Bintulu Division records the highest HIV incidence rate in Sarawak, says Dr Sim

BINTULU, Feb 3 2026: Bintulu Division  recorded the highest HIV incidence rate in Sarawak, which is 13 cases per 100,000 population, although it is showing a decreasing trend, according to Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian today.

Dr Sim Kui Hian: Efforts to curb HIV require long-term commitment and continuous participation from all levels of society. 

He said Sarawak recorded 205 new HIV cases in 2025 compared to 224 cases in the previous year, thus showing a decrease of 8.4 percent.

“If patients are not managed and monitored properly, the disease can spread or their health conditions can worsen.

“This shows that all parties need to work together and play their respective roles,” he said when speaking to reporters after opening Teratak Kasih Tok Nan here.

Dr said a more comprehensive approach including the involvement of community leaders and voluntary organisations at the grassroots level, to deal with the spread of HIH and AIDS.

“Emotional support and a positive environment are very important to help patients undergo treatment without social pressure,” he said

According to him, stigma was still one of the main factors preventing patients from seeking treatment early.

“When the community understands the issue of HIV better, patients will feel more confident to come forward for treatment and support,” he stressed.

He added efforts to curb HIV require long-term commitment and continuous participation from all levels of society.

According to him, the community-based approach will continue to be the core in building a stronger and more effective support system in Sarawak

Dr Sim also said strategic collaboration between the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities continues to be the mainstay in strengthening Sarawak's response to HIV and AIDS.

He added an integrated approach involving various parties was very important to ensure that affected groups received continuous treatment and support.

 

Bullying managment committee to focus on school students, says Fatimah

KUCHING, Feb 3 2026: Sarawak has formed a  bullying issues management committee  to address bullying cases in a more structured and comprehensive manner, especially in schools.

Fatimah Abdullah: From the presentation that was made, we found that the issue that requires the highest focus at the moment is bullying cases among school students. 

 Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said the scope of the committee set -up will include bullying cases in schools, higher learning institutions, workplaces as well as non-government or private educational institutions.

However, she explained that the decision to focus on schools was made based on the presentation of current data which showed that bullying cases among students required more serious attention at the initial stage.

"From the presentation that was made, we found that the issue that requires the highest focus at the moment is bullying cases among school students.

"This does not mean that bullying cases do not occur in the workplace or in other locations, but for now, we do not have complete data.

"Until the data is obtained, the main focus is to address bullying issues among school students," she said in a press conference after chairing the committee meeting today.

She said the committee will also create a lead agency to focus specifically on bullying issues in private schools and subsequently in the workplace since the Standard Operating Procedures for bullying management are different from the government.

For the record, statistics from the Sarawak police show a significant increase for last year when 49 bullying cases were reported involving 66 people to assist in the investigation compared to 15 bullying cases in 2024 involving 34 people.

“This year as of January 31, three cases have been reported involving two people to assist in the investigation,” she added.

In the meantime, she said that various awareness programmes will be implemented to provide understanding to school students, students of higher learning institutions, employees and private school students about the meaning of bullying, its effects and the available channels of assistance.

"The programmes that will be implemented will focus on creating awareness so that all parties understand what bullying is, what support systems are available and what actions need to be taken if faced with a bullying situation.

"The most important thing is that if we do not speak up or do not report, the bullying will continue to occur.

"Therefore, bullying must be stopped by getting the appropriate help," she stressed.

Zaid questions Sarawak's rights over immigration in his latest controvery posted on social media

KUCHING, Feb 3 2026: Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim has once again courted controversy, this time by questioning Sarawak’s rights over immigration.

Zaid Ibrahim: Who says the Constitution gives Sarawak an absolute right to refuse us in Semenanjung from entering Sarawak?
 

Writing in his X (formerly Twitter) post, Zaid referred to one Hafiz Hamid who finally got to renew his passport after seven years of struggle.

“It is good for FMT (Free Malaysia Today) to highlight is case, although the restriction to enter Sarawak stays,” he said.

Zaid asked why was it that “our weakest Home Minister since Merdeka is not willing to help Hafiz to remove that restriction?”

“Who says the Constitution gives Sarawak an absolute right to refuse us in Semenanjung from entering Sarawak?

“That interpretation is only justified to support political abuse of power,” he alleged, adding:”The restriction was given only for a legitimate purpose.

“What is the legitimate purpose? Can't the federal government revisit that clause after 65 years of MA63?” he asked.

“Or does MA63 only serve what Sarawak wants?” he again questioned.

In late 2025, he caused controversy by suggesting that Sabah and Sarawak are financial "burdens" to the federation and suggesting they "should be allowed to go" if they are dissatisfied, sparking strong backlash from East Malaysian political leaders and activists.

In another post on X, Zaid said he always believes the story told earlier that Malaya was robbed by the British govt in broad daylight by MA 63.

He claimed that the decision on the 40 percent revenue sharing with Sabah is one such example while Sarawak has a similar claim in addition to claiming the whole of the gas resources and the continental shelf.

“Malaya will soon go bust,” he claimed.