More people choose social media platforms to air complaints, but better if they use their real names

SIMANGGANG, July 7 2026: The use of social media as a channel to submit complaints regarding public service issues and community problems is increasingly becoming the choice of residents in Sri Aman Division, thus reflecting the increasing awareness of the community on the rights and importance of more responsive government service delivery.

Caption: Participants of the Town Hallo session and officials from Sarawak Ombudsman Office 

Sri Aman Division Resident Mahra Salleh said the development is a positive sign because the community is now more proactive in providing feedback to government agencies, but the effectiveness of follow-up action depends largely on the willingness of the complainant to use their real identity.

“When they submit a problem on social media using their real name, it makes it easier for us to find and meet them to get an explanation before the solution can be implemented. On the other hand, the use of pseudonyms makes the process more difficult,” he said.

He said this when officiating the Sarawak Ombudsman Town Hall Session with Civil Servants and Communities in the Southern Zone organised by the Sarawak Ombudsman Office today.

Mahra added that Sri Aman Division is also among the areas that recorded a high number of complaints to the Sarawak Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) involving human rights issues, governance, and the quality of public service delivery.

According to him, the development shows that the community in the area is increasingly understanding their rights and daring to voice issues that require the attention of the authorities for the sake of improving government services.

He also encouraged the community to continue to use the correct and responsible channels in submitting complaints so that each issue can be investigated and resolved more effectively.

Meanwhile, the Town Hall session aims to increase understanding among civil servants and the community about the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, in addition to expanding knowledge about the functions and roles of the Sarawak Ombudsman in strengthening governance and improving the quality of public service delivery.

 

Also present were Lingga State Assemblyman and Sarawak Ombudsman Special Select Committee chairman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor and Sarawak Ombudsman Chiefi Abdul Ghafur Shariff.

Tabuan Jaya Health Clinic to receive its first patient on July 20

KUCHING, July 5 2026: After a long wait, Tabuan Jaya Health Clinic is expected to receive its first patient on July 20, after a delay of over two years.

Caption: Dr Sim Kui Hian says the state JKR is scheduled to hand over Tabuan Jaya Health Clinic to the Ministry of Health on July 9

Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state Public Works Department (JKR) is scheduled to hand over the clinic to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on July 9.

“This $24 million Ministry of Health’s Type 2  is expected to serve between 800 and 1,000 patients per day,  serving not just Tabuan Jaya,  but Samarahan (up to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) and Stutong areas,” Dr Sim, who is also the state Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said in his Facebook post today.

He said the clinic will face immediate challenge as it has 136 car parks  considering that it can serve up to 1,000 patients per day.

He said the clinic was planned for construction under the rolling plan of the 10^th Malaysia Plan (10MP) (2010-2015).

“After three tenders, it was finally awarded to a successful contractor on Dec 2021.  It was supposed to be completed in June 2024.

“After extension of time (EoT) for additional Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) requirement, hence further delayed till now,” he added.

Tabuan Jaya Health Clinic, he said, is the second Type 2 clinic of MoH. After Petrajaya Health Clinic,” he said.

He added Tabuan Jaya Health Clinic will be staffed by 179 personnel, and he hoped that MoH will post enough personnel to optimise its facilities.

Dr Sim said Sarawak currently has 4,275 beds, and it needs additional 1,925 beds.

He said the state currently has 4,614 doctors, a shortage by 2,649 doctors.

Alex Nanta helps to comfort victims of road accident in Selangau

SELANGAU, July 6 2026: Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi and the ministry’s staff briefly stopped to provide comfort to the victims of road accident as they were on their way after completing a survey work this afternoon.

Caption: A staff of the Works Ministry helping to comfort a victim of the road accident while Alexander Nanta Linggi (standing, second from right) watches at the scene of the accident

“We came across a road accident on a nearby road,” he said in his Facebook post.

“My team and I immediately stopped to check on the condition of the victims and ensure that the necessary assistance could be provided immediately.

“In situations like this, the safety of the victim and other road users is a priority,” he explained.

While waiting for the medical team to arrive, Nanta said he and the ministry team helped calm the victims involved in the accident.

“This incident also serves as a reminder to all of us to always obey the rules and speed limits set and be careful when driving, especially on busy and risky roads,” he said.

 

Preparation for AirBorneo's maiden flight to destinations outside Sarawak is now entering final phase

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 2026: Preparations for AirBorneo's maiden flight to destinations outside Sarawak are now entering their final phase as various relevant agencies are streamlining coordination through meetings and site visits to ensure smooth operations and the historic event.

Caption: Protocol, Ceremonies and Event Management Unit director Hamdan Sharbini chairing the meeting

In a statement today, a comprehensive coordination meeting and site visit was held to review every technical, logistical, security and protocol aspect, including contingency plans and the flow of movement of dignitaries.

The meeting was chaired by Director of the Sarawak Protocol, Ceremonies and Event Management Unit (UPPAN) Hamdan Sharbini.

According to the statement, the integrated coordination reflects the Sarawak government's commitment to ensuring that every aspect of event management is carried out to the highest standards, thus ensuring the smooth running of AirBorneo's maiden flight.

"The briefing session and site visit focused on comprehensive coordination involving contingency plans, security controls, the flow of dignitary protocol and technical aspects related to the maiden flight," the statement said.

The statement added that the move also ensured that all agencies involved were at an optimum level of readiness to launch flight operations and organise the event.

The close collaboration between UPPAN, federal agencies and aviation industry players demonstrates a shared commitment in realizing AirBorneo's operations as a Sarawak-owned airline.

The comprehensive coordination is also a manifestation of Sarawak's readiness to chart another important moment in the aviation sector when AirBorneo is expected to commence operations to overseas destinations, thus strengthening the air connectivity network and supporting the state's economic and tourism development agenda.