Twenty river traffic signs have been installed along Melinau River, says Transport Minister

MULU, June 12 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said that his ministry has installed 20 river traffic signs along Melinau River from Mulu Marriott Resort to Clearwater caves.

Caption: Minister Lee Kim Shin says the number of boat operators holding River Transport Permits has increased from 40 to 70 

He said the installation, which began in July 2024, was completed on March 11 last year.

“The installation of the signs aims to facilitate river navigation, increase compliance with regulations, control the flow of river traffic and reduce the risk of accidents.

“The installation of these signs also helps river users make more accurate and safe decisions when using the river path,” he said when officiating the River Safety and Cleanliness Awareness Programme at the Kampung Sungai Melinau Multipurpose Hall today.

He recalled that Mulu Boat Operators Association submitted a proposal to him during his visit to the area in 2022.

Lee said the Sarawak government's continuous efforts to strengthen river transport safety compliance in Mulu have borne fruit when the number of boat operators holding River Transport Permits has increased from 40 to 70 operators so far.

He added the increase reflects the increasing level of awareness among boat operators on the importance of permit compliance, passenger safety and insurance protection.

According to him, the achievement proves the effectiveness of various initiatives implemented by the Sarawak Rivers Authority (LSSS) through information programmes, advisory services and assistance to the boat operator community in the area.

"This success shows that the government's continuous efforts through the Sarawak Rivers Authority in providing information, advisory services and facilities to boat operators have borne fruit," he said.

He said the programme is in line with the aspirations of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) which emphasises sustainable development, public safety and environmental protection.

According to him, the Sarawak government is committed to strengthening river safety through law enforcement, safety infrastructure development and the implementation of continuous training and education for communities and boat operators.

“The Sarawak government is always committed to strengthening river safety through law enforcement, safety infrastructure development and the implementation of continuous training and education for communities and boat operators,” he said.

He said the government also provided various forms of assistance including life jackets, boat licence renewals and technical support to ensure that communities that depend on river transport can enjoy safer and more orderly journeys.

In an effort to facilitate the affairs of boat operators, LSSS opened a mobile counter in Mulu on May 19 to assist in the process of renewing River Transport Permits more easily and systematically.

At the function, Lee handed over 30 safety jackets to students of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Batu Bungan, while another 30 were distributed to the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) of Kampung Sungai Melinau, Kampung Batu Bungan and Kampung Long Iman to increase community preparedness for river safety aspects.

Present were Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu State Legislative Member (SLM) Gerawat Gala, Controller of the Sarawak Rivers Authority Ding Tiew Wong, Mulu Sub-District Office Administrative Officer Rebetta Jangi and Sungai Melinau Village Chief Johnny Ipoi.

Exercise extra careful when seeking home improvement services offered by China nationals via Facebook

KUCHING, JUNE 12 2026 – The Sarawak Consumers' Association (SCA) has advised homeowners to exercise extra careful about advertisements  promoting home improvement services via social media platforms, including Facebook.

Caption: SCA president Dr Wynson Ong says SCA has received complaints in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu 

Its president Dr Wynson Ong said SCA has received complaints regarding home improvement services promoted via Facebook and operated by foreigners from China.

He said more victims have come forward to file complaints with a similar pattern of incidents.

“So far, SCA has received complaints involving victims in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu with total losses reaching thousands of ringgit for each case.

“Among the losses recorded are RM4,200 and RM 3,000 in Kuching, RM5,400 in Sibu, RM2,700 in Miri and RM5,600 in Bintulu,” he said in a statement.

More worryingly, he said SCA has also received information that there are other victims throughout Sarawak who are believed to be facing the same modus operandi.

In most of the reported cases, he said consumers were attracted by home improvement advertisements promoted on Facebook that showed free inspections.

“Consumers claim that they were charged unreasonable fees, but initially the workers did not provide a clear explanation of the fee structure despite being asked several times.

“After the “repair” work was carried out, consumers were then forced to make a payment with no explanation or details, and the payment was requested to be deposited into a personal bank account. “After payment was made, the party offering the service failed to be contacted and the original damage problem remained unresolved,” he said.

Dr Ong said SCA saw significant similarities in each of the complaints received and did not rule out the possibility that these activities were carried out in an organised mannerby the same individual or group.

He said that the increasing number of complaints in a short period of time showed that this issue could no longer be considered an isolated case.

“When victims from several parts of Sarawak and also Peninsular Malaysia come forward with almost the same complaint pattern, it raises serious questions as to whether there is a network or syndicate that is taking advantage of consumers through social media platforms,” he said.

According to him, the issue does not just involve financial losses, but also involves aspects of public safety and possible violations of immigration laws.

"We are very concerned because all the workers who came to the consumer's home were foreigners from China.

“Their entry status and work permits need to be checked immediately by the authorities. If it is true that they are carrying out employment activities without valid permits, this is a much bigger issue than just a consumer complaint."

He also stressed that consumers are not only losing money, but are also exposed to security risks when allowing unknown individuals into their homes.

"Home is a private space and the safest place for a family. When individuals whose identities cannot be ascertained are allowed into the home, the security risks cannot be underestimated. We do not want anything worse to happen before action is taken,” he added.

Dr Ong said SCA was also informed that there were victims who had filed a police report, but the case was not classified as a fraud because the parties involved had come to the home and carried out repair work, although the work did not fix the actual damage.

“However, SCA believes that the increase in the number of complaints with the same pattern deserves serious attention and a thorough investigation by the relevant agencies,” he suggested.

