Goverment to assess extensive damage caused by recent storm in Limbang

LIMBANG, Aug 26 2026: The Sarawak government will conduct an assessment of the extensive damage caused by the recent storm in Limbang District to determine the form of assistance needed by the victims and affected public facilities.

Caption: Deputy Premier AwangTengah Ali Hasan speaking during his visit to storm-affected areas

Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the assessment is important to identify the extent of the damage and the estimated cost before the matter is brought to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

“Today we have decided to have this damage assessed, so that we know the extent of the damage and the estimated costs,” he said when visiting the storm-affected areas at Dewan Kampung Bukit Kota, here today.

According to him, the government has identified private homes that were affected, in addition to receiving reports of damage involving public facilities such as halls, mosques, suraus and government buildings including schools, hospitals and government staff quarters.

“With that, we will contact SDMC to obtain assistance to help the victims affected by this storm disaster,” he said.

He said that initial assistance was channeled by the Social Welfare Department and the Baitulmal Fund to the affected victims immediately after the incident.

In the meantime, the Limbang Islamic Welfare Trust Board (LAKIL) and the Lawas District Disaster Management Committee will also play a role in assisting the victims according to their needs and capabilities.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Limbang Hasbi Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development and State Legislative Member (SLM) for for Bukit Kota, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Batu Danau SLM  Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Division Resident Unus Tambi and Limbang District Officer Sulaiman Engal.

Sarawak's first CCUS project expected to be implemented in 2028

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 2026: Sarawak is expected to implement its first carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project in the Kasawari Field, about 200 km off the coast of Bintulu, in 2028, thus opening a new chapter in the development of the carbon storage industry in the state.

Caption: Deputy Minister Dr Hazland Hipni said the first CCUS project in Sarawak will be in Kasawari field

Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the project will involve Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Mitsubishi.

"We will have a first project for carbon storage in 2028 in an area in the sea called Kasawari.

"The Kasawari oil field involves Petros, Petronas and also Mitsubishi if I am not mistaken and that will be the first CCUS project in Sarawak. After that, there will be  more," he told reporters at the sidelines of the Seventh International Conference on Global Sustainability and Chemical Engineering (ICGSCE 2026) held in conjunction with the First International Petroleum and Energy Summit (IPET 2026) today.

He added that all preparations including the relevant legal aspects and ordinances have been completed to enable carbon-related industries and clean energy to be implemented in Sarawak.

Explaining further, he said that the implementation of the CCUS industry involves aspects of land law, including amendments to the Land Code that have been approved by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA)

Dr Hazland also said that Sarawak has the potential to become a location for carbon storage from countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore through the use of oil wells that have decreased production in the waters.

He said that carbon stored underground will be subject to a storage fee which will create new economic opportunities for Sarawak.

"We will charge what is called a storage fee, which is a fee for storing the carbon.

"It means rent. Industries or companies from Japan, Korea and so on have to pay rent to the Sarawak Government through PETROS because PETROS is the resource manager for all assets, all oil and gas assets in Sarawak," he said.

Not SDMC, but Majlis Islam Sarawak that issued direction concerning Maulidur Rasul activities, clarifies Uggah

KUCHING, Aug 26 2026: Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) clarified that it did not cancel the Sambutan Maulidur Rasul  Tahun 1448H/2026M as claimed by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah clarifies that the direction concerning Maulidur Rasul activities was issued by Majlis Islam Sarawak

 Its chairman Douglas Uggah said the direction concerning Maulidur Rasul activities was  issued by the Majlis Islam Sarawak (MIS) on August 21 2026.

“The direction  stated that all outdoor activities in conjunction with the celebration throughout  Sarawak were not permitted due to the prevailing haze conditions and relevant  health and safety advice,”he said in a statement.

However, Uggah explained that the direction did not prohibit all Maulidur Rasul activities, stating that Majlis  Kesyukuran at mosques and suraus may still be held, subject to local conditions  and the advice of the relevant authorities.

“SDMC therefore stresses that any report or allegation that SDMC cancelled  Maulidur Rasul throughout Sarawak is incorrect,” he said.

The Borneo Post quoted Karim as saying that SDMC should assess actual haze conditions at individual locations before deciding to cancel programmes.

