Miri Airport upgrading project allocation increases from RM150 million to RM445 million

KUCHING, May 9 2026: The federal government  has approved the new ceiling cost for the Miri Airport upgrading project from RM150 million to RM445 million.

 Caption: Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin (right) having a luncheon meeting with his federal counterpart Anthony Loke 

Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shim said the upgrading work is a federal government project which was initially approved by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with an allocation of RM150 million during the official dinner in Miri on September 28, 2024.

He said that prior to the dinner, he had personally appealed to the prime minister, in the presence of Premier Abang Johari Openg on the urgent need to upgrade Miri Airport due to increasing passenger traffic, ageing facilities and the growing importance of Miri as the main gateway to northern Sarawak.

“I highlighted to the prime minister the urgency of upgrading Miri Airport, noting that the project had in fact already received approval in principle in 2017 but was subsequently delayed following changes in the federal government administration,” he said in a statement following a luncheon meeting with Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook this afternoon.

During the meeting, Loke announced the increased allocation and implementation of the Miri Airport upgrading project.

Following the approval, the federal Ministry of Economy subsequently approved an allocation of RM3.2 million to the federal Ministry of Transport in 2025 to commence preliminary works for the project.

The works included soil investigation, building condition assessment, survey works, utility mapping and measured drawings to determine the required upgrading scope and estimated project cost.

“After the completion of the preliminary works, a Value Assessment Laboratory (VA Lab) was conducted in February 2026 by the federal Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS), Public Works Department Malaysia (JKR Malaysia), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and all relevant agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

According to  Lee, the findings of the VA Lab identified the need to increase the original approved ceiling cost of RM150 million to ensure all necessary upgrading works identified during the preliminary stage could be fully implemented and the project objectives successfully achieved.

“The federal Ministry of Transport subsequently submitted an application to revise the project ceiling cost, and I am grateful that the Federal Government has agreed to increase the allocation from RM150 million to RM445 million,” he said.

He described the approval as a significant and timely development for Miri and northern Sarawak, particularly in strengthening aviation infrastructure and improving passenger capacity and operational efficiency at Miri Airport.

“I would like to sincerely thank Anwar and Loke Siew Fook for their strong commitment, cooperation and continuous support towards the implementation of public transport and aviation infrastructure projects in Sarawak,” he added.

Lee said Miri Airport currently handles two million passengers per annum (MPPA), and with the implementation of the upgrading project, the airport will be able to accommodate up to four million passengers annually upon completion.

The project is expected to commence construction this year and will be implemented by the Public Works Department Malaysia (JKR Malaysia) and JKR Sarawak as the implementing agency.

He said the upgrading works would involve expansion of the terminal building and aircraft parking facilities, while also modernising airport operations through enhanced digital systems and automated facilities such as self check-in services and improved passenger processing systems.

The project is also expected to improve operational efficiency, passenger comfort and safety standards, including full segregation of domestic and international passengers in compliance with requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

 Lee further highlighted that Miri Airport serves as the second busiest airport in Sarawak after Kuching International Airport, and plays a vital role as the main hub for Rural Air Services (RAS), currently operated by AirBorneo, connecting urban centres with rural and interior areas across Sarawak and Sabah.

“The state Ministry of Transport remains committed to assisting the federal government in ensuring the smooth implementation of this important project according to the planned timeline,” he said.

Sarawak to establish paddy and rice board

KUCHING, May 9 2026: The Sarawak government will establish the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board with the tabling of a Bill at next week’s sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SL A).

Caption: Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar flanked by his deputy Idris Buang (left) and SLA secretary Nur Azhar Bujang

The Bill will be tabled by tabled by Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development  Minister Dr Stephen Rundi Utom on May 12.

SLA Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar said the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board Bill is one the four that will be tabled in SLA.

The others are the Supplementary Supply Bill (2025) 2026, Supplementary Supply Bill (2026) 2026, and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2026.

SLA will sit from May 11 to 20 (excluding Saturday and Sunday).

Asfia said 333 questions, including oral and written questions, had been received from 39 State Legislative Members (SLMs).

Of the total, 254 questions were for oral answers involving 37 SLMs, while the other 79 were written questions from 15 SLMs.

He added that the Premier's Department received the highest number of questions with 50 questions submitted.

Sarawak Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar open the SLA sitting on 11 May 2026.

 

Nanta Linggi eyeing Melekun, one of the 17 new state seats?

KUCHING, May 9 2026: Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi has repeatedly said that he wishes to contest a state seat in the Sarawak state election which is due in February next year.

Caption: Works Minister and PBB secretary general Alexander Nanta Linggi has repeated his wish to go for a state seat in the coming Sarawak election 

However, he said his wish depends on Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leadership whose decision is crucial for him to enter the state legislative assembly (SLA).

He hinted that the state seat that he is eyeing will be in Kapit.

“After so long in Parliament, I do not rule out if there is a need for me to consider a role at the state level, subject to the party's agreement,” he told reporters after attending Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) meeting at the party  headquarters today.

He said he has served as Kapit MP for six terms or 30 years, saying it is time for him to move to another chapter of his political career.

Asked if given a chance to contest a state seat in the Sarawak election which seat he will contest, he replied: “In Kapit”, without being specific.

Under Kapit parliamentary constituency, there are three state seats - Pelagus, Katibas and Bukit Goram.

While Pelagus is ruled out because it belongs to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Katibas and Bukit Goram are PBB seats.

Lidam Hassan is Katibas incumbent while Jefferson Jamit is the incumbent for Bukit Goram.

However, Nanta can choose to contest in Melekun, one of the 17 new Sarawak seats.

Melekun is created out of Kapit parliamentary seats.

If the 17 new Sarawak state seats have been endorsed by Parliament before the Sarawak state election, Nanta may well be contesting Melekun, which is certain it will be allocated to PBB.

So, Lidam and Jamit need not step down to give way to Nanta, who is also PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary general.

Nanta is a grandson of Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng, one of the signatories of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Badly mutilated body of 64-year old man found, believed to be crocodile victim

MARUDI, May 8 2026: The  badly mutilated body of a  64-year old senior citizen has been found floating on Sungai Ridan by a search party this morning.

Caption: The badly mutilated body of a 64-year old senior citizen, covered with plastic bag, was found by a search party 

Marudi Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) spokesman, in a statement, said the man is believed to have been mauled by a crocodile while he was fishing at Sungai Ridan here yesterday.

“Only his head, two legs and one hand are still attached to the badly mutilated body, “ the spokesman said.

According to him, Marudi Bomba received a call from the man’s younger brother about 9.20pm last night, informed him that his brother had not returned home.

He said the younger brother was informed by the villagers that the victim had left his motorcycle by Sungai Ridan.

He said the victim’s clothes and fishing gear were found under the bridge.

“Initial search efforts were carried out at the scene, but still failed to find the victim,” the spokesman said.