He said SCA has contacted the Kuching District police chief, and appreciates his prompt action in providing feedback on this matter.

He  also urged the police and the Malaysian Immigration Department as well as relevant authorities to conduct immediate investigations to identify the individuals and companies involved and determine the status of their operations in our country before this case worsens.

He said SCA would like to emphasise that its party does not reject the presence of foreigners who are working legally and comply with the country's laws.

“However, any individual carrying out employment activities in Malaysia must have a valid permit, comply with the regulations set and not take advantage of consumers.

“The public is advised to be more cautious of home improvement service advertisements on social media, especially those that do not have a clear business address, valid license or verifiable service record.

“Any individual who believes they have been a victim of the same modus operandi is advised to immediately file a police report and contact SCA to assist in gathering information and further action,” he said.

Dr Ong advised that any complaints can be channeled to the Sarawak Consumers' Association at handphone number 017-710 9299

Take immediate action to ban vaping as there are concerns it is linked to synthetic drug abuse, social activist tells Ministry of Health

KUCHING, June 12 2026: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has urged the Ministry of Health (MoH) to take immediate action to ban vaping as there are rising concerns over youth vaping.

 Caption: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni says young people may be exposed to addictive drugs without fully understanding the risks. 

She said there are concerns that vaping is linked to synthetic drug abuse, such as  drug “ piu - piu” which is a mixture of vape liquids.

“It is sold in cheap disposable pods which are easy to store and heavily marketed to youths on social media,” Voon, who is also a human rights lawyer, said in a statement.

“ As the drugs is easily accessible , the call to ban vaping must be acted upon immediately as it is becoming a serious threat to public safety and must be treated with the highest level of concern,” she stressed.

She added drug-laced vape products create an additional danger because users may not know what substances they are inhaling.

As such, she said young people may be exposed to addictive drugs without fully understanding the risks.

Voon said vape should never become a new channel for drug distribution, especially among young people.

“It is common public knowledge that drug abuse has been repeatedly linked to serious social problems, including impaired driving, fatal road accidents, violence and other criminal activities.

“ A person under the influence of drugs may experience poor judgment, reduced concentration, aggression and slower reaction time, putting innocent lives at risk,” she said.

She suspected that fatal road accidents could be one of the reasons  linked to drug-impaired driving .

“There have been cases reported by enforcement authorities where drivers involved in fatal road accidents were found to have tested positive for substances such as methamphetamine (syabu), cannabis and other drugs.

“Such cases highlight the danger of individuals operating vehicles while their ability to react and make safe decisions is affected,” she said.

Citing an example, she said a fatal accident linked to drug abuse occurred in Klang that took the life of a young father, a delivery rider in Klang in March this year.

Voon also cited another example where a fatal road accident in Kampar took the life of a 10-yeat old boy and injured three other persons last month.

She added the driver was said to be under the influence of drugs.

Voon also said many cases of robberies, burglaries and other violent crimes could be linked to drud addicts.

Firemen called to help remove the body of an obese man who have died inside his room

SIBU, June 12 2026: Firemen from Sibu Jaya station were called to help remove the body of an obese person who was found dead inside a room of his house at Sibu Jaya this morning. 

Caption: Firemen and policemen removing the body of the obese man to the waiting truck

The man was confirmed dead by the Ministry of Health (MoH) paramedics at the scene.

Sibu Jaya station, in a statement, said it received a call from the police at about 7.25am, seeking its assistance to lift the body of the 59-year old man to the waiting police truck.

The station said the firemen and the police successfully lift the body to the truck which took it to the Sibu General Hospital for further action.

After ensuring that the situation at the location was completely safe and under control, the firemen returned to the station.

The man and his family live at Taman Pearl Evenue, Sibu Jaya.

State Financial Secretary explains transforming State-owned Enterprises is to ensure Sarawak achieves its development aspirations, economic targets

KUCHING, June 11 2026: The transformation of the State-owned Enterprises  (SoEs) is an important element in ensuring that Sarawak achieves its development aspirations and economic targets set by 2030.

Financial Secretary Wan Lizozman Wan Omar (picture) said that statutory bodies and SoEs play a major role in driving the state's development through the infrastructure, investment, transportation, digital transformation and social development sectors.

According to him, the state government through the Office of the State Financial Secretary has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the governance, performance and long-term sustainability of SoEs.

"As Sarawak moves towards realising its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target of RM282 billion by 2030, the role of statutory bodies and SOEs is not only important, but also indispensable.

"These entities are not just implementers of government policies, but rather function as growth drivers that drive state development encompassing infrastructure development, investment, transportation, digital transformation and social development.

“The aspirations by 2030 can only be realised if these institutions and the people who lead them are prepared to face the challenges ahead.

“To ensure that SoEs remain relevant and have a significant impact, they need to continue to grow and transform continuously and decisively,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the ‘Sarawak SoEs Transformation Programme: A Pledge for Good Governance, High Performance and Value Creation' programme here, on Thursday.

The programme was officiated by Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He added that the results of the study found that several SoEs were facing challenges such as dependence on government grants, limited income, less productive assets and constraints in financing development expenditure.

In this regard, a transformation framework was introduced by focusing on cost optimisation, increased revenue and business model improvements to strengthen financial sustainability and organisational performance.

He also stressed that strong governance, effective risk management, the use of digital technology and credible leadership were among the important elements in ensuring the success of the transformation.