Officers of the Sarawak Education Department paying their last respects to the late Cikgu Andy Roy and Angelin Kibin

SIMANGGANG, Jan 17 2026: Officers of the Sarawak Education Department paid their last respects to the late Cikgu Andy Roy anak Junran, headmaster of SK Sbangki, Lubok Antu, and his wife the late Angelin Kibin, a nurse at the Sri Aman Hospital.

Caption: State Education director Omar Mahli (left) led a delegation from the department paying their last respects to the late Cikgu Andy Roy and his wife Angelin Kibin  - picture by the Sarawak Education Department 

Among those who paid their last respect was state Education director Omar Mahli who conveyed their deepest condolences and moral support to the family of Cikgu Andy and Angelin.

Also present were representatives from the Lubok Antu District Education Office, Sri Aman District Education Office, and the Malaysian Association of Headmasters Sarawak Lubok Antu Branch.

In his speech, Omar expressed his highest appreciation for the services and contributions of the late Cikgu Andy who had devoted himself with full dedication in leading SK Sbangki and fighting for educational excellence in the rural areas.

He also described the passing of the deceased as a great loss to the Sarawak education.

“The Sarawak education community is deeply saddened by the passing of a school leader who was of integrity, dedication and always prioritised the welfare of students and teachers.

“His services will always be remembered,” he was quoted as saying by Sarawak Education Department.

He also expressed his condolences to the family of the late Angelin Kibin, who had served with full commitment as a nurse at Sri Aman Hospital, contributing tirelessly to the community.

The last respects ceremony was held in an orderly manner, accompanied by prayers and words of encouragement to family members to continue to endure the ordeal of losing their loved ones.

Omar also conveyed messages from Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and conveyed sincere contributions from the education community to the heirs of the deceased.

Yesterday, Sarawak Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah confirmed that the deaths of Cikgu Andy and his wife  were due to stab wounds.

He said the male victim was stabbed 11 times on the chest and neck while his wife was stabbed on the neck.

In a statement, he said the cause of death of the male victim was due to the “neck and chest injuries  due to the stab wounds.”

He said the cause of death to the female victim was due to “neck injury due to the stab wound”.

The police chief said a post mortem was conducted on the two victims by the pathologists from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) yesterday.

On  Jan 14, Cikgu Andy and Angelin were found dead with serious bodily injuries at their home in Taman Mutiara, Jalan Brayun, in Simanggang.

The police received information from a member of the public regarding the discovery of the couple unconscious at 6.55am.

Leadership renewal is key challenge in Sarawak DAP, says James Chin

KUCHING, Jan 17 2026: Political scientist Professor James Chin (picture) of Tasmania University has suggested that a leadership renewal is a key challenge in Sarawak DAP’s bid to win more seats in the coming Sarawak state election.

Quoted by news portal Free Malaysia Today, Chin said veteran figures such as Pending assemblyman Violet Yong and state opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen, have been around for a “long time”.

Yong first won the Pending state seat in May 2006 and successfully defended it in the 2011, 2016, and 2021 state elections.

Chong was elected as the Kota Sentosa assemblyman in 2006 and served until December 2021, before moving on to represent the Padungan state constituency.

“The biggest problem facing Sarawak DAP is probably the lack of new talent,” Chin was quoted as saying by told FMT.

“Unless they can bring in young candidates, they may be at a disadvantage,” he added.

Last week, Yong said DAP must add to its two state seats in the next Sarawak election to serve as a stronger check and balance against the state government.

The Sarawak DAP organising secretary said DAP’s current representation was not enough to effectively serve as an opposition to the GPS government, which holds 80 of the 82 seats in the state assembly.

Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi has expressed his doubt over Sarawak DAP’s prospects of winning more seats in the next state election, saying its slogan of serving as a stronger check-and-balance to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led government may not resonate with voters.

Awang Azman of Universiti Malaya said Sarawakian voters are traditionally pragmatic and evaluate parties based on their ability to deliver development, their longevity in government, their capacity to maintain political stability, and their ability to protect the state’s rights.

“Without concrete policy suggestions and a deep grassroots approach, ‘check-and-balance’ risks being seen as mere urban elite rhetoric,” he told FMT.

“Sarawak politics is still heavily influenced by local factors, candidate personalities, local parties, community sentiment, grassroots networks, and the ability to deliver development outcomes — with GPS holding a clear advantage.”

Awang Azman said Sarawak DAP can only expect to gain a foothold in certain urban or semi-urban areas with multiracial voters, higher education levels, and concern for governance issues.

