If Raghad, her children, all Syrians, can over a short period, no reason why third generation Chinese cannot be granted Bumiputera status? Sng asks

KUCHING, March 31 2026: Julau MP Larry Sng (picture) defended his suggestion that third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent be accorded the Bumiputera status, in comments posted on Facebook.

“If Raghad (Kurdi, wife of the former Governor the late Taib Mahmud) and her children, all Syrians, can become Malaysians, Melanau and Bumiputra in a short span of time, who are we fooling here to say that Bumiputera status cannot be granted to those non Bumis whose family have been from Sarawak for over 100 years?” he asked.

“The constitutional amendment can be made in the state, no need to go to parliament. That’s why it is doable only in Sarawak,” he said.

“Perhaps as a suggestion the government can create “Sino-putra” or “Sara-putra”as a new category of native and insert it in a state Constitution amendment. That would be the easiest way,” Sng, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president.

Sng was obviously referring to PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman who had said that before granting the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent there was a need to look at the provisions of both the Federal and State Constitutions on who qualified to be categorised as Bumiputera.

Sng stressed that granting the Bumiputera status to the third generation is not at the expense of other communities.

“If this was expanded, not only are we accorded equal footing in Sarawak but also throughout the country,” he said, adding:”Basically we are expanding opportunities. Think of it as growing the economic cake as opposed to merely focusing on each others share.”

“Given that there will always be more poor people than rich even among the non Bumiputras, I believe it will benefit those in the B40 category most.

“In addition, I believe the original intent of such a policy is to give indigenous communities an advantage in a situation of scarce resources and opportunities.

“However times have changed. Sarawak today is much richer than before with additional revenue streams therefore by expanding such privileges it will benefit almost all Sarawakians in a more equitable way,” Sng commented.

A Facebook account holder agreed that Sng has a powerful and well-reasoned counterargument.

“However, if native status is expanded too broadly, how do we ensure that its original purpose in protecting indigenous communities is not diluted?” she asked.

“If everyone qualifies, can the policy still serve a targeted and protective function, or does it risk evolving into a general entitlement?” she again asked.

“What impact would broader eligibility have on the distribution of benefits currently allocated to indigenous communities, and could this inadvertently disadvantage those it was originally intended to support?” she questioned.

Another Facebook account holder said it would be easier for the Chinese to be granted the Bumiputera status if they are assimilated into the local culture and way of life of the Bumiputera communities, just like what are happening in Indonesia and Thailand.

Another account holder asked Sng what was exactly his point, questioning if Sng was suggesting that “we move toward a single-stream school system and abolish SJKC entirely?

“If so, is that truly a fair and balanced approach for a diverse society? Equality does not mean erasing differences,” he said.

“A more reasonable path is to acknowledge and respect our differences while ensuring that all communities are treated fairly,” he said.

Another account holder asked Sng to put forward his suggestion in Parliament, instead of issuing a public statement that does not carry weight.

He said when Raghad and her children were granted the Bumiputera status Sng did not raise any question.

“Why raise the question now?” he asked.

Over 300 hectares of peat land in Kuala Tatau Serupai have already been devastated by wild fires

TATAU, March 30 2026: A vast area of 300 hectares peat land in Kuala Tatau Serupai has been devastated by wild fires since March 23, according to Tatau Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said.

Caption: Firemen extinguishing the peat land fires 

Out of the total, firemen and personnel from other agencies have so far put out fires from 223 hectares.

“We have yet to extinguish fires in the remaining 74 hectares,” Tatau Bomba senior operation commander Sim Mui Chai said this evening.

A brief rain last night helped, but not enough to stop the fires from spreading.

The fire extinguishing operations were divided into three teams.

 All the three teams moved to the front to extinguish the smoke plume caused by the wind. 

The operations were suspended at 5.30pm and will resume tomorrow morning.

Nanta says his ministry has taken serious note on the implications of rising construction costs

KUCHING, March  30 2026: Works Ministry has taken serious note of the implications of rising construction costs following geopolitical developments in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has a direct impact on the stability of the global energy supply chain.

The minister Alexander Nanta Linggi (picture) said the increase in costs needs to be addressed within a comprehensive framework as the construction sector has significant dependence on fuel prices such as petrol and diesel, in addition to logistics and construction material costs that are closely linked to international markets.

