SFC issuing licences for crocodile eggs collection in move to control the reptile population

MIRI, Aug  24 2026:  Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is issuing licenses to collect crocodile eggs as part of its approach to managing the reptile population in a controlled and sustainable manner.

Caption: SFC crocodile management section director Dr Mohd Izwan Zulaini Abdul Gani 

Wildlife Officer of the SFC crocodile management section Dr Mohd Izwan Zulaini Abdul Gani said the initiative was introduced two years ago and several licenses have been issued, but the response is still low.

He said  SFC is ready to work with licensees to collect crocodile eggs from wild habitats, especially in areas that have the potential to pose a risk to human safety.

“Apart from hunting licenses, we actually have a license to collect crocodile eggs which may not be known to many.

“There have been several applications and licenses issued, but the response is still low,” he said when delivering a briefing at the Inter-Agency Special Task Force Meeting on Human-Crocodile Conflict Management Number 1 of 2026 at a recent Miri Division Resident’s Office..

Dr Mohd Izwan said that the SFC recently received a report on the discovery of a crocodile nest in an oil palm plantation area in Miri.

“Because there was no licensee willing to collect the eggs, the SFC took action to remove them from the area to reduce the risk to plantation workers and the surrounding residents.

“When there is a nest, female crocodiles are usually also nearby and this situation can be dangerous,” he explained.

He said that Miri previously had at least one licensee collecting crocodile eggs who collaborated with the SFC to remove the eggs from the wild habitat.

Commenting on crocodile breeding, Dr Mohd Izwan, who has almost 15 years of experience in reptile management, said that the largest number of eggs he had ever found in a nest in Sarawak was about 70.

According to him, although there are claims that a crocodile can produce up to 100 eggs, the maximum number is estimated to be around 80 based on field observations.

He also explained that female crocodiles need to mate with male crocodiles to produce fertile eggs, while female crocodiles that do not mate can still lay eggs but the eggs will not produce young crocodiles.

He said that understanding crocodile breeding patterns is important to help the SFC determine appropriate population management methods, including through licensed egg collection in certain areas.

Wild fires at Samunsan Forest Reserve extinquished by firefighters

LUNDU, Aug 24 2026: Firefighters have succeeded today in putting out wild fires that has devastated two hectares of Samunsan Lundu Forest Reserve, after five days' efforts.

Caption: We did it, say the firemen after they have put out the fire at the Samunsan Forest Reserve

Lundu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) received  call in the afternoon of Aug 20 from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

Operation commander Muhamad Hazijul Abdul Mujun said that fire has devastated two hectares of the forest reserve before it was put under control.

The firemen carried  out extinguishing operations using the fire Forest pump, 1 500-foot hose, one open  source nozzle (nearby river).

The extinguishing operation is complete. Work is underway to pack up equipment and operational supplies.

The operation to put out the fire has been completely ended by 4.10pm and the machinery and personnel have returned to the station.

Stateless since she was born, Mona Julius is now a Malaysian citizen

MIRI, Aug 24 2026: After being a stateless person since her birth, Mona Julius, 25,  has finally become a Malaysian citizen with status "K", thus bringing  a huge relief to her family's life.

Caption: Piasau State Legislative Member Sebastian Ting (left) presenting a Malaysian citizen certificate to Jonathan Ngo who is representing his wife Mona Julius 

It also means that her two children will follow her to be accorded the Malaysian citizenship.

Upon her birth, Mona’s parents from Kapit did not register her name with the National Registration Department (NRD), thus classifying her as a stateless person.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts and Piasau State Assemblyman (ADUN) Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said Mona's application was previously submitted after her husband, Jonathan Ngo, as she did not have birth certificate and identity card.

The reason being that her parents did not report her birth to the NRD.

“With the help of my colleague,  we helped to submit the application until she finally succeeded in obtaining Malaysian citizenship with status 'K'," he said when met by the media at the SUPP Piasau Service Centre today.

Sebastian said the success was very meaningful because having a valid identity document not only facilitated Mona's official affairs, but also had a positive impact on her entire family.

Jonathan expressed his appreciation to Sebastian for the assistance provided throughout the citizenship application process.

He said that after his wife obtained an identity card, various family matters have now become smoother and easier, including children's education and travel abroad.

A  Special Task Force (PPK) operation, which was reactivated in July 2023 through strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Sarawak government, under the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development, play a role in helping to resolve issues related to documentation and citizenship.

