Sarawak-West Kalimantan reaching on a number key agreements at the SOSEK-MALINDO 39th session

PONTIANAK, WEST KALIMANTAN: The 39th Session of the Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Joint Working Committee (SOSEK MALINDO) between Sarawak and West Kalimantan has reached on a number of key agreements, including efforts to enhance cross-border trade facilitation, strengthen communication mechanisms among relevant agencies to resolve operational issues, and expedite approval processes for cross-border trade activities.

Caption: Members of the delegation from Sarawak for the Malaysia-Indonesia Socio-Economic Joint Working Committee

The two regions also agreed to further enhance cooperation in youth, sports, tourism, culture and education, while strengthening information-sharing among security enforcement agencies to ensure the continued safety and security of border areas, as well as facilitating the lawful movement of people and goods.

SOSEK MALINDO, in a the statement, said among the initiatives agreed upon was the revival of Tour Malindo in 2027,  organisation of the Festival Perbatasan and Festival Budaya on a rotational basis, as well as joint tourism destination promotions through the exchange of the Calendar of Events, familiarisation trips (fam trips), business-to-business (B2B) programmes, and the utilisation of digital platforms and influencers to promote tourism destinations in Sarawak and West Kalimantan.

In the area of security and border management, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the development of CIQS/ICQS facilities and coordinating the development of border control posts, taking into consideration matters outlined in the Malaysia-Indonesia Border Crossing Agreement.

The meeting was attended by representatives from relevant agencies of Sarawak and West Kalimantan involved in economic development, trade, connectivity, social affairs, culture, security and border management.

According to a statement, the meeting served as a strategic platform to review the progress of previously agreed decisions while reaching new agreements aimed at enhancing the well-being of border communities and further strengthening bilateral ties between Sarawak and West Kalimantan.

Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel,  who is also chairman of SOSEK MALINDO Sarawak, expressed his appreciation to all delegates for their commitment and spirit of cooperation demonstrated throughout the session during the closing ceremony of the 39th meeting.

He emphasised that SOSEK MALINDO would continue to serve as an important platform in strengthening strategic relations between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, while acting as a catalyst for socio-economic development in border areas and further strengthening the bonds of friendship between Malaysia and Indonesia.

 Ends

 

UNIFOR-CFM holding engagement session to strengthen interfaith harmony

KUCHING, July 30 2026: The Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) is strengthening cooperation with the Christian community in Malaysia through an engagement session with the executive committee of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) to strengthen interfaith harmony.

Caption: UNIFOR and CFM  exchanging views and discussions on various matters of mutual interest.

UNIFOR director Georgina Apphia Ngau said the session served as an important platform to strengthen existing relations through constructive dialogue, exchange of views and discussions on various matters of mutual interest.

The engagement session took place in conjunction with the CFM executive committee's official visit to the UNIFOR Complex here yesterday.

During the session, the CFM delegation was also briefed on the role and function of UNIFOR in supporting the development of houses of worship of other religions as well as missionary schools throughout Sarawak.

They were also brought to visit the UNIFOR complex to personally see the implementation of the interfaith cooperation model practiced in Sarawak, which is one of the main factors in maintaining peace, understanding and unity of the multi-racial and religious community in this state.

The visit also provided an opportunity for both parties to share views on efforts to strengthen understanding, mutual respect and cross-religious cooperation in order to preserve the harmony that forms Sarawak's identity.

The CFM delegation represented its three affiliated bodies, namely the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia (CBCM), the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) led by CFM Chairman Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng.

The delegation consisted of CFM vice chairmen Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim and Reverend Bishop  Danald Jute, secretary Rita Sabrina Wong, assistant secretary Dr Khoo Kay Hup, honorary assistant treasurer Archbishop Dr Simon Poh, executive secretary Reverend Andy Chi Cheng Khee and several members of the CFM executive committee.

SALCRA participants receiving land title documents, involving 417 lots with an area of 903 hectares

LUBOK ANTU, July 30 2026: A total of 306 participants of the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) received land title documents involving 417 lots with a total area of 903 hectares, thereby giving legal recognition of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land ownership while improving the socioeconomic well-being of rural communities.

Caption: Village headwoman receiving the land titles on behalf of her longhouse residents from Deputy Minister Len Talif Salleh

The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh at the Lubok Antu Palm Oil Mill, Merindun, yesterday.

Of the total land titles handed over, 34 lots covering 31 hectares were issued under Section 13 of the Sarawak Land Code to 34 recipients involving 37 registered owners from a longhouse.

Another 383 lots covering 872 hectares were issued under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code to 272 recipients involving 300 registered owners from 12 longhouses.

The issuance of these land titles is among SALCRA’s key initiatives to ensure that NCR lands developed under the agency’s development areas receive legal recognition of ownership, while providing participants with greater security over their land rights.

Under the SALCRA Ordinance 1976, the surveying and issuance of land titles are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Section 19(1)(b) to support planned and sustainable land development.

To expedite the process, the SALCRA Surveyors Group was granted recognition by the Sarawak Land and Survey Department in 2020 to conduct cadastral survey works, thereby accelerating the identification, measurement and verification of NCR lands within SALCRA development areas.

Apart from the land title handover ceremony, SALCRA’s Golden Jubilee celebration was also enlivened by the SALCRA 50-Year Outreach Programme Exhibition, which brought together participation from various government agencies, SALCRA subsidiaries and the private sector to promote services, products and development initiatives to participants and the local community.

Various service counters were also provided, including services related to participant development, product marketing, capacity-building training, cooperative registration, agricultural fertiliser, oil palm seedlings and downstream palm oil industry products.

Also present were Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Sarawak who is also Batang Ai Assemblyman Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Lubok Antu Member of Parliament Roy Angau Gingkoi, Engkilili Assemblyman Johnical Rayong Ngipa, Sri Aman Division Land and Survey Superintendent Micheakson Nyisin, SALCRA General Manager Joseph Blandoi, and Sri Aman Deputy Resident Frank Lani.