Government ready to face possibility of worse floods in anticipation of heavy rains in next one to two months

KUCHING, Jan 6 2026: The Sarawak government has strengthened the preparedness of all agencies and disaster management committees at the divisional and district levels to face the possibility of worse floods in anticipation of heavy rains in the next one to two months.

Caption: Deputy Premier and Chairman of SDMC Douglas Uggah Embas says that he is satisfied with the management of the temporary evacuation centres - Picture by Ukas 

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said that the experience of managing the floods earlier this week had provided many important lessons, especially in the aspect of the management of Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS).

According to him, a total of 10 PPS were opened in Kuching for the victims whose houses were affected by the floods.

“So far, we are very satisfied with the management of PPS in Kuching during the recent floods,” he told the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) after chairing the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee Meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia this evening.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Secretary to the Government (Administration) Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Chiew Chee Yau, Director of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) Abdul Wahab Rahim and other department heads.

According to Uggah, among the improvement measures that have been identified include the preparation of a more structured task list during the victim evacuation process, provision of food supplies and basic necessities, health checks by the Medical  Department as well as dengue prevention work through spraying by the local authorities.

He added that all equipment and facilities at the PPS also need to be ensured to be complete and in good condition to ensure the comfort of the affected victims.

“Our goal is to ensure that this PPS is comfortable. The victims are already in a difficult situation, so we do not want management incompetence to add to their difficulties,” he said.

Uggah also advised residents in areas frequently hit by floods to always be prepared and comply with evacuation orders issued by the authorities.

“When instructed to evacuate, they must evacuate because our main goal is to ensure their safety,” he stressed.

He added that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have given an assurance that they will monitor the abandoned settlement areas to ensure the safety of residents' property.

Sarawak Metro now under Sarawak State Financial Secretary, no longer a subsidiary of SEDC

KUCHING: Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro), the implementer of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS), enters a new chapter at the start of the year following its transition into a state-owned enterprise (SOE), placing it as a wholly-owned by the Sarawak State Financial Secretary (SFS).

Previously a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Sarawak Metro will now operate as an SOE, in line with Sarawak’s strategic restructuring initiative.

Sarawak Metro’s chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa described the move as a strategic decision by the Sarawak government to better align and streamline its corporate governance and development strategies.

“This marks an exciting phase for Sarawak Metro but also brings greater responsibilities, with more deliverables to be achieved this year and in the years ahead,” he said in a statement.

“Sarawak Metro remains committed to transform the public transport sector in Kuching,” he added.

Mazli noted that this year will be particularly challenging, as the company is currently undertaking major infrastructure works for KUTS project, with the first stage of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) operations set to commence by the end of 2026.

Construction of the ART lines commenced two years ago starting with the Blue Line and followed byworks on the Red Line.

These two lines will consist of the stations and the dedicated lanes for the ART network.

Alongside the construction of ART lines, Sarawak Metro is also constructing the ART depot for KUTS,located at Rembus in Kota Samarahan.

Chong Chieng Jen expresses his wish that the tenure of Sarawak premier be limited to two terms or 10 years

KUCHING, Jan 6 2026: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has expressed his wish that the tenure of the premier in office be limited to two terms or 10 years, just like what has been proposed for the post of prime minister.

Caption: Chong Chieng Jen has expressed his wish that the tenure of the premier of Sarawak be limited to two terms or 10 years

“As a Sarawakian, I also look forward to a day when similar provision will be included in the Constitution of the State of Sarawak,” he said in a statement.

Chong was commenting on an announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that the tenure of the prime minister be limited to two terms or 10 years.

He said the Sarawak DAP welcomes the tenure of two-term or 10-year limit for the prime minister, saying that it will be a systemic check on the unlimited power of the sitting prime minister.  

He said it also shows the resolve of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to institute reforms in the country’s system.

“It will also be a first of its kind in the Westminster systems throughout the world,” Chong, who is also the Stampin MP, said.

He said the proposal is one of the agendas of the Pakatan Harapan, saying that its is to curtail the power of the prime minister.

He added had this provision  been in existence earlier, many of the wrongdoings and damage by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have been avoided and the 1MDB scandal would most likely not exist.  

“The idea of one’s prime ministership will only last for 10 years maximum, coupled with the precedents of an ex-prime minister being convicted for corruption are effective check on one’s greed sitting in that position,” he said.

Chong said the Sarawak DAP is looking forward to the tabling of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution to limit the tenure of the prime minister to two terms or 10 years.  

“As this will involve an amendment to the Federal Constitution, it will require a two-thirds majority of support in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said, assuring that all the DAP MPs will support the Bill.

According to Anwar, the Bill would be tabled this year to limit the tenure of the prime minister.

 

1,000 delegates, over 50 exhibitors and 60 speakers to attend Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition in Kuching

KUCHING, Jan 6 2026: At least 1,000 international delegates, over 50 exhibitors and 60 prominent speakers are expected to attend the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference & Exhibition (APACE) 2026 to be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from January 26 to 29. 

Caption: Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn (centre) speaking at the press conference - Picture by Ukas

The conference will also cover over 50 conference sessions to be participated by, among others, National Aerospace Industry Corporation (NAICO Malaysia), NACO Netherlands, Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NOVASPACE France.

Premier Abang Johari Openg will officiate at the opening of the conference.

Speaking to reporters, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the conference and exhibition will focus on talent development in the aerospace and aviation fields.

"As everyone is aware, Sarawak now has its own airline, Air Borneo, and we want Sarawakians to have skills in the fields of avionics, aviation, aerospace, satellite technology and so on.

"That is our main target at the initial stage," he said after paying a courtesy call on the premier at the Satria Pertiwi Complex, Petra Jaya today.

He added the conference and exhibition is organised by his ministry, together with ICATS University College, with support from Business Events Sarawak and Borneo Business Connect.

He said he expects the event to bring together more than 3,000 visitors.