Forest Carbon Licences issued to LAKIKR and Shin Yang Sdn Bhd

KUCHING, Oct 15 2026:  The Sarawak government has issued two new Forest Carbon Licences, one to the Kuala Rajang Islamic Welfare Trust Board (LAKIKR) and the other, Shin Yang Sdn Bhd, to support its forest conservation efforts and green economy development.

Caption: Sarawak Forestry director Hamden Mohammad (left) handing over the Forest Carbon Licence to Shin Yang executive director Andy Wong Ko Hock, witnessed by Deputy Minister Len Talif Salleh (centre)

Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh said the issuance of the licences is the result of efforts undertaken by the state government over the past several years.

"Through the Sarawak Forestry Department, a licence has been granted to LAKIKR for an area of 4,788.2 hectares in Tanjung Manis, Kuala Rajang.

"The second licence has been granted to Shin Yang Sdn Bhd, covering a total area of 26,353 hectares for the Jalin Forest Carbon Area in Ulu Baram. There are two different types of forest: one located in a delta area, while the other is in a mountainous area," he said at the licence presentation ceremony held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex today.

The licences were handed over by Sarawak Forest Director Hamden Mohammad to LAKIKR Treasurer Bajuri Jauji and Shin Yang Sdn Bhd Executive Director Andy Wong Ko Hock.

According to Len Talif, to date, 11 entities have received approval to undertake forest carbon activities in Sarawak, while three entities have been issued Forest Carbon Licences covering a total area of 56,000 hectares.

He added that the initiative also supports the Fourth Strategic Thrust of the Sarawak Budget 2027, which is to protect and sustain natural resources, and is in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

Elaborating further, he said forest carbon projects can support forest conservation and restoration, protect biodiversity, attract green investment and create opportunities for local communities.

Len Talif also said the granting of a forest carbon licence empowers the licence holder to develop and carry out approved projects, subject to prevailing legal and regulatory requirements.

"A licence does not automatically qualify a project for the issuance or trading of carbon credits.

"The project must meet the relevant carbon standard requirements, including validation and verification processes by recognised validation and verification bodies, before carbon credits can be issued.

"The department will continue to strengthen forest carbon governance to ensure compliance with legal and technical requirements, while safeguarding environmental and community interests," he said. 

Two monster male crocodiles captured after they took baits laid out along Sungai Lemai, Balingian

MUKAH, Oct 15 2026: Two male crocodiles, measuring 13.1 feet and 14.7 feet, were captured during an on-going operation in Sungai Lemai, Balingian, on Oct 13.

Caption: Personnel from various agencies with one of the captured crocodiles

Sarawak forestry Corporation (SFC) said the crocodile reduction population operations, which began on Oct 12 until 25, involved eight personnel from Sibu and Bintulu, working in collaboration with licensed crocodile hunter Sahari Rapaie, with additional support from RELA, the Balingian Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Balingian District Human-Crocodile Conflict Management Task Force.

The two reptiles were captured on the second day of the operation after they took crocodile baits laid out along Sungai Lemai. Both crocodiles were later taken to the Bederun Festival Site Jetty in Balingian before being relocated.

SFC advised the local residents to avoid approaching areas where crocodile-trapping lines have been laid, and to refrain from disturbing the lines or their floats throughout the duration of the operation.

"The operation will continue until October 25 to allow for the monitoring and management of the crocodile population to be carried out in a controlled manner, in accordance with established standard operating procedures.

"Local residents are advised to remain vigilant when engaging in activities near the river to minimize the risk of untoward incidents," SFC said in statement.

The operation, conducted by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), aims to manage the crocodile population in a controlled manner, with the involvement of relevant agencies to ensure the safety of local residents.

The State Legislative Member for Balingian, Abdul Yakub Arbi, welcomed the operation and emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring to address the risks posed by large crocodiles in areas frequented by the local community.

He suggested that regular monitoring should be extended to other locations around Balingian known to have crocodile activity, saying that high-risk areas should be identified as priority zones and equipped with appropriate warning signs.

"I hope residents will provide full cooperation throughout the operation by not tampering with the equipment installed, and by remaining vigilant when engaging in activities near the river," he said.

He expressed his appreciation to the SFC, the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), the Balingian Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Balingian District Human-Crocodile Conflict Management Task Force for their commitment to safeguarding the local community.

192 UEC holders currently benefiting from tuition fee under FTES

KUCHING, Oct 13 2026: Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn said a total of 192 Sarawakian Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders are currently benefiting from tuition fee coverage under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES). 

Caption: Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn says based on the current admission requirements provided by the participating universities, a pass in Bahasa Melayu is not stipulated as a compulsory entry requirement for UEC holders. 

He said 137 of them are at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, 21 at Curtin University Malaysia, 33 at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and one at i-CATS University College

He said UEC holders are eligible to be considered for the FTES subject to fulfilling the applicable academic and programme-specific entry requirements of the participating State-owned universities.  

"The requirements vary according to the university and programme. 

"Generally, the requirements for a bachelor’s degree programmes for a UEC holder is 5 grade Bs, with additional prerequisite subjects for certain programmes such as Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Physical Science. 

"Based on the current admission requirements provided by the participating universities, a pass in Bahasa Melayu is not stipulated as a compulsory entry requirement for UEC holders. 

"However, applicants must fulfil all other applicable admission requirements, including English language requirements and programme-specific prerequisites, where applicable,"  Sagah said when replying to questions raised by Batu Lintang State Legislative Member See Chee How during question and answer session in the State Legislative Assembly.

