Sabah expresses interest to explore potential collaboration with Sarawak-owned AirBorneo, says Kim Shin

KUCHING, Feb 13 2026: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Ewon Benedick has expressed the state’s interest in exploring potential collaboration with AirBorneo in future, Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin said in a statement today.

Caption: Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin (4h from left) and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Ewon Benedict (5th from left) in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 12 2026 - Picture from Sarawak Transport Ministry
 

He said Ewon also expressed his intention to make an official visit to Sarawak to continue discussions with him on areas of mutual interest.

Lee said he paid a courtesy call on Ewon, who is also the Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, on Feb 12.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on transport development matters, with particular focus on Rural Air Services (RAS) by AirBorneo.

“The working visit to Kota Kinabalu underscores the Sarawak government’s continued emphasis on close engagement with industry stakeholders and neighbouring states, in line with Sarawak’s vision to build a resilient, efficient and people-centric transport ecosystem,” Lee said.

On his visit to Kinabalu, he said it is as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation in aviation and transport development, particularly involving Sarawak-owned airline AirBorneo.

The visit commenced on the evening of February 11, with the ministry hosting a dinner with Kota Kinabalu’s AirBorneo staff.

During the engagement, he reflected on earlier interactions with airline personnel in Sabah, noting that he had met with MASwings staff in Kota Kinabalu in November 2023 during the preliminary stages of Sarawak’s preparations to acquire the airline.

He said the current visit marked a significant milestone, as Sarawak has since successfully taken over MASwings, established AirBorneo as a Sarawak government-owned airline, and officially commenced operations.

The minister expressed his appreciation to the staff for their continued trust and professionalism throughout the transition process.

He also acknowledged the commitment shown by former MASwings employees, highlighting that all the staff had voluntarily chosen to continue their service under AirBorneo.

He said the transition had been smooth and reassuring, as the retained workforce comprises experienced personnel who are well-versed in airline operations, and therefore expressed confidence in AirBorneo’s operational readiness.

On the morning of Feb 12, Lee visited the AirBorneo office in Kota Kinabalu, where he met with management and staff to gain insights into the airline’s operations and ongoing initiatives.

The visit allowed for direct exchanges on operational matters and discussions on further strengthening service delivery.

Man, 70, killed in a single-vehicle accident

KUCHING, Feb 13 2026: An elderly man was killed while two family members were injured when a  car they were travelling in skidded and landed in a ditch at Batu 28 Kuching-Serian road this afternoon.

Caption: Firemen helping