Sarawak govt spearheading the development of nano satellines for land survey oprations

BINTULU, Feb 9 2026: The Sarawak government is spearheading the development of nano satellites in the form of CubeSats to strengthen land survey operations and future development planning in the state.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg shaking hands with staff of the Land and Survey Department on his arrival to open the department summit 2026

Premier Abang Johari Openg said nano satellite technology is increasingly seen as a more efficient and cost-effective alternative for obtaining geospatial data directly from low Earth orbit.

He said the cost of producing conventional satellites in Europe is estimated at between €300 million and €500 million, whereas nano satellites, including CubeSats, cost only between €500,000 and €700,000.

“With this technology, Sarawak is capable of producing its own nano satellites to support mapping activities and data storage in low Earth orbit,” he said when speaking at the Land and Survey (LANDAS) Summit 2026 here today.

He stressed that data obtained through nano satellites will be used to enhance the state’s economic and spatial planning, particularly in land management, infrastructure development and sustainable growth.

“Data from low Earth orbit will enable land surveying works to be carried out more quickly, accurately and in an integrated manner, providing a clear picture of Sarawak’s physical landscape,” he said.

He also commended the Land and Survey Department Sarawak for its progress in adopting technology and digital data collection, and emphasised the importance of integrating the state’s land information systems with nano satellite technology.

The nano satellite initiative is also aligned with the use of satellite data in modern agriculture, high-technology industries, the digital economy, as well as urban and rural planning under the state’s 2030 development strategy.

Abang Johari added that the state government is committed to positioning Sarawak as a regional leader in small satellite technology within ASEAN, while opening up opportunities for researchers, academics and the private sector to collaborate in the development and application of nano satellite technology.

The recently launched Land and Survey Department Sarawak Strategic Plan 2026–2030 also incorporates initiatives involving the use of space technology to accelerate mapping works, data analysis and the development of higher-quality information systems.

Meanwhile, the event also witnessed the launch of the Premier of Sarawak Hall at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, symbolising the strategic relationship between the state government and academic institutions in the fields of geospatial studies, remote sensing and space technology.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Abdullah Julaihi, Bintulu Division Resident Nyurak Keti and Land and Survey Department Director Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood.

 

 

Mr Low's painful lesson to never be a guarantor for any friend who takes loan from money lender

KUCHING, Feb 9 2026: A certain Mr Low,  by now,  must have  learnt the most painful lesson to never again he would trust any friend, not with money, after what has happened to him - never stands as a guarantor anymore.

Caption: Mr Low talking to Michael Kong (right) over the loan that Mr Low's friend had taken from money lender  

 After his friend died,  Mr Low was even forced to pay the ballooning amount of over RM40, 000 well above the amount that his friend had failed to settle.

As a last resort, he sought help from the Sarawak DAP.

It started when his friend asked him to be a guarantor a few years ago.

He agreed to stand as a guarantor for a friend who had taken a loan from a money lender.

“At the beginning, he exercised caution by asking his friend to deposit the monthly repayments with him first, before he transferred the payments to the money lender.

“This was done to ensure that the loan obligations were properly met,” explained Michael Kong, who is a special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, today.

Kong said after some time, Low’s friend suggested that he pay the money lender directly to “save the hassle”.

“Trusting his friend, Mr Low agreed,” he said.

“Tragically, the friend has since passed away. Just last week, Mr Low received a letter from the money lender demanding payment of an alleged outstanding sum of RM10,800.

“Wanting clarity, Mr Low visited the money lender’s office and was informed that no payments had ever been made by his friend, hence the outstanding amount,” Kong said.

He added not wanting any further trouble, Mr Low decided to accept the offer and asked for two weeks to settle the amount.

He said Mr Low was then asked to return the following day to sign an agreement to settle the alleged outstanding.

“However, when he returned, he was shocked to be presented with a demand exceeding RM40,000 to “fully settle” the matter.

“When he refused to sign, he was pressured repeatedly to do so. He only managed to leave the premises by giving the excuse that he needed to attend to his elderly mother.

“Disturbingly, even then, the money lender demanded a photograph and the NRIC details of his mother.

“Mr Low subsequently sought my assistance. After reviewing the matter and engaging directly with the money lender, they then agreed to settle the issue at the original amount of RM10,800, the sum initially demanded.

“Mr Low has also since then been able to raise the necessary funds from his family members in order to fully settle the outstanding,” Kong said.

He said this case serves as a serious warning to the public.

He added borrowing from money lenders, and especially agreeing to stand as a guarantor, can expose individuals to significant financial and emotional distress.

“What may begin as a small loan can quickly escalate through excessive charges, and aggressive pressure tactics,” he said, adding that guarantors, in particular, are often left bearing the full burden when borrowers are unable or no longer around to pay.

He urged the public to think carefully before turning to money lenders or agreeing to guarantee someone else’s loan, no matter how close the relationship may be.

“Always understand the risks involved, insist on transparency, and seek proper advice before signing any document,” he advised.

Almost 90,000 land transaction instruments, worth RN30.85 billion, registered last year

BINTULU, Feb 9 2026: Land and Survey Department’s registration of land transaction instruments continues to record excellence with the achievement of 100 per cent same day registration. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg launching the Land and Survey's Strategic Plan 2026-2030 at the opening of the department summit 2026 - Picture by Information Department

The department director Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood said a total of 89,933 instruments, worth RM30.85 billion, were registered last year.

“Of the total, 81,674 instruments or 90.8 per cent were successfully registered within the first four  hours from the time of submission,”  he said at the department’s summut which was officiated by Premier Abang Johari  Openg.

He said the charge of land transactions recorded the largest value of RM15.46 billion followed by transfer of land with a value of RM7.96 billion.

“From the 2025 transaction, stamp duty amounting to RM262.28 million was collected by the federal government,” he said.

Zamhari said that the state government, through the platform of the Malaysia Agreement Action Council 1963, continues to hold consultations with the federal government, regarding the ‘sharing’ of the stamp duty revenue on the basis that the land transaction is under the Sarawak Land Code.

He also said that the department’s the Title Registration System (TRS) recorded 980,827 lots throughout Sarawak with an area of 3.16 million hectares.

He said out of the total, 779,303 lots were titled land with an area of 2.45 million hectares, saying that  201,524 lots were government land with an area of 717,000 hectares.

He said under the New Initiative Programme for NCR Land Measurement since 2010 until 31, 2025, an area of 1.245 million hectares of NCR land has been measured perimeter-wise.

He added an area of 947,442 hectares of which has been gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserve (Agriculture) under section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code.

“Efforts to improve the measurement of individual lots continue to be strengthened by improving the technology and measurement methods used.

“Up to Dec 31, 2025. a total of 109,065 lots with an area of 129,797 hectares have been measured individually.

“Of this total, 35,873 lots with an area of 49,674 hectares were issued with title deeds under section 18 of the Sarawak Land Act,” Zamhari said,