by the complex and time-consuming work permit application process.
“Currently the process of applying for work permits for foreign workers must go through all this bureaucracy because to do so, one has to go through the Immigration Department, Labour Department, and then the State Secretary’s Office.
“That is why currently it takes quite a bit of time to issue a work permit,” he explained when officiating at the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards 2022 on Wednesday.
He said the app will be a common platform for data enabling work permits to be processed.
Abang Johari said a commi ee led by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala would look into the procedures as well as process of issuing work permits.
“With this new approach, we hope the period to issue work permits will be expedited, thus we will bring Sheda into the commi ee to facilitate in the process of issuing work permits comprising the construction, manufacturing, and plantation,” he said.
He also shared that the state cabinet has agreed to the issuing of five-year work permits for professional expatriates who come to Sarawak, especially those working in strategic economic sectors such as energy and the digital industry.
Among those present during the event were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sheda president Augustine Wong, and Sheda Excellence Awards organising chairman Dato Alex Ting.
KUCHING: Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) held its Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards 2022 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Wednesday.
Present to officiate at the event was Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who complimented Sheda members for their hard work in continuing to do their best in their industry.
“I would like to congratulate award winners during this event. It is heartening to see that the projects continue to excel, given the challenges as a result of the pandemic,” he said in his speech during the event.
During the event, Certificate of Recognition for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) Initiative Community Development went to the Sheda Miri branch for their ‘Kita Jaga Miri’ initiative and Green Summit Development Group of Companies for their Drive-Thru pharmacy @ Miri
Hospital project.
The Sheda CSR Leadership Awards 2022, on the other hand, went to The Spring Management Services Sdn Bhd.
The Commendation Award for Strata Development (Residential) went to Hong Seng Construction (E.M) Sdn Bhd for Residensi Bintawa Riverfront. The company also received the Merit Award for Affordable Housing Development for the same project.
The Merit Award for Landed Residential (Medium) went to Petra Jaya Properties Sdn Bhd for their Riveria Maya (Phase 1) project. The company’s managing director Rewi Hamid Bugo received the Sheda Property Man of the Year 2021 award.
Musyati Development Sdn Bhd received the Merit Award for Commercial Development (Mixed Development) for their Hann’s Residence project while Lafrowda Properties Sdn Bhd received the Merit Award for Strata Development (Mixed
Development) for their project known as Laticube.
The Merit Award for Commercial Development (Mixed Development) went to Coramax Sdn Bhd for their Vivacity project while the Outstanding Award for Commercial Development went to Saradise Sdn Bhd for their project called Saradise Edge.
The Sheda Property Man of the Year 2022 award went to Dato Bobby Ting Sie Ching, the managing director of Elica Sdn Bhd.
The organising committee of the event took time to celebrate the Premier of Sarawak’s birthday and presented him with a birthday cake on stage.
Among those present during the event were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sheda president Augustine Wong, Sheda Excellence Awards organising chairman Dato Alex Ting, Sheda Annual Dinner organising chair Angie Kueh and other officials.