Governor, wife express condolences to the family of the late Dr Madeline Berma

KUCHING, Dec 30 2025: Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi and their family members expressed their condolences to the family of the late Professor Dr Madeline Berma who passed away today.

The governor said the passing of Dr Madeline is a great loss to Sarawak and the country, especially in the fields of academics, economic planning and social development.

“The late Dr Madeline, a Sarawakian, was known as a visionary scholar who contributed much thought and expertise in issues of economic development, poverty eradication, social inequality and public policy formulation at the state and national levels,” he said on his Facebook post.

“We express our condolences to her all family members and pray that they may be given strength and fortitude in facing this sad time,” Wan Junaidi said on his Facebook post.

Madeline, 64, died at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at about 11.30 am today.

According to her nephew Basil Cliffton Calvert,  Madeline had been suffering from kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatment.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed.

She was a professor of economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Her most recent positions were Member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council and Fellow of the Institute for the Future of Malaysia.

She was appointed Sarawak Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Madeline was also the director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre,

National University of Malaysia.

She graduated with Bachelor of Economics, National University of Malaysia (1982), Master's Degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (1986) and Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hull, United Kingdom (1997).

Sarawak has lost one of its finest daughters, says premier on the demise of Dr Madeline

KUCHING, Dec 30 2025: Premier Abang Johari Openg has expressed has expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the late Associate Professor Dr Madeline Berma on her untimely demise today. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari expressing his deepest condolences to the family of the late Prof Dr Madeline Berma

He said the late economist  was a member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC) that was formed in 2020 to facilitate Sarawak’s post Covid-19 exit economic strategy towards 2030 as contained in the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030).

“Sarawak has lost one of its finest daughters who has contributed her expertise to ensure a sound economic future for the state,” Abang Johari, who is also SEAC chairman, said.

Madeline, 64, died at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at about 11.30 am today.

According to her nephew Basil Cliffton Calvert,  Madeline had been suffering from kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatment.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed.

She was a professor of economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Her most recent positions were Member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council and Fellow of the Institute for the Future of Malaysia.

She was appointed Sarawak Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Madeline was also the director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre,

National University of Malaysia.

She graduated with Bachelor of Economics, National University of Malaysia (1982), Master's Degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (1986) and Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hull, United Kingdom (1997)

 

Bintulu MP instructs relevant agencies to complete deepening Sungai Plan before Chinese New Year

BINTULU, Dec 30 2025: Tiong King Sing has instructed the relevant agencies to immediately start deepening Sungai Plan, the aim is to see tangible results before the Chinese New Year in February, next year.

The Bintulu MP gave the instruction after visiting several “red zone” areas with the relevant authorities today.

He said following recent heavy rain, areas along Sungai Plan were hit by flooding, with water levels reaching about three feet in some locations.

“I have made it clear that Sungai Plan must be dredged using excavators and properly cleared to restore its original drainage and flood retention capacity,” he said on facebook post.

“As the land involved falls under different authorities, I have directed Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Land and Survey Department, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to form a cross-department task force.

“One agency will be appointed to lead and coordinate efforts including identifying the exact locations and causes of blockages, clarifying river reserve boundaries, defining roles and responsibilities, and working through the technical approach and execution details for the dredging works.

“At the same time, I have clearly stated that any factory or warehouse occupying drainage reserves or river reserves must remove the structures immediately,” he said.

Tiong stressed that those who fail to cooperate will be subject to enforcement action by the Land and Survey Department, which will verify the encroachments on site and take action strictly in accordance with the law, without exception.

“I cannot accept situations where government land is illegally occupied for private gain, drainage is obstructed, floods keep happening, and the public suffers while the government takes the blame,” Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, warned.

He said BDAy has taken the lead by instructing contractors to begin cleaning and clearing drainage channels, and works have officially started.

He said he also  understands that the works are expected to take approximately three weeks, although the actual timeline will depend on weather conditions.

“I will continue to closely monitor the progress to ensure the clean-up remains on track, improves drainage efficiency, and reduces the risk of sudden flooding,” he added.