Hasidah says a change in the federal government will not affect Sarawak's determination to uphold its rights under MA63

KUCHING:, Aug 16 2026: Deputy Minister of Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali has assured that any change in the federal government will not affect Sarawak's determination to uphold the state's rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Caption: Deputy Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali assures that Sarawak will continue to reclaim its rights even if there is a change in the federal government

She said the decision remained a major agenda of the Sarawak government to ensure that the rights of the people of the state continued to be protected.

“The work of upholding MA63 will continue as long as we are in the hands of the Sarawak government. One of our agendas is to uphold Sarawak's rights.

“Regardless of who is in charge of the federal government, our efforts to defend Sarawak's rights through  MA63 will continue to be pursued as long as necessary,” he said.

She said this when interviewed by reporters after opening the Women's Seminar 'Ideal Family for Women: Happy to Heaven' at the Wisma Sabati Auditorium, here today.

She said the decision reflected the Sarawak government's commitment to ensure that the interests of the state were given priority in the relationship between the state government and the federal government. -

Pemilihan tapak rumah panjang perlu tepat, jamin keselamatan penduduk

TATAU, 16 Ogos 2026: Pemilihan tapak yang sesuai dan selamat perlu diberi keutamaan dalam perancangan pembinaan rumah panjang baharu bagi mengelakkan pembaziran peruntukan kerajaan serta memastikan keselamatan penghuni terjamin. 

Caption: Menteri di Jabatan Premier John Sikie Tayai

Menteri di Jabatan Premier John Sikie Tayai berkata, aspek kesesuaian tapak perlu diteliti pada peringkat awal, termasuk mengambil kira kos meratakan tanah serta risiko tanah runtuh dan banjir.

Beliau berkata, kawasan yang terlalu tinggi dan memerlukan kos meratakan tanah yang besar sepatutnya dielakkan memandangkan peruntukan bagi kerja meratakan tapak rumah panjang lazimnya tidak melebihi RM400,000.

“Jangan memilih kawasan yang terlalu tinggi sehingga memerlukan kerja meratakan tanah dengan kos yang terlalu besar. Pastikan kawasan tersebut juga tiada risiko berlaku tanah runtuh ataupun banjir.

“Selain itu, tapak yang telah dipilih benar-benar akan digunakan untuk membina rumah panjang. Jika projek telah dilaksanakan di sesuatu tapak tetapi rumah panjang tidak dibina di situ, perkara itu akhirnya akan merugikan kita semua,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Perasmian Projek Naik Taraf Siling dan Lantai Ruai di Rumah Lonny Anak David, Sungai Penyir, pada Ahad.

Dalam pada itu, Sikie menekankan aspek keselamatan turut perlu diberi perhatian dalam pembinaan rumah panjang, khususnya bagi mengurangkan risiko kebakaran.

Ujarnya, setiap rumah panjang baharu perlu mempunyai pemisah kebakaran (fire breaker) menggunakan susunan bata sehingga ke bahagian bumbung bagi membantu menghalang api daripada merebak dengan pantas.

Beliau turut mengingatkan supaya kerja pendawaian elektrik dilaksanakan oleh individu yang mendapat kelulusan Sarawak Energy bagi memastikan pemasangan elektrik mematuhi keperluan keselamatan.

Sikie turut menyatakan penghargaan terhadap rumah-rumah panjang baharu di Batang Anap yang dibina dengan kemas dan seragam, khususnya pada bahagian ruai, yang menurutnya mencerminkan semangat kerjasama dan toleransi masyarakat.

Dalam majlis sama, beliau mengumumkan peruntukan Projek Kecil Luar Bandar (MRP) sebanyak RM10,000 kepada Biro Wanita Rumah Lonny.

Terdahulu, Tuai Rumah Lonny David merakamkan penghargaan kepada Sikie atas peruntukan bagi pelaksanaan projek menaik taraf siling dan lantai ruai yang melibatkan 25 pintu rumah panjang di bawah Projek Penambahbaikan Rumah Miskin Sarawak (PPRMS). - Berita Ukas

Your role important in defending the country's sovereignty, deputy minister tells Sarawakians residing in the border areas

LIMBANG: Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah  said he believes Sarawakians residing in the border areas play an important role in helping to defend the country's sovereignty, especially as the eyes and ears of the government.

Caption: Deputy Minister Hasbi Habibollah reminds Sarawakians residing along the border areas to respect the borders of the neighbouring countries

He said Limbang's position bordering Brunei gives the local community its own advantages in building good relations, besides jointly contributing to the peace and progress of the border area.

"The important thing is that we respect the borders of our neighbours, do not carry out activities that are against the laws of both countries.

"We also have good relations between the Malaysian government and the Brunei government, as well as between the Sarawak government and the Brunei Government, very good," he said during his speech at the UKAS 2026 Outreach Programme closing ceremony: Empowering the Limbang Division Border Community yesterday.

He said that the close relations between Malaysia and Brunei, especially in the border areas, have opened up space for various forms of cooperation that benefit the communities of both countries, including in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and development.

Adding that, the good relations also provide Sarawak with an opportunity to learn best practices and progress made by neighbouring countries in the aspects of development, education and services that can be adapted to local needs.

According to him, the Limbang community also has the opportunity to take advantage of the strategic position of the area by establishing economic and trade relations with neighbouring countries, including bringing local products to market in Brunei.

