SRDC -BioVerde to develop Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Roadmap 2026-2035

KUCHING, Sept 10 2026: Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) has formed a partnership with BioVerde Technologies Sdn Bhd for the development of the Sarawak Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Roadmap 2026–2035.  

The initiative supports SRDC's mandate to strengthen research, development, commercialisation while innovation advancing and Sarawak's transition towards a sustainable, innovation-driven and knowledge-based bioeconomy.

 “Through stakeholder consultations, scientific studies and industry engagement, the roadmap will identify opportunities for research, innovation, investment and commercialisation, positioning Sarawak as a leading bioeconomy and biotechnology hub in the region,” Premier Abang Johari said today.

“This initiative also forms an important component of SRDC's Innovation Corridor, connecting research, innovation, talent, industry and investment into an integrated ecosystem that transforms ideas into enterprises and long-term economic value,” he said.

“Innovation depends on people. No matter how advanced our infrastructure or technology may be, our greatest asset will always be the talent and capabilities of our people,” he said at the opening of the Science, Health, Innovation and Engineering (SHInE) International Conference here.

Currently BioVerde Technologies serves as the official commercial arm of the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.

It is the specialised vehicle designed to translate our high-value research into market-ready products.

BioVerde acts as the primary point of contact for industries looking to license Sarawak’s unique biological extracts and purified compounds

Abang Johari said the state government  will continue investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, research capability, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

He said one SHInE’s signature programmes, BrightSparX, demonstrates the state’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators.

“Your ideas demonstrate that innovation can begin at a young age when our students are given the opportunity, encouragement and platform to explore their potential,” he said.

The bodies of the five victims found inside the burnt ill-fated helicopter

MIRI, Sept 9 2026: Sarawak Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah revealed that the bodies of the five victims were found inside the burnt ill-fated helicopter that crash-landed near  the end of the Long Lellang short takeoff and landing airport (STOLport) yesterday afternoon.

Caption:Sarawak Police Commissioner Mohamad Zainal Abdullah giving a press conference in Miri

The helicopter then burst into flames. 

He said the identities of the victims have been identified from their personal items and documents found on their bodies.

“However, their identities will be officially verified through the testing of their DNA samples,” the police commissioner said in a statement.

He added that post-mortem on the bodies will be conducted for testing of DNA samples at the Miri Hospital.

He said the ill-fated helicopter, a BO 105 S (CBS 5) model, was made in Germany and manufactured in 1991.

He said it has been in used for carrying personnel of the Ministry of Health in

Sarawak for 17 years since 2009.

“During this period, the helicopter has carried out operations to support the needs of health service in several areas in Sarawak, especially Miri, Bintulu, Limbang, Marudi and Bario,” the police commissioner said.

At about 3.58pm yesterday, the helicopter crash-landed at the end of Long Lellang STOLport, killing all on board.

The particulars of the victims:

1.Name: Captain Zainol Afiq bin Bee Sham

Age: 30 years old

Race/Religion: Malay/Islam

Occupation: Aerospace gilder pilot

Marital status: Married with two children

State: Negeri Sembilan

2. Name: Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin

Age: 33  years old

Race/Religion: Malay/Islam

Occupation: Medical officer

Marital status: Married (no children)

State: Kelantan

3. Alexson Adit anak Henry

Age: 31

Race/Religion: Iban/Christianity

Occupation: Medical assistant

Marital status: Married with two children

State: Sarawak

4. Name: Debra anak Moset

Age: 40 years old

Race/Religion: Bidayuh/Christianity

Occupation: Staff nurse

Marital status: Married with three children

State: Sarawak

5. Name: Jessie Paya Jok

Age: 44 years

Race/Religion: Kayan/Christianity

Occupation:Staff nurse

Marital status: Married with two children

State: Sarawak

Air quality across Sarawak showing improvement, after weeks of choking smoke

KUCHING, Sept 9 2026: With the exception of Serian, the air quality in other locations are either categorised as unhealthy or moderate, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB). It shows an improvement in the air quality across Sarawak.

As at 7pm, the monitoring stations showed 12 locations registering an unhealthy status and five recorded a moderate status and the air quality in Bario was recorded as good.

The poor air quality in Serian, with a reading of Air Pollutant Index (API) 210, is still categorised as very unhealthy.

9 September 2026, Wednesday 7.00 P.M.

	STATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	180	Unhealthy
	SAMARAHAN	183	Unhealthy
	SERIAN	210	Very Unhealthy
	SIMANGGANG	158	Unhealthy
	SARIKEI	182	Unhealthy
	SIBU	98	Moderate
	MUKAH	144	Unhealthy
	KAPIT	87	Moderate
	BINTULU	156	Unhealthy
	SAMALAJU	166	Unhealthy
	MIRI	83	Moderate
	ILP MIRI	162	Unhealthy
	LIMBANG	77	Moderate
	LUNDU	185	Unhealthy
	TEBEDU	177	Unhealthy
	LUBOK ANTU	181	Unhealthy
	KANOWIT	145	Unhealthy
	LAWAS	73	Moderate
	BARIO	41	Good
	BETONG (MCAQM)	158	Unhealthy

 

	INDEX	STATUS	HEALTH EFFECT
	0 – 50	Good	Low pollution without any bad effect on health.
	51 – 100	Moderate	Moderate pollution that does not pose any bad effect on health.
	101 – 200	Unhealthy	Worsen the health condition of high risk people who is the people with heart and lung complications.
	201 – 300	Very Unhealthy	Worsen the health condition and low tolerance of physical exercises to people with heart and lung complications. Affect public health.
	301 – 400	Hazardous	Hazardous to high risk people and public health.
	401 – 500	Very Hazardous	Hazardous to high risk people and public health.
	> 500	Very Hazardous	Hazardous to high risk people and public health.