Affin Group appointed KCFC's banking partner

KUCHING, Aug 14 2026 – Kuching City Football Club (KCFC) have appointed Affin Group as its banking partner following the signing of a partnership agreement today. 

Caption: Officials from Kuching City Football Club (right) and Affin Group exchanging partnership agreement documents witnessed by Premier Abang Johari Openg (centre)

The partnership marks an important milestone in strengthening the collaboration between the financial sector and Sarawak’s football development, while creating opportunities for both parties to grow and achieve greater success.

Premier Abang Johari Openg, who witnessed the signing ceremony, described the occasion as an important milestone for both AFFIN and Kuching City FC.

The Premier expressed hope that the strategic partnership would elevate both organisations to greater heights.

“Today is an important occasion between AFFIN and Kuching City FC. I hope we can win not only on the football field, but also in the banking field,” he said.

The premier also emphasised that success, whether in football or business, requires strong teamwork, effective strategy and a shared commitment towards achieving common goals.

“To win, you need manpower and strategy,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would bring added value to both parties while further strengthening the profile of Kuching City FC and Sarawak’s sporting landscape.

The collaboration also reflects the growing role of corporate partnerships in supporting the development of local sports, particularly in providing stronger foundations for football clubs to enhance their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

 

Sarawak strengthening ties with leading technology and industrial companies in China

SHANGHAI: Sarawak Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan led a high-level dialogue with chief executive officers and senior representatives from leading technology and industrial companies in Shanghai to explore potential collaborations in advanced industries.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (seated, centre) leading Sarawak delegation to China

He said the Sarawak government remains committed to facilitating investments through InvestSarawak, providing end-to-end support covering project development, approvals, licensing, utilities and industrial land allocation.

“We are not here simply to promote Sarawak. We are here to understand what you need and explore what we can build together,” he said today.

The closed-door session, organised by InvestSarawak as part of its targeted investment mission, brought together representatives from Isabellenhütte, Microsat Shanghai (Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing), Suzhou Fengju Energy Technology (Beeblock), Hörmann Group, Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), Shine, Altera New Materials and Space Green Energy Investment.

The discussions focused on opportunities in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, renewable energy, water technology, satellite applications and sustainable mobility, including hydrogen and sustainable fuels.

 Awang Tengah who is also Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment said Sarawak is positioning itself as Asia’s trusted partner and a China + 1 location for sustainable and high-value manufacturing, driven by global digital and green transitions.

He highlighted Sarawak’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, access to ASEAN’s growing market, abundant renewable energy resources, strategic minerals and industrial infrastructure as key advantages in attracting future-oriented industries.

He also outlined Sarawak’s semiconductor ambitions through SMD Semiconductor and the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030, which aims to generate RM30 billion in sector contribution by 2030.

Sarawak is focusing on higher-value segments such as integrated circuit design, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging and semiconductor applications for automotive and aerospace industries.

The dialogue also explored potential partnerships in precision manufacturing, satellite technology, industrial infrastructure, hydrogen technology, bamboo-based industries, renewable energy and semiconductor value chains.

The Sarawak delegation included Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Sarawak Financial Secretary and Chairman of SMD Semiconductor Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Lester Matthew, Chief Executive Officer of InvestSarawak Timothy Ong, Chief Executive Officer of SMD Semiconductor Shariman Jamil, Consul (Investment) and MIDA Director Shanghai Muhammad Sawaddee Islamuddin, as well as Consul (Trade) and MATRADE Director Shanghai Norman Dzulkarnain Mohd Nasri.

 

Disaster committee plans to carry out cloud seeding operations, targeting dam and water catchment areas

KUCHING, Aug 14 2026: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), is making plans to carry out cloud seeding operations (OPA) Series 3 in the state.

Caption: SDMC chairman Douglas Uggah Embas says the main focus of OPA Series 3 is on dam and water catchment areas

SDMC chairman Douglas Uggah said this is one of the measures to deal with the prolonged hot and dry weather conditions.

“The main focus of OPA Series 3 is on dam areas and water catchment areas that have been identified as critical, especially areas that are important to the continuity of water supply sources and the stability of dam water levels,” he said in a statement when updating the haze situation in the state.

“This effort aims to increase the potential for rainfall in target areas and subsequently help maintain the availability of the state's water resources.

“The implementation of OPA Series 3 is subject to the availability of suitable clouds and atmospheric conditions and meteorological factors that permit,” Uggah, who is also the deputy premier, said.

However, he said the effectiveness of the operation depends on the existence of a cloud system that has certain characteristics and meets technical and flight safety criteria.

He said METMalaysia will continue to carry out technical analysis and assessment to determine the suitability of the area, time and atmospheric conditions before the operation is carried out.

He said SDMC will continue to work closely with NADMA, METMalaysia, Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB), Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), utility agencies and related agencies to ensure that monitoring, prevention, control and mitigation measures for haze and fire risks are implemented in an integrated and effective manner.

Uggah stressed that SDMC is closely monitoring the hot, dry weather and haze situation in several areas in the state.

He said based on the weather and air quality report on August 14 2026 at 12noon, a total of 18 locations have been monitored.

“Several locations recorded Air Pollution Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels, including IPD Serian (182), Kuching (171), Samarahan (170), Sri Aman (162), Sarikei (158), Mukah (151), Bintulu (151), Tebedu (150) and Lundu (102),” he said in a statement when updating the people on the haze situation in the state.

He added prolonged hot and dry weather conditions have the potential to affect air quality, water supply sources and increase the risk of forest, peatland and open area fires.

In this regard, he said SDMC, together with related agencies are constantly strengthening monitoring of weather developments, air pollution levels, hotspots, forest and peatland fires and the status of water supply sources.

 

40 hectares of forest fire area on Jalan Kejatau-Lingga successfully extinguished

SIMANGGANG, Aug 14 2026:  A total of 40 hectares of forest fire area on Jalan Kejatau-Lingga near Bandar Simanggang have been successfully extinguished so far.

Caption: Vast area of forest along Jalan Kejatau-Lingga has been destroyed in the fire

Head of Zone 3 of the state Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Muhammad Rais Adham Rosalan said that efforts to put off the fire at the location involved are still continuing through the 'fire break' method with six additional personnel deployed to assist the 28 personnel who were on duty previously.

"The area of forest fire that has been successfully extinguished by the party has increased to 40 hectares compared to 30 hectares on Wednesday.

"Our party will continue efforts to extinguish the forest fire on Jalan Kejatau-Lingga through the 'fire break' method and hope that it continues to run smoothly until it is completed," he said when briefing Sri Aman Division Resident, Mahra Salleh during a review session on the fifth day of firefighting operations at the location today.

Previously, the forest fire incident on Jalan Kejatau-Lingga began last Monday involving a total of 80 hectares of land there.

The forest fire extinguishing operation has been divided into five sectors with all parties focusing their efforts through the 'fire break' method and 'total flooding' in the peatland area.