Swinburne University, Borneo Eco Fish to undertake research project at supporting small-scale tilapia farmers in Btg Ai

KUCHING, Oct 24 2026: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Borneo Eco Fish Sdn Bhd have partnered on a Ministry of Higher Education-funded research project aimed at supporting small-scale tilapia farmers in Batang Ai.

The partnership on the Batang Ai Tilapia Social Innovation Project was formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer  Professor Lau Hieng Ho and Borneo Eco Fish Sdn Bhd Managing Director Thomas Hii Tiong Kong on behalf of their respective organisations.

The one-year project, which has been awarded RM108,000 in funding, will explore practical ways to improve fish survival rates, farm productivity, and income among small-scale tilapia farmers at Batang Ai.

The research team from Swinburne Sarawak comprises lead Dr Tan Vie Ming along with team members Dr Tan Lee Tung, Dr Rebecca Lee Su Ping, and Dr Richard Belanda Dagang.

The collaboration brings together the university’s research expertise and Borneo Eco Fish’s industry experience, including its knowledge of the local tilapia supply chain and the challenges faced by farmers.

Lau described the MoA as a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community empowerment.

“At Swinburne, we believe that impactful research must extend beyond academic boundaries and generate tangible benefits for society,” said Lau in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Sim Kwan Yong at the ceremony.

“Beyond improving fish production and operational efficiency, this project aims to strengthen household income stability, enhance technical competencies, and increase resilience among rural farming households,” he added.

Dr Tan Vie Ming said the project exemplified Swinburne Sarawak’s commitment to applied, impact-driven research that responds directly to industry and community needs.

“By combining academic expertise with industry knowledge and farmer participation, it reflects the university’s strategic focus on co-creating practical solutions to rural challenges while supporting sustainable livelihoods, innovation, and regional development,” he said.

In August, the Swinburne Sarawak research team held a roundtable session to refine the project’s implementation and discuss the intended outcomes and proposed interventions.

These measures include farmer training, improved farming practices, better selection of fish fry, digital water quality monitoring, a proposed bamboo raft concept, and a potential buyback arrangement.

Digital monitoring is expected to provide farmers with information on water quality to support more informed farm-level decisions, while the other proposed measures address different stages of production, from the selection of young fish to the sale of harvested fish.

The discussion also covered farmer selection, the feasibility of the proposed measures, and how the information gathered during the project could inform future improvements to tilapia farming. Participants also shared perspectives on the project’s potential contributions to food production, rural livelihoods, and longer-term development. 

Integrated River Basin Management study for Batang Rajang expected to be completed in August next year, says Fadillah

SIBU, Oct 24 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) study for Batang Rajang is expected to be completed by August next year.

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof says the Department of Irrigation and Drainage is conducting the study for the Batang Rajang Basin. 

He said the findings from this study are intended to provide an action plan to assist the Sarawak government in planning river management in a more integrated, systematic, and sustainable manner. 

"This effort is crucial for preserving water resources, mitigating flood risks, and ensuring that development is carried out with due regard for the well-being of the community and environmental sustainability," he said at the 2026 National-Level World Rivers Day celebration themed “Rivers and Waterways in Our Community” at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 2 here today.

Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) Minister, said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage is conducting the study for the Batang Rajang Basin. 

"This basin is one of nine river basins in Sarawak included in the implementation of the IRBM study," he said.

Fadillah added the allocations, development projects, and studies reflect Petra’s commitment to ensuring that rivers and water resources are managed more effectively. 

"However, the success of these initiatives requires close collaboration between the Sarawak Government, implementing agencies, local authorities, and the community. 

"When sound planning is coupled with public participation, the benefits can be sustained over the long term," he said.

The deputy prime minister said under the Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), a sum of RM7.4 billion has been allocated for 46 water-related projects in Sarawak, comprising 33 ongoing projects and 13 new ones.

"Of this total, RM5.8 billion is earmarked for projects implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), covering areas such as flood mitigation, river conservation, and coastal erosion control," he said, adding that thee implementation of these projects is expected to strengthen water resource security, reduce disaster risks, and enhance the well-being of the people.

Sarawak State Electiion: Choose candidates from established parties with proven track record, PRS Youth tells voters

KUCHING, Oct 24 2026: Ahead of the Election Commission (EC) fixing the nomination and polling dates of the Sarawak state election, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang urged the voters to choose candidates from established parties with a proven track record of serving the people.

Caption: PRS Youth chief Christopher Gira says after nearly five years under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, the time has come to return the mandate to the rakyat. 

"We need a government that can manage public finances responsibly, strengthen state revenue, deliver more development and improve the social well-being of our communities," he said in a statement when commenting on the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) fixed for Oct 26, announced by Premier Abang Johari Openg yesterday.

He told the voters that Sarawak's future and that of the future generation lies in their hands, adding that they should choose the right candidates and a government that can serve the people responsibly and lead the state forward. 

"Your decision at the ballot box will shape the Sarawak they will inherit," Gira, who is Tamin incument State Legislative Member (SLM), said.

Gira said the dissolution of the SLA is the moment that many Sarawakians are waiting for.

He added after nearly five years under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, the time has come to return the mandate to the rakyat. 

He said the people now have the opportunity to evaluate the government’s performance, the delivery of its commitments and the service of their elected representatives.

"As a PRS representative, I welcome this democratic process, (but) it is for the rakyat to decide who should form the next government and lead Sarawak for the coming term," he stressed.

Governor expresses hope that all matters pertaining to state election process conducted smoothly, peacefully

KUCHING, Oct 23 2026: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has expressed his hope that all matters pertaining to the election process would be conducted smoothly, peacefully, and in an orderly manner, guided by the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Caption: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar signing letter of consent for the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly, witnessed by Premier Abang Johari Openg and State Atttorney-General Saferi Ali

Her urged all Sarawakians to continue upholding the harmony, unity, and stability of the state throughout this democratic process.

The governor also reminded all parties to respect the democratic process and to carry out their respective responsibilities in an orderly and prudent manner.

He gave the reminder when granting an audience to Premier Abang Johari Openg at the Astana Negeri Sarawak this afternoon.

During the meeting, the premier presented a proposal to the governor to seek his consent for the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) in accordance with the provisions of the Sarawak State Constitution.

This meeting is a constitutional requirement that must be fulfilled prior to the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak state election.

Also present at the meeting was State Attorney-General Saferi Ali.

Karim reiterates his readiness to step aside in the coming state election, but says the final decision lies with the GPS leadership

 KUCHING, Oct 23 2026: Tourism. Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah reiterated his readiness to step aside and let a new candidates to contest in his Asajaya in the coming state election.

Caption: Abdul Karm Rahman Hamzah says it is up to the GPS leadership to make the final decison

However, he said the final decision lies with the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and the views of the constituents if he should defend his seat.

He said he has represented Asajaya for last 25 years or five terms.

“For my part, I am ready to step aside. However, if the party and the voters of the constituency I represent still feel that my services are needed, I cannot decline,” he told reporters launching the International Dragon Boat Regatta 2026 at the Kuching Waterfront this afternoon.

He noted that the decision on whether to select new candidates or retain incumbents lies with Premier Abang Johari Openg, who is also GPS chairman and PBB president,  to decide and finalise the list of candidates.

According to him, the announcement regarding the candidates who will contest is expected to be made before nomination day.

Also present were Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Snowdan Lawan and Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.