Aguilera Nita is Lubok Antu District Kumang Gawai 2026

By CW Claire 

LUBOK ANTU, May 23 2026: Aguilera Nita Eugenine Berjaya was crowned Lubok Antu District Kumang Gawai 2026 beauty pageant, beating seven other finalists today.

Caption: Aguilera Nita (seated) was crowned Lubok Antu District Kumang Gawai 2926 

Aguilera, from Tawai, Engkilili, brought home RM8,000 in cash, a trophy, a bouquet of flower, a certificate and a sash, today.

In second place was Dyra Marcella Nickson Luta from Merindun who received RM5,000 in cash along with a trophy, a bouquet, a certificate and a sash.

The third place was won by Cynthia Chong Tze Yie from Selindung Ulu who took home RM5,000 in cash along with a trophy, a bouquet, a certificate and a sash.

The title “King of Night” went to Father Afron Gorie who appeared handsomely dressed in traditional Bidayuh attire, taking home RM500 in cash and a trophy.

The Kumang contest was held in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak celebration at Lubok Antu Sports Complex Hall.

Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh was excited to be with the community in Lubok Antu in conjunction with the Gawai celebration as well as strengthening ties among the local community.

In his speech, he said he expresses his support for the development efforts in rural areas and the improvement of the living standards of the people in the interior and coastal areas.

“Sarawak’s economy is now growing and the people need to work together to maintain all the facilities and developments that have been provided for the progress of the state,” he said..

The ceremony was also enlivened by a ‘Gendang Pampat’ performance as well as Iban ajat performance.

Among those present was Lubok Antu Member of Parliament Roy Angau Gingkoi.

 

"It is a scam," says Sarawak Tourism Board on fraudulent online promotion of fake ticket sales for RWMF

KUCHING, May 23 2026: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) today issue alert notice to the public to a fraudulent online promotion currently circulating on social media involving fake ticket sales for the 29th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).

Caption: Sarawak Tourism Board alerting the public to counterfeit websites 

STB said the scam redirects users to counterfeit websites and ticketing pages designed to closely imitate the official RWMF website and the platform of its authorised ticketing partner, Ticketmelon. It It said it has verified with Ticketmelon that the websites and promotions concerned are fraudulent and are not affiliated with Ticketmelon or RWMF in any manner whatsoever.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to exercise caution and purchase tickets only through the official RWMF website at: rwmf.net and authorised ticket resellers,” STB said in a statement.

It urged Festivalgoers to avoid clicking on suspicious links shared through unofficial platforms or social media postings and to carefully verify website addresses before making any online transactions.

It said it is treating the matter seriously and has initiated the necessary measures to report and remove the fraudulent links and websites to protect the public from potential financial losses and misuse of personal information.

“The public is also encouraged to help share this advisory with family members, friends, and networks to prevent others from falling victim to the scam,” STB advised.

For verified festival information, announcements, and official ticket purchases, please refer only to the official RWMF communication channels and website. The safety, trust, and confidence of our festival community remain a priority to STB.

The 29th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival is scheduled to be held at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong from June 26 to 28 this year. 

Sarawak social activist: Suspend any teacher suspected to be involved in sexual abuse against students

KUCHING, May 23 2026: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to immediately suspend any teacher facing serious allegations of sexual abuse involving students.

Caption: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni says any teacher suspected to have committed sexual abuse against students should be immediately suspended. 

She said such teacher should not be allowed to return to school or have access to students while police investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.

“Any teacher or school staff member accused of sexual offences involving minors should be immediately suspended from teaching duties and prohibited from returning to the school environment while investigations are ongoing,” Voon said in a statement.

She was commenting on the arrest of a school teacher in connection with  a report lodged over a  statutory rape against a 12-year old student in Johor recently.

Voon stressed that the immediately suspension is necessary to protect students, preserve the integrity of investigations, and maintain public confidence in the education system.

“Under Malaysian law, sexual intercourse with a girl below the age of 16 is a serious criminal offence regardless of consent,” she said, stating that Section 375(g) of the Penal Code  establishes statutory rape.

“It states that any man who has sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 commits rape, regardless of whether she consented. Under this provision, a minor's purported "consent" is legally invalid,” Voon, a human rights lawyer, said.

She said the case of sexual abuse reported in social media involving a teacher allegedly committing statutory rape against a 12-year-old student in Johor is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

“Schools must always remain a safe place for children to learn, grow and be protected from abuse and exploitation,” Voon said.

Yesterday,  the police have obtained a six-day remand order from Johor Bahru’s Magistrate’s Court against a male teacher following his arrest in connection with a sexual misconduct case involving a primary school pupil in Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang.

The 28-year-old suspect will be remanded until May 27 to assist in investigations.

The Magistrate’s Court granted the six-day remand order to enable police to conduct further investigations into the case.