France seeks joint venture opportunities with Sarawak, says French envoy

KUCHING, March 11 2026: French Ambassador to Malaysia Marc Abensour, who paid a courtesy call on Premier Abang Johari Openg, said he is exploring joint investment opportunities between his country and Sarawak in an effort to strengthen strategic cooperation across several key sectors of mutual interest 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (3rd from right) and French Ambassador to Malaysia Marc Abensour (4th from right) posing for camera before they hold discussions

He said the discussions with the premier focused on efforts to empower cooperation in several strategic sectors including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), maritime and aviation industries, renewable energy, oil and gas encompassing both upstream and downstream activities and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology.

These sectors align with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises sustainable economic growth, the development of renewable energy, and the expansion of the digital economy.

 Marc Abensour also recognised Sarawak's growing position as a preferred destination for high-tech and sustainable investments, supported by abundant renewable energy resources and robust industrial infrastructure.

With a stable political environment, he stated that Sarawak offers confidence and security for long-term investments, complemented by its strategic position in Borneo as a gateway to the wider ASEAN community market.

Also present were the Director of the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fenny Nuli, Deputy Economic Counsellor Bouthaina Harfi, and  Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Malaysia Thierry d’Anna.

 

 

Over RM200 million worth of flood mitigation projects for Batu Kawa, says Dr Sim

KUCHING: Several flood mitigation projects, worth over RM200 million, have either been completed or in the process of being implemented, in Batu Kawa area, State Legislative Member (SLM) Dr Sim Kui Hian said.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says that the flood management approach now requires more comprehensive planning than before due to the increase in the amount of rainwater. 

The Deputy Premier acknowledged that Batu Kawa area is often affected by floods, but the situation is expected to be fully overcome after all the ongoing mitigation projects are completed.

He said there are four flood mitigation projects being implemented around the area, with some of them having been completed while the rest are still in the implementation stage.

“In the Desa Wira area, for example, the first phase of the project worth about RM20 million has already been completed. The final phase involves a cost of around RM36 million and the contractor has started work,” he said when met by reporters after a visit to the Dewan Stapok Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) this morning.

He explained that the projects directly benefit about 4,000 residents in the area.

Apart from the construction of the drainage system, the project also involves the construction of temporary retention ponds to accommodate excess water during heavy rains.

“A total of four dry retention ponds were built in Batu Kawa with a total area of about 16 acres.

“When there is heavy rain and the water rises, these ponds will accommodate the excess water before it is released in a controlled manner,” he explained.

For the final phase of the project, he explained, the construction of a three-kilometre embankment was also carried out since several village areas near the river are at low ground level.

“If the embankment is not built, river water will continue to overflow into the village areas when the water level rises. In addition, three water pumps have also been installed to pump water out of the retention ponds,” he said.

Dr Sim said that the flood management approach now requires more comprehensive planning than before due to the increase in the amount of rainwater.

“In the past, it may have been sufficient to just build drains, but now the amount of water is too large. "If there is no reservoir, the river cannot accommodate the flow of water at one time," he explained.

He expressed his appreciation to Premier Abang Johari Abang Openg for his support in funding the project and Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof who played a role at the federal level in the major flood management project.

According to him, the federal government also approved a project worth RM2.4 billion for the construction of a Sarawak River bypass which will divert about 60 percent of the river's water flow.

"When completed, it is hoped that it will help reduce the risk of flooding in villages along the Sarawak River as well as benefit the surrounding areas including Batu Kawa," he said.

He was optimistic that when all the flood mitigation projects currently being implemented are fully completed, the flooding problem that has plagued the residents of Batu Kawa for so long will be resolved comprehensively.

Police Commissioner gives security briefing to Deputy Premier Awang Tengah, especially in Lawas district

KUCHING, March 11 2026: Sarawak Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah today briefed Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan on the security situation in the state, especially in Lawas district, during a courtesy visit.

Caption: Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah (left) paying a courtesy call on Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan - Picture by Ukas 

"I  shared my views on security matters in Sarawak, including local issues in the Lawas district such as drug problems, crime and several other matters that require joint attention,” the commissioner said in an interview  with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

"Other matters discussed were the police facilities in Lawas which could be further improved to strengthen the capabilities of the security forces in the area, and the deputy premier could help since the area is under his supervision," he added.

