Total areas of 1.7 million hectares were planted with oil palm in Sarawak, says Statistics Dept in its agriculture census 2024 report

KUCHING, April 16 2026: A total areas of 1.7 million hectares in Sarawak were planted with oil palm, according to the Statistics Department in its agriculture census 2024 report.

The department said this was followed by rubber with 68,200  hectares, fruits with 27,400 hectares.

“These three  activities contribute a  total of 98.1 per cent of the total planted area, while other crops account for  33.6 thousand hectares,” the department said.

The agriculture census also recorded that the total sales value for the crop  subsector in Sarawak amounted to RM20.68 billion, the forestry and logging subsector (RM1.52 billion), followed by the livestock subsector (RM1.05 billion).

“While the  captured fisheries subsector and aquaculture subsector recorded sales value at  RM597.23 million and RM141.7 million respectively,” the department said.  

It said the total income of the agriculture sector for Sarawak in 2023 amounted to  RM29.18 billion, with the crop subsector emerged as the largest contributor at  RM23.58 billion (80.8%), followed by forestry and logging subsector RM2.88 billion  (9.9%), livestock subsector RM1.96 billion (6.7%), captured fisheries subsector  RM605.55 million (2.1%) and aquaculture subsector RM151.57 million (0.5%).

The three) administrative districts recorded highest total income were Sibu (RM2.58  billion), Mukah (RM2.30 billion) and Bintulu (RM2.21 billion).  

Establishments agricultural holdings contributed RM22.49 billion, equivalent to 77.1  per cent of agriculture sector’s income, while individual holdings recorded RM6.70 billion (22.9%).

These findings are derived from the census, conducted from  July 7, 2024 to  October 31, 2024 through extensive and strategic collaboration  between DOSM and 1,390 agriculture-related agencies at the federal, state and district  levels.

Sarawak recorded 147,411 agricultural holdings, of which 145,377 were individual,  representing 98.6 per cent while the remaining 2,034 agricultural holdings were  establishments.

Employment in the agriculture sector for Sarawak recorded 358,803 persons in 2023.  The top three administrative districts contributing to employment were Miri (22,087  persons), Subis (19,348 persons) and Sibu (17,936 persons), collectively accounting  for 17.0 per cent of the total employment. The oil palm activity was the main contributor  to employment, representing 62.0 per cent of the total agricultural employment in  Sarawak.

The average annual wages and salaries in the agriculture sector was amounted to RM19,122 with five administrative districts recording levels above the state average,  namely Kabong (RM25,040), Matu (RM25,016), Mukah (RM24,341), Marudi  (RM23,543) and Subis (RM23,498)

The key ministries and agencies involved include the Ministry of Agriculture and  Food Security (KPKM), the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK), the Ministry  of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the Sarawak Ministry  of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) and the Sabah  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI).

Don't let anyone use your name to open and operate bank account, Stampin MP advises people after a youth comes to see him

KUCHING, April 16 2026: Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen urged the general public, especially the youth,  not to let anyone  use their names to open and operate any bank account or mule account. 

Caption MP Chong Chieng Jen meeting the youth and his parents at his office

He said whatever the promised payment, it is not worth the while for them to let their names to be used by anyone to open a bank account.

“Furthermore, such a mule account is a tool to scam the others, which makes the holder of the mule account an accomplice to a scam,” Chong said in a statement after a youth and his parents came to see him this morning.

He said the unsuspecting 19-year old youth lent his name to a friend to open a bank account back in 2024 and now finds his name blacklisted in the system and is unable to open a bank account in any bank.

“In 2024, he had, without the knowledge of his parents, lent his name to a friend to open account with CIMB Bank and allowed his friend to operate the account.

“His friend promised a monthly fee of RM400 for the use of the account, but the payment did not come through.  

“After some time, he then went to CIMB Bank to close his account, thinking that everything is fine,” Chong said.

He added recently, as the youth was asked by his employer to open a bank account for salary payment, he approached several banks and was unable to open any bank account.

“He was then informed that back in February, 2024, the account that he allowed his friend to operate was used in the commission of a scam.  

“There was a police report lodged by the victim of the scam citing the youth’s account number and name,” he said.

He added the youth subsequently closed the account in question, but his name is now in the blacklist among banks in Malaysia and he cannot open any bank account with any bank.

“As a result of his inability to open a bank account, he lost his employment.  This is causing a great deal of anxiety to him and the parents,” Chong, who is also Sarawak DAP chairman, said.

