Three men killed, one escapes with minor injuries in a two-vehicle collision along Sibu-Sarikei Pan Borneo Highway

SARIKEI, July 4 2026: Three men were killed when a 4WD vehicle they were travelling in collided with a another 4WD vehicle at a P-turn of the Sibu-Sarikei stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway tonight.

 Caption: The badly damaged double cab vehicle after the collision 

The driver of another 4WD vehicle, however, escaped with minor injuries.

Sarikei Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said it received a call about 8.32pm from a member of the public, informing of the accident.

“Upon arrival at the scene, a team of firemen found that the accident involved two four-wheel drive vehicles, namely a single cab and a double cab.

“The double cab vehicle was carrying three victims. One victim was found thrown out of the vehicle, while two other victims were still trapped inside the vehicle.

“For the single cab vehicle, only one driver suffered minor injuries, “ the department said.

It said the firemen then removed the two trapped victims using rescue tools and stretchers.

It added after all the victims were successfully removed, they were handed over to the paramedics from the Ministry of Health (MoH) for further action.

The paramedics confirmed that the three victims who were riding in the double cab vehicle died at the scene, while the driver of the single cab vehicle only suffered minor injuries.

The three dead men were later handed over to the police for further action.

They were identified as two locals, aged 20 and 33 years old, and an Indonesian, aged 41 while the injured driver of a single cab vehicle is aged 40 years old

Include RORO bin heavy -duty waste trucks under diesel subsidy mechanism, plastic manufacturers association tells federal government

KUCHING, July 4 2026:  The Sarawak Branch of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has called on the federal government to  review of the diesel subsidy mechanism, urging for the inclusion of "RoRo" (Roll-on/Roll-off)  RORO bin heavy-duty waste trucks under the subsidy scheme.

Caption: Roll-on/Roll-off bin heavy duty waste trucks excluded from diesel subsidy mechanism

Its chairman Eddie said the MPMA Sarawak Branch proposed establishing a dedicated diesel subsidy category for RORO bin trucks.

“This could be implemented through mechanisms such as MyKad verification or fleet card systems, using licensed usage and operational purpose as eligibility criteria, while strengthening collaboration between the government and industry to ensure policies reflect real-world operations,” he said in a statement.

He noted that waste management and recycling service sectors remain excluded from the current subsidy coverage, including RORO bin trucks widely used in waste management and recycling transportation.

He suggested that the mechanism be reviewed to better reflect real operational needs and to support Sarawak’s circular economy and sustainability goals.

Using a five-tonne RORO bin truck as an example, he said a full fuel tank requires about 80 litres of diesel.

“At the current price of approximately RM3.97 per litre, each refuelling costs around RM317.60,” he said, adding that if refuelling is done once a week (and in some cases up to three times weekly), a single vehicle incurs about RM1,270 in monthly diesel expenses. For companies operating multiple RORO bin trucks, monthly fuel costs could double from RM5,000 to RM10,000 under current diesel prices, creating a significant financial burden.

He warned that rising transport costs may force recycling operators to adjust collection prices or reduce service coverage, potentially affecting public participation in recycling efforts. 

He said a decline in recycling incentives could lead to more recyclable materials being discarded, undermining national circular economy and carbon reduction objectives.

In the long term, he said, lower recycling rates would result in more waste being sent to landfills, increasing government expenditure on waste management and environmental infrastructure. Savings from reduced diesel subsidies today could be offset by higher future costs in waste handling and environmental mitigation

Court of Appeal's verdict in Chong's Black Hole case has delivered a definitive message to society, says premier's political secretary

KUCHING, July 4 2026:  Angellie Stephen Raja, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, said that the Court of Appeal’s (CoA) verdict in a Black Hole case delivers a definitive message to society that in a nation governed by the rule of law, no individual can leverage political expediency to supersede facts and the law.

Caption: Angellie Stephen Raja says  Sarawak DAP has relied on sensationalism, hyperbole, and hollow slogans to capture public attention.  

“This legal precedent lays bare Sarawak DAP’s systemic culture of character assassination, slander, and misinformation, which inevitably crumbles when confronted with facts in a court of law.