On his courtesy call to the deputy premier, he said it is part of his series of official meetings with the state's top leadership since assuming the position on September 26, 2025, replacing Mancha Ata who retired.

He added it is a common practice for any newly appointed officer to meet and introduce himself to the state's top leaders.

"Today's meeting gave me the opportunity to meet with the deputy premier who is also the elected representative (State LegislativeMember) in my constituency, Bukit Sari.

"I have previously paid a courtesy call on the Sarawak Governor, the Premier and other Deputy Premiers," he added.

 

DPM Fadillah acknowleges remedial works need to be done to address Sarawak River Barrage's deteriorating structural conditions, says Kim Shin

PUTRAJAYA, March 10 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has acknowledged the urgent need to undertake remedial works to address the deteriorating structural conditions of the Sarawak River Barrage, according to Sarawak Minister of Transport (MoT) Lee Kim Shin.

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof (seated, far left) with state MoT Lee Kim Shin (on Fadillah's left) at meeting in Putrajaya 

He said Fadillah, in a meeting with a delegation of the state MoT yesterday, also wants the expansion of riverbed scouring both upstream and downstream of the barrage to be continued.

“These works are essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of the barrage in supporting flood mitigation efforts in Kuching and its surrounding areas,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee said the deputy prime minister stressed the importance of enhancing the river monitoring system and encouraged closer collaboration between the federal Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and its state counterpart on the proposed upgrading of telemetry stations at barrage.

“The upgrading initiative is expected to improve real-time monitoring capabilities and strengthen flood management operations along the Sungai Sarawak Basin,” he said.

He said Fadillah also agreed in principle that the proposed procurement of trash skimmers and a trash collection boats for Sungai Sarawak and Sungai Miri will be funded through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra).

Lee said the equipment will support ongoing river cleaning operations, particularly in removing water hyacinth and floating domestic waste, thereby contributing to cleaner and more sustainable river management.

Apart from Lee, the other members of the Sarawak delegation Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak (Riverine and Marine); Safiee Ahmad, Chairman of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB);  Wong Hee Sieng, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Sarawak; Ahmad Denney  Ahmad Fauzi, Director of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak; Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Board Member of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and State Legislative Member for Bukit Assek; Ding Tiew Wong, Controller of the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB); and Constantine Gerald David Anak Jonas, Head of the Riverine and Maritime Transport Division, Ministry of Transport Sarawak.

(UPDATED) Malaysian Civil Defence Force evacuates 178 pupils and teachers from SK Kampung Segong after being trapped in floods

BAU, March 10 2026: A total of 164 students and 14 teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Segong were safely evacuated by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Bau District after being trapped in floods following rising water levels due to continuous rain in Kampung Segong Singai, here, today.

Of the total, 142 were students from years one to six while 22 were preschool students. 

According to the Bau District APM, which is also the Secretariat of the Bau District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD), they received a report at 8.25 am before arriving at the location for the evacuation operation to be carried out at 8.40 am. 

The operation involved 10 APM members and was assisted by other agencies, namely the Royal Malaysian Police from the Bau District Police Headquarters (IPD), two officers and 15 members, and from the Bau Fire and Rescue Station, five members. 

All the students who were safely evacuated were then handed over to their parents and family members separately before being taken home. 

Also present at the location were Bau District Police Chief, Superintendent Mohd Haide A. Rahman and Kampung Segong Tribal Chief, Amy Munga. 

Meanwhile, flood-prone areas in Kuching, Bau and Lundu were also hit by flash floods.

According to Bomba stations, the affected areas in Kuching are Kampung Gersik, Jalan Batu Lintang, Jalan Tun Abang Openg, Jalan Laksamana and Jalan Mendu.

Others were Kampung Tabuan Dayak, Jalan Kampung Simpang Tiga, Kampung Kudei amd Kampung Sinafr Budi in Batu Kawah.

In Lundu,the affected areas are Kampung Sebako, Kampung Sebat Dayak and Kampung Pasir Tengah.