Sarawak Metro receives recognition of over 12.5 million safe man-hours without lost time inury

KUCHING, May 22 2026:  Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (Sarawak Metro) has received recognition from Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia for achieving 12,508,932 safe man-hours without lost time injury (LTI). 

Caption: National DOSH director Bahrudin  Mamat (second from right) touring the SR10 ART Interchange station (Simpang Tiga) construction site

The “Safety Achievement Award” was presented by Deputy Director of national DOSH Bahrudin Mamat during his recent visit to the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project’s SR10 ART interchange station construction site.

Apart from that, ‘Appreciation Awards’ were presented to key contractors for their contributions towards achieving this significant milestone.

These included the KUTS project’s contractor for the Red Line, Sri Datai JT CHM Sdn Bhd; the contractor for Rembus ART Depot, AZAM IJMC UDSB Sdn Bhd; the contractor for Blue Line Package 1, Ibraco CREC JV; the contractor for Blue Line Package 2, Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd-CRFG Co Ltd JV; and the contractor for System Package 1, EPR MOBILUS Global Rail JV.

Bahrudin, accompanied by DOSH Sarawak director Jamadi Yusup later toured the SR10 ART interchange station construction site to observe the progress of works.

The delegation from DOSH also had the opportunity to visit the Kuching Autonomous Rapid Transit Assembly Facility (KAAF) at Demak Laut.

In a statement, Sarawak Metro Chief Executive Officer Mazli Mustaffa expressed his gratitude to DOSH Malaysia for the award in recognition of the company’s efforts in prioritising safety at the workplace.

“This milestone serves as a timely reminder for all of us at Sarawak Metro to continuously prioritise safety, especially as the construction phase of the KUTS project becomes more intense.

“As such, it is vital for us to instil a strong culture of safety and this includes all our contractors to play their part in this effort as well,” said Mazli.

He added that Sarawak Metro remains committed in upholding the highest standards of safety and health across all its operations, ensuring that every milestone achieved is grounded in a strong culture of safety, responsibility, and care for its workforce and stakeholders.

 

Gerawat: The preservaton of indigenous languages needs to be strengthened

MIRI, May 22 2026: The preservation of indigenous languages ​​needs to be strengthened because it is not just a medium of communication, but rather an important core in defending the identity, history and cultural heritage of the community in Sarawak.

Caption: Deputy Minister Gerawat Gala says the loss of a language not only causes the disappearance of words, but also removes traditional knowledge 

Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu State Assemblyman (SLA) Gerawat Gala said language is the soul of a community because it contains cultural values, customs, oral traditions and collective memory that are passed down from generation to generation.

According to him, the loss of a language not only causes the disappearance of words, but also removes traditional knowledge, ancestral wisdom and unique perspectives in understanding life and the environment.

“Language is not just a means of communication. Language is the soul of a community that carries the history, values, customs and identity of a society.

“The preservation of indigenous languages ​​such as Kayan does not only protect the heritage of a community, but also defends the cultural identity of Sarawak as a whole,” he said when officiating the launch of the Endangered Languages ​​Fund (ELF) Language Legacy Project of the Kayan Online Ethnographic Dictionary at the Curtin University Malaysia Auditorium, today.

According to him, many indigenous languages ​​around the world are now facing threats due to the tide of modernisation, migration to cities and the influence of global languages ​​in education, media and technology.

He said that today’s younger generation is increasingly using traditional languages ​​in their daily lives, raising concerns that the language could disappear if conservation efforts are not carried out seriously and continuously.

Therefore, he described the development of the Kayan Online Ethnographic Dictionary as the right and relevant step in ensuring that the Kayan language and culture continue to be preserved and passed on to future generations. 

According to him, the project successfully combines modern technology, academic research and community knowledge in an effort to strengthen the preservation of cultural heritage in the era digital.

In addition to the online dictionary, the project also includes an official YouTube channel and a Kayan language website that will be launched soon.

Gerawat also stressed that the preservation of cultural heritage requires close cooperation between the government, educational institutions, researchers and local communities so that indigenous languages ​​and traditions continue to remain relevant in the future.

At the same time, he appreciated the role of Curtin University Malaysia which is actively strengthening research related to Borneo heritage, indigenous knowledge and cultural sustainability through an approach that directly involves the community.

Earlier, the representative of the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Malaysia, Professor Tuong-Thuy Vu said that the project led by Dr Roselind Wan is not just documenting words, but also recording the life experiences, culture and identity of the Kayan community. 