“Given that the main cause is global geopolitical factors beyond domestic control, the impact of this cost pressure is also being experienced by most countries. In this regard, the approach taken must be strategic, targeted and data-based,” he said a a statement.

Manta was commenting on reports that over 41,000 or 30 per cent of the 138,000 contractors are at risk of winding up due the rising cost of diesel.

At the same time, many on-going construction projects are greatly affected and their completion be delayed due to the rising cost of diesel.

Nanta said his ministry is conducting a comprehensive assessment with relevant agencies and the industry to identify appropriate mitigation mechanisms, including in terms of project implementation, cost structure and the resilience of the construction sector supply chain.

“At the same time, the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia (CIDB) will strengthen its role as an industry coordinator by mobilizing strategic collaboration with relevant agencies and industry players to formulate pragmatic and high-impact policy proposals and intervention measures.

“The government is committed to ensuring the continuity of the implementation of national development projects as well as maintaining the stability of the construction sector through a policy approach that is responsive, adaptive and oriented towards long-term sustainability,” he added.

Julau MP says he will never support DAP's suggestion for EC to implement postal voting for Sarawakians residing in Malaya

KUCHING, March 30 2026: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) Larry Sng said he strongly opposes a suggestion by Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii for the Election Commission (EC) to allow Sarawakians residing in Malaya to cast their votes through postal voting in the coming state election.  

PBM president Larry Sng says it is naive for the DAP to suggest posting voting for Sarawakians residing in Malaya

He said honestly he would never support this reform (casting votes through postal voting).

“ Not because I don’t want Sarawakians abroad to vote but because I am concerned with vote tempering.

“ It’s naive for the DAP to suggest this,” Larry, who is also Julau MP, said in his Facebook post.

On July 17, Dr Yii urged the EC to expedite the  necessary voting reforms to ensure that all Sarawakians, including those in Peninsular Malaysia,  vote in the coming state election.

“There are estimated over 200,000 registered Sarawakian voters residing in Peninsular Malaysia, consisting of students, workers, and families who are constitutionally entitled to vote, yet face prohibitive barriers,” Dr Yii said in a statement.

“For many, returning home is not a simple flight to Kuching or Sibu; it means additional boat rides, four-wheel-drive journeys into the interior, days of travel, and costs that can exceed a month’s salary,” he explained.

He said Sarawakians in the peninsula should be allowed to vote through postal voting to eliminate those obstacles, adding that it would convert a disenfranchising ordeal into a simple act of casting a ballot from one’s place of residence.

Penan community now realising education is driving force in shaping their future

SUAI, March 30 2026: Education is increasingly seen as the driving force in shaping the future of the Penan community, particularly in raising the living standards among rural populations in Sarawak. 

PETIPUN president Nyurak Keti (third from right) says a proposal to use container units as temporary classrooms would be implemented to enable learning sessions in remote areas that still lack proper school facilities.

Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association (PETIPUN) president Nyurak Keti said some Penan children still lack access to education, especially in remote and challenging areas.

He stated that the situation calls for serious attention and a coordinated response from all stakeholders including local leaders and relevant agencies to ensure no young generation is left behind in the national education system.

“If we aspire for Penan children to become doctors, lawyers or leaders, they must go to school. Education is the only pathway to transforming their future,” Nyurak, who is also Bintulu Divison Resident, said at the opening of the Penan Festival ‘Tipun Pinum Pengida Penan’ at Kampung Maring, Jambatan Suai last Saturday.

Present to officiate the event was Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development  Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

Nyurak said that a proposal to use container units as temporary classrooms would be implemented to enable learning sessions in remote areas that still lack proper school facilities.

However, he acknowledged that funding constraints, particularly in transporting such facilities to remote locations, remain a pressing challenge that must be addressed.

In this regard, he urged all parties to strengthen collaboration in seeking solutions to expand education access for the Penan community.

He recommended that each longhouse set a target of producing at least one graduate as part of a broader effort to raise the community’s education standards.

He also called on the government to continue special recruitment of teachers from among the Penan community, while opening up more opportunities for Penan graduates to join the public service.

“This is crucial to ensure the Penan community does not fall behind in the pace of development,” he said.

Meanwhile, the two-day Penan Festival was also enlivened with various community activities including sepak takraw, football, long jump, and traditional games such as Pekang Luten.

Food, beverage and handicraft stalls were also set up, adding to the vibrancy of the programme which serves as a platform to reinforce unity and celebrate the identity of the Penan community.