Mona's case is an example of how resolving documentation issues can have a major impact on a family's life, including opening up opportunities for the next generation to enjoy the benefits and rights of being Malaysians.

SUKMA 2026: Sarawak sports ministry to conduct post-mortem on performance of each sport

SELANGOR, Aug 24 2026:  The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry will conduct a post-mortem  on the performance of each sport of the Sarawak Contingent at the XXII Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026 to identify strengths, weaknesses and aspects that need to be improved in preparation for the upcoming games.

Caption: Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah indicates that aquatic sports are among those that need to be given attention based on the number of events and medal opportunities offered.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the process would be implemented after the contingent returned to Kuching with a review of the achievements of each sport.

He said among the things that needed to be paid attention to was the level of Sarawak's participation in sports that offer a large number of events and medals.

“When a sport has many events, we need to participate in at least half or, ideally, two-thirds of the total events being contested.

“If we only participate in a small part, before going down to the pool or the court again, we are actually already at a disadvantage,” he said when visiting the Sarawak Contingent Secretariat ahead of the final day of SUKMA XXII Selangor 2026 yesterday.

Also present at the event were his two deputies Gerald Rentap Jabu and  Dr Ripin Lamat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dzulkornain Masron and Director of the Sarawak State Sports Council Mu'azamir Jili.

 Karim added that aquatic sports are among those that need to be given attention based on the number of events and medal opportunities offered.

He said that the approach to developing the sport needs to be reviewed, including from the aspect of coaching expertise according to disciplines such as long-distance, short-distance and sprint events.

“Based on my years of experience involved in SUKMA, aquatic sports are among the very important sports.

“We may need to re-examine the approach used, including bringing in more coaches with specific expertise,” he said.

Karim expressed pride in the achievement of the Sarawak cycling squad which successfully won three gold medals at this year’s games.

According to him, the success was quite meaningful because he himself was active in cycling in the 1970s.

“Before this, I had never seen us win a gold medal in cycling, until this year.

“They not only won one gold medal, but three gold medals. It is not easy to win gold in cycling, but our athletes managed to do it,” he said.

At the same time, he also praised the spirit of togetherness and high solidarity displayed by Sarawak athletes, officials and supporters throughout the Games.

“We may not be the overall champions, but in terms of solidarity and spirit of togetherness, we are champions,” he said.

He also said Premier Abang Johari Openg was happy with the performance displayed by the Sarawak Contingent.

He called on the athletes who still have the remaining competition to give their best performance in an effort to help Sarawak finish the games in the best position.

Let's maintain Miri as a rabies-free status, Kim Shin tells dog owners

MIRI, Aug 24 2026:  Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin has called on dog owners to maintain Miri as a rabies-free area. 

Caption: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin (spotting with white shirt) observing the anti-rabies vaccination on a dog during a mobile vaccination programme

He said Miri has been free of rabies over the past years, saying that the status needs to be upheld through continuous vaccination and the cooperation of dog owners in getting their pets vaccinated.

He said that the mobile vaccination programme conducted by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak is among the crucial efforts to ensure rabies control continues to be reinforced in Miri.

He noted that 4,426 dogs received anti-rabies vaccinations throughout last year, while 2,322 dogs have been vaccinated as of August 22 this year.

“We want Miri to remain rabies-free. Therefore, the people of Miri must cooperate and bring their dogs to get vaccinated,” he said during a visit to the Anti-Rabies Vaccination, Microchipping, and Dog Licensing Programme at Miri Public Park today.

According to Lee, the response to mobile vaccination programmes at previous locations has been very encouraging, thereby demonstrating the community's readiness to play a role in curbing the spread of rabies.

In line with this, the Senadin Assemblyman encouraged all dog owners in Miri to take advantage of the vaccinations provided free of charge.

“I would like to encourage all dog owners in Miri to bring their dogs to get vaccinated. It is free, so please make full use of this opportunity,” he said.

In the meantime, five more locations have been identified to continue the mobile vaccination programme, namely Dewan Dato Permaisuri on September 5 and 6, Ah Hong’s Grocer Tudan on September 12 and 13, Taman Bulatan on September 19 and 20, Fajar College, Pujut on September 26 and 27, and Emart Riam on October 3 and 4.

He expressed hope that more dog owners will participate in the programme to help maintain Miri's rabies-free status while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the community remain safeguarded.