(UPDATED) Sarawak government sets 2030 as a target year for zero rabies deaths

KUCHING, May 14 2026: The state government has set 2030 as a target year for zero rabies deaths in the state, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dr Stephen Rundie Utom told reporters today. 

Caption: Dr Stephen Rundie Utom speaking to reporters to announce that Rabies in Asia conference will be in Kuching

However, he said the target may not  be met and could be extended beyond 2030, admitting that the state government has set targets in the past, but is unable to achieve due to the incidences of bites by rabid dogs and cats.

He said it is not easy to totally eliminate rabies because it is difficult to control the movement of dogs, especially along the Sarawak=Kalimantan border areas and rural villages, but surprisingly not in Malay kampungs.

He said many of the villages that breed dogs are found along the border areas.

“If we have problems monitoring and controlling of human beings, then monitoring and controlling dogs is impossible,” Dr Rundie said.

“As we know, rabies is a global issues, affecting many countries,” he said.

“It is very important for the people of Sarawak to know that death due to rabies can be prevented.

“So long as you follow standard operating procedure (SOP), such as seeking immediate medical treatment after being bitten by dogs or cats, you can be saved,” Dr Rundie, a medical doctor by profession, said.

“We have many reported cases of people bitten by dogs or cats, but the number of fatalities now stand 87,” he said at a press conference to announce that Sarawak will hold Rabies in Asian conference on Sept 29 to Oct 1, 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

“The reasons why people died after being bitten by rabid does are that either they are ignorant of the SOP or being stubborn by not seeking treatment or they just want to die.

“If you want to die, then go ahead, and if you want to survive, the follow the SOP,” he stressed.

Dr Rundie explained that, apart from dogs and cats, there are no known cases of rabies being spread by other animals.

 

 

Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival on May 23-24 at SCV, one of the highlights will be a musical drama "Belawan Burieng"

KUCHING, May 14 2026: The Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) in Santubong will organise Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival 2026 on 23rd to 24^th of this month, one of the key initiatives by state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry and Tourism Malaysia.

Caption: Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah speaking to reporters 

The minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believed that the festival will position Sarawak as a premier destination for cultural tourism.

“Sarawak Harvest & Folklore Festival is more than just an event. It is a celebration of unity, culture, and the future,” he told a press conference to announce the staging of the festival.

“The festival will proudly involves local communities, students from local colleges, cultural enthusiasts, and creative talents from across Sarawak.

“Their participation not only adds authenticity and vibrancy to the event but also strengthens the connection between generations in preserving and celebrating Sarawak’s diverse heritage,” the minister said.

With the theme: “celebrating heritage, inspiring future”,  he said it focuses on honoring the ancestors' traditions while inspiring the youth to carry the torch of cultural identity.

“This festival will also emphasise on inclusivity whereby it is a platform for local craftspeople, ethnic cooks, and young talents to express their creativity and keep Sarawak’s heritage alive,” he said..

Karim said one of the unique features of the festival is that entrance is at flat rate which is at RM20 for adults and RM10 per child for the day entrance from 9am to 6pm and RM50 for adults and RM30 per child for the night show from 6pm to 11pm.

“The rates will encourage more visitors to join and enjoy the celebrations without any barriers,” he said, adding that the event has received a total of 3,875 ticket purchases through its

official website www.sarawakharvestfestival.com.my.

He said to streamline visitors’ access and alleviate traffic congestion, shuttle services will be available from the Sports Village parking area starting at 9am, saying that the fares are priced at RM5 for adults and RM3 for children per way.

Karim said a dedicated pick-up service is also available at the Damai Golf & Country Club checkpoint for a flat rate of RM5 per person.

Karim said this year’s festival highlights will include a drama musical entitled “Belawan Burieng ~ The Hercules of the keliman river” ~ a theatrical 90 minutes performance that brings to life the legend of Belawan Burieng, a legendary warrior of the kayan that believed to be half-human and half-deity.

He explained the musical tells a story of bravery and resistance that inspires pride in Sarawakian identity.

“The drama is based on the original script written by Livan Tajang and shall feature local talents such as Azam Pit, Lorna Walter, SCV dancers and local community.

“This drama shall be performed outdoor at the lakeside starting at 9pm,” he said, adding that there will also be a culturalvaganza show ~ a colourful cultural show that includes dance and music from Sarawak’s ethnic community.

He said this year’s performers include the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association, The Ring Ladies of Borneo from Kampung Semban, Padawan and Sarawak Tagal (Okolod) Association.

The culturalvaganza show will be held twice a day at 11am and 3.30pm inside the Theatre. Aside from this, SCV’s artists will also be performing cultural shows twice a day at 11.30am and 4pm at the Open Lawn.

 

 

 

About 2,700 kilometres of logging roads in Baram interior identified by state government for take over and improvement

KUCHING, May 13 2026: Approximately 2,700 kilometres of logging roads in Baram interior have been identified by the state government for take over and improvement, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Gerawat Gala revealed.

 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (seated, centre) with the Orang Ulu community leaders

He said the logging roads have been serving as vital access routes for residents in remote areas.

He said the move will enable the roads to be maintained, repaired and upgraded in phases using MARRIS (Sistem Maklumat Rekod-Rekod Jalan Raya Malaysia) funds allocated by the federal government.

“We are deeply grateful when the premier informed us that the Sarawak government has decided to take over all logging roads in the state involving more than 7,000 kilometres.

“Of that total, 2,700 kilometres are located in the Baram Division. Once these roads are gazetted as state roads, we become eligible to receive MARRIS funding for phased maintenance, repairs and upgrading works,” he said.

He said this after leading a courtesy visit involving 27 Orang Ulu community leaders and village chiefs from several sub-districts in Baram together with the Sarawak Kelabit Association on Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) complex today.

At the same time, Gerawat said the communities also conveyed their appreciation to the Premier of Sarawak and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government for various development initiatives implemented in Bario, including 24-hour electricity supply, telecommunications and internet connectivity, as well as clean water supply.

He added that among the key requests submitted to the Sarawak Premier was the upgrading of the logging road stretching from Lapok Town to Bario, which connects more than 100 longhouses in the interior.

In addition, the Kelabit community also appealed for the enhancing of the Bario rice industry through modernisation and mechanisation to enhance production output of the specialty rice, which is still largely cultivated using traditional methods.

The Mulu Assemblyman said the premier also shared several modern approaches currently being implemented in paddy cultivation projects elsewhere in Sarawak that have significantly increased production yields.

At the same time, the Kelabit community also submitted a request for the creation of a Temenggong position for the Kelabit community, similar to other Orang Ulu minority communities including the Lun Bawang, Bisaya and Penan communities.