From Bangkok, Abang Johari is now in Nanjing for a four-day official working visit

NANJING: After attending an International Water Association’s congress and development exhibition in Bangkok, Premier Abang Johari Openg is now in Nanjing,  China, for a four-day official working visit.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg is being received by Deputy Minister of Utilities Ibrahim Baki on arrival in Nanjing 

The visit began with an engagement session with the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government at the Xikang Guesthouse, Nanjing on Thursday.

After the meeting, the premier and members of his delegation will witness the signing of the Framework Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Petros Petroleum Sarawak (Petros) and China Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group Ltd (CJI) at the CJI Headquarters here.

The third day of the visit will focus on a high-impact session at the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), one of the most successful industrial, technology and innovation development hubs in China.

The premier is scheduled to hear a development briefing at the Exhibition Hall and One Stop Centre, followed by an official meeting with the SIP Administrative Committee and a site visit to several leading companies operating in the area.

SIP, which is known for its smart manufacturing, automation and high-tech research ecosystem, is an important reference in Sarawak's efforts to develop an economic model based on technology and green energy, in line with the state's development aspirations.

Among members of his delegation are Petros chairman Hamid Bugo , Deputy Minister of Utilities (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Ibrahim Baki, Petros  Group Chief Executive Officer Janin Girie and other Petros senior officials.

The premier and members of his delegation are to depart  home on Saturday.

Federal govt must commit to genuine people-centred reforms, social activist Voon urges

KUCHING,Dec 10 2025: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has asked the federal government to really commit itself to genuine people-centred reforms that uplift ordinary Malaysians instead of burdening them. 

Voon Shiak Ni: A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion 

While the government speaks of “Madani” principles,  she said the reality on the ground for small businesses and low-income households tells a different story.

“The expansion of the Service Tax (ST) and the rushed implementation of e-invoicing are placing unnecessary pressure on micro-entrepreneurs, SMEs, and everyday Malaysians,” she said in a statement, today.

“These measures increase compliance costs, disrupt small operators, and ultimately push up the cost of living — the very opposite of what a reformist government is supposed to be doing,” Voon, who is also a legal practitioner, added.

She said small businesses are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, pointing out that if reforms are truly meant to help the rakyat, then the government must review and scale down the Service Tax to avoid overburdening small traders.

She said this measure will help to make goods and services cheaper for the people as a whole.

Voon also argued that ensure every tax policy should align with the principle of protecting the rakyat, especially those already struggling with rising prices .

“A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion,” she said.

Voon asserted that good governance will ensure all the people and parties under its governance are taken care of fairly and  equally and no one will be left out in any fair distribution of the nations’ wealth and facilities .

Citing an example, she the announcement of the raise in minimum wage for workers always come via an announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim  without any proper feedback from the ground and stakeholders especially from employers of small businesses .

“Of course , a raise in the minimum wage for workers is good for employees but the government needs to study also the impact of such announcement and how many people have lost their jobs instead because employers cannot afford to pay their workers as economy is not as rosy as it supposed to be ,” she stressed.

Voon noted that the e-invoicing also came as a big hassle and put a lot of strains and stress especially on small shopkeepers and hawkers .

“It is a big task for many  to handle computerised system and to invest in software and training of staff and related matters is another big cost and expense for them .

“The requirement of stamping for employment contract is also an added hassle for small businesses.

“What is the rationale?” she asked, saying out that it is not about illegality as industrial court has recognised all employment agreements as long as properly signed by parties to the employment .

“In short , the government of the day is too strict and people are suffocating .

“The people have given their mandate for the government of the day and  they are hopeful for  reforms that make life easier, not harder for them and it is the federal government’s responsibility to listen, act, and correct course,” Voon said.

 

Assessment rates in Sarawak will not be increased, assures Dr Sim

KUCHING, Dec 10 2025: The assessment rates in Sarawak, which have remained unchanged since 1970, will not be increased, despite the increase in costs of operations and public services.

Caption: Dr Sim Kui Hian, flanked by his deputies Penguang Manggil (left)and Michael Tiang at the awards presentation ceremony. 

Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian cited parking rate in Sarawak as an example that still is being charged at 20 sen  for the first 30 minutes by each local council even after decades of implementation.

He explained that many local councils in other parts of the country have increased their assessment rates to the point where the parking rate can reach up to RM1 per hour.

"But why are we not increasing the assessment rates?” he asked at the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Awards ceremony here last night.

He explained that  all council members and all parties involved are working hard to help the people, to ensure that the costs of living do not increase.

Dr Sim also called on local councils to continue to maintain high standards, especially in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) roadmap being implemented in Sarawak.

The minister explained that the implementation is currently above the national average but is necessary to maintain the standard which is termed as the higher 'Borneo Forest' standard.

"The important thing is that our Sarawak SDG Roadmap, whether it is a city council, a municipal council or a rural district council, must be above the national average.

"What does above the national average mean? It means we are better than 50 per cent, if not higher.

"This 'Borneo Forest' standard is important because as Sarawak moves forward, Sarawak by 2030 will be very different from today," he explained.

Present at the ceremony were Deputy Ministers Michael Tiang Ming Tee and Penguang Manggil, Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Loh, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Wee Hong Seng and  Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai.

 

Two Indonesian plantation workers first reported victims of rising water levels in Bekenu

BEKENU, Dec 9, 2025: Two Indonesian oil palm workers became the first reported victims of risng water levels when a fast flowing current swept them away while they took their bath at Ladang Surai Simpang Lapok, here this afternoon.

Caption: Firemen from  Bekenu station searching for the bodies of the victims of rising water levels 

However, the body of Aidil, 20, was found by a search and rescue team from Bekenu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) hours later.

A spokesperson said the search and rescue operation has not found body of 18-year old AIrfan, yet.

According to her, Bomba Lopeng station received an emergency call about 3.10pm saying that two Indonesian nationals had been swept away by the current while they took their bath at the river.

A search and rescue operation was later initiated and it  found the body of Aidil entangled at the riverbank.

His lifeless body was later handed over to the Bekenu police for further action.

Large areas in Bekenu, Niah and Bintulu have been experienced severe flooding due to pouring rains over the last few days.

AirBorneo now on a full dry run and system testing, says Lee Kim Shin

KUCHING, Dec 9, 2025: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said today that AirBorneo will launch its official website live tomorrow, calling it an important step toward the airline’s operational readiness. 

Lee Kim Shin:The go-live launch of the website will serve as the public’s first engagement point with Sarawak’s own airline. 

He said the airlines is currently carrying out a full dry run and system testing phase to ensure that all digital functions perform smoothly ahead of the public launch.

“AirBorneo’s progress is encouraging,” he said, adding that the ongoing system testing is essential to ensure a seamless, reliable and user-friendly platform for future passengers.

 “This milestone reflects the team’s commitment and the hard work that has been put in over the past months,” Lee said in a statement.

“The go-live of the website will serve as the public’s first engagement point with Sarawak’s own airline.

“I am confident the team will deliver a platform that showcases professionalism and the spirit of service,” he said.

Lee said  AirBorneo, formerly MASwings and now transitioning under Sarawak’s ownership, is undergoing final preparations for its inaugural operations, which will support improved rural air services and strengthen connectivity across the Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

In a separate statement, AirBorneo said the launch of its website and call centre marks the commencement of ticket sales for the takeover of MASwings at the end of December 2025.

It said effective Dec 10, purchasing new tickets for travel on or before  January 13, 2026 will

continue to purchase MASwings tickets through current MASwings’ website

(www.maswings.com.my), for travel on or up to 13 January 2026

It added purchasing new tickets for travel on or after January 14, 2026 will be on AirBorneo’s website (www.airborneo.com).

Alternatively, customers can also purchase tickets via AirBorneo’s call centre at

1-300-22-1388 (toll-free for local callers) or (+60)82-537 555 (for international

callers)

Status of Existing MASwings Tickets: All current MASwings tickets and bookings

remain valid, with no changes to flight times and dates. Passengers with existing

MASwings tickets for travel on or after 14 January 2026 will receive individual

communications regarding the reissuance of their tickets under AirBorneo.

For more information, travellers can visit www.airborneo.com and review the General FAQs.

Travellers can also call at 1-300- 22-1388 (toll-free for local callers) or +(60) 82-537 555 (for international callers).