DPM Fadillah acknowleges remedial works need to be done to address Sarawak River Barrage's deteriorating structural conditions, says Kim Shin

PUTRAJAYA, March 10 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has acknowledged the urgent need to undertake remedial works to address the deteriorating structural conditions of the Sarawak River Barrage, according to Sarawak Minister of Transport (MoT) Lee Kim Shin.

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof (seated, far left) with state MoT Lee Kim Shin (on Fadillah's left) at meeting in Putrajaya 

He said Fadillah, in a meeting with a delegation of the state MoT yesterday, also wants the expansion of riverbed scouring both upstream and downstream of the barrage to be continued.

“These works are essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of the barrage in supporting flood mitigation efforts in Kuching and its surrounding areas,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee said the deputy prime minister stressed the importance of enhancing the river monitoring system and encouraged closer collaboration between the federal Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and its state counterpart on the proposed upgrading of telemetry stations at barrage.

“The upgrading initiative is expected to improve real-time monitoring capabilities and strengthen flood management operations along the Sungai Sarawak Basin,” he said.

He said Fadillah also agreed in principle that the proposed procurement of trash skimmers and a trash collection boats for Sungai Sarawak and Sungai Miri will be funded through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra).

Lee said the equipment will support ongoing river cleaning operations, particularly in removing water hyacinth and floating domestic waste, thereby contributing to cleaner and more sustainable river management.

Apart from Lee, the other members of the Sarawak delegation Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak (Riverine and Marine); Safiee Ahmad, Chairman of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB);  Wong Hee Sieng, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak; Ahmad Denney  Ahmad Fauzi, Director of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak; Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Board Member of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and State Legislative Member for Bukit Assek; Ding Tiew Wong, Controller of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB); and Constantine Gerald David Anak Jonas, Head of the Riverine and Maritime Transport Division, Ministry of Transport Sarawak.

(UPDATED) Malaysian Civil Defence Force evacuates 178 pupils and teachers from SK Kampung Segong after being trapped in floods

BAU, March 10 2026: A total of 164 students and 14 teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Segong were safely evacuated by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Bau District after being trapped in floods following rising water levels due to continuous rain in Kampung Segong Singai, here, today.

Of the total, 142 were students from years one to six while 22 were preschool students. 

According to the Bau District APM, which is also the Secretariat of the Bau District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD), they received a report at 8.25 am before arriving at the location for the evacuation operation to be carried out at 8.40 am. 

The operation involved 10 APM members and was assisted by other agencies, namely the Royal Malaysian Police from the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD), two officers and 15 members, and from the Bau Fire and Rescue Station, five members. 

All the students who were safely evacuated were then handed over to their parents and family members separately before being taken home. 

Also present at the location were Bau District Police Chief, Superintendent Mohd Haide A. Rahman and Kampung Segong Tribal Chief, Amy Munga. 

Meanwhile, flood-prone areas in Kuching, Bau and Lundu were also hit by flash floods.

According to Bomba stations, the affected areas in Kuching are Kampung Gersik, Jalan Batu Lintang, Jalan Tun Abang Openg, Jalan Laksamana and Jalan Mendu.

Others were Kampung Tabuan Dayak, Jalan Kampung Simpang Tiga, Kampung Kudei amd Kampung Sinafr Budi in Batu Kawah.

In Lundu,the affected areas are Kampung Sebako, Kampung Sebat Dayak and Kampung Pasir Tengah.

 

Canada has many companies and expertise that can support Sarawak's priorities in energy, agriculture and aerospace sectors, says envoy

KUCHING, March 10 2026: Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia Jodi Rae Robinson has said her country  has many innovative companies and expertise that can be leveraged to support Sarawak’s development priorities in energy, agriculture and aerospace sectors.

High Commissioner Jodi Rae Robinson: Canada sees the potential to support Sarawak in ensuring that the mining industry is implemented in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. - Photo by Ukas 

She said this opens up opportunities for both parties to share technology and knowledge in industries that have the potential to continue growing in Sarawak.

“We have many innovative companies from Canada as well as knowledge in areas that are Sarawak’s priorities such as energy, agriculture and aerospace which I understand are new areas for Sarawak.

“There are many opportunities for us to work together in these sectors,” she told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Abang Johari Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex this morning.

 Robinson also informed that Canada also sees the potential to support Sarawak in ensuring that the mining industry is implemented in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

According to her, Canada understands Sarawak’s commitment in ensuring that mining activities are carried out with environmental sustainability in mind.

“I know the Sarawak premier has a very strong commitment to ensuring that any mining activity is carried out sustainably.

“Therefore, we are looking at how Canada can support Sarawak from the perspective of the mining industry while ensuring that it is implemented sustainably,” she said.

PBK: Increasing the numbers of Wakil Rakyat will lead to higher expenditure, no proof it will improve governance

KUCHING, March 10 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has strongly questioned the proposal to increase the numbers of parliamentary and state seats in Sarawak, especially at a time when Malaysia is facing serious fiscal pressures and rising national debt. 

PBK president Voon Lee Shan  claims that politicians holding multiple positions could receive combined pensions exceeding RM100,000 per month.  

Its president Voon Lee Shan stressed that expanding the number of elected representatives will inevitably lead to higher public expenditure, claiming that there is little evidence that the increase will improve governance or public welfare.

