Sarawak looking at Hungary's border town as model to develop Limbang, Lawas

HUNGARY, June 19 2026: Sarawak is exploring the City of Győr’s successful border town development model as part of efforts to strengthen planning and economic growth strategies for Limbang and Lawas in northern Sarawak.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (seated, third from left) leading a Sarawak delegation in discussions with the officials from Hungary

Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the visit to the Municipality of the City of Győr provided an opportunity to understand how the Hungarian city has leveraged its strategic location, industrial strength and regional connectivity to become a competitive economic centre while maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the municipality on Thursday, he said Győr’s experience is particularly relevant as Sarawak continues to develop its northern region, especially Limbang and Lawas, which are strategically located near Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia.

“We are particularly interested in learning how Győr has developed as a border-town economy, especially in relation to industrial development, urban growth, mobility, workforce development and regional connectivity.

“Győr demonstrates how a city can utilise its strategic location, transport links, skilled workforce and investment ecosystem to support economic competitiveness while maintaining a liveable urban environment,” he said.

Awang Tengah, quoted by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), noted that Győr serves as a strong example of how a border city can evolve into a major hub for industry, logistics, education and services while benefiting from access to key regional markets.

He said Sarawak is keen to understand how the city manages industrial expansion, urban development, workforce readiness, mobility systems and regional connectivity in a coordinated manner to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Among the key areas of interest are Győr’s approaches to balancing economic growth with urban livability through quality housing, efficient transport networks, public amenities, environmental management and social infrastructure.

The insights gained from the visit are ex

Rising oil prices will affect the global tourism industry, says tourism ministe

KUCHING, June 19 2026: The rising oil prices, brought about by the on-going conflict in the Middle East, will have some impacts on the global tourism industry,  Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, analysed.

Caption: Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says that the tourism sector is one of the most sensitive industries to global geopolitical developments as it depends on tourist confidence, economic stability and travel costs.

He said it will affect the operating costs of various sectors including transportation, logistics and aviation which are important components of the tourism industry.

“Oil prices can trigger a domino effect on many other sectors. When oil prices increase, it will affect various aspects of the economy and ultimately also affect the tourism industry,” he told reporters after officiating the János Xantus 200th Birth Anniversary Commemoration Programme at the Sarawak State Library today,

He stressed that the tourism sector is one of the most sensitive industries to global geopolitical developments as it depends on tourist confidence, economic stability and travel costs.

He hoped that all diplomatic efforts and negotiations being carried out by stakeholders could produce a lasting solution to ensure peace and stability in the region.

“What we hope is that peace can be established because stability will benefit all parties, including the tourism industry which depends on a peaceful and conducive global environment,” he said.

He stressed that world geopolitical peace and stability are not only important for global economic growth, but are also a key factor in ensuring that the tourism industry continues to grow sustainably.

He said the current situation in the MIdle East is still difficult to predict because it not only involves Iran and the United States, but is also influenced by various other geopolitical factors that have their own interests in the region.

According to him, despite various diplomatic efforts towards resolving the conflict, current developments still need to be monitored closely as the situation can change at any time.

“It is not easy to make predictions because the situation can change from time to time. It does not only involve Iran and the United States, but also involves other parties who have their own interests in the conflict,” he said.

Fifteen complaints received from consumers of being allegedly scammed by a woman sellling household items

KUCHING, June 19 2026: Sarawak Consumers' Association (SCA) has said that it has received numerous complaints against a local woman suspected of selling various daily necessities such as baby milk, disposable diapers (pampers), medicines and household goods via social media platforms.

Caption: SCA president Dr Wynson Ong says the number of scam victims could be more

Its president Dr Wynson Ong said SCA has received 15 complaints from consumers including from a pharmacy  of being scammed by the woman, as of June 17.

“Based on the complaints received so far, the total loss recorded is RM80,509.98, not including additional complaints that are still in the process of being reviewed and documents and reports verified by the complainants,” Ong said in a statement.

He said according to the victims, they received goods they ordered on the initial stage.

“The situation is believed to have increased consumer confidence to continue making repeat purchases, especially when offered lower promotional prices through social media platforms.

“However, based on complaints received, there are situations where after several transactions, payment has been made but the goods are no longer received as promised, even though the agreed delivery period has expired,” he said.
In a separate case involving a pharmacy, he said the woman  is alleged to have made an invalid payment transaction by submitting a receipt that is believed not to reflect the actual payment amount for the purchase of medicines.

“This case is still based on complaints received and requires further investigation by the authorities,” he added.

He said based on the number of complaints and the value of losses recorded showed that scam needed to be given serious attention by all parties.

“When involving 14 consumers and a pharmacy with a total loss exceeding RM80,000, and possibly reaching hundreds of thousands of ringgit, this shows that this matter cannot be taken lightly.

“It is more worrying when there are complaints that the initial transaction went smoothly before problems occurred in the subsequent transaction.

“This shows the importance for consumers to be more careful when making online purchases,” he said.

He said he does not rule out the possibility of more victims who have not yet come forward to file a complaint, urging them to come forward to provide information to assist in the investigation and prevent more consumers from becoming victims.

He advised the public to be more vigilant, especially in the context of the rising cost of living which has prompted many consumers to look for cheaper prices on online platforms.

“The pressure of the cost of living has caused consumers to be more inclined to look for cheap deals,” he said, adding that the situation also opens up the risk of fraud if not checked carefully first,

Ong advised the public not to make hasty payments without verification, avoid payments to personal accounts without valid business verification, check the seller's background before making any transactions and use safer and traceable payment methods.

Members of the public who have information or have experienced a similar situation can contact the Sarawak Consumers' Association  Official Hotline at 017-7109299.

 

 

 

 

Cloud seeding ops begin today over dams and catchment areas affected by current dry weather conditions

KUCHING, June 19 2026: The Sarawak government, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), has begun a cloud seeding operations today to increase water levels in major dams and water catchment areas affected by the current dry weather conditions.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah expresses hope that the operations will be successful so that the water supply problem can be solved or at least reduced.

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said the move was taken following reports of low water levels in major dams and catchment areas experiencing water supply problems.

The cloud seeding operations will be carried out over Batang Ai in Lubok Antu, Bakun and Murum dams in Belaga and Bengoh dam in  Padawan.

Uggah, who is also the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said the operations will also be carried over catchment areas of Matang, Simunjan and Gerugu.

"We hope that the operations will be successful so that the water supply problem can be solved or at least reduced.

"This is because the current weather conditions are very hot and dry," he said at a press conference on cloud seeding operations at the Kuching Air Force base today.

He added that the first operation carried out in May successfully increased the water level at the Batang Ai dam, but the situation at the Bakun dam still requires attention.

According to him, increasing water levels in Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum dams are very important because all three dams are the main sources of Sarawak's electricity supply.

Uggah said that the operations will not only focus on the main dam areas, but also involve water catchment areas to increase the effectiveness of efforts to increase the state's water supply.

He also assured that the operations carried out are safe because only common salt is used as seeding material.

He said water levels in the three dams are low.