10,000 Sarawakian university students to receive free laptops this year, premier's chief political secretary says

KUCHING, Feb 11 2026: The Sarawak government is targeting 10,000 students from higher education institutions (IPTs) to receive free laptops this year as part of its efforts to advance the digital education agenda.

Caption: The five university students who received their free laptop voucher from Premier Abang Johari Openg - Photo by Ukas

Sarawak Premier’s Chief Political Secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said the initiative follows the success of the programme at the initial phase over the past two years — in 2024 and 2025 — which benefited 20,009 IPT students with an allocation amounting to RM61 million.

He explained that this year’s programme has already commenced, with approximately 5,700 students having been credited with vouchers for laptop purchases, involving a cost of RM17 million.

“This programme represents the second batch of implementation. For the first batch, distribution was carried out in 2025 involving more than 5,000 recipients, and today, over 5,000 additional laptops are being distributed to new recipients.

“Overall, for 2025 alone, including this latest distribution, the total allocation involved is approximately RM30 million, while last year the government distributed laptops with a total allocation of RM28.7 million,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Premier Abang Johari Openg, at the Kompleks Satria Pertiwi today.

During the visit, the premier also officiated the symbolic handover to five students, namely Nursyaridah Aleeyah Mohd Ali and Muhammad Halqim Masrah from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Karen Bong Kai Hui from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Jayviques Paran from i-CATS University College and Elister Edwards Erim from Polytechnic Kuching.

Meanwhile, Fazzrudin, who is also a Board Member of Yayasan Sarawak, added that besides providing free laptops, the Sarawak government has introduced other initiatives to assist Sarawakian students in pursuing their studies including free book vouchers, special financial assistance, free school transportation programme, and school uniform assistance.

Touching on the Sarawak Returning Graduate Initiative (i-GPS), he assured that the programme would continue this year.

“Each year, we allocate RM8 million for the implementation of this programme and, the allocation has been fully utilised by applicants annually.

“Based on projections, the programme is expected to benefit an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 students overall,” he added.

 

 

32-year old man jumps off Lutong bridge, search for him initiated

MIRI, Feb 11 2026: The search is on for a 32-year old man who has fallen from Lutong bridge, Jalan Paragon, in Lutong into a river late this morning.

Caption: A policeman is seen talking to an eye witness at the scene when Jackson Dian was said to have fallen into the river - Photo by Bomba 

According to Lutong Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station, in a statement, a witness has seen Jackson Dian anak Bobby Ganing fell off the bridge.

It said the station soon after received a call from the police about 1.11pm about the man who had fallen from the bridge.

The station said a search and rescue party consisting of the firemen and police are gathering more information on the incident.

“Initial investigation reveal that the man has mental issue,” the station said.

It said an eye witness, riding a motorcycle, was passing through the bridge and managed to see the victim standing on the side of the bridge and then immediately jumped into the river.

It added the witness turned back and stopped at the spot where the victim jumped and managed to see the victim struggling before being swept away by the current.

“The witness then immediately contacted the police via phone call to report the incident,” the station said.

 

State-level CNY celebration will be held on Feb 17, to be graced by Sarawak governor, at BCCK

KUCHING, Feb 11 2026: The state-level Chinese New Year celebration will be held on Feb 17, the first day of Chinese New Year, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says the state-level Chinese New Year celebration willstart from 10am and to end at 2pm

Chairman of the organising committee Dr Sim Kui Hian said it will start from 10am and to end at 2pm.

He said the annual celebration serves as an important platform to foster unity, mutual respect and understanding among the diverse communities in Sarawak.

“It reflects the spirit of inclusivity and harmony that has long been the foundation of our state’s strength and stability,” he told reporters.

He added the celebration will be graced by Governor Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, together with other distinguished guests representing the diverse communities of Sarawak.

