Slovak Republic expresses economic cooperation with Sarawak

KUCHING, Aug 10 2026: Slovak Ambassador to Malaysia Peter Spisiak has expressed his country’s intention to explore cooperation with Sarawak especially in economic sectors, particularly renewable energy, investment, technology, education and tourism.

Caption: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (centre) with Slovak Ambassador to Malaysia Peter Spisiak (left) and director of Sarawak Regional Office of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affaurs Hendy Assan

He raised the matter when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Astana Negeri today.

In the meeting, Tun Wan Junaidi shared Sarawak's development progress as well as the state's efforts to diversify its economic base through new sectors, including renewable energy in addition to the oil and gas industry.

Both parties also exchanged views on trade, investment, education, technology, tourism and culture as areas that have the potential to expand relations between Sarawak and the Slovak Republic.

In addition, aspects of Borneo's history were also discussed, with the governor  emphasising the importance of research based on local sources and perspectives to form a more accurate and comprehensive historical narrative.

Also present was the Ambassador and Director of the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Hendy Assan

Repair works on damaged water pipe in Kota Samarahan in progress, expected to be completed tonight

KUCHING, Aug 10 2026: Works are currently under way to repair an 800mm mild steel cement lined (MSCL) water pipe in Kota Samarahan that was accidentally damaged by construction works at the site of the SM02 ART station.

The water pipe was accidentally damaged over the weekend during construction works on the Blue Line Package 1 of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

Sarawak Metro is working closely with the KUTS Project’s Blue Line Package 1 contractor – the joint venture of Ibraco Construction Sdn Bhd and China Railway Engineering Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd (ICJV) – and the relevant authorities to repair the damaged water pipe.

The repair works, which are being overseen by Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), is expected to complete by 8 pm, tonight.

Sarawak Metro apologises for any inconvenience caused by this incident.

 

Premier says not a problem if Sarawak uses 82 seats for coming state election

KUCHING, Aug 10 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg explained that he has no issue if the upcoming state election continues to use the existing 82 Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) seats.

 Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg speaking to reporters after the groundbreaking for the construction of HMI Medical Regency Specialist Hospital at NorthBank, Tabuan Jaya 

He stressed the state government is prepared to proceed with the current number of seats if the proposed increase to 99 seats cannot be implemented in time.

“We have no issue; if it's just 82 seats, then we will use 82 seats.

“It is not mandatory for us to hold the election with 99 seats because looking at the given timeframe, it is indeed short, we cannot do anything.

“We will just follow what is existing, no problem, perhaps the issue lies only with the voters,” he told reporters performing groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of HMI Medical Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching at The NorthBank, Tabuan Jaya here today.

The proposal to increase the number of seats was previously passed by SLA, but its implementation still requires further endorsement by Parliament.

Minister of Communications and spokesperson for the Madani Government Fahmi Fadzil had recently informed that the federal government is obtaining a report from the Election Commission (EC) regarding the proposal.

He stated that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given a commitment to implement the seat in
crease.

Serikin ICQS expected to drive Bau District's economy, tourism

BAU. Aug 10 2026: The construction of the Serikin Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex is expected to act as a catalyst for economic growth and tourism in Bau District through increased movement of people and goods across the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border.

Caption: Deputy Minister Henry Harry Jinep says Serikin ICQS opens room for various opportunities

Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Maritime) and Tasik Biru State Legislative Member (SLM)  Henry Harry Jinep said that Serikin's position as a border area connecting Sarawak with West Kalimantan makes the development of the ICQS vital in terms of the economy, security, and cross-border movement.

“Infrastructure development does not merely connect one destination to another, but also opens room for various opportunities, alongside enhancing security levels in border areas,” he said when receiving a visit from the Perak State Government Secretary Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, along with members of the Perak State Security Working Committee (JKKN) for a border management benchmarking visit at the Serikin ICQS Complex construction project site here today.

 Henry said the presence of the Serikin ICQS holds potential to strengthen the movement of people and goods across the border, besides creating more economic opportunities for the local community.

He added that the facility is also expected to add value to Bau's tourism sector by improving access for visitors from outside Sarawak, particularly from West Kalimantan.

“Bau is now steadily growing as a tourism destination possessing its own uniqueness and history,” he remarked.

Among tourism attractions in the district are Tasik Biru, Siniawan Night Market, Bung Jagoi, and Bung Bratak, which stand to benefit from increased access and visitor flow through the Serikin border route.

Henry noted that the benchmarking visit also opened space for Sarawak and Perak to share experiences and best practices regarding border management and infrastructure development.

The visit was followed by a presentation session by the Public Works Department (JKR) Kuching Division on the progress of the Serikin ICQS project before the delegation inspected the project site.

Also present were Sarawak Police Commissioner  Mohamad Zainal Abdullah, and Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi.

 

Activist urges Kota Samarahan Municipal Council to restore name Merdang in place of Bandar Riyal

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Aug 10 2026:   Indigenous rights activist Peter John Jaban has asked Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (KSMC) to restore the name Merdang  in place of Bandar Riyal.

Caption: Market Bandar Riyal

He said Bandar Riyal does not reflect the actual identity of the Merdang area.

“We, the indigenous community of Merdang and supporters of cultural heritage, wish to express our serious concerns regarding the renaming of the area, roads, lanes, bazaar and market in Taman Samarindah, which we believe has gradually undermined and overshadowed the original name and identity of Merdang,” he said in a letter to KSMC.

“Let us be very clear that  we are not against development. We welcome development.

“However, we object to any process that results in the original name and history of Merdang gradually being erased from official maps, records and the memory of future generations,” Peter said.

“In view of these growing concerns, the indigenous community of Merdang is making preparations to hold a peaceful and orderly street protest in the near future to voice our objection to the erosion of the name and identity of Merdang.

“This protest is not intended to oppose development or to target any individual. Instead, it is the voice of a community demanding that Merdang be recognised, Merdang be preserved and the original name of Merdang be respected,
 Peter said.

He called upon the authorities and the Municipal Council to take the community's concerns seriously before the planned protest takes place.

“We also call upon the indigenous community, local residents and all those who value history and cultural heritage to support this effort peacefully and responsibly,” he said.

He stressed that one important fact that cannot be ignored is the existence of Sungai Merdang, pointing out that there is Sungai Merdang, but there are no Sungai Samarindah and no Sungai Bandar Riyal.