Uggah advises MAIS to further promote greater understanding and appreciation of diverse native communities

KUCHING, Aug 7 2026: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah has advised Council of Native  Customs and Traditions Sarawak (MAIS) to further expand its role in promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the culture, traditions and history of Sarawak's diverse native communities.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah receiving memento from MAIS chief Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat at the courtesy call

He said broadening the scope of publications on Adats, culture and traditions would benefit the public, community leaders, elected representatives and the younger generation.

He also called for vacancies within MAIS, particularly in its Adat Research Section, to be filled promptly with experienced officers from the relevant ethnic communities.

Uggah was giving the advice when the MAIS delegation, led by its chief Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat paying a courtesy call at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.

The courtesy call marked Dr Neilson's first official visit to the Deputy Premier following his appointment as the new council chief.

During the meeting, Uggah was informed that four draft reviews of the Adats, namely Adat Iban, Adat Bidayuh, Adet Kayan and Adet Kenyah, have been submitted to the Sarawak Attorney-General's Chambers (SAGC) for legal review.

In addition, the review of Adet Melanau is currently being examined by the SAGC.

The initiative forms part of MAIS' ongoing efforts to modernise the Adats to ensure they remain relevant in today's dynamic and modern social landscape.

MAIS is also actively publishing books on the review of Adats, as well as the culture, traditions, history and heritage of Sarawak's native communities.

To date, the council has published 85 titles which are available for public reading and reference.

Dr Neilson invited Uggah to officiate the Adat Iban Symposium 2026 which will be organised by MAIS in Sibu at the end of September.

The symposium aims to empower the community leaders and village chiefs, especially Iban community leaders, on matters relating to the recognition and authority of Adat under the state's ordinances and legislation currently in force.

Also present were the council secretary Elsie William and senior officers.

Strong integrity & governance boost investor confidence in Sarawak, stresses premier

KUCHING, Aug 6 2026:  Strong integrity and governance are strategic advantages in strengthening investor confidence, Premier Abang Johari Openg stressed today.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that Sarawak will continue to strengthen the culture of good governance because integrity is a strategic advantage in the global economy

 He said investors today assess not only physical infrastructure but also institutional strength, process transparency, policy stability and the level of integrity.

He said that for Sarawak, which is currently implementing various strategic development projects, strong governance has become increasingly important as integrity is now a strategic advantage in the global economy.

“Therefore, Sarawak will continue to strengthen the culture of good governance because integrity is a strategic advantage in the global economy.

“This effort is also in line with the aspirations of the Federal Government through the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028, which emphasises strengthening integrity, transparency and economic stability,” he said.

He said this when officiating at the Sarawak Construction Industry Integrity and Excellence Day celebration at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Sarawak here today.

Abang Johari stressed that integrity was not solely the responsibility of one party, but must be upheld collectively by contractors, consultants, suppliers, technical officers, implementing agencies and all parties involved in the development chain.

He said all parties must ensure that competition in the construction industry is based on merit, capability, innovation and quality, while the success of a project should not be measured merely by the completion of a structure, but also by the value, impact and benefits it brings to the people.

He added that integrity should not rely solely on enforcement, but must instead be built through strong systems, transparent processes and a culture of accountability and trustworthiness.

Also present were Works Minister  Alexander Nanta Linggi, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman  Yusuf Abdul Wahab and State Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) director Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh.

"Fed-up" Jinep telling contractor to complete Bau-Lundu dual carriageway project without further delay

BAU, Aug 6 2026: The dual carriageway upgrade project from the Bau-Lundu junction to Bau Town Phase One worth RM74 million must be completed immediately to ensure that the benefits can be enjoyed by road users without further delay.

Caption: Deputy Minister Henry Harry Jinep (centre) being briefed on the construction of the road project progress

Deputy Minister for Transport Henry Harry Jinep said that the contractor must take immediate action to complete the project, which was scheduled for completion last June.

He stressed that the delay should not be further prolonged as it not only affects infrastructure development planning, but also causes the people to wait longer for upgraded road facilities.

"I don't want to see this project continue to suffer delays. The contractor must ensure that works yet to be completed are carried out immediately," he said when inspecting the project site today.

The project, which began in February 2024, involved upgrading the existing single road to a 3.65 kilometre long dual carriageway, with a contract value of RM74 million.

