St Leonard's church new building was declared open by the Catholic Archbishop of Kuching

BAU, Aug 16 2026: St Leonard’s Church new building was declared today, five years after its construction commenced, by the Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Dr Simon Peter Poh today.

Caption: Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Dr Simon Peter Poh affixing his signature on the plaque at the opening of the new church building

The new building was fully completed in September last year, marking a significant moments for the Christian community on Kampung Atas here.

The construction of the new church was initiated in 2016 to replace the existing building, before the first project papers were prepared in 2019.

However, the construction faced several challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020,  implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and funding constraints.

The church committee prepared an architectural plan to be submitted to the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) before the application was approved in August 2020 with an allocation of RM100,000.

The allocation was among the initial resources to begin construction, while additional grant applications to UNIFOR continued throughout the construction period from 2021 to 2025.

In addition to UNIFOR, the project also received government support through the Rural Transformation Programme(RTP) allocation through the Bau District Council and the Public Works Department (JKR).

In an effort to meet the financial needs of the project, a fundraising Committee was also established to mobilise contributions from registered Christian families, local communities, business entities, corporate companies, as well as local figures and entrepreneurs.

With the cooperation and support of various parties, the main church building was completed in September 2025, thus becoming an important achievement for the people of St Leonard Kampung Atas Church and the local community.

After the opening ceremony, mass prayer led by Dr Poh together with the Rector of St Stephen Bau Parish Peter Liston.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Transport Henry Harry Jinep, Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi, President of the Sarawak Research and Development Movement Association (REDEEMS) Peter Nansian Ngusie and Chairman of the St Leonard's Church Atas Bau Fidelis Colgeon Albert Ahin.

 

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.