Yii (front, third left) is briefed by a DoA officer on the report’s findings and recommendations to address the pond’s issues. MIRI (Jan 7): Miri City Council (MCC) has been recommended to only allow pellet-based food and regulate feeding quantities for marine life at the Taman Bulatan pond in an effort to reduce pollution. Mayor Adam Yii said this recommendation came from the Department of Agriculture (DoA) Sarawak, due to uneaten feed exacerbating the pond’s pollution. “The DoA has recommended controlling the amount of fish and other aquatic creatures in the Taman Bulatan pond here, as well as to feed the marine life with only pellet-based food and regulate the quantity of feed based on the population of the fish. “This is to prevent uneaten feed residue from polluting the pond’s water,” he said in a statement. After conducting water sampling and ecological analysis of the pond, the DoA advised MCC to address the issue of the pond’s green-coloured water and unpleasant odour. “The DoA’s report found that the water quality reading of the pond remains within acceptable levels. However, the large catfish population may be a major factor contributing to the green-coloured water, increased foam and unpleasant odour. “The foam is likely caused by the natural secretion of mucus on the catfish’s skin, combined with the water circulation generated by the paddle wheel aerator, which concentrates foam in specific areas of the pond,” said Yii. In response to the DoA’s report, the mayor instructed MCC officers to take immediate action to implement the department’s recommendations to ensure that the issues at the pond are effectively resolved. To this end, he urged the public to help protect the park’s environment and minimise disturbances to its ecosystem. “The MCC is committed to collaborating with the relevant authorities to optimise the pond’s management plan, ensuring that Taman Bulatan remains a sustainable, green and comfortable space for recreational activities.”

(From third left) Phang, Chia, Lee and Vincent with other guests after the press conference yesterday. MIRI (Jan 10): Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Donation of Ecobricks in 24 Hours’ this coming January 11, at Miri Indoor Stadium here. The target is to collect ecobricks weighing a total of 2,000kg within 24 hours and announce the result the following day. Ecobrick refers to a single-use plastic bottle being densely packed with single-use plastic packages with the purpose of creating a reusable building block just like a regular brick. Forty-one organisations here have confirmed their participation in the attempt, and they will be donating the ecobricks on that day, to ensure that the target is reached. In 2023, the same project created a record in Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR), after the organiser, in collaboration with Curtin University Malaysia, managed to collect a total of 20,000 ecobricks, almost two years after the project kicked-off. Speaking to reporters at a press conference yesterday, state Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin stressed the importance of reaching the goal and setting the world record, as it will have a long term impact on the community. “Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association chairman Bryan Chia and his team spent a few years preparing for this Guinness World Record official attempt by carrying out this community project. “This is a golden opportunity for Mirians to showcase to the world that Miri can be a Green City,” said Lee, who is also an adviser for Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association as well as the project. According to Lee, he was always passionate about the project from the start as it promotes recycling. He encouraged the local community to collect used plastic bottles, including those indiscriminately thrown in public areas and beaches. “The record will be something good for Miri. We already have two Unesco sites (Mulu and Niah). Miri would be the city among the very few cities in Malaysia that carries three world prestigious titles,” he said. He disclosed that all the collected ecobricks will be used to construct the ‘Green Wall of Miri’, which is an EcoPark that will feature a recycling centre as well as educate the public on the importance of recycling. “This will be a good SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) project as Sarawak is following the United Nations’ call to reduce carbon emissions and the impact of climate change,” said Lee further. Also present at the press conference held at Curtin Malaysia were Curtin Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Vincent Lee, councillor Jeffrey Phang and Chia.