He said the main obstacle for Sarawak DAP is not just GPS’s strong performance as the ruling coalition, but the increasingly entrenched “Sarawak-first” sentiment.

In this context, any party perceived as too “Malaya-centric” or overly reliant on national narratives will face difficulties, he said.

“While this sentiment is not outrightly anti-Malaya, it requires high sensitivity to Sarawak’s autonomy, MA63, and a political approach truly focused on local interests,” he said.

“This is a major challenge for Sarawak DAP, which still struggles to convince some rural voters and both Muslim and non-Muslim Bumiputera that it is a long-established Sarawak party, not merely a branch of a national party.”

(UPDATED)SUPP wants police to investigate DAPSY for allegedly disregarding judicial authority, says KL High Court has made a decision on RM188,138.26

KUCHING, Jan 17 2026: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has asked the police to investigate and take action against Sarawak DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak for actions deemed as malicious, politically motivated, and in blatant disregard of judicial authority. 

Caption: SUPP central working committee member Kua Jack Seng (holding a copy of the police) outside the Satok police station - Picture by SUPP 

SUPP central working committee (CWC) member Kua Jack Seng this morning officially lodged a report at the Satok police station against DAPSY.

He was accompanied by SUPP Youth members John Wong, Angeline Stephen Raja and Russell Lim and SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan.

A statement issued by SUPP said the report wants the police to investigate whether DAPSY Sarawak has abused legal and enforcement mechanisms for political purposes.

The statement accused DAPSY of respecting the judicial authority

“As early as August 2020, the Kuala Lumpur High Court delivered a final judgment in a related case, dismissing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) civil forfeiture application for RM188,138.26 and ordering the funds to be returned to SUPP, as the MACC failed to prove any link between the funds and 1MDB,” the statement said.

“Despite this final court decision, DAPSY Sarawak recently resurfaced the same allegations publicly and lodged a police report, challenging the authority of the court and undermining the finality of judicial rulings and public trust in the legal system.

“The timing of DAPSY Sarawak’s report follows the defamation suit filed by SUPP chairman Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Deputy Premier, against Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, in which the High Court ruled in favour of Dr Sim and awarded RM500,000 in damages.

“This sequence of events strongly indicates that DAPSY Sarawak’s actions are politically motivated revenge rather than a genuine pursuit of justice, revealing an attempt to exploit legal processes for partisan attacks.

“The matter has already received a final judicial determination, yet DAPSY Sarawak deliberately reignited the issue, violating the principle of res judicata.

“With elections approaching, this behaviour appears intended to target its main political rival in Sarawak,” the statement.

It also noted that SUPP has stressed that no political party or organisation should place itself above the judiciary or manipulate legal processes for political gain. ]

“SUPP has formally lodged a police report, urging authorities to investigate DAPSY Sarawak’s malicious conduct and take appropriate action under the law.

“SUPP also calls on the public to discern the facts, not be misled by political manipulation, and uphold the rule of law and social justice,” the statement concluded. 

On Jan 15, DAPSY Sarawak lodged a police report, urging the authorities to immediately launch an investigation into SUPP’s alleged receipt of RM1 million from former Prime Minister  Najib Razak.

In a statement, DAPSY Sarawak demanded answers from where did the RM1 million come from and whether involve funds linked to 1MDB or other public monies.

It also wanted to know whether it was derived from abuse of power, money laundering, or other illegal activities.

DAPSY Sarawak said SUPP owed the people of Sarawak a clear, full, and transparent explanation, rather than remaining silent or attempting to divert public attention.

It called the police and all relevant enforcement agencies to act in accordance with the law, independently and without fear or favour, to thoroughly investigate this matter, deliver the truth to the people, and safeguard the integrity of Sarawak’s political landscape. 

On Jan 30 2023, the prosecution withdrew its forfeiture appeal against  several politicians, political parties and businesses for funds given by former prime minister Najib, amounting to RM21.77 million which were allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

According to the financial daily, The Edge Malaysia, this follows the prosecution withdrawing its forfeiture appeal against 11 individuals, political parties, and business entities at the Court of Appeal.

The 11 entities and individuals are:

Cense co-founder Rita Sim Sai Hoon (RM41,261.64)

Johor Umno liaison committee (RM677,872.55)

Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd (RM10,747,042.77)

Johor Bahru BN liaison (RM957,395.65)

Yayasan PBAKM (RM100,000)

Jakel Trading (RM628,314)

Mediaedge CIA (M) Sdn Bhd (RM4,631,602)

Aga Touch (M) Sdn Bhd (RM3,000,000)

Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam (RM100,000)

Sarawak United Peoples Party (RM188,138.26)

Umno Pekan division (RM700,000).