In the meantime, he reminded the young people not to be easily fooled by offers that could cause them to be used as 'drug mules' to bring prohibited goods across border.

He said, the younger generation needs to be wary of any suspicious offers and not take risks that could affect their future and personal safety.

“People in border areas need to play a role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty by continuing to be the eyes and ears of the authorities, especially by reporting any suspicious activities that could affect public safety and order,” he added.

Meanwhile, 28 residents in the Batu Danau constituency received approval notification letters or identity documents through the Registration and Identification Programme.

The UKAS 2026 Outreach Programme also featured talks and exhibitions by various Federal and State agencies to raise public awareness of their roles in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the country’s borders.

Also present were Batu Danau State Legislative Member (SLM) Paulus Palu Gumbang, Deputy Director of the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), Mohamed Faizal Shah Ali, Deputy Resident of Limbang Division, Marie Rozita Kulai and Limbang District Officer, Sulaiman Engal.

Indonesian consulate in Kuching acknowledges the concerns raised by Sarawakians over poor air quality

KUCHING, Aug 16 2026; The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) here says it acknowledges the concerns raised by the people of Sarawak regarding poor air quality over the past weeks.

Caption: Wild fires in Kalimantan

“As close neighbours bound by enduring friendship, shared borders, and strong bilateral ties, Indonesia places the utmost importance on the health, well-being, and tranquility of communities across both Sarawak and Indonesia,” it said in a statement.

It added that in the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, the Indonesian government continues to execute comprehensive, relentless, and proactive measures to prevent and extinguish forest and land fires across affected regions.

The consulate general said these intensive on-the-ground and aerial efforts encompass heightened early-warning patrols, rapid ground firefighting deployments, continuous water-bombing sorties, targeted weather-modification operations (cloud seeding), and strict law enforcement against unlawful burning.

“The integrated actions are undertaken around the clock to safeguard communities, protect ecosystems, and mitigate potential fire impacts,” it said.

It stressed that the Indonesian government remains firmly committed to maintaining close communication, information sharing, and regional cooperation with all key stakeholders, including under the framework of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

“This collaborative partnership reinforces joint preventive strategies, enhances regional coordination, and minimizes potential transboundary environmental and socio-economic effects,” the consulate general said.

It explained that it will continue to closely monitor situational developments and actively coordinate with relevant Sarawak authorities and stakeholders.

“United by mutual goodwill and shared resolve, KJRI Kuching expresses its sincere hope that these concerted endeavors will swiftly yield positive results, ensuring that air quality and everyday activities in Sarawak and surrounding regions return fully to normal,” it said.

 

(UPDATED) Over 93,800 individuals in Sarawak eligible to apply for BUDI Agri-Commodity Programme, says federal minister

SARIKEI, Aug 15 2026:  A total of 93,819 individuals in Sarawak have been identified as eligible to apply for the BUDI Agri-Commodity Programme which provides a cash contribution of RM400 per month to smallholders in the oil palm, rubber, cocoa, pepper and kenaf sectors.

Caption:  Minister Dr Noraini Ahmad visiting a pepper garden in Julau

Minister of Plantations and Commodities Dr Noraini Ahmad  explained that the assistance is among efforts to help smallholders facing pressure from input and fuel costs, in addition to the challenges of labour shortages, weather changes, crop disease attacks and difficulties in bringing produce to market. 

“The government has made an announcement on the expansion of the BUDI Agri-Commodity Programme to farmers and smallholders in Sabah and Sarawak and based on records up to June 2026, " she said.

“A total of 93,819 individuals in Sarawak have been identified as eligible to apply, subject to the conditions that have been set, that is why agency representatives, officer representatives are here to provide explanations on the registration eligibility and application procedures,” she said when officiating the MADANI Agri-Commodity Carnival Programme at the Sarikei Central Hall.

She said that support for smallholders should not be limited to providing incentives, but rather should be followed by efforts to increase the value of agri-commodity products.

The minister also said that the application of modern technology in pepper crop management is able to increase the production efficiency and productivity of smallholders, thus supporting efforts to strengthen the country's commodity industry.

This matter was highlighted during a working visit by the minister to the pepper farm owned by Nalong Jantan in Nanga Langu today.

Also participating was the Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities cum Member of Parliament for Sarikei who is also the Repok State Legislative Member (SLM) Huang Tiong Sii.

The visit gave her the opportunity to see for herself the use of technology and innovation at the farm level which can help farmers manage crops more systematically and increase production.

Among the technologies highlighted were the Dr.Lada application, the Piperspectral Project and the use of drones to monitor crop conditions and provide information to support farm management more effectively.

The use of fertigation systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) and fertilization methods were also seen as modern approaches to optimise crop care and the use of agricultural inputs.

The mechanization aspect was also given attention through demonstrations of pepper processing equipment at the farm level, including Pepper Splitters and Spiral separators, which can facilitate product handling and reduce dependence on traditional methods.

During the field trip session, the delegation also had the opportunity to hear firsthand the challenges and needs of smallholders, especially regarding farm management, increased productivity and efforts to increase income.

Sharing with farmers provided an overview of the actual condition of crops in the field and helped ensure that the technology and innovations introduced were in line with the needs of pepper farmers.

The program was followed by the symbolic harvesting of pepper fruits, which demonstrated the potential of using technology in improving operational efficiency and yield handling at the farm level.