Take over construction and completion of RM445 million Miri Airport upgrading project, Pujut YB appeals to state government

KUCHING, May 15 2026: Pujut state legislative member (SLM) Adam Yii has suggested that the state government takes over the construction and completion of the upgrading of the RM445 million Miri Airport under the 13^th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Caption: Pujut SLM Adam Yii says from past experience projects announced and allocations approved, but years later, there are no visible progress
 

He said he expresses doubts if the upgrading project could be completed according to schedule, if it is left to the federal government.

He said after the upgrading project has been completed, the state government can then seek reimbursement from the federal government. 

“While we acknowledge and appreciate the continued allocation and approval of development projects by the federal government, one concern frequently raised by the rakyat is the long delay between project approval and actual implementation on the ground,” he said during the debate on the Royal Address in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

“In many instances, projects are announced and allocations approved, yet years later, the rakyat still do not see any visible progress,”Yii moaned.

He cited as an example the proposed upgrading project at the roundabout in front of GK Supermarket at Pujut 3, Miri, which involves upgrading the existing roundabout into a six-lane traffic light intersection.

“This project had already received approval several years ago due to the increasing traffic congestion in the area.

“However, until today, the project has yet to commence,” he moaned.

Yii also suggested that the state government to consider using state fund to complete any strategically federal-funded projects first and then seek reimbursement from the federal government later.

He proposed for SLA to consider his proposal for the state government explore a mechanism whereby strategically important projects approved by the federal government could first be implemented or financed in advance by the Sarawak government.

He said the state government can then seek for reimbursement or claims from the federal government later after the projects have been completed.

“This approach is similar to what has already been successfully carried out for the repair and upgrading of schools and clinics in Sarawak, where the Sarawak government took the initiative to fund the projects first in order to avoid unnecessary delays affecting the rakyat,” he said.

He said he believes such an approach would greatly improve project delivery efficiency, accelerate implementation timelines, and most importantly ensure that development projects promised to the people can be delivered without prolonged delays.

“ Ultimately, the rakyat judge us not by announcements alone, but by our ability to implement and deliver tangible results efficiently and effectively,” he said.

 

Sarawak Ombudsman, now fully operational, has so far received 67 complaints

KUCHING, May 15 2026: The Sarawak Ombudsman is now fully operational after meeting the minimum membership provided for under the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, thus strengthening its role as a check and balance mechanism on public administration in the state.

 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg receiving a courtesy call from Sarawak Ombudsman members led by Deputy Minister Dr Juanda Jaya (seated on premier's left)

Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Dr Juanda Jaya said since the appointment of the Ombudsman members in April 2024, the institution has gone through a strengthening phase and is now fully functional with five members out of the maximum seven members allowed.

He said the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Ombudsman covers monitoring of state government agencies, local authorities (PBT), state statutory bodies, government-linked companies (GLCs) as well as any entity that receives allocations or emoluments from the state government.

He added that the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) also approved the establishment of a Special Select Committee to examine the Ombudsman's annual report before it is tabled in the legislative assembly.

"This measure will ensure that every suggestion and remark submitted by the Ombudsman can be evaluated and its implementation by the government is ensured," he told reporters after leading a delegation from Sarawak Ombudsman Office to pay a courtesy call on Premier Abang Johari Abang Openg at the Sarawak Premier's Office, at SLA complex today.

Juanda said the Sarawak Ombudsman has so far received 67 complaints and all of the complaints have gone through a screening process before further action is taken.

According to him, complaints involving criminal elements have been channeled to the police, while cases with corruption elements are referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Apart from that, there are also complaints that have not been processed because they are outside the Ombudsman's jurisdiction or have been decided by the court.

He explained that the Sarawak Ombudsman's main focus is on issues of maladministration involving state government agencies, local authorities, statutory bodies and GLCs.

The public can submit complaints via letter, email or the Sarawak Ombudsman's official website which is classified as confidential.

He said that at the same time, his office is currently developing a mobile application to facilitate the process of channeling complaints.