Yii (front right) takes a look at results of DOA Miri Division water inspection of the pond at Bulatan Park. By DayakDaily Team MIRI, Jan 4: The large population of catfish in Bulatan Park’s pond may be a major factor contributing to its greenish water, increased foam, and unpleasant odour, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak (DOA) Miri Division says based on inspections it made last year. The Miri City Council says it has taken swift action to address the issue with assistance from the DOA Miri Division. Yesterday, the Mayor of Miri City, who is also Pujut assemblyman, Adam Yii led a team to the site to review the findings from the water quality inspection based on water samples collected on December 11, 2024. According to observations and inspection results, DOA found that while the water quality readings of the lake remain within acceptable levels, the large population of catfish in the pond may be a major factor contributing to the greenish water, increased foam, and unpleasant odour. Combined with water circulation generated by the paddle wheel aerator and leftover food residues that were not cleared in time, these factors have exacerbated the pollution issues at the pond. The Sarawak Agriculture Department has recommended that the City Council strictly control the stocking of fish and other aquatic species in the pond and only allow pellet-based feed and regulate feeding quantities based on the fish population to prevent food residue from polluting the water. In response to the report, Yii emphasised that the artificial lake is an important recreational park and fitness venue for the citizens. Its ecological environment directly impacts the public’s experience and the city’s image. He instructed City Council officers to take immediate action to implement the DOA’s recommendations and ensure that the issues are effectively resolved. “The City Council will spare no effort to ensure the Bulatan Park becomes a more pleasant environment, providing citizens with a healthier and more comfortable recreational venue. At the same time, I urge the public to help protect the park’s environment and minimise disturbances to its ecosystem,” Yii stressed. The Miri City Council also pledged to continue collaborating with relevant departments in the future to optimise the lake’s management plan, ensuring that Bulatan Park remains sustainable, green, and comfortable for recreation. — DayakDaily

Yii (seated second left), with Ariffin on his left, speaks to reporters at the press conference. MIRI (Jan 4): Stricter enforcement will be implemented at the Saberkas Night Market to ensure traders operate according to the designated days and times, said Miri mayor Adam Yii. The Pujut assemblyman made this announcement during a press conference held after the Miri City Council (MCC) meet-the-people session at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) yesterday. He explained that the move is intended to ensure the night market, which operates under MCC’s supervision, continues to attract daily visitors. The decision comes after observations revealed that several stalls were operating only on certain days, leading to reduced vibrancy at the market. “We will ask the standing committee for Markets, Traders and Hawkers (MTH) to look into this matter and ensure that strict enforcement is implemented,” he said. “When we went there for a site visit, we saw that almost half of the stalls were not operating. “Customers also found that the stalls they wanted to visit were often closed, and this would give a negative image to the market as it once used to be one of the main attractions in Miri,” he said. “Therefore, we (MCC) are looking to enforce stricter enforcement. They (stall owners) should be operating every day,” he emphasised. In comparison to the night market in Tudan, Yii acknowledged the success of the business there due to the strict regulations and enforcement implemented by the management. “They operate every day, and this allows customers to get the goods they want,” he remarked. Apart from asking the stall traders at the Saberkas Night Market to operate daily, Yii said MCC had in its future plan to upgrade the night market as well as to collaborate with the participating vendors to organise community activities to further promote it. The Saberkas Night Market, he disclosed, currently has 220 operating stalls, featuring various goods on sale including vegetables, fruits, clothes and food, and is a popular place to visit for fast-breaking meals especially during the month of Ramadan. Also present during the meet-the-people session was deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad.

KUCHING, Nov 20: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Miri City Council (MCC) have formalised their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to adopt and maintain the Visitor Information Centre Miri (VICM) Garden, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing Miri’s green spaces while fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship. According to a media release, the signing ceremony at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex on Nov 18 was witnessed by Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang and STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor. Also witnessing the ceremony were Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister for Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting, STB chairman Dato Dennis Ngau, MCC acting city secretary Abdul Rahman Taupek, and STB’s director of Stakeholder Relations Mary Wan Mering. Abdul Karim (centre) witnessing the exchange of MoU documents between Yii (third right) and Sharzede (third left) in the presence of other distinguished guests. The VICM Garden Adoption Programme aims to transform the garden into a vibrant community hub, encouraging local participation in events and sustainability initiatives while enhancing Miri City’s appeal as a tourist destination. This partnership reflects the shared goal of creating more attractive and sustainable public spaces in Sarawak. The collaboration between STB and MCC is expected to foster greater community involvement, heighten environmental awareness, and improve public amenities. Yii emphasised the partnership’s focus on green spaces and environmental responsibility, stating, “We aim to inspire pride within our community and realise our vision of a Green, Smart, and The Most Liveable International Resort City.” Sharzede echoed this vision, highlighting that the collaboration supports Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), with hopes that the enhanced VICM Garden will benefit both residents and visitors alike. — DayakDaily