Senior citizen loses consciousness after trapped on second floor of burning house

KUCHING, June 16 2026: A 74-year old elderly man was found  unconsciousness on the second floor of a  burning double-storey house at Taman Centurion this evening this evening.

Caption: Firemen performing the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to the unconscious man

He was later taken to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) by an ambulance of the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Tabuan Jaya Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said it received an emergency call about 7.05pm and arrived at the scene about  10 minutes later.

The department said the fire broke out on the second floor of the house, where the man was trapped.

“The victim was successfully found by the rescue team and taken to a safe place but was still unconscious.

“The emergency medical response service (EMRS) members performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the victim while waiting for the arrival of the MoH ambulance,” the department said

3,869 companies, 14,447 vehicles registered in Sarawak under Subsidised Diesel Control System

SIMANGGANG, June 16 2026: A total of 3,869 companies and 14,447 vehicles in Sarawak have successfully registered under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) as of June 14.  

Caption: Participants of the Subsidised Diesel Control System

 Sri Aman Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living's (KPDN) branch head Qartinee Mohamad Esa said the achievement showed a positive response from transport companies, the logistics sector and commercial vehicle owners who are eligible to enjoy subsidized diesel facilities under the scheme.

According to her, the implementation of SKDS is an important government initiative to ensure that diesel subsidies are channeled to groups and sectors that are truly eligible, in addition to reducing leakage and increasing the efficiency of national subsidy management.

“Through this system, companies that meet the eligibility requirements will continue to enjoy access to subsidized diesel to support the continuity of their operations and economic activities,” she told reporters at the SKDS briefing and mobile registration counter programme here today.

The programme organised by the Sarawak KPDN involved the participation of 80 participants and began with a briefing session delivered by the head of the development section of the Sarawak KPDN, Jacqualine Jagang.

Qartinee said the programme aims to broaden understanding and facilitate the registration process for companies and vehicles eligible under the SKDS

She said the field approach through engagement sessions and mobile counters allows participants to obtain detailed information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, subsidy quota management and compliance with the regulations set.

“This programme is part of the ongoing efforts to ensure that information related to the implementation of the SKDS can be delivered directly to the business community and stakeholders throughout Sarawak,” she said.

She added that the ministry will continue to intensify briefing programmes and mobile registration counters at strategic locations throughout the state to ensure that more companies and commercial vehicle owners who qualify can participate in the SKDS.

“The cooperation of all parties is greatly appreciated in the successful implementation of this government policy to ensure that the benefits of the diesel subsidy can be enjoyed in a fair, transparent and targeted manner,” he said.

Present were Sri Aman District Officer Shariff Bujang and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Office Lena Buntal.

Issue of teacher's misconduct in Lawas should not have occurred, says Sagah Wee Inn

SIBURAN, June 16 2026: Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Roland Sagah Wee Inn said that allegations of misconduct involving a teacher in Lawas that recently went viral on social media should not have occurred and warrant serious attention from schools and all stakeholders within the education system. 

Caption: Education Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn says he does not want issue of teacher involving in sexual allegation should not have occurred

He said while such cases are not unique to Malaysia and have also occurred in other countries, preventive measures must continue to be strengthened to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students are always protected.

“This should not happen because, as a lawyer, I have seen various cases occur not only in our country but also in other countries.

“This is a human issue and, of course, we do not want such incidents to happen, but they do occur,” he said told reporters at the STEM Catalysts 2026 Grand Celebration programme at SMK Padawan today.

According to him, among the measures that require attention is stricter monitoring in schools, particularly by school administrators who are responsible for ensuring both educators and students understand appropriate boundaries and conduct.

Sagah also stressed that education and awareness on inappropriate behaviour and misconduct should be continuously provided to both teachers and students.

Earlier, he attended the STEM Catalysts 2026 grand celebration programme at SMK Padawan which is part of the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts to empower Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education throughout the state, including urban and rural areas.

He said the STEM Catalysts programme is now entering its third year of implementation and continues to receive positive responses from schools throughout Sarawak.

Sarawak's industries must transition towards comprehensive green production processes, says premier

KUCHING, June 16 2026:  Industries in Sarawak must transition towards comprehensive green production processes rather than relying solely on the use of green energy if they are to produce goods that meet global sustainability standards. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says industries that practice green processes also have an advantage in gaining access to financing because financial institutions are now increasingly prioritising projects and products that meet the sustainable development agenda.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the transformation must encompass the entire production chain, including the use of raw materials, technology and manufacturing processes that are aligned with the requirements of a low-carbon economy. 

“In other words, the raw materials used must also be green. For example, the steel used in the production process should be manufactured using green technology. 

“When the process is green, the products produced will also become green products,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Opening Ceremony of the SWG Green Complex & Decarbon Hub in Demak Laut today. 

According to the premier, industries that practice green processes also have an advantage in gaining access to financing because financial institutions are now increasingly prioritising projects and products that meet the sustainable development agenda. 

He also said Sarawak holds a unique advantage in the global transition towards green energy, having gained recognition as an ‘electro-petro state’ with access to both natural gas resources and renewable energy. 

He said the world is increasingly shifting away from fossil fuels towards green and renewable energy in response to climate change challenges driven by carbon emissions. 

He said the transition has elevated the importance of clean and low-carbon energy sources in supporting future economic growth. 

“Sarawak possesses both. We have gas which generates low-carbon energy through methane, and at the same time we have renewable energy through hydropower. These are the energy sources required in today’s era. 

“At the international level, Sarawak is recognised as an electro-petro state because we possess both of these energy resources,” he said. 

According to him, during the recent Hydrogen Conference, representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA) acknowledged the advantages that Sarawak has over many other regions. 

He said countries that produce fossil fuels are often referred to as 'petro-states', while countries that generate economic growth based on the use of electricity are known as 'electro-states'. 

He added that these advantages would enable Sarawak to meet future energy needs that are increasingly emphasising clean and low-carbon energy sources. 

In this regard, he stressed that technology plays an important role in ensuring the energy resources available can be utilised optimally for the economic development of the state. 

Also present were Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, SWG Energy group chairman  Abang Abdul Karim Abang Openg, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros) Ibrahim Baki, Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel and other dignitaries.