It is still at the policy stage, says DPM Fadillah on Sarawak's plan to supply electricity to Malaya

KUCHING, Dec 15 2025: Sarawak's plan to supply electricity to Malaya is still at the policy stage even though approval in principle has been obtained.

Fadillah Yusof: Hopefully the initial process of the project can begin next year, but its implementation depends heavily on the progress of negotiations and approvals involving Indonesia 

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said the present focus is on the technical aspects which include feasibility studies and preliminary survey works, including those involving Indonesia.

"In terms of policy, approval in principle has been obtained, but at the technical level, studies need to be carried out first including survey works involving Indonesia before the feasibility study can be finalised," he told after the Ceria Ke Sekolah Programme organised by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) today.

Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), further commented that the project not only involves TNB, but also involves several other stakeholders including Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).

He explained that the energy supply tariff rate has not yet been determined as a detailed study needs to be conducted to identify the overall costs of the project before tariff negotiations can be conducted.

However, he said the study has not yet begun because Sarawak needs to inform and obtain Indonesia's approval first before any technical work can be carried out.

In the meantime, he expressed hope that the initial process of the project can begin next year, but its implementation depends heavily on the progress of negotiations and approvals involving Indonesia.

PBB members reminded to start their early preparations for the Sarawak polls

SIBU, Dec 15 2025: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dr Annuar Rapee has reminded party members to streamline their preparations and machinery to face the state election which is expected to be held before the end of next year.

Dr Annuar Rapaee: Based on past experiences, we usually do not wait until the end of the SLA's term. 

He said preparations need to start early as next year is the last year of the current term of the State Legislative Assembly (SLA).

According to him, under the provisions of the State Constitution, the election must be held before the end of the  SLA’s term, which is no later than early 2027 if there is no early dissolution.

"Based on past experiences, we usually do not wait until the end of the term,” Dr Annuar, who is also the Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, noted.

"Therefore, next year is an important phase and a big test for the people's representatives and the party machinery," he said when speaking at the PBB Sibu branch friendly dinner last night.

Dr Annuar also called on the party machinery throughout Sarawak to streamline preparations to ensure the smooth running of the party ahead of the next election, in line with the successes achieved previously.

In the meantime, he stressed the importance of the role of new voters, especially those aged between 18 and 28, who are described as the largest group and have great potential in determining the party's victory.

"Many of them are still not aware that they are eligible to vote or have not registered as voters.

"Therefore, the role of family members, parents and the community is very important to inform and encourage them to register," he said.

 

Fares of AirBorneo's Rural Air Services are "fair and reasonable"

KUCHING, Dec 15, 2025: Soon-to-be launched state-owned AirBorneo has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fair and reasonably priced air fares across its Rural Air Services (RAS) network. 

In a statement, it said all routes during the initial period of operations are under the RAS network, the same as those currently operated by MASWings and are within Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

“The fare structure is calibrated to support the continuity and sustainability of operations, taking into account the subsidy to be provided by the public service obligation agreement with the federal government’s RAS Agreement.

“There has been no increase in fares on any AirBorneo routes compared to the MASwings fares, and the rationale of the RAS Agreement is to maintain fares at reasonable prices that balance accessibility and operational sustainability,” it explained.

AirBorneo recently launched their booking website on December 10, offering tickets available for booking from January 14 2026.

This is in line with the legal and operational takeover of MASwings by AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd from January 1, 2026.

AirBorneo will continue to engage with the federal government and also look at other options to obtain the best possible air fares for travellers in East Malaysia.

Any adjustments will be made once a new RAS agreement is mutually agreed with the federal government.

For non-RAS routes to be launched in the future, AirBorneo is developing an affordable pricing strategy which enables the airline to consider its costs while also delivering excellent value, connectivity, reliability and punctuality to the people of Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

Sarawak govt acknowledges contributions of churches and Mission schools to Sarawak's development, says Dr Sim

KUCHING, Dec 11 2025: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has said that the state government acknowledges the significant contribution of the churches and Christian missionaries in the development of Sarawak's education, especially through the establishment of missionary schools which have produced many leaders, professionals and community figures.

Caption: Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Fauziah Mohd Sanusi (seated, centre) with Dr Sim Kui Hian (left) at the pre-Christmas dinner Wednesday night. 

He said a total of 129 missionary schools have received state government assistance involving an allocation of RM19 million to implement more than 650 infrastructure improvement projects, from 2021 to this year.

"Missionary schools not only build knowledge, but also shape discipline, human values ​​and leadership.

“In fact, the majority of Sarawak's leaders today are the result of this education system," he said at a pre-Christmas dinner organised by Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) last night.

The dinner was attended by, among others, Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Unifor director Georgina Apphia Ngau,  Association of Churches in Sarawak chairman Bishop Danald Jute and Archbishop of Kuching Simon. 

According to Unifor’s records and the 2020 census, Dr Sim said Christians make up 50.1 percent of Sarawak’s population, totalling 1.229 million members.

“This vibrant community represents a rich and diverse tapestry of denominations that maintain 2,333 houses of worship across the Sarawak.

“Roman Catholic Church leads with 712 houses of worship, followed by Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) with 662, and  Anglican Church with 306.

“Other significant denominations include Seventh-day Adventist Church with 202, Methodist Church with 182, and various Independent Churches with 129.

“Even our smaller congregations contribute to this extraordinary diversity. Independent Churches registered under SECA have 71,  Baptist Church 55, and both Blessed Church and Salvation Army have two each,” Dr Sim said, noting that together, they demonstrate the rich and dynamic Christian community that is an integral part of Sarawak.

He said Premier Abang Johari Openg has approved RM475 million through Unifor to support all communities of faith, from 2017 to this year.

He said the Christian community alone has benefitted from RM379,310,304 through 2,258 projects under the SDAF Fund.

“When we talk about education as the backbone of our progress, we cannot ignore the pivotal role played by Christian missionaries and churches that laid the foundations of some of our most iconic mission schools.

“Schools such as St Joseph, St Teresa, St Thomas, St Mary and many others have shaped generations of Sarawakians who excel academically, spiritually, and socially.

“Many of Sarawak’s respected leaders (four out of six chief ministers/premier of Sarawak from SMK St Joseph), doctors, engineers, educators, and community figures are proud alumni.

“This is the real contribution of the Christian community to Sarawak’s human capital and to our future,” he elaborated.

He stressed that the state government will continue to demonstrate its high commitment to the principles of inclusiveness and interfaith harmony by channeling continuous support to the development of the Christian community and houses of worship throughout the state.

He said it has consistently supported the development of all houses of worship because it recognises their role as the foundation of the community that fosters social well-being, unity and harmony among the multi-religious community in Sarawak.

“Houses of worship are not just buildings, but centres for building values, unity and community well-being,” he said, adding that this is the true strength of Sarawak.