Sarawak's delegation raises issue on education autonomy in a meeting with federal Ministry of Education

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 19 2026: A high-level Sarawak delegation, led by Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, has again raised on the state’s education autonomy, with specific reference to the implementation of the Dual Language Programme (DLP) in Sarawak, with the federal Ministry of Education.

Caption: Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel (third from right) and Education Ministry's Secretary-General Dr Aminuddin Hassim (with red shirt) before the start of the meeting - Photo by Ukas
 

The matter was brought up in a follow-up meeting of the Technical Committee under the Action Council for the Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 between the Sarawak government and the federal ministry.

The delegation met with the delegation from ministry, led by secretary-general Dr Aminuddin Hassim today.

According to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the discussions by the two sides focused on aligning Sarawak’s aspirations for education with the existing national education framework.

The visit reflects the continued commitment of both the Sarawak and federal governments in advancing educational development in the state.

It was also aligned with Sarawak’s aspirations for education with the existing national education framework.

Dr Muhammad Abdullah also emphasised that enhancing students’ English proficiency is crucial in preparing them to meet future technological demands.

He said the Sarawak government remains committed to work closely with federal government to ensure that educational policies implemented in Sarawak benefit students, strengthen institutional capacity, and support long-term socio-economic development.

Among members of Sarawak’s delegation were Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Adana Jed, Senior State Counsel Dr Jady@Zaidi Hassim, head of Education Division Donald Henry and Legal Officer Azreen Fasya Mohamad Abu Bakar.

 

Search and rescue (S&R) ops resume for two suspected drowning victims in two separate locations

KUCHING, Feb 19 2026: Search and rescue (S&R) operations are simultaneously are now being carried out in two separate locations for suspected drowning cases this morning, one at Ulu Sungai Skrang in Betong and the other at Belawai beach, Tanjung Manis. 

Caption: The search for Denickles Lesen resumes this morning, on the second day

At Ulu Sungai Skrang, the search on is for a 20-year old youth Denickles anak Lesen, who was said to have disappeared underwater when the speedboat he was testing capsised at 3.50pm yesterday.

He was seen struggling after the boat capsised and then disappeared.

The search party resumed its operation, led by Abang Muhammad Fhazil Abang Abdul Manaf with six firemen, at 7.30am, concentrating around the spot where Denickles was said to have disappeared underwater.

The K9 Unit led by team supervisor, Dennis Anak Augustine with dog handler  Jackson Ringkai and tracking dog Bella went out to the location of the incident at 8am.

The search for fisherman Sabarudin Awang Kamarudin resumed at 7am.

According to Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station, at the time of the incident, the victim was catching shrimp along the beach area of Kampung Tepi Laut, Belawai.

It said an eye-witness saw Sabarudin suddenly began to sink and his hands were flailing around asking for help.

“Shortly after, the victim disappeared from the surface of the water,” the station said.

 

Fisherman suspected to have dorwned after falling into the sea in Belawai

TANJUNG MANIS, Feb 18 2026: A 48-year old fisherman was suspected to have drowned after he fell into the sea while unloading his catch from a boat to a jetty at Belawai beach this evening.

Caption: A search party was formed for the missing fisherman, suspected to have drowned 

Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said it received a call about 5.03pm requesting for assistance to search for the fisherman,identified as Sabarudin Awang Kamarudin, who has fallen into the sea and disappeared under water.

“After obtaining information about the incident from witnesses, the initial search was conducted using surface water searching with other agencies and villagers,” the station said.

It said the search, led by operations commander Adam Gauk, focused on the surface of the water to detect any clues by tracing the last location where the victim was reported missing.

The search party was made up of personnel from Bomba and police as well the villagers of Kampung Belawai.

The search operations were temporary suspended due to the darkness and will resume tomorrow morning.

Youth feared drowned when speedboat he was testing capsised

BETONG, Feb 18 2026: A 20-year old youth is feared to have drowned when the speedboat he was testing sank in upper Sungai Skarang at Kampung Tisak Ulu here today.

Caption: Testing this speedboat turns tragedy for a 20-year old youth who is feared to have drowned when it capsizes and sinks 

According to eye-witnesses at the scene,  Denickles anak Lesen, aged 20, was conducting a speedboat test at about  3.50pm when the incident happened.

“The boat being tested is believed to have sunk and the victim was reportedly seen floundering before disappearing from view,” Betong Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said in a statement.

It said after obtaining information about the incident from witnesses, the initial search was conducted by surface water searching with the help of boats belonging to villagers.

“The search operation focused on the surface of the water to detect any clues by following the last location of the victim reported missing,” the station said.

The station said it received a call about 4.20pm informing that the youth was feared to have disappeared, suspected to have drowned, when the boat that he was testing capsized and sank.