Sarawak social activist: Suspend any teacher suspected to be involved in sexual abuse against students

KUCHING, May 23 2026: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to immediately suspend any teacher facing serious allegations of sexual abuse involving students.

Caption: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni says any teacher suspected to have committed sexual abuse against students should be immediately suspended. 

She said such teacher should not be allowed to return to school or have access to students while police investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.

“Any teacher or school staff member accused of sexual offences involving minors should be immediately suspended from teaching duties and prohibited from returning to the school environment while investigations are ongoing,” Voon said in a statement.

She was commenting on the arrest of a school teacher in connection with  a report lodged over a  statutory rape against a 12-year old student in Johor recently.

Voon stressed that the immediately suspension is necessary to protect students, preserve the integrity of investigations, and maintain public confidence in the education system.

“Under Malaysian law, sexual intercourse with a girl below the age of 16 is a serious criminal offence regardless of consent,” she said, stating that Section 375(g) of the Penal Code  establishes statutory rape.

“It states that any man who has sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 commits rape, regardless of whether she consented. Under this provision, a minor's purported "consent" is legally invalid,” Voon, a human rights lawyer, said.

She said the case of sexual abuse reported in social media involving a teacher allegedly committing statutory rape against a 12-year-old student in Johor is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

“Schools must always remain a safe place for children to learn, grow and be protected from abuse and exploitation,” Voon said.

Yesterday,  the police have obtained a six-day remand order from Johor Bahru’s Magistrate’s Court against a male teacher following his arrest in connection with a sexual misconduct case involving a primary school pupil in Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang.

The 28-year-old suspect will be remanded until May 27 to assist in investigations.

The Magistrate’s Court granted the six-day remand order to enable police to conduct further investigations into the case.

Kpg Kuala Nyalau area to be expanded, developed into a modern township that will support growth of Samalaju Industrial area

BINTULU, May 23 2026:  Kampung Kuala Nyalau area will be expanded and developed into a modern new township to support the rapid growth of the Samalaju industrial area and aim at strengthening Bintulu as a key economic hub in Sarawak.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg, flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof (left) and Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai at a press conference 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the transformation of Kampung Kuala Nyalau will include the development of modern housing, commercial areas, office spaces and supporting facilities for both local residents and the expatriate community working in Samalaju.

“A village near Samalaju, Kampung Nyalau, will be expanded and it will not affect the current residents as we are enlarging the area,” he said.

“We will provide the necessary facilities for expatriates living in the area,” he added at a press conference after officiating the Sarawakku Sayang Bintulu 2026 programme on Saturday.

The premier said the project will also generate direct economic benefits for villagers through increased business activities and wider economic opportunities.

He added that the development will include affordable housing, commercial zones, offices and support services designed to meet future demand.

“The villagers will not be affected, but they will benefit economically as population growth will also bring more business opportunities,” he said.

He explained that three villages in the Kuala Nyalau area will be integrated into the development plan, which also covers Jepak and Samalaju as part of a wider regional masterplan.

According to him, the new township will serve as a social support system for investors in Samalaju while strengthening Bintulu’s long-term development network. -UKASnews

Earlier while officiating the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Bintulu 2026 Programme, he said unity of the people, regardless of religion and ethnicity, continues to serve as the main foundation for Sarawak’s success in emerging as a new economic powerhouse in the country.

He  said the stability and solidarity of Sarawakians have enabled the state to move aggressively in exploring future industries, including green energy, hydrogen and the low-carbon economy.

“What matters is our unity regardless of religion and ethnicity. We are united in a single movement to position Sarawak like Bavaria in Germany.

“Sarawak is becoming the heartbeat of Malaysia’s economic development and if we succeed, Malaysia succeeds,” he said.

Premier has proposed to UKM to jointly conduct research on new solar energy technology

BINTULU, May 23 2026:  Premier Abang Johari Openg has said that he has -proposed to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to jointly conduct research on a new solar energy technology capable of storing energy for longer periods without relying on battery energy storage systems (BESS). 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says he has suggested to UKM to conduct research on production of solar panels that can last longer 

He said the proposal was discussed with the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and a team of engineering faculty researchers with expertise in the energy field. 

