Meradong rep praises women for their increasing role in community development

MERADONG, June 7 2026: Meradong state legislative member (SLM) Ding Kuong Hiing praised the role of women in community development, pointing out that their role is increasingly important and needs to be further strengthened in line with their great contributions in various aspects of life.

Caption: SLM for Meradong Ding Kuong Hiing (5th from right) and other invited guests cutting a cake to mark Mother's Day celebration 

He said that women today not only play a major role in the family institution, but also contribute significantly in the fields of career, economy and community activities.

"Women who are active in various community programmes have also helped to strengthen relationships among the community and create a more harmonious and united atmosphere," he said at the Mother's Day Appreciation Dinner organized by the Meradong District Foochow Association here.

He added that the celebration of Mother's Day is not only intended to celebrate mothers, but also serves as a reminder to the community to always respect parents, foster the value of love and strengthen the family institution.

He said that appreciation for mothers should not be limited to the celebration of Mother's Day alone, but rather should be translated through love, attention and respect in daily life.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities and Sarikei Member of Parliament Huang Tiong Sii channeled a special grant for minor rural projects (MRP) amounting to RM5,000 to the Meradong District Foochow Association to support the implementation of the association’s activities and development.

Ding also announced a special grant contribution of RM3,000 to the Women’s Movement and RM3,000 to the Meradong District Foochow Association’s Youth Movement to help strengthen the implementation of their programmes and activities in the future.

 

Sarikei communities strengthening racial harmony by organising GongXiRayaGawai 2026 celebration 2026

SARIKEI, June 7 2026: The communities here have gone one step further by strengthening racial harmony in organising GongXiRayaGawai 2026 celebration, which brings together elements of the Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak celebrations.

Caption: Sarikei MP Huang Tiong Sii distributing "red packets to the elderly at the GongXiRayaGawai celebration 2026 

Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities and Member of Parliament for Sarikei Huang Tiong Sii said combining three into one was not just a festive event, but rather reflected the true identity of the people of Sarawak in an atmosphere of respect and goodwill.

“GongXiRayaGawai is not just a name, this is a reflection of the true soul of Sarawak, where the three major festivals of our three main races are celebrated together,” he said when speaking at the GongXiRayaGawai 2026 celebration ceremony organised by the Sarikei Senior Citizens Association at the New Fortune Restaurant Sarikeiyesteday.

He said the culture of visiting each other’s open houses, sharing food and celebrating festivals regardless of racial and religious backgrounds must continue to be preserved as the foundation for the harmony enjoyed by the people today.

Huang, who is also Repok State Legislative Member (SLM), also expressed his appreciation to Premier Abang Johari Openg for his visionary leadership in fostering racial unity and harmony in the state.

“Under his leadership, the spirit of shared celebrations such as GongXiRayaGawai continues to gain space and strong support, thus strengthening efforts to build an inclusive, harmonious and progressive Sarawak,” he said.

He stressed that unity is not just a slogan, but rather a way of life that has long been practiced by the people of Sarawak and needs to be further strengthened for the well-being and progress of the state in the future.

Huang contributed RM25,000 to the Sarikei Senior Citizens Association for use in annual activities.

 

Federal ministry aims to produce 2,000 professional caregivers this year to strengthen the care sector

KUCHING, June 6 2026: Federal Women, Family and Community Development Ministry aims to produce 2,000 professional caregivers this year in the effort to strengthen the care sector.

 

Caption: Minister Nancy Shukri  says many private institutions are now actively looking for individuals interested in joining the care sector

The minister Nancy Shukri said the care sector has opened up wider career opportunities following the increasing demand from care institutions and related centres nationwide.

“Many private institutions are now actively looking for individuals interested in joining the field, including among school leavers,” she said when met by reporters after the Malaysian Social Institute (ISM) @Community: Healthy Ageing, Prosperous Communities Programme in Kampung Telaga Air today.

She said need to produce more individuals with skills in the care sector is increasingly important as Malaysia faces an increasing population of elderly people and those who need continuous care.

Nancy said many still see the task of caring for the elderly or family members who need care as a normal responsibility, when it requires certain knowledge and skills to ensure that the care provided is more effective.

She said that for this reason, her ministry, through the Malaysian Social Institute (ISM), continues to expand care training programmes nationwide to improve basic skills among the community.

“Why do we need to hold this training? This is because we need to have highly skilled caregivers to care for us, our mothers, our families.

“Not only the elderly but also those who are unable to care, especially children with disabilities.

“So we are thinking of helping them. "So we at the Ministry are aiming to produce professional and certified caregivers," he said.

Premier has requested Petros to lead in oil exploration activisties in western Sarawak

KUCHING, June 6 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg said that he has requested Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) to take the lead in exploration activities to search for oil reserves in western Sarawak, particularly in Lundu.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg expresses his optimism that western region of Sarawak possesses potential oil reserves 

“In my view, if no other party is capable of undertaking such exploration, then Petros can take the lead to search for oil in western Sarawak, particularly in Lundu,” he said at the launch of the Sarawak Career and Training (SCaT) Fair 2026 at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today.

He noted that although exploration activities require substantial investment, new technologies such as those being utilised by PTTEP in Bintulu are expected to assist Petros in discovering additional oil and gas reserves across the state.

(PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited is the national petroleum company of Thailand).

“This is the geological trend, and we can conduct further studies. I have requested Petros to undertake this role because if no other party comes forward, Petros will do it,” he stressed.

The premier expressed his optimism that the western region of the state possesses potential oil reserves based on the geological trends of oil production across Borneo.

He said the pattern of oil production stretching from Kimanis in Sabah, through Brunei, Baram, Mukah and Balingian indicates the possible presence of fossil fuel reserves in western Sarawak, including the Lundu area.

“And if we move further down towards western Sarawak, there should be reserves in that area as well. At present, this has yet to be proven because no exploration activities have been carried out,” he said.