According to the Tasik Biru Assemblyman, unreasonable excuses related to the delay cannot be accepted if caused by the failure of the contractor to carry out their responsibilities according to the set schedule.

Henry said prolonged delay has the potential to affect project implementation, increase costs and extend the waiting period for residents and road users.

Therefore, he called on all relevant parties to prioritise completing all remaining work in the nearest period so the project can be opened to road users and benefit the local community.

Also present was representative of Bau District Officer Danny Ngumbang Martin Engkubang.

PBM will support any government in power at the federal level, assures its president

 JULAU, Aug 6 2026: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Larry Sng has assured that his party will  support any  government in power  at the federal level to ensure that the interests and welfare of the people are maintained.

Caption: PBM president Larry Sng (seated, second from left) performing the "miring" ritual to give blessings before the start of the meet-the-people session

In his Facebook post, he said the political situation of the country has changed a lot compared to before, and thus require a more realistic approach in putting the interests of the people first.

“In the past, there have been many changes of government at the federal level,  but now the country is now ruled by the unity government,” the Julau Member of Parliament said at the meet-the-people session at Rumah Ko longhouse at Nanga Balong yesterday.

Sng said no one can predict which party or coalition will form next federal the government after the general election as various possibilities can arise, including changes as witnessed involving the Barisan Nasional (BN) and and Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition in the recent Negeri Sembilan state election.

“In this regard, I emphasize that PBM will continue to cooperate with any ruling government, not for the party's interests, but rather to ensure that the people continue to receive benefits and development,” he said.

At the meet-the-people session, Sng handed over project grants to the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Rumah Ko Nanga Balong, Rumah Akun Sungai Rusa Pakan, Rumah Awin Sungai Amut Ili, Rumah Lembang Nanga Segera, Rumah Enjop Rantau Jerenang, Kampung Azahar Ulu Kota Pakan and Rumah Dinggai Sungai Amut.

In addition, he handed over donations to the Ko Rumah Bureau, BEM Eden Nanga Balong Church, BEM Amut Church, KEMAS Genega Kindergarten and Ko Nanga Balong Rumah Children.

The total amount of funds distributed through the program is RM131,000.

 

Over 100 representatives from 40 Penan communities rejecting proposal to construct hydroelectric dams in along Tutoh River

BARAM, Aug 6 2026:  More than 100 representatives from 40 Penan communities have unanimously rejected a proposal to construct hydroelectric dams along the Tutoh River in Baram, describing the project as a serious threat to their customary lands, livelihoods, and the future of the Penan people.

Caption: The community protest in Long Kawa against the construction of cascading dams

The proposal involves the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Tutoh River, a river system that has sustained the Penan communities for generations.

The river provides food resources, clean water, transportation routes, and access to customary forests that form the foundation of the Penan people's livelihoods, culture, and identity.

In response, the affected communities have submitted a formal objection to Premier Abang Johari Openg and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), calling for the proposed project to be cancelled.

In the letter, they stated that the construction of the dams would threaten their Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands, destroy forests and river ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, undermine the livelihoods and cultural heritage of Indigenous communities, and potentially lead to the indirect displacement of Penan communities.

The letter also emphasised that the affected communities have never given their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for the project.

"The Penan communities do not agree to this project being carried out in our territory. It will not improve our well-being; instead, it will destroy the forests and rivers that have sustained our people for generations.

“What will be left for our children?" questioned Komeok Joe, director of the Penan organisation, Keruan.

Community representatives also stressed that they are not opposed to development. Rather, they believe that development must respect Indigenous rights and address the genuine needs of local communities.

They urged the government to prioritise access to education, healthcare, basic infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods instead of pursuing large-scale hydroelectric projects whose primary purpose is to generate electricity for export.

The communities also reiterated concerns previously raised in a letter sent in April to the premier and SEB.

The letter contained 15 questions regarding the proposed project and called for full transparency in its planning process.

It further emphasised that the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) must be respected before any project affecting Indigenous lands proceeds. To date, the communities have yet to receive any response.

"We are simply asking that our rights, our lands, and our voices be respected. The affected Penan communities have not given their consent for this project to proceed," Komeok Joe said in concluding his statement.

In addition to discussing the proposed hydroelectric dams, participants also voiced concerns over the impacts of the Sarawak–Sabah Link Road (SSLR) project and carbon trading initiatives on Indigenous customary lands and the livelihoods of Indigenous communities.