At last, the long-wait for a permanent 24-hour electricity supply is over for the longhouses in Tanjung Upar area

MARUDI, Jan 18 2026: At last, the long-wait for a permanent 24-hour electricity supply for the longhouses in  Tanjung Upar area in Mulu state constituency is finally over.

Caption: The elders of Rumah Vincent longhouse performing the miring (blessing) ceremony for the supply of electricity to Tanjung Upar area - Picture by Ukas
 

They are now enjoying the electricity supply extension project under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES).

The high-impact project has brought about a major change in the lives of rural residents  who previously only depended on solar energy sources.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu State Assemblyman Gerawat Gala said that the implementation of the RES project is proof of the Sarawak government's continued commitment in ensuring that rural residents also enjoy basic facilities comparable to those in urban areas.

“This is a very historic day for the residents of Rumah Vincent, Rumah Philip, Rumah Mugang and Rumah Jipun longhouses in the Tanjung Upar area,” he said at the opening of the extension project at Rumah Vincent longhouse last Friday.

“This project, worth a total of RM7.1 million, is being implemented through the RES project as a government effort to develop the rural areas even though they are far from the city centre,” he said.

According to him, the provision of basic facilities such as electricity, clean water and road networks has always been a priority for the Sarawak government in line with the desire to improve the quality of life of the rural people.

Touching on the issue of flooding that often hits the area, he informed that the proposal to relocate residents to higher ground was still in the process of being implemented as the previously proposed site overlapped with private land.

In addition, he said the clean water supply in the area would be handed over to the Highland Development Agency (HDA) for assessment and review to ensure that residents could enjoy clean water facilities.

Tuai Rumah Vincent in his speech described the event as a historic moment for the residents of Tanjung Upar who can now enjoy 24-hour electricity facilities.

He said the electricity supply extension project brings new light to the residents in conjunction with the new year 2026 and is a facility that has been eagerly awaited for a long time.

“Previously, residents only relied on solar energy. With this electricity supply, our lives have become more comfortable and easier,” he said.

67-year woman with disability found safe, five days after she was reported missing

 

SARIKEI, Jan 18 2026: A 67-year woman with a disability was found safe this morning, five days after she was reported missing from Rumah Ajai Sandin longhouse, Jalan Wak, Pakan.

Caption: A family member carrying the woman after she was found safe- Picture by Pakan Bomba station 

She was found at an approximate distance of 1.3km from her house this morning by a search and rescue team.

“The victim's status has been found safe, but in a weak condition and has wounds on her legs,” Bintangor Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station said in a statement.

The team then took her back to her family house.

The statement said Pakan Bomba station received a call about 1.30pm on Jan 13, seeking for help to search the woman.

It said that on Jan 13 at about 11am a family member  noticed that his sister-in-law  had not yet returned home after picking up vegetables at the back of the house.

“The victim was wearing a red bat shirt when last seen before leaving.

“A search was carried out by the victim's sister-in-law and the residents of the longhouse but they did not find her,” the statement said.

The family then decided to seek Pakan Bomba station for assistance.

 

Couple killed in a fire that destroys the oil palm plantation workers' quarters in Baram this morning

MIRI, Jan 18 2026: A couple was killed in a fire that destroyed an oil palm plantation workers’ quarters in Baram this morning.

Caption: Firemen from Lopeng station collecting the remains of the couple killed in a fire in Baram - Picture Lopeng Bomba station 

The charred remains of the couple were uncovered after the fire has been extinguished.

In a statement, Lopeng Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station said the fire involved a single-storey, 1-block, 2-door wooden quarter structure  which was completely razed to the ground.

“Unit A was occupied by the couple while unit B, occupied by five adults and a child and they managed to escape before the fire engulfed the building,” the statement said.

It said that the initial extinguishing was carried out by the plantation workers using 30 A.P.A units and three water pump units. 

“The fire brigade arrived at the location only to monitor the area around the incident and handed over the remains of the victims to the police for further action.

“After finding the situation safe and there was no possibility of the fire re-igniting, the firemen left for the station,” the statement said.

It said Lopeng station received a call about 6am and the firemen in one engine arrived at the scene, a  distance of 40km, about 8.20am.

By then the workers’ quarters  have already been completely gutted.

One killed, another seriously injured when car skids and plunges into 30-foot deep ditch

KUCHING, Jan 18 2026: A 51-year old man was killed while a 23-year old man was seriously injured when a car they were in skidded and plunged into a 30-foot deep ditch at Batu 8, Jalan Penrissen late last night.

Caption: The car that skidded and plunged into a 30-foot ditch- Picture by Kota Sentosa Bomba 

A spokesman of Kota Sentosa Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station said the two victims were thrown out of the vehicle due to the impact of accident.

“After checking the status of the victims, it was found that 23-year old first victim was conscious and injured and was taken by the Ministry of Health (MoH) Sentosa Ambulance to the Sarawak General Hospital while the 51-year old victim was confirmed dead by the MoH officials,” the spokesman said in a statement.

He said Kota Sentosa Bomba station received a call about the accident at about 11.35pm last night.

He said a team from the station arrived at the scene of the accident, a distance of about 4km, seven minutes later.

The team returned to the station at 1.10am on Jan 18.