Simunjan communities show the way: Celebrating Chap Goh Meh and breaking of fast together at Dewan Tua Pek Kong

SIMUNJAN, March 12 2-26: The various communities in Simunjan showed the way this evening when they held two very important events together at the same venue.

Caption: Simunjan SLM Awla Idris (seated, fourth from left) and Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee (seated, centre) at the combined Chap Goh Meh and breaking of fast at Dewan Tua Pek Kong, Pasar Simunjan - Photo by Ukas 

It certainly shows that the unique harmony of Sarawak's multi-racial communities is very much alive when residents from various backgrounds gathered to hold the combined Cap Goh Mei celebration and breaking of fast ceremony held at the Tua Pek Kong Dewan, Pasar Simunjan. 

Simunjan State Legislative Member (SLM), Awla Dris said the organisation of the ceremony reflected the spirit of tolerance, understanding and close cooperation which have long been the pillar of community unity in the state.

According to him, the situation where two festivals with different religious and cultural backgrounds can be celebrated together in one ceremony is something special and symbolises the true identity of the people of Sarawak who live in harmony.

“This is Sarawak, where the Chinese, Malays, Ibans and other races can live together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance.

Dance performance

“I hope that this spirit of brotherhood between the races will continue to be preserved and inherited by future generations,” he said, quoted by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

He also expressed his appreciation to the organizers, especially the Pasar Simunjan Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) led by Kapitan Liew Jau Kheng for their efforts to make the event a success in collaboration with the Simunjan District Office and several other local agencies.

The organization of the event not only serves as a platform to celebrate the cultural diversity of the community, but also strengthens the relationship between leaders and the people at the grassroots level.

Batang Sadong Member of Parliament Rodiyah Sapiee, Simunjan District Officer Sanuyah Mohamad, Simunjan District Council Representative Secretary Mokhtar Ramli and Pemanca Liew Wee Tchiun were among those present.

lso present were Kapitan Liew Jau Kheng as Chairman of the Pasar Simunjan JKKK, Kapitan Lai Pian Sin as Chairman of the Kampung Gunung Ngeli JKKK and Kapitan Tan Chiew Sia who is the Chairman of the JKKK Terasi Cina.

What distribution of seats? It has not happened as Parliament has yet to approve the proposed increase, says Karim

KUCHING, March 12 2026: The distribution of 17 new seats in the  State Legislative Assembly (SLA) among the four Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties  does not arise at this stage,PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (picture) has explained. 

He said these seats have not existed yet as the proposal to increase the number from 82 to 99 has not been approved by Parliament.

Therefore, he said the question of distribution the seats among PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP, does not arise.

He said after the redelineation exercise has been endorsed by Parliament, it is up to the EC to decide where these seats will be. 

“I do not think PBB and SUPP will say this is my seat and that is your seat. The seat does not exist yet, I myself do not know where the seat is,” he said when asked to comment on the alleged leaked powerpoint presentation of the redelineation exercise of the state electoral boundaries.

Karim, who is also the state Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, explained although the proposal to increase the  seats had been approved at SLA, it is awaiting confirmation at the Parliament.

Karim was speaking to the media after he pre-launched the Borneo Global MediTourism Congress and Expo 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), today.

It was circulated on social media and news portal that PBB would get 10 seats, PRS and SUPP three each and PDP, one.

On another matter, he said it is unfair to compare the 99-metre high Sarawak flagpole with the 12-metre high Selangor flagpole.

“In the case of Sarawak, it is about Ibu Pertiwi Complex consisting of the flagpole, fountains and other facilities,” he said.

He said the cost of RM30 million to build the complex was borne by the private sector while the Selangor flagpole, a standalone pole, was financed by the Selangor government.

The Borneo Global MidTourism Congress is scheduled to be held on October 12 and 13 this year and is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors with the participation of about 100 companies and 400 trade delegations.

SUPP Youth slams Sarawak DAP Youth for accusing GPS of influencing EC in redelineation exercise of electoral boundaries

KUCHING, March 12 2026: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth took a swipe at Sarawak DAP Youth secretary George Lam for accusing Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) of influencing Election Commission (EC) in the redelineation exercise of the electoral boundaries in the state.

Its publicity secretary Chou Kok Jin (picture) said such accusation appears to be political rhetoric aimed at stirring unnecessary sentiments among Sarawakians rather than contributing constructively to the discussion.

“DAP, as one of the parties holding the largest number of Members of Parliament in the Unity Government and a key component of the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, should be well aware that the Election Commission (EC) is a federal institution under the federal government,”  he said.

“While the commission operates independently in carrying out its constitutional functions, administratively it falls under the Prime Minister’s Department at the federal level,” Chou said in a statement in reference to the alleged leaked powerpoint presentation on the redelineation exercise in Sarawak.

“Therefore, the blatant accusations by Sarawak DAP Youth alleging that GPS is attempting to influence the independent functions of the EC clearly demonstrate a misunderstanding of the respective roles of federal and state institutions.

“Such statement also inadvertently raises questions about DAP Youth’s own confidence in the integrity and functioning of the EC and the Prime Minister’s Department,” Chou said.

More importantly, he added, the DAP Youth appears to be losing sight of a far more critical issue affecting Sarawak and Sabah — the continued pursuit of 35 per cent of parliamentary seats for the two Borneo regions as a safeguard to protect their rights and interests in Parliament.

Chou noted that the DAP leaders have remained largely silent in addressing misleading narratives, including claims previously made by a former law minister suggesting that the formation of a Borneo bloc is an attempt to control Peninsular Malaysia.

“Such narratives are not only inaccurate but risk undermining the legitimate aspirations of Sabah and Sarawak to restore the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.

He urged Sarawakians to remain united and focused on the bigger objective — ensuring that adequate constitutional safeguards are in place to protect Sarawak’s rights, autonomy, and future generations.

He stressed that political distractions and baseless accusations will not move Sarawak forward, adding that what Sarawakians need is unity of purpose in strengthening our position within the Malaysian federation.

Richard Lee, 22, found safe, but in weak condition, six days after he was reported missing

KANOWIT, March 12 2026: A 22-year old youth, who was reported missing six days ago from his home at Rumah Ricky Umar Jalani longhouse, has been found safe, but in weak condition by a search and rescue party late this morning. 

Caption: A fireman piggybacks Richard Lee anak Apang, who was found safe, but in weak condition, in the bushes - Photo by Bomba

Kanowit Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba0 station, in a statement, said Richard Lee anak Apang was found among the bushes, about 1km from the search party’s control post at about 11.55am.

“The search operation ended with the victim handed over to the Civil Defence Force ambulance to be sent to the Kanowit Hospital for further examination,” the station said.

It said that on March 8, it received a call about 11.04am, asking for an assistance to look for Richard Lee who had been missing from Rumah Ricky Umar Jalani longhouse, Sungai Penyulau.

It was reported that at about 4pm on March 7, the victim’s brother noticed that his younger brother had left the house without the knowledge of the family members.

A report was the lodged at the Kanowit police station.

The residents of the longhouse have made efforts to search for the victim in the forest area behind the longhouse but failed to find the victim.

The complainant informed that the victim left the house without bringing any identification documents or mobile phone.

A search and rescue operation was then initiated by the villagers, firemen, police and Civil Defence Force personnel.