Karim said authorities should not automatically cancel events based solely on haze forecasts made several days in advance, particularly when programmes were being held indoors. 

He said organisers of outdoor events could instead be given discretion to decide whether prevailing conditions posed a health risk.

He also said if a programme is held in an enclosed area, it should not be cancelled.

El Nino phenomenon, associated with higher termperature and drier weather conditions, expected to intensify from Oct to Dec, warns Uggah

KUCHING, Aug 26 2026: Sarawak Disaster  Management Committee (SDMC) today warned that the El Nino phenomenon, associated with higher temperature and drier weather conditions, is expected to intensify in  Sarawak between October and December 2026 and may persist until at  least April 2027.

Caption: SDMC chairman and Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says rainfall in the southwestern parts of Sarawak is expected to be below average  from October to December 2026

Its chairman Douglas Uggah said latest El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook indicates that El Niño  is currently at moderate intensity, with a high potential for the phenomenon to  reach strong or even “Super” El Niño intensity between September 2026 and  January 2027.

“Rainfall in the southwestern parts of Sarawak is expected to be below average  from October to December 2026,” he said in a statement after the SDMC special coordination committee meeting today.

He added the Southwest Monsoon, which began on  May 14, 2026, is expected to continue until September 2026.

He noted that El Niño is a global climate phenomenon, and its impacts can be felt across  different regions, saying that while the extent and duration of its impacts cannot be  determined with certainty, Sarawak is taking early measures to mitigate potential  effects, particularly the potential for prolonged dry conditions and declining water  levels.

“SDMC and the relevant agencies are taking proactive  measures now rather than waiting for the situation to develop into a crisis,” Uggah, who is also the deputy premier, said.

In view of the anticipated dry conditions, he said Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) have called for further  cloud seeding operations where suitable conditions permit.

“At today's meeting, MetMalaysia reported that it is currently assessing suitable  conditions for cloud seeding, with Sept 3 to 5  2026 identified as a  potential window,”he  said.

However, he said a further meeting on Sept 1 2026 will determine  whether conditions are suitable for the operation.

Uggah said the state Welfare Department and JBALB have been supplying and will continue to provide water assistance to  affected communities where necessary.

He said SDMC has also agreed to establish a Special Operations Team at the State  Disaster Command Centre (SDCC) to continuously monitor and coordinate the  impact of declining water levels throughout Sarawak.

He said Resident Offices (Divisional Disaster Management Committees) and all agencies  have been asked to review their preparedness, including water supplies, logistics  and resources, to ensure timely assistance should conditions worsen.

He stressed that early preparation is essential given the potential for a  prolonged dry spell and its impact on water levels. The Committee will continue  to closely monitor the situation and coordinate mitigation and contingency  measures across agencies.

28 longhouse residents from Rantau Panjang in Sibu receive free glasses from Lions Club

SIBU, Aug 26 2026:  A total of 28 longhouse residents from Rantau Panjang community received free glasses to help improve their eyesight and increase their comfort in daily life.

Caption: SUPP Bawang Assan SUPP chairman Kevin Lau (seated, centre) with members of the Sibu Bawang Assan Lions Club and the recipients of the free glasses

Bawang Assan Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) branch chairman Kevin Lau Kor Jie said he was pleased to see that the eye screening assistance provided through  leaders-meet-the people-programme continued with the provision of glasses to deserving residents.

“This is a very practical form of community service and we greatly appreciate the concern and continuous contribution of the Sibu Bawang Assan Lions Club to the community.

“The Lions Club not only provides free eye examinations to residents, but also continues to follow up after the examinations and provide free glasses,” he said after witnessing the handover of free glasses to recipients at Rumah Suria Amat yesterday.

Kevin added that the programme is not only a platform for residents to interact directly with leaders, but also opens up space for various community organisations and social groups to reach out to the community.

“This programme provides an opportunity for various organisations to interact directly with residents, understand their real needs and provide assistance based on their respective expertise and resources,” he said.

Meanwhile, the free eye examinations were carried out by the Sibu Bawang Assan Lions Club through the SightFirst Project during the programme organised by the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Jalan Quarry at the end of July.

Following the examination and assessment, 28 residents were identified as eligible to receive free glasses before the club arranged for them to be provided based on the results of their respective eye examinations. - UKAS EDITION