The launch ceremony was also graced with cultural performances, special video screenings, the presentation of certificates of appreciation to Kayan senior citizens as language contributors and the Kayan Language Heritage Award before Gerawat completed the gimmick of the official launch of the Kayan Online Ethnographic Dictionary.-

Btg Lupar Bridge 1 officially opens to motorists today

SAMARAHAN, May 21 2026: Malaysia’s longest bridge spanning over a river, the Batang Lupar Bridge 1, was officially opened to motorists today.

Caption: Batang Lupar Bridge 1 officially opened to motorists today 

Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Douglas Uggah performed a soft opening ceremony, thus opened the way for motorists to pass through.

The bridge involves the construction of a 4.844-kilometre two-lane single carriageway bridge built to JKR R5 Standard, featuring an impressive 598.8-metre cable-stayed main span and a navigational clearance of 250 metres in width and 26 metres in height.

The RM849 million bridge connects Sebuyau and Triso, providing a safer, faster and uninterrupted transportation link for surrounding communities along the coastal corridor.

In his brief speech, Uggah highlighted that the bridge symbolises the state’s continuous commitment towards strengthening connectivity, stimulating socio-economic growth.

He said the completion of the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve logistics and transportation efficiency, and open up greater opportunities for economic, agricultural and tourism development between Sebuyau, Triso and the surrounding areas.

The soft opening Ceremony reflects the government of Sarawak’s continued commitment in delivering transformative infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity, drive regional development and improve the quality of life for the people.

Penan, Kenyah communities strongly oppose logging activities in their ancestral lands in Upper Baram

UPPER BARAM, May 21 2026:  The Penan and Kenyah communities of the Selungo River and its surroundings in the Upper Baram  have issued a strong and unified statement opposing any logging activities in their ancestral lands.

Caption:  Map of the logging concession (black line) and the Selungo (green shading) 

 “We call on the Sarawak government to adopt a zero-logging policy immediately”, emphasizes Roland Engan, Indigenous peoples rights lawyer.

In a letter sent to Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg,  Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), and Borneoland Timber Resources Sdn Bhd, seven communities (Long Moh, Long Semiyang, Lio Mato, Long Siut / Long Tungan, Long Sepigen, Long Kerong, Long Sait) in the Upper Baram have rejected all activities carried out on their Native Customary Rights (NCR) land without their consent.

 According to the communities they have not received any response to their formal letter outlining these concerns and objections, delivered at the end of March.  

Logging activities in the Upper Baram by Borneoland began in late 2023 and continue despite legal actions, human rights concerns, large-scale environmental degradation, and protest by impacted communities.

The communities also report that surveys appear to have been conducted without Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), further deepening mistrust toward both the company and relevant authorities.

They state unequivocally that they do not consent to any such activities, saying that they refuse to hold negotiations with Borneoland and FDS on their territories, signalling that these parties are not welcome to enter.

The resistance letter, signed by representatives of the communities, also raises concerns about divisive practices.

This includes the alleged meetings and negotiations with selected or externally appointed community leaders only, without consulting the majority of the community for their consent.

 “The Penan and Kenyah people reject this approach. Legitimate representation must come from collectively recognized and elected community leaders, not government appointed leaders that fail to represent the community”, says Komeok Joe, director of the Indigenous organization Keruan.

The communities’ concerns point to a stark contradiction between ongoing logging pressures on the ground and the Sarawak government’s recently articulated “Beyond Timber” strategy, which presents forests as strategic assets for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and sustainable livelihoods.

While Sarawak promotes a transition toward a green economy, the reality faced by the Indigenous communities in Upper Baram is one of continued encroachment, opaque surveys, and the threat of forest degradation.  

“The Sarawak government should no longer allow logging activities without the free, prior and informed consent.

“Forests should remain in the hands of their true custodians. There should be no more logging, regardless of whether it is labelled sustainable or reduced-impact logging,” says Roland Engan, Indigenous peoples rights lawyer.

He also calls for an immediate zero-logging policy, saying rural communities should no longer rely on logging companies for road access now that the government plans to upgrade logging roads.

“Such practices undermine the very environmental and economic values the government claims to uphold, and risk eroding both biodiversity and Indigenous stewardship that are essential to any credible green development agenda,” explains Celine Lim, managing director of SAVE Rivers.

Through this joint statement, the communities of Long Moh, Long Semiyang, Lio Mato, Long Siut / Long Tungan, Long Sepigen, Long Kerong and Long Sait here firmly reaffirm their rejection of any logging activities by Borneoland within their area.

The Indigenous communities call on all relevant parties to respect their decisions, uphold Indigenous rights, and immediately cease any actions that violate their autonomy and land rights.

 Map of the logging concession (black line) and the Selungo (green shading)