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)

 

Deputy minister: 106,242 applications from employers approved by Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) Sdn Bhd

By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 21 2026: Foreign Worker Transformation Approach Sdn Bhd (FWTA) has approved  106,242 applications from employers, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Gerawat Gala said in a statement today.

Caption: Gerawat Gala says that a free of RM1,854 is charged for each application 

“A total of 69,570 applications were processed manually before the implementation of the FWTA and were not subject to the fee,” he explained.

He said a free of RM1,854 was charged for each application,  entirely for the purpose of operating, maintaining and improving the system while the government did not receive any part of the payment.

The FWTA initiative not only strengthens the efficiency of the workforce ecosystem, but also plays a role in addressing the issue of illegal foreign workers through a more structured and integrated management approach.

Gerawat stressed that the implementation of the FWTA was carried out in accordance with the prescribed legal, administrative and financial procedures and has received approval from the relevant authorities.

According to him, the implementation is also subject to periodic reviews, audits and monitoring by authoritative bodies to ensure that the level of compliance, accountability and value for money is always maintained.

He explained that the FWTA was implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the entire development and operational costs being fully funded by the private sector without involving government allocations.

He said that FWTA Sdn Bhd legally appointed as a subcontractor by the service provider, with the appointment made according to procurement procedures and subject to audit and monitoring by the authorities.

He also reminded that administrative issues involving state interests should not be politicized, but rather discussed responsibly based on valid facts.

the government, he said, remains committed to the principles of transparency and good governance, but any disclosure related to contracts or commercial matters is subject to the law and the obligation of confidentiality. 

 

 

No urgency for premier to call for state election prematurely, says PBK president

By CW Claire 

KUCHING, May 21 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan  believed that there is no urgency for Premier Abang Johari Openg to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) prematurely as the current term can continue until around April next year. 

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says a strong mandate in the next state election would further strengthen GPS midway through its new term 

He said political situation remains stable under Gagungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

He believed that the coming 13th Sarawak state election is widely expected to reaffirm GPS’s position in government.

“A strong mandate in the next state election would further strengthen GPS midway through its new term,” he said in a statement.

“Should the premier decide to retire in the future, he would leave behind a stable administration and a stronger political legacy for both GPS and the people of Sarawak.

“Political stability and strong governance are essential to attracting foreign investment and ensuring continued economic growth and investor confidence in both Sarawak and Malaysia,” he emphasised.

At GPS Back-Benchers" Club gathering last night, Abang Johari had hinted that the state election might be "getting closer",

However, he did not give the exact date or whether it would be held before the end of this year.

Political analysts believed that there is a possibility that the state election could be held before the end of this year, or at the same time with the general election which Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim might call this year due to internal crisis in the unity government.

PBB is due to hold its three regional conventions within the next few months, indicating that the state electrion is nearer.

Meanwhile, Voon is of the opinion that federal political stability should remain the priority at this moment, as the unity government is facing various internal and external challenges, including coalition pressures, economic concerns, and security-related issues.

He said calling for a general election now would carry significant risks, as there is no guarantee the present federal government would retain power and continue governing effectively.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should instead utilise the remaining term to repair political weaknesses, strengthen confidence within the coalition, and address issues affecting the people and the economy,” he said.

He stressed that the current parliamentary term still has several years remaining before its expected expiry in 2028, and there is sufficient time to restore political stability and public confidence.

“In any elections, there is no guarantee that the government of the day could retain its position to continue as government, especially, when there are many unresolved issues affecting the economy and security of the country,” he questioned.