He added as the scam victim lives in Penang, the case will be investigated and if the youth is charged in court, it will be Penang.

“Until the conclusion of the matter, his name will continue to be in the blacklist,” he said.

Chong said he is helping to arrange for the investigation to be expedited and if the Public Prosecutor decides to prosecute, to have the matter quickly resolved in the court in Penang.

Each eligible household to receive RM1,100, senior citizen RM600 and single individual RM375 under special financial assistance

KUCHING, April 16 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has announced a special financial assistance by increasing the rate of the basic needs contribution (SKAS) 2026 to eligible households, senior citizens and single individuals. 

He said the increase is ease the burden of the low and middle income groups to obtain supplies of basic daily needs.

“The ongoing conflict in West Asia has triggered a global energy and economic crisis which has also had a ripple effect on the cost of living of the people of Sarawak.

“Global pressures are also being felt with increasing costs such as surcharges on aviation fuel, transportation costs, fertilizer prices and agricultural inputs which have led to an increase in the cost of food and daily grocery items.

“Therefore, the GPS government has decided to assist the people of Sarawak who may be affected,” he told reporters after chairing the State Cabinet meeting today.

He said new rate for each household will be RM1,100 from the current RM950,

senior citizen from RM500 to RM600 and single individual from RM300 to RM375.

“It is expected that nearly 900,000 eligible recipients will receive this assistance based on data from recipients of the 2026 Sumbangan Tunai Ramah (STR),” he said.

“The distribution of assistance will be implemented in stages in three phases throughout 2026.

“The first phase of distribution started in March 2026, followed by the second phase scheduled in May 2026 while the third phase in November 2026.

“This rate increase will involve additional financial implications of RM136.2 million,” AbangJohari said, adding that the Sarawak government's total 2026 financial allocation for the implementation of SKAS this year amounts to RM680 million from the original amount of RM543.8 million.

The premier said the state government will also provide a special electricity discount for domestic consumers of 25 per cent starting April until December 2026.

He said this discount rate is equivalent to the rate that was previously provided through the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance Package (BKSS).

“It is expected that 714,557 domestic consumers will enjoy this benefit, with a payment of RM188.1 million which will be fully borne by the Sarawak government,” he said.

“In addition, to reduce the business costs of traders and hawkers in Sarawak, we will provide a 50 per cent discount on market and stall rental owned by Local Authorities.

“Meanwhile, for micro, small and medium traders who rent business premises owned by state statutory bodies such as the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and the Land Development and Conservation Authority (LCDA), a 50 per cent rental discount will also be provided and this discount will be borne by the statutory bodies concerned.

“This rental discount initiative involves an estimated financial implication of RM8.1 million,” he said.

First two units of ART vehicles ready for delivery to Kuching in second quarter of this year

KUCHING, April 15 2026: The first two units of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles have successfully completed the required tests in China and now ready for delivery to Kuching, marking another milestone for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

Caption: Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa (centre) was in Yibin recently to conduct final inspections of ART vehicles

These first two units of ART vehicles, referred to as the “golden trains”, are expected to arrive in Kuching within the second quarter of this year.

Chief Executive Officer Mazli Mustaffa, together with Sarawak Metro’s technical team were recently in the Chinese city of Yibin, to conduct final inspections of the ART vehicles at the manufacturer’s facility.

The aim of his visit was to verify overall readiness, workmanship quality, and compliance with project specifications prior to shipment.

"We are excited to welcome the ‘golden trains’ to Kuching soon and we all look forward to commencing pilot operations later this year, bringing us closer to delivering a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly public transportation system for the people of Sarawak,” said Mazli.

“Sarawak Metro remains committed to delivering the KUTS project safely, efficiently, and sustainably, and we greatly appreciate the continued support and cooperation of the public as this project progresses,” he added.

Meanwhile, the vehicles will undergo gangway reassembly works at the Kuching ART Assembly Facility (KAAF), upon arrival in Sarawak.

Another set of tests will be conducted on the vehicles once they arrive at the ART depot in Rembus, Kota Samarahan, to ensure full operational readiness ahead of the pilot operations scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

Among those present during Mazli’s visit to the ART manufacturing facility in Yibin were Hunan CRRC Intelligent Transport Technology Co. Ltd General Manager, Peng Zhonghong and EPR Mobilus GR JV Sdn Bhd Director, Chan Chee Kian.