STOLport Bario runway upgrade project expected to be completed in October this year

BARIO, June 18 2026: The Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) Bario runway upgrade and extension project worth RM27 million has now reached 65 per cent progress and is expected to be fully completed in October this year. 

Caption: Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Gerawat Gala (right) with Deputy Federal Minister of Transport Hasbi Habibollah (centre) and Deputy State Minister of Transport Dr Jerip Susil

Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Gerawat Gala expressed satisfaction with the project which showed encouraging progress and was on the right track.

"The project involved extending the runway from 665 metres to 930 metres, in addition to resurfacing the existing runway, construction of additional aircraft parking spaces, upgrading the perimeter fence and public parking facilities.

"Although this project does not allow larger aircraft to operate in Bario, it will increase the capacity of the Twin Otter aircraft from the current limit of nine passengers to 19 passengers after the project is completed," he said when contacted by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) yesterday.

The Mulu Assemblyman added that the project is crucial in strengthening the air transport network in the interior region, particularly for the Bario and Ba' Kelalan communities who depend on air services as the main link with other areas in Sarawak.

When completed, he said, this project will increase the level of safety, comfort and efficiency of flight operations, thus supporting economic growth, tourism and the well-being of the local population.

He also noted that flight operations to Bario would not be affected during the construction period with the daily flight schedule maintained as usual.

"Works on the runway are only carried out after the last flight leaves Bario, usually between 12.30pm and 2pm," he explained.

Gerawat, on Tuesday,  accompanied Deputy Federal Minister of Transport Hasbi Habibollah in conjunction with an official working visit to STOLport Ba' Kelalan and Bario together with a delegation from the Sarawak Ministry for Transport (MoT) and related agencies.

In Bario, the group was given a detailed briefing by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) regarding the status of project implementation before inspecting the construction site itself.

Meanwhile, at STOLport Ba' Kelalan, the delegation received a briefing from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) on the current state of airport facilities before inspecting the terminal and runway.

Also present were MoTS Permanent Secretary Wong Hee Sieng, Secretary of the Air Division of the Ministry of Transport Mohd Radzuan Mazlan, MoTS Air Technical Advisor Sio Yew Hua, MoTS Air Transport Division Head Dayang Nurhayati and MAHB Borneo Regional Airport Manager Jefri Ramli.

Every request submitted by the longhouse residents will be examined to ensure effective implementation, says Dr Annuar

SIBU, June 17 2026: Nangka State Legislative Member (SLM) Dr Annuar Rapaee explained that every request and need submitted by longhouse residents will be examined to ensure that every issue they face can be addressed effectively and continuously.

Caption: Nangka SLM Dr Annuar Rapaee (centre) listening to the longhouse elders for the feedback and requests

He said he always welcomes feedback from the people as it is important in helping the government identify the real needs of the community at the grassroots level.

“I always welcome feedback and requests from the people. My role is to listen, assess their needs and take appropriate action if able.

“We will continue to work with relevant agencies to address issues faced by the community,” he said when met by reporters during a Ngabang Gawai Dayak visit to Rumah Jok Igon today.

Dr Annuar, who is also th Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, added that the infrastructure and welfare aspects of the rural community would continue to be a priority through the implementation of inclusive and comprehensive development.

He also informed that an allocation of RM250,000 had been previously channeled for the upgrading and repair of Rumah Jok Igon to improve the comfort and well-being of the residents.

He added that cooperation across constituencies was very important to ensure that development could be implemented more comprehensively without being limited by geographical boundaries.

“What is important is that the people benefit and that the rural community continues to progress in line with development throughout Sarawak,” he said.

Sarawak Ombudsman accepted as first associate member of Southeast Asian Ombudsman Forum

MANILA, June 17 2026: Sarawak Ombudsman made history when it was accepted as the first associate member of the Southeast Asian Ombudsman Forum (SEAOF), thus recognising its role in strengthening governance, integrity and administrative justice at the regional level.

Caption: Sarawak Ombudsman chief Abdul Ghafur Shariff (centre) with other members of the ombudsman after the presentation of the certificate

The historic recognition was finalised at the SEAOF full member meeting held at the Conrad Manila, Philippines today, reflecting the regional Ombudsman institution’s confidence in the mandate and direction of the Sarawak Ombudsman.

Sarawak Ombudsman chief Abdul Ghafur Shariff in his presentation highlighted the mandate, strategic direction and aspirations of the institution in strengthening regional cooperation on administrative justice and public service delivery.

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of the Certificate of Acceptance by the Deputy Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines, Jose M Balmeo Jr, marking the official entry of the Sarawak Ombudsman into the SEAOF community.

Present to witness the historic moment was  Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Juanda Jaya, who symbolised the Sarawak government’s continued commitment in strengthening integrity, accountability, transparency and international cooperation.

Established in 2019, SEAOF serves as a platform for cooperation between Ombudsman institutions in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste, to strengthen the sharing of best practices and address challenges in public administration.

The participation of the Sarawak Ombudsman is expected to open up more opportunities for exchange of experiences, institutional learning and active engagement in regional dialogue on current governance issues.

The move is also believed to strengthen efforts to promote transparency, accountability and good governance for the well-being of the community in the Southeast Asian region.

Thanks so much for your service, says Dr Sim to Malaysia Ambassador-designate to Austria,Slovakia and UN bodies

KUCHING, June 17 2026: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has expressed his grateful to Malaysia-Ambassador-designate to Austria, Slovakia and United Nations bodies in Vienna, Fenny Nuli, for her time and fruitful sharing when she paid a courtesy call on him yesterday.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian describing Fenny as truly the best of Sarawak

“Thank you very much for your service as director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Sarawak Regional Office (2024–2026),” Dr Sim said in his Facebook post.

He noted that Fenny has previously served as Malaysia's Ambassador to Peru, with concurrent accreditation Bolivia, Colombia and Panama. 

“Truly the best of Sarawak, a pupil of Chinese Primary School in Sri Aman, a National Secondary School in Sri Aman and USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) in Penangm Dr Sim wrote.

Fenny received her letter of appointment as Malaysia-designate ambassador fron the King on May 18 2026.

Previously, she was the ambassador to Peru, with concurrent accreditation to Bolivia, Colombia, and Panama from 2019 to 2023 and as director of the foreign ministry's Sarawak office from 2024 to 2026. She is noted for being the first Iban woman to become an ambassador.

Fennyi was born in 1971 in Rumah Sebangki Panjai, Lubok Antu, Sri Aman, and the youngest of four siblings, having one brother and two older sisters.

 She began her primary education at Sekolah Rendah Bantuan (SRB) Chung Hua Simanggang, which later became Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Chung Hua.

She completed her secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Simanggang up until Form 6.

Following her secondary schooling, she pursued higher education at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, graduating in 1996 amidst an economic recession.

 She briefly worked as a teacher in Simanggang before joining Malaysia's foreign ministry as an administrative and diplomatic officer.

She received a diploma in administration and completed training in the foreign ministry's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations.

Apart from Bahasa Malaysia, English, Iban and Mandarin, Fenny is fluent in German.