Over 500 senior citizens treated to a luncheon by Lions International District 308-A2, Region 1

KUCHING, Sept 5 2026: Over 500 senior citizens were treated to a luncheon by Lions International District 308-A2, Region 1 at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre Kuching today.

Caption: Members of the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society who were attending the luncheon 

They were from various residential homes, care centres, churches, community groups and associations from Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Kota Sentosa, Serian and Bau.

Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society, led by its president Dennis Tan, was among the associations invited to the luncheon. 

Addressing the luncheon, Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said she was touched by the spirit behind today's gathering.

“This is not merely a luncheon. It is a celebration of respect, appreciation, friendship and togetherness,” she said.

She added:”It is a reminder that our senior citizens are an important part of our society and that their contributions, sacrifices and life experiences must always be valued.”

“When we talk about senior citizens, we are not simply talking about age. We are talking about a generation that has built families, communities and our nation.

“Many of our senior citizens have spent decades working, raising children, caring for their families and contributing to society.

Caption: Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Fatimah meeting old friend and SGGS adviser Irene Yong

“They have experienced the challenges of life, witnessed tremendous changes and carried with them a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience.

“Therefore, as a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that our senior citizens are treated with dignity, compassion, respect and love.

“We must never allow our elderly to feel forgotten or isolated. Instead, we must create opportunities for them to remain connected, active and engaged with the community.

“Today's luncheon is one such example. It gives our senior citizens an opportunity to meet old friends, make new friends, enjoy good food, listen to music, watch performances and, most importantly, feel appreciated and remembered,” Fatimah said.

Karim says cross-border haze has started affecting tourist arrivals in Sarawak

KUCHING, Sept 5 2026: The cross-border haze from Kalimantan haze has begun affecting Sarawak’s tourism sector, with a slight decline in tourist arrivals recorded in recent weeks, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said today, saying that it could result in tourists from outside the state to alter their travel plans to Sarawak, particularly to Kuching.

Caption: Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says major tourism events might have to be postponed due to haze

“As such, we have indeed seen a slight decline in tourist arrivals recently.

“I expect this situation to continue until the haze problem is resolved,” he said during a press conference held in conjunction with the 2026 National-level Malaysia Day Celebration at a leading hotel here on Saturday.

Karim also expressed concern that several major events might have to be postponed, including the Borderland Music Festival at Sarawak Cultural Village on Sept 11 and 12, as well as the Jom Heboh Sarawak Segulai Sejalai Carnival scheduled to take place at the end of this month.

He advised event organisers to closely follow developments and the views of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC ) before proceeding with their events, particularly those held outdoors.
He said organisers must consider the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings before deciding whether to proceed, postpone or cancel any event.

According to him, indoor events could still be considered for continuation, but large-scale outdoor events should be reassessed if API readings reach high levels.

“Do not proceed blindly because the health of the people is also very important in any outdoor event that we organise.

'If an event is held indoors, I believe it can proceed. However, for any large-scale outdoor event, if the API reading is relatively high, organisers should first consider whether to postpone it to another date or cancel it altogether,” he said.

Don't dissolve state assembly just yet before the 17 new seats have been approved, PKR senator tells the Sarawak government

MIRI, Sept 4 2026: Senator Abun Sui Anyit expressed his hope that the state government would not dissolve the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) until after the process of approving the 17 new state seats has been completed.

 Caption: Senator Abun Sui Anyit says he believes that there is still a chance for the 17 new seat can be used in the coming state election 

He said he believes that there still has a chance for the new seats to be used in the upcoming Sarawak state elections, if the re-delineation process can be fully completed before the SLA is dissolved.

“This depends on the completion of the entire delimitation process in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Constitution, including the relevant objection, recommendation and approval processes until it is finally gazetted,” Abun said in a statement.

“Therefore, I urge the Sarawak government not to dissolve SLA too early before the new delimitation process is completed.

“If the time period provided by law is still sufficient, the Sarawak government has the space to allow the process to be completed first so that the proposed new SLA seats can be used in the upcoming elections,” he said.

He said be believes that the additional seats are to give a more balanced representation, especially in the vast interior areas.

563 primary, 84 secondary schools ordered to close temporarily

KUCHING, Sept 4 2026:  A total of 563 primary schools involving108,477 students and 84 secondary schools with 90,082 students will be temporarily closed from Sept 7 to 11 due to prevailing hazy conditions, state Education Department said in a statement today.

 Caption: Thick haze hovering over Tun Jugah Road

It said the schools  are in Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau and Meradong.

It said Home Teaching and Learning sessions will be implemented throughout the temporary closure period of schools affected by the haze phenomenon in accordance with the provisions in the Ministry of Education of Malaysia’s Release Letter Number 8 of 2016; Guidelines for Managing Teaching and Learning in the aftermath of Disasters dated 21 July 2016.

“Any changes or latest information will be notified from time to time,” the department, adding that schools are reminded to comply with the standard operating procedures set by the ministry.

It said that all educational institutions under  its supervision are advised to always comply with the ministry’s guidelines.

The department said it always gives priority to the welfare, health and safety of students, especially when facing hot weather or any unexpected weather conditions. “The hot weather that has hit the country has also caused several locations in Sarawak to show Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels.

“Based on the continuous monitoring of API readings throughout this school holiday and the report issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, it has decided to temporarily close the schools,” the department said.