He said Sarawak has strong potential in the semiconductor industry and raw materials such as silica and silicon, which could be explored to develop next-generation energy storage technologies. 

“I suggested to them to conduct research. If they can produce solar panels that can last longer. 

“Currently, solar panels only last about four hours before being supported by BESS batteries,” he told a press conference after officiating the Sarawakku Sayang Bintulu 2026 Programme here today. 

He added that Sarawak has raw materials such as silica sand and silicon that could potentially be combined with other metals to increase energy storage capacity up to 12 hours. 

“We have materials to produce silica and silicon. There may also be other raw materials that can be hybridised to extend energy endurance from four hours to 12 hours without using batteries,” he said. 

According to him, such technology has the potential to become a standard energy supplier in the future, while also opening opportunities for the creation of new technologies capable of penetrating global markets. 

He therefore said in-depth research is needed, particularly in metallurgy, to study the properties of silica sand and its combination with certain metals to enhance energy storage capacity. 

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also linked developments in energy storage technology with advances in supercomputers and real-time data transmission based on the speed of light. 

He said that if high-capacity data storage technology can be achieved, then energy storage technology with greater capacity could also potentially be realised through scientific research.

Fatimah: Rural teachers are more than just educators, but are also mentors, counselors and community drivers

DALAT, May 23 2026: Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah emphasised that teachers in rural schools do not just play the role of educators; but they also serve as mentors, counselors, and community drivers ensuring the continuity of education in rural areas.

Caption: Minister Fatimah Abdullah on arrival at SKJ Cina San San 

She said rural teachers continue to demonstrate high commitment despite facing various logistical challenges and infrastructure constraints.

"Teachers in rural areas remain dedicated to serving despite facing logistical challenges.

"This includes a reliance on generator sets as well as limited infrastructure facilities," she said at the Teachers' Day and Raya-Gawai celebration at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Cina San San yesterday.

According to her, rural schools desperately need stable leadership to ensure that educational management and delivery can be carried out more effectively. 

Fatimah, who is a former teacher, noted that unique operational challenges, including staffing constraints and infrastructure limitations, make the continuity of school leadership a crucial aspect.

In relation to this, she also revealed that there is a school that has been operating for five years without a permanent headmaster.

"This situation highlights the importance of leadership continuity and strong administration in rural educational institutions, particularly in ensuring the school's direction can be planned more effectively.

"Throughout that vacancy period, the school had to rely on an acting headmaster to manage daily operations, a responsibility that demands high commitment," she added.

During the same event, she also approved the school's application for RM27,000 to upgrade its infrastructure and school activities.

Fenny anak Nuli appointed as Malaysia Ambassador to Austria

KUCHING, May 22 2026: Foreign Ministry Regional office director in Kuching, Fenny anak Nuli, has been appointed as Malaysia Ambassador to Austria, another feather in her cap,

Caption: Fenny anak Nuli is now Malaysia Ambassador to Austria 

She was among the 15 Malaysian envoys receiving their instruments of appointment from his Majesty Commissioner to New Zealand Abu Bakar Mamat, Ambassador to Laos Norli Muadza Mohd Noor and  Ambassador to Oman Ahmad Kamrizamil Mohd Riza.

The others were to Ireland Sharon Ho Swee Peng, to Finland  S. S. Amarjit Singh,  Ambassador to Timor-Leste Fairuz Adli Mohd Rozali and

 Ambassador to Turkiye Adlan Mohd Shaffieq.

The king also presented instruments of appointment to  Ambassador to Chile K.R. Suresh Kumar,  Ambassador to Lebanon Anwar Udzir, Ambassador to Uzbekistan Rafedah Abdul Aziz, and  Ambassador to Azerbaijan Aznifah Isnariah Abdul Ghani.

Fenny, a 45-year old Dayak woman, hails from Simanggang and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

She was appointed as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997.

 Prior to this appointment, she held the position of Director at the Sarawak Regional Office since 2024.

She was the Ambassador of Malaysia to Peru (2019-2024); and had served in Malaysian diplomatic missions in Brussels, Belgium; Bangkok, Thailand; Warsaw, Poland; and the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she served as the Undersecretary of International Cooperation and Development; and had been assigned to the Multilateral Economic and Environmental Affairs Division; ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat; and the Finance Division.