He said their presence symbolises the unity of leadership and the collective commitment towards preserving peace and harmony in the state’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

Dr Sim said everyone is invited to attend the celebration, to interact and strengthen ties across communities while enjoying the festive hospitality prepared for the occasion.

“The open celebration embodies the values of sharing, togetherness, and mutual appreciation that define Sarawak’s unique social fabric,Dr Sim,who is als the Deputy Premier, stressed.

He explained that the organisation of this state-level celebration underscores the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to strengthening social cohesion, enhancing inter-ethnic harmony and ensuring sustained stability.

He said these elements remain critical pillars in driving Sarawak’s development agenda and long-term prosperity.

“The government will continue to uphold and promote such inclusive celebrations as part of our broader efforts to build a progressive, united and resilient Sarawak,” added Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister.

 

Abang Johari, Anwar hold four-eyed meeting at Parliament House

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 2026 – Premier Abang Johari Openg held a four-eyed meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Parliament House today, according to Sarawakku, an official Facebook account of Premier of Sarawak’s Department.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibahim (left)  shaking hands with Premier Abang Johari OPeng at Parliament House - Photo by Sarawakku 

Sarawakku, however, did not provide any detail on the meeting or for how long it took place.

Of late, leaders of local parties, especially from Gagungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) have expressed their concerns at the legal action brought by Petronas against the state and federal governments.

On Jan 12, Petronas filed a motion at the Federal Court seeking clarity on the legal and regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak, naming both the federal and Sarawak state governments as respondents.

The application sought for determination by the Federal Court on the legal position applicable to Petronas’ operations in Sarawak, to ensure that the company continues to operate in full compliance with the applicable laws and sound governance practices. 

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said's statement in Parliament that Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) did not contain provision on the ownership of oil and gas resources in Sarawak and Sabah caused widespread anger among Sarawakians.  

The Abang Johari-Anwar meeting took place before both leaders attended the 148th Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers’ meeting held at the Parliament house.

The meeting was chaired by Anwar. and brought together Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers from all over the country to discuss issues of national and state interests.

The meeting was to present and discuss emerging matters, presentations and information, feedback reports from the states, as well as other matters that require attention and joint coordination between the federal government and governments of all the states.

 

(UPDATED) Sri Aman Division Resident's Office to conduct study on ikan bulu species in Batang Lupar area

SIMANGGANG, Feb 10 2026: The Sri Aman Division Resident's Office is planning to conduct a study on the sustainability of the ikan bulu species in the Sungai Batang Lupar area, Sri Aman.

 Caption: Resident of Sri Aman Division Mahra Salleh says that the study will involve monitoring the mating season of the ikan bulu species 

Sri Aman Division Resident Mahra Salleh said the study aims to ensure that the fish always breeds in the Sungai Batang Lupar area throughout the year and not just seasonally.

"The study will involve monitoring the mating season of the fish species in question, including the egg production time and the growth period of the fish fry in Sungai Batang Lupar.

"The data from this study will enable us to implement efforts to conserve the fish in the river in question and subsequently ensure that its supply is not cut off among fish-based product operators including its enthusiasts in Sri Aman," he said.

He said this when met by the media during the inauguration of the ikan bulu-based product processing hub in Kampung Pasir Panas here today.

Ikan bulu

Apart from that, according to Mahra, the fish also has the potential to be promoted as one of the products to attract domestic and foreign tourists to Sri Aman in the future.

"If we talk about the tourism products available in Sri Aman Division, we have kelulut honey products in Lubok Antu, bead production, Gunung Lesung and the iconic one is the Benak Festival.

"All these products will enable Sri Aman Division to assist the government in achieving the target of between four and five million tourists entering Sarawak this year," he said.

The ikan bulu-based product processing hub is the first hub for processing this fish species to be opened in Sri Aman area by its entrepreneur, Nur 'Izzati Zalaluddin.

The hub processes a total of 250 kilogrammes of ikan bulu purchased from fishermen to produce a total of 200 ready-to-eat products with a profit of RM3,000.