“Currently, Members of Parliament in Malaysia receive a basic salary of about RM16,000 per month, with additional allowances such as travel, entertainment, fuel, driver and meeting attendance payments that can bring their monthly remuneration to around RM25,000 or more,” he said in a statement today.

“At the state level, Sarawak already pays among the highest allowances in the country, with state assembly members (SLMs) receiving around RM15,000 per month before additional benefits.

“More importantly, elected representatives are also entitled to pensions after just 36 months of service, which can begin as early as age 50,” Voon,  former Batu Lintang SLM, said.

He said the public revelations stated that some ministers and politicians may receive gratuities between RM1 million and RM2 million depending on years of service.

He claimed that politicians holding multiple positions could receive combined pensions exceeding RM100,000 per month.

“These figures demonstrate that expanding the number of seats will significantly increase long-term obligations for taxpayers — not just salaries but lifetime pensions, gratuities, allowances, official vehicles, and other privileges,” he added.

Voon said the push for more seats also raises legitimate concerns about political patronage, saying that increasing the number of constituencies can create more positions to reward party loyalists, political allies, and family networks.

He charged that rather than strengthening democracy, this can entrench ruling coalitions and prolong their grip on power.

“In a parliamentary system, most policies and bills are already formulated by the Cabinet, with Parliament and state assemblies largely debating and voting to approve them.

“The expansion of seats does not fundamentally change how policy is made; it merely increases the number of politicians participating in a process that is already executive-driven.

“Therefore, the argument that more seats will improve governance must be treated with skepticism.

“What it may actually produce is that more political offices, more salaries and allowances, more pension liabilities, and a larger burden on taxpayers,” Voon said.

He noted that Malaysia is already struggling with rising public debt and fiscal deficits, adding that in such circumstances, the priority should be streamlining government spending and improving efficiency, not expanding the political class.

He also said that civil servants must work decades to qualify for a full pension while politicians can receive pensions after only a few years in office.

He said the imbalance raises serious questions about fairness and responsible governance.

He suggested that the proposal to increase parliamentary and state seats risks turning democratic representation into a costly political reward system.

“Instead of enlarging the political establishment, Malaysia should focus on fiscal discipline, institutional reforms, and ensuring elected representatives truly serve the people rather than the interests of political elites.

“Expanding the number of politicians does not automatically strengthen democracy — it may simply expand the cost of maintaining power,” he said.

Sarawak flagpole costs higher due to larger project scope while Selangor flagpole is a standalone pole, explains Jiwa Rakyat

KUCHING, March 10 2026: A Facebook post by Jiwa Rakyat has come up with reasons why the cost of the Sarawak flagpole is RM30 million compared to the RM8.5 million for the Selangor flagpole.

Caption: The comparison between the Sarawak flagpole and Senagor flagpole - From Jiwa Rakyat Facebook 

The Sarawak flagpole costs higher due to larger project scope, Jiwa Rakyat explained, adding the Selangor flagpole is a standalone pole.

It added the issue of cost comparison between flagpole projects in Sarawak and Selangor is often raised on social media.

“Some question why the project at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi costs more than the project at Kelab Shah Alam.

“However, when viewed holistically, the cost difference is actually due to the much larger scope of development in Sarawak,” Jiwa Rakyat said.

It went to explain that the different project scope: The project at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi is not just about building a flagpole.

With a cost of around RM30 million, the project includes several development components such as:

- Construction of a 99-metre-high flagpole

- Development of a recreational park

- Construction of a tea house

- Riverfront jetty on the banks of the Sarawak River

- Landscaping and public facilities

On the other hand, the flagpole project at Kelab Shah Alam which cost around RM8.5 million is more focused on building a 120-metre-high flagpole without developing additional facilities around it.

Different funding sources

In addition, the funding sources are also not the same. The project in Dataran Ibu Pertiwi was reportedly implemented through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by energy industry companies such as Petronas, Shell and Petros.

Meanwhile, the project in Shah Alam used allocations from the Selangor state government.

Need to look at the entire project

Therefore, making a comparison only based on the height of the flagpole without taking into account other development components can cause misunderstandings among the community.

The fact is, the project in Sarawak involves the development of a tourist icon area, not just a flagpole structure.

Open for investigation

At the same time, if there are still parties who doubt the implementation of the project, they are welcome to make a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to enable the investigation to be conducted transparently.

This step is more appropriate than continuing to generate speculation without complete facts.

Importantly, every development project needs to be viewed comprehensively based on the scope, facilities built and sources of financing, not just cost figures.

Yesterday, Michael Kong, Sarawak DAP  chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s political aide, stated that Selangor has recently unveiled its new 120-metre flagpole, reportedly the tallest in Southeast Asia, constructed at a cost of RM8.5 million.  

He said this development raises serious questions regarding the 99-metre flagpole project in Sarawak, which has been widely reported to cost RM30 million.  

“For a project that is significantly shorter, the reported cost is more than three times higher than the flagpole recently completed in Selangor.

“This stark discrepancy deserves a clear and transparent explanation from the Sarawak government,” Kong said in a statement today.  

He noted that previously, based on estimations by professional engineers, he had stated that the cost of constructing a 99-metre flagpole should be in the range of approximately RM5.59 million to RM6.45 million.

He said the latest information from Selangor (where a taller 120-metre structure was completed for RM8.5 million) further reinforces that his earlier estimate was not unreasonable.