Vandalism involving utlity and telecommication facilities causing losses of over RM48 million

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Oct 28 2026: Utility and Telecommunication Minister  Julaihi Narawi has expressed his deep disappointment over the continued cases of vandalism reported across the state.

Caption: Minister Julaihi Narawi says among the facilities frequently targeted were equipment at water treatment plants, water meters, fire hydrants, transformers, electrical cables, streetlights and earthing components.

He said a total of 6,328 cases of vandalism involving utility and telecommunication facilities were recorded in Sarawak from 2023 to the second quarter of 2026, resulting in estimated losses of RM48.43 million.

He said such activities have also disrupted service delivery to consumers, as damage to public assets incurred substantial repair and equipment replacement costs.

"Restoration work, which takes time, also leads to service disruptions, affecting the reputation of utility and telecommunication agencies.

"At the same time, the reputation of these agencies is further affected by repeated service disruptions, even though they themselves are victims of vandalism," he said at the launch the 2026 Samarahan Division-level Vandalism Prevention Programme today.

Julaihi said Samarahan Division recorded 308 cases during the same period, with estimated losses reaching RM1.54 million.

He said among the facilities frequently targeted were equipment at water treatment plants, water meters, fire hydrants, transformers, electrical cables, streetlights and earthing components.

In the telecommunications sector, Julaihi said vulnerable assets include transmission equipment at telecommunication towers, batteries and cables.

He said efforts to combat vandalism were also strengthened through the implementation of Ops Lusuh by the police together with related agencies to monitor the premises of second-hand goods and curb the sale of utility equipment believed to be stolen.

He called on the public to report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help protect utility and telecommunications facilities from further acts of vandalism. 

Sarwwak State Election: Final list of candidates allocated to each component party to be known before nomination day, says GPS chairman

KUCHING, Oct 28 2026: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg said the seat allocations among the four component parties would be worked out by taking into account the current situation, including seats won by candidates from the respective parties in previous elections.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg arriving at PBB headquarters to chair the GPS leadership council meeting

He said the final list of candidates from each component party to contest on GPS's ticket would be announced before nomination day of the state election.

The thorny issue that GPS needs to iron out is the wrangling over three seats by SUPP and PDP. They have publicly staked claims to Engkilili, Bawang Assan and Bukit Assek state constituencies.

Engkilili and Bawang Assan seats were won by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in the 2021 state election. After PSB dissolved itself, Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) and Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) joined Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a component of GPS.

Both Rayong and Wong had won the seats when they were both in SUPP.

Bukit Assek was a traditional seat of SUPP, but in 2021 state election, it was contested and won by Tiong King Sing.

PDP may also be eyeing Batu Lintang which was won by See Chee How who stood on PSB's ticket in 2021. See left PSB before its dissolution.

Now, See has applied to join SUPP.

There is no dispute over Ba'Kelalan which was won by Baru Bian on PSB's ticket. He also joined PDP.

Baru has won Ba'Kelalan when he was in PKR.

Abang Johari said GPS will contest all the 82 state seats.

 “One thing I can announce is that GPS will contest all 82 seats. That is our decision.

“As for other matters, we are awaiting the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement regarding the election date; only then will we know the next steps to be taken,” he told reporters after chairing a GPS leadership council meeting at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here on Wednesday.

Out of the 82, it is almost confirmed that PBB will defend its 47 seats.

In the 12th State Election, GPS won 76 out of the 82 Sarawak State Legislative Assembly seats, with PBB securing 47 seats, SUPP 13, PRS 11, and PDP five.

The number of seats held by GPS subsequently rose to 79 in 2024 following the dissolution of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), as three former State Assembly members (ADUNs) from that party joined the PDP.

Sarawak State Election: Uggah, Karim and another state minister to step aside in coming state election?

KUCHING, Oct 28 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has confirmed that there are state ministers from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) who have offered to step aside to make way for new faces to contest in the upcoming state election.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg confirms that "some ministers" from PBB have expressed their desire not to contest in the coming state election

However, he declined to name them for now, but said he will announce the names once the Election Commission (EC) has set the nomination and polling dates for the state election.

“There are some, but I cannot disclose that right now. They are indeed from PBB. Just wait,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the GPS leadership council at the PBB headquarters in Petra Jaya today.

PBB, the main component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, has Douglas Uggah and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as deputy premier and Fatimah Abduilah, Julaihi Narawi, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Dr Stephen Rundie as state ministers.

It is a public knowledge that Karim, who is caretaker Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, has expressed his desire to not defend his Asajaya state seat in the coming election.

However, he had told reporters that the final decision lied with the premier and PBB president Abang Johari as well as the voters in Asajaya.

His decision to step down is believed due to his failure to defend his post as vice president of PBB during the party Triennial Delegates Convention on February 15, 2025.

He received 669 votes, placing him 5th out of six candidates. Only the top four candidates secured the vice-presidential positions.

After the results were declared, Karim offered to step down as the state minister. However, the premier had said that the party election had nothing to do with the appointments of cabinet ministers.

Abang Johari said as the premier it was his sole prerogative to pick who he wanted to be in the state cabinet.

In June this year, Uggah, who is also PBB deputy president, had told reporters that he would leave it to wisdom of the party president to determine whether a leader should retire or continue serving the people.

He was asked to respond to speculations that he would not be contesting in the state election.

“We are getting old. We are running out of ideas. We may not be able to keep up with the technology. So, we leave it to the premier to decide,” he was quoted as saying by the media.

Apart from Uggah and Karim, another state minister may not be seeking re-election.

The minister was reported to have told the premier of the desire before the 2021 state election.