He said UEC students enrolled under FTES will have the same access to internship and industrial placement opportunities as other students from participating universities, regardless of their UEC status.

See wanted to know how many Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) students are currently benefiting from the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), and what percentage do they represent at each university participating in the FTES

He also wanted to know what were eligibility criteria for UEC holders to qualify for FTES and is a pass in Bahasa Melayu compulsory for UEC holders to be eligible for FTES.

State government has agreed in principle to allocate SALCRA with 5,000 hectares to develop new sources of income

KUCHING, Oct 13 2026: The state government has agreed in principle to allocate 5,000 hectares to Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) to develop new income sources, ensuring the organisation's long-term financial sustainability.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (right) attending the 50th anniversary of Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA)

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, who is also SALCRA Chairman, Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said the approval is an important step in supporting the transformation agenda of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

"Our direction is clear. SALCRA must become stronger, more efficient and increasingly self-reliant financially.

"SALCRA cannot continue to depend on traditional sources of income. We need to diversify revenue sources, increase profits and explore new businesses based on our existing expertise," he said at the SALCRA Golden Jubilee Dinner in conjunction with its 50th anniversary celebration last night.

The event was also attended by Premier Abang Johari Openg.

Dr Rundi explained that the SALCRA Transformation Plan 2026–2030, drawn up following the SALCRA Corporate Study in 2024, is also aligned with the Sarawak SOE Transformation Roadmap 2026–2030.

He said potential areas to be explored include green and renewable energy, bio and organic fertiliser production, food security-related activities and downstream oil palm industries.

In addition, SALCRA's expertise in managing Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, plantations and mills could be commercialised through consultancy, management and technical services.

Dr Rundi said that over its five decades, SALCRA has developed about 55,000 hectares of oil palm plantations, benefiting more than 22,000 families from over 400 villages and longhouses in Sarawak.

Since 1985, SALCRA has also distributed nearly RM1.2 billion in net proceeds or dividends to participants of its land development schemes.

He said the achievements prove SALCRA's role not only in developing agricultural land, but also in improving the socioeconomic status of rural communities through employment opportunities, income and infrastructure development.

Deputy Premiers Douglas Uggah Embas and Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, state ministers and deputy ministers among those present.

State Secretary says the 2027 Budget gives emphasis to institutional empowerment, competency development of the civil servants

KUCHING, Oct 12 2026: The Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) has expressed its appreciation to Premier Abang Johari Openg for the tabling of the 2027 State Budget which emphasis institutional empowerment, competency development, and the welfare of the civil servants.

Caption: State Secretary Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki says a key initiative welcomed by the civil service is the allocation of RM25 million to the Leadership Institute Sarawak Civil Service (LISCS) to bolster leadership and competency development among civil servants

State Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, on behalf of the entire SCS workforce, wished to acknowledge the Sarawak government's unwavering commitment to strengthening the capabilities and professionalism of civil servants in order to enhance the quality of service delivery to the people.

"We deeply appreciate the Sarawak government's efforts and dedication to strengthening the capabilities, professionalism, and welfare of civil servants, particularly through the Ninth Strategic Thrust: 'Institutionalising High-Performance Government and Fiscal Resilience'," he said in a media statement when reacting to the tabling of the 2027 budget by the premier.

He added that a key initiative welcomed by the service is the allocation of RM25 million to the Leadership Institute Sarawak Civil Service (LISCS) to bolster leadership and competency development among civil servants

He noted that RM2.38 million has been allocated for a study on developing the Sarawak Civil Service Transformation and Innovation Ecosystem.

"Both initiatives represent strategic steps towards strengthening the SCS as a high-performing and innovative institution capable of meeting administrative demands and the increasingly complex needs of the people," he explained.

Regarding welfare and infrastructure, he also welcomed the allocation of RM347 million for the construction and upgrading of government offices and civil servant housing facilities across Sarawak.

He stated that this initiative would provide a more conducive working environment, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of service delivery in both urban and rural areas. Meanwhile, he explained that the RM24 million allocation for the implementation of 65 digital projects for Sarawak Government services is expected to accelerate the public sector's digital transformation, aligning with the target of digitizing 80 percent of government services by 2027 and 100 percent by 2030.

“This effort will not only expand public access to digital government services but also strengthen system integration and secure information sharing among agencies, enabling services to be delivered more efficiently, conveniently, and seamlessly,” he stated.

He also welcomed the expanded access to international-standard professional qualifications through the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (SCOPE), including those from the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) programme.

According to him, these opportunities will enhance the expertise of civil servants in financial management, auditing, and governance, thereby strengthening the integrity and accountability of public resource management.

Mohamad Abu Bakar described these initiatives as a manifestation of the Sarawak government's confidence in the Sarawak Civil Service's (PANS) ability to shoulder greater responsibilities in driving the state's development agenda.

“We deeply appreciate this recognition and trust; it certainly serves as a morale booster for the entire Sarawak Civil Service workforce to continue improving the quality of service delivery to the people,” he said.

In this regard, he urged all PANS personnel to strengthen their commitment, enhance their competencies, and cultivate a culture of integrity, innovation, and excellence in carrying out their duties.

“The trust placed in us by the Sarawak government leadership requires us to ensure that every allocation is utilized optimally and that every planned policy, program, and initiative is executed with high discipline, so that the results can be truly felt by the people across Sarawak,” he emphasized.

 He also reaffirmed PANS's commitment to ensuring that all plans under the 2027 budget are effectively implemented for the sake of the state's development and the well-being of the people.