Dayak oil palm smallholders urged to obtain MSPO from MPOB

SARIKEI, June 14 2026: Oil palm smallholders in Sarawak have been urged to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification through the Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster (SPOC) initiative provided by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).

Caption: Deputy Minister Huang Tiong Sii (seated, centre) with the participants of Aram Besawit programme

Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Huang Tiong Sii said the certification is vital to ensure that small planters remain competitive and are able to meet the demands of the global market, which is increasingly placing emphasis on sustainability.

He added that this is particularly relevant to the Dayak community, who form the backbone of the smallholder oil palm sector in Sarawak.

"With a total of 43,916 individuals, the Dayak community represents the largest group of smallholders in Sarawak. I can therefore say with confidence that oil palm and the Dayak community are inseparable," he said at the closing of the ARAM BESAWIT 2026 Programme organised by the Dayak Oil Palm Planters Association of Sarawak (DOPPA) at Dewan Suarah Sarikei yesterday.

He noted that oil palm is not merely a commercial crop, but a source of income that secures the education of children and the future of generations to come.

Huang, who also Sarikei Member of Parliament, commended the participation of approximately 300 participants in the programme, which covered various important aspects of the palm oil industry, including fertilisation techniques, weed control, environmental safety, licensing, fresh fruit bunch grading, and international issues such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

He said the palm oil industry is now facing a range of new challenges at the global level, and knowledge-based programmes such as ARAM BESAWIT serve as an important platform to ensure that smallholders are not left behind in the tide of industry developments.

At the same event, he also presented a contribution of RM10,000 to DOPPA in support of the association's annual activities.

High impact projects to be catalysts for economic growth in Miri Division, says Lee Kim Shin

MIRI, June 14 2026: The implementation of several strategic development projects including the development of Miri Port, the construction of a road network to the interior and the proposed expansion of Miri Airport are expected to be a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development in Miri Division and the northern region of Sarawak.

Caption: Minister Lee Kim Shin being welcomed on arrival for the Gawai Dayak ngiling tikai ceremony

Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said the high-impact projects will strengthen connectivity, increase investment attractiveness and open up more economic opportunities for the people.

He said the infrastructure development being planned and implemented is part of the Sarawak Government's ongoing agenda to strengthen Miri's position as a major economic, trade and tourism hub in the north of the state.

He said this when officiating the 2026 Gawai Dayak Ngiling Bidai ceremony ceremo jointly organised by the Desa Senadin Rukun Tetangga Area Committee Phase 1, Desa SenadinPhase 3, Taman Greenville, Tabika Perpaduan Desa Senadin and Tabika Perpaduan Desa Senadin Palma, at the Desa Senadin Rukun Tetangga Centre on Saturday.

Lee said the development of Miri Port would strengthen the logistics and trade sectors, while improving the road network to the interior could increase accessibility and boost economic activities in rural areas.

He said the proposed expansion of Miri Airport was expected to increase flight capacity and strengthen the city's role as the main gateway for tourists and investors to the northern region of Sarawak.

According to him, the implementation of these projects would have a positive spillover effect on various sectors including tourism, trade, services and local industries, thus creating more job opportunities for the people.

Lee said the development enjoyed by Sarawak today was the result of political stability, community unity and close cooperation between the people and the government which continued to be the foundation for the state's progress.

He said the Sarawak government under the leadership of Premier Abang Johari Openg would continue to emphasise on the development of infrastructure, economy and human capital to ensure that the benefits of development could be enjoyed comprehensively by the people.

Focus on perpetrators of crime, buyers of stolen goods to address issue of vandalism and cable theft, deputy minister tells the authorities

KUCHING:, June 13 2026: The issue of vandalism and cable theft affecting public facilities needs to be addressed more comprehensively by focusing not only on the perpetrators of the crime, but also on those who buy the stolen goods.

Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Ibrahim Baki (picture) said that the demand for stolen cables is one of the main factors that drives the activity to continue despite various preventive measures being implemented.

According to him, the authorities need to intensify monitoring and conduct investigations up to the level of buyers or networks involved in the sale and purchase of stolen cables. 

“If there are no buyers, there are no sellers. That is why we need to look at the entire chain of activities and not just arrest individuals who steal cables,” he said when met after the launch of the Smart Street Lighting Project in Kampung Nombor Satok this evening.

He also urged the police and related agencies to increase patrols and enforcement in areas that are often targets of cable theft, including locations of public facilities that use lighting systems and utility supplies. 

He said that among the areas that have been affected is the Datuk Amar Juma'ani Bridge, but security measures such as security guards and the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be implemented as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, he informed that DBKU has received allocations to expand the installation of CCTV in several strategic locations as part of efforts to strengthen the city's security aspects and protect public property.

He added that cable theft not only causes financial losses to related agencies, but can also pose safety risks to the public when certain areas become dark and increase the possibility of accidents and criminal incidents.

He also praised the efforts of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) which uses smart technology including drones and detection systems to combat electricity theft and identify premises involved in illegal cryptocurrency mining, thus helping to reduce losses and increase enforcement effectiveness.

Premier assures that every religion will be given fair and equitable treatment

BETONG, June 13 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has given his assurance that the state government remains committed to ensuring that every religion is given fair and equitable treatment.

Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai (8th from right) with religious leaders and invited guests at the thanks giving ceremony

Cited an example, he said the setting up of  the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening inter-religious harmony and safeguarding the welfare of houses of worship of other religions

“Since its establishment, UNIFOR has played an important role through the distribution of financial assistance, infrastructure development and various community initiatives to houses of worship of other religions and missionary schools throughout Sarawak,” he said  in his speech at the thanks giving ceremony organised by UNIFOR in conjunction with the state-level Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday today.

His speech was read by Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai.

The premier said the state government has approved an allocation of RM120 million this year through the Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF) to support the development of houses of worship of other religions and missionary schools.

“Of this amount, RM90 million is allocated for the development and improvement of houses of worship of other religions, while another RM30 million  has been channelled to missionary schools to strengthen educational facilities and support efforts to produce quality human capital for the state. “This addition involves special allocations for the implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in line with Sarawak's development aspirations under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“This reflects the Sarawak government's recognition of the important role of missionary schools which continue to contribute significantly in strengthening Sarawak's education landscape as well as producing highly skilled, resilient human capital ready to face future challenges,” he said.

The premier also said that the King’s aspiration for national unity is very close to the hearts of the people of Sarawak.

He said Sarawak has long been known as a land that celebrates diversity and upholds the spirit of respect between races and religions.

“In Sarawak, we do not just live in an atmosphere of tolerance, but truly live as one big family.

“Places of worship are built next to each other, festivals are celebrated together, and the spirit of mutual respect continues to be the foundation of our people's lives.

“This harmony does not happen by chance, but is the result of continuous efforts by all parties to maintain understanding and togetherness.

“A gathering like this morning is not just an official event, but symbolizes the true strength of Sarawak as a model of unity for the country — a society that lives peacefully and united despite different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs,” he said.

Abang Johari said thee selection of Betong as the host of the official celebration this year also reflects the true face of Sarawak that lives in an atmosphere of harmony and full of consensus.

“Here, mosques, churches and temples stand majestically, reflecting a society that supports each other without prejudice,”  he stressed.