“The Sarawak Ombudsman is committed to strengthening integrity, accountability and the rule of law in the state, thus increasing investor confidence in the Sarawak administration system,” he said.

He also informed that the official website of the Sarawak Ombudsman has recorded more than 800,000 hits so far and has received the attention of international delegations interested in understanding the implementation of the Ombudsman system in Sarawak.

Also present at the courtesy call were Sarawak government secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Chief Ombudsman Abdul Ghafur Shariff,Director of the Human Resources Management and Development Unit, Sharifah Rohana Wan Alwi, Director of the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit Wan Mohamad Wan Drahman, Ombudsman Buckland Bangik, Albert Tang Yew Liong and Toieyah Tioh and Deputy Chief Ombudsman Alexander Unya Ambon.

Rights activist urges all to engage on restoration of Sarawak's rights under MA63

KUCHING, May 14 2026: A state rights activist has urged all leaders, civil society groups, and policymakers to continue engaging seriously on the restoration of Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including decentralisation, fiscal autonomy, resource management, education, healthcare, and fair parliamentary representation. 

Caption: State rights activist Peter John Jaban says  policies affecting Sarawak have remained heavily centralised despite the unique realities faced by the people of the state, especially those living in rural and interior areas. 

Peter John Jaban, who is also the founder of Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS), said Sarawak’s future must be shaped by policies that are closer to the realities of its people and respectful of the promises made during the formation of Malaysia.

He supported a statement by Stakan legislative member (SLM) Hamzah Ibrahim on decentralisation of powers to Sarawak, particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare, and other matters that many Sarawakian voices have consistently raised over the years.

He said for far too long, policies affecting Sarawak have remained heavily centralised despite the unique realities faced by the people of the state, especially those living in rural and interior areas.

“The centralised system has often failed to address infrastructure gaps, shortages of teachers and medical personnel, unequal development, and the specific educational and healthcare needs of Sarawakians,” he said in a statement.

Peter  has long advocated for the decentralisation of Sarawak’s healthcare system to ensure that rural communities receive better and more efficient healthcare services.

He said he has consistently emphasised that local management would allow more specialised, practical, and fine-tuned solutions compared to a heavily centralised federal approach.

On education, he has argued that meaningful reform cannot be effectively implemented through a one-size-fits-all centralised system.

He said he has repeatedly urged the federal government to return greater control over education policies to Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the spirit and provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Peter said he has also consistently highlighted the need for the full restoration of Sarawak’s rights, including greater control over  oil and gas resources, fiscal autonomy, and development planning.

He opposed excessive federal centralisation and believes that local authorities in Sarawak should be given greater authority to manage educational, healthcare, and infrastructure according to local realities and priorities.

“Sarawak deserves greater authority to manage its own education system so that policies can better reflect local history, culture, language diversity, and economic priorities.

“Likewise, healthcare administration should be decentralised to allow more efficient planning, better rural outreach, and faster responses to the needs of remote communities.

“We also hope that more funds will be allocated to establish technical and skills-training colleges across various parts of Sarawak instead of having such institutions concentrated mainly along the Kuching–Lundu stretch,” he added.

“More technical colleges should be developed throughout the state, from Kuching to Lawas, so that more school leavers can gain access to skills training and improve their employability opportunities.

“At present, many of these institutions are concentrated within the Kuching–Lundu corridor. Greater attention should therefore be given to expanding technical and vocational education facilities to other regions, including the Limbang Division,” Peter said.

He added Sarawak needs a stronger and more comprehensive education and skills-training system rather than continuously depending on yearly allocations without long-term structural planning.

“Modern education also requires the government to allocate sufficient funding for in service teacher training and professional development.

“If the government truly wishes to improve the educational outcomes and future prospects of the nation’s youth, serious attention must be given to the retraining and upskilling of teachers.

“The demand for one-third parliamentary representation is not an act of division but a constitutional and historical matter tied to the original formation of Malaysia.  

“Sarawak and Sabah were founding partners in the Federation, not merely ordinary states within Malaya’s administrative structure.

“Fair representation is essential to ensure that the voices of the Borneo states are protected in national decision-making processes,” Peter said.