“It marks the utter bankruptcy of Sarawak DAP’s political credibility,” she said in a statement when commenting on CoA’s rejection of Chong Chieng Jen’s appeal in a Black Hole case.

She noted that for years, Sarawak DAP has relied on sensationalism, hyperbole, and hollow slogans to capture public attention.

She said launching grave allegations without substantial evidence not only misleads the populace but systematically erodes public trust in the democratic institutions.

She added the CoA’s judgment serves as a stern warning to all politicians across the political divide to practice principled politics and exercise due diligence before speaking, rather than peddling unverified accusations for transient political gain.

“While keeping the government in check is a vital democratic duty, such oversight must strictly align with evidence and legal parameters.

“Substantive proof can never be substituted by defamation, misdirection, or emotionally charged rhetoric.

“The electorate deserves responsible governance and mature politics, not malicious political maneuvering anchored on character assassination, slander, and deceit.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the court’s decision, which completely vindicates GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and the Sarawak Government.

“Ultimately, this entire legal saga exposes actions that compel Sarawakians to question the true political agenda of Sarawak DAP, revealing how they weaponize slander, smears, and disinformation to fracture the social fabric of our society,” Angellie said.

Chong, in a statement yesterday, had said that CoA has dismissed his appeal against the High Court’s ruling in the 2013 ‘black hole’ defamation case.

CoA also increased the damages awarded by the High Court from RM150,00 to RM300,000.

CoA also awarded RM150,00 in costs for the appeal, maintained the RM50,000 costs awarded by the High Court.

All in all, Chong was ordeded to pay RM500,000.

The state government and state financial secretary sued Chong over the publication and distribution of Sarawak DAP pamphlets alleging that RM11 billion from the state’s coffers had disappeared into a “black hole”, in 2013 implying financial mismanagement by the Sarawak government and the SFA.

 

 

Up to 49,000 high-skilled digital job opportunties expected to be created by 2030, says premier

MIRI, July 4 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has said as high as  48,750 high-skilled digital job opportunities are projected to be created by 2030, in line with the state's digital economic transformation agenda and human capital development.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that Miri has the potential to become a model low-carbon smart city that not only prioritises the use of technology, but also maintains a clean, beautiful and sustainable environment as a tourism destination.

He cited as an example the implementation of smart city initiatives needs to be supported by human capital development and efficient digital governance to ensure technology is fully utilised in service delivery to the people.

He added  the free tertiary education provided to Sarawak students at state-owned higher institutions is a  strategic investment to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of mastering technology and meeting the needs of the future digital economy.

"By 2030, we estimate we can create between 39,000 and 48,750 high-skilled digital jobs.

"That is why we are sending students to university for free, so that they can master technology and operate the systems of the future," he said when speaking at the launch of Miri Smart City Command Centre (MSCCC) today.

He explained that a smart city is one that harnesses technology to enhance community safety, strengthen the efficiency of public service delivery, boost business competitiveness and make the daily lives of the people easier.

He said Miri has the potential to become a model low-carbon smart city that not only prioritises the use of technology, but also maintains a clean, beautiful and sustainable environment as a tourism destination.

He said the public transportation system also needs to shift towards the use of clean energy such as hydrogen or electricity, in line with the aspiration of developing a sustainable, low-carbon city.

He also stressed that digital infrastructure is the foundation for smart city development, but real success depends on the people's ability to master and make use of that technology.

He noted that since the digital economy policy was introduced, about 540,000 participants have taken part in upskilling and reskilling programmes in the digital field, further strengthening public participation in Sarawak's digital transformation.

Touching on the Miri Smart City Command Centre, he suggested that the control centre develop an application capable of providing a summary of activities every seven days based on data collected throughout its 24-hour operations.

According to him, this approach can help the authorities identify trends, improve service delivery and enhance the efficiency of city management and administration.

He also stressed that the low-carbon smart city concept will be expanded throughout Sarawak through a development approach tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of each area.

Also present were Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Transport Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Julaihi Narawi, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts  Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang, and Miri Division Resident Galong Luang.