Sarawak Brigade GOF creates history by innovating sensor that can detect water head phenomenon from a distance of 5km

KUCHING, Feb 26 2026: Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (PGA) has created a history of sorts when it successfully innovated a sensor that detects the presence of phenomenon of water heads from a distance of up to five kilometres.

Caption: Sarawak Brigade Commander SAC Lim BakPhai (left) looking at the sensor

The system was developed entirely by members of the PGA,  including in terms of coding, detection algorithms and sensor programmes, making it a local innovation with high impact in disaster management.

The brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the phenomenon of water heads often occurs suddenly due to heavy rain in the upstream area of a river.

“Usually, warnings are only issued after the strong current has hit the downstream area, when victims may have been washed away or damage has occurred.,” he said in a statement.

He added this situation can cause loss of life, victims drifting far from their original location and property damage

He said in the case of high risk to visitors to recreational areas,  conventional, reactive approaches are often insufficient to prevent tragedy.

He added the developed sensor is capable of detecting sudden changes in water levels, pressure and current waves from a distance of up to 5km before the water head reaches hotspot areas such as villages near rivers, picnic centres, recreational areas and campsites.

“With this early detection, warnings can be issued earlier to allow people to save themselves before the water head reaches a risky location,” Lim said.

“An additional uniqueness of this system is its ability to detect and calculate the speed of water head movement.

“Through data analysis of water level and pressure changes at several sensor points, the system can estimate the speed of the rapid current, predict the arrival time to a certain area and determine the level of risk based on the speed and strength of the flow,” Lim explaned.

He stressed that this information is very important because water heads that move at high speed provide a shorter response time.

“With accurate speed data, authorities can issue more specific and targeted warnings according to risk zones,” he said.

 Lim explained that the system can operate in all conditions including without Internet, adding that the sensor is designed to function in a variety of terrain conditions including hilly areas, inland river courses, dense forest areas and remote settlements.

“More significantly, the system is not completely dependent on internet access. It is capable of operating autonomously using alternative communication systems and long-distance signal transmission suitable for areas without network coverage.

“This capability makes it very relevant for states like Sarawak which have many inland areas and extensive river networks,” Lim explained.

“With the combination of 5km detection range, the ability to measure water head speed and operation without internet, this innovation has the potential to become a new benchmark in disaster early warning systems in Malaysia.

“This Sarawak Brigade initiative proves that local expertise is capable of producing technology that is practical, effective and truly life-saving,” Lim said.

PDBS condemns unauthorised use of is name, logo and symbol by individuals on social media

KUCHING, Feb 26, 2026 — Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has strongly condemned the unauthorised use of its name, logo, symbols or any other party identifiers on social media.

In a Facebook notice, PBDS secretary-general Sanjan Daik said individuals and certain groups have been misusing the party’s identity, misrepresenting PBDS and causing public confusion that could damage the party’s integrity and reputation.

He called on those responsible to stop using PBDS identifiers and to delete all related posts from social media within 48 hours of this notice.

Sanjan warned that if they fail to comply, the party will not hesitate to take action, including filing a police report, lodging complaints with social media platforms, seeking injunctions and pursuing legal claims for damages.

He added that any losses or consequences resulting from failure to heed the notice will be the responsibility of the parties involved.

Sanjan said this is the final notice to those engaging in unauthorised use of PBDS’s logo, symbols or other identifying material.

 

Search for 84yo Igoh has been called off after nine days of efforts to find him failed.

ENGKILILI, Feb 26 2026: After nine days of fruitless search, an operation to look for 84-year old Igoh anak Sengaling has been temporarily suspended  for now or when there are new leads, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said in a statement late this afternoon.

Caption: A meeting between Igoh's family members and representatives of the search to call off the search and rescue operation 

 The department said the search and rescue (S&R) operation was temporarily suspended on the instructions of the head of Skrang Police Station.

“If there are any new leads, the police will contact the fire department,” it said.

The search operation for Igoh, a resident of Rumah Richard Tawan, Tebarong, Lubok Skrang in Engkilili, began on Feb 19 when the Fire Department received a call from the police.

According to the department, Igoh was reported missing after leaving his longhouse to seek treatment at the Skrang Scheme Clinic.

He was reported to have left home on February 18 at approximately 7am by boarding his own boat to go to the clinic to get medicine.

According to family members, he did not return home as usual after the incident.

The family members and residents of the longhouse conducted a search around the longhouse area and nearby forests, but failed to find any traces or clues throughout the two days of search efforts.

A police report was made on February 19 at approximately 7:51pm.

The search party consisted of personnnel from the Fire Department, police, Civil Defence Department and the longhouse residents.

The search party, however, found the boat, about 1.5km from the base station, said to have been used by Igoh to go to the clinic.

The search along the river was also carried out to the upper reaches of the Skrang River, radius 7km.

The search party also found footprints, and broken branches.

 

State government allocates RM2.1 million for the construction of assembly hall of 50-year old SMK Bintulu

BINTULU, Feb 26 2026: The Sarawak government has approved a special allocation of RM2.1 million for the construction of a new assembly hall at 50-year old Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bintulu in an effort to strengthen the development of educational facilities in the area.

Caption: Tanjung Batu SLM Johnny Pang (spotting with yellow shirt at left) with government officers getting the briefing on the assembly hall project. 

Tanjong Batu State Legislative Member (SLM) Johnny Pang Leong Ming said the project was funded through the Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF) and is expected to enter the tender process within one to two months.

He said the implementation of the project reflects the Sarawak government's continued commitment to improving school infrastructure for the comfort and safety of students and educators.

“SMK Bintulu has over 3,000 students and has been operating for over 50 years. The need for a more complete and comfortable hall is urgent in line with the current capacity of the school.

“With this special allocation, the school’s basic facilities can be improved comprehensively,” he said after a visit to the project site at the school today.

He explained that the visit was held to obtain technical reviews and ensure that the safety and design aspects meet the standards set before the tender process is implemented.

He added that once the design plan is finalised, the tender process will be carried out and construction work is expected to begin around the middle of this year.

Johnny also expressed his appreciation to Premier Abang Joihari Openg and the Sarawak government for approving the allocation, which is described as an important investment in human capital development in Bintulu.

The visit was also attended by representatives of the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), Public Works Department (JKR), District Education Office and the school administration to coordinate the technical requirements of the project.

 

 

Affin group, in which Sarawak government has interest, records highest-ever net income for year 2025

KUCHING, Feb 26 2026: Affin Group, in which Sarawak government has interest,  reported a profit before taxation (PBT) of RM755.7 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, a steady increase of RM54.7 million or 7.8% compared to RM701.0 million recorded in the previous financial year.  

The increase in PBT was primarily attributed to a higher net income by RM271.8 million, partially offset by a higher operating expense by RM33.9 million and an allowance for impairment losses of

RM31.2 million, compared to a write-back of impairment losses of RM151.4 million in the previous

financial year.

Wan Razly Abdullah, president and group chief executive officer, in a statement, said:“Affin reported a record FY2025 PBT of RM755.7 million (+7.8% year-on-year (YoY)), underpinned by our highest-ever net income and a 47.4% surge in operating profit.

“This performance was further bolstered by our continuous asset quality efforts, which have driven the Gross Impaired Loan (GIL) ratio to an all-time low of 1.64%.

“Together with our robust capital and liquidity position, this provides a solid platform to capture opportunities in 2026, strengthen earnings quality and build long-term shareholder value.”

“Our 4Q2025 PBT reached RM215.6 million, an 18.4% increase quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), driven

by Net Interest Margin expansion and a 30.5% increase in fee-based income derived from foreign

exchange, fees and commissions.

“This represents our highest quarterly profit under the Metamorphosis Transformation Plan.

“Our asset base has grown to RM124.1 billion and continues to grow, derived by loans and financing, which grew 10.4% YoY to RM79.5 billion,” he said.

Wan Razly said the board has proposed a final dividend of 8.53 sen per share, totalling RM216 million, reflecting Affin’s robust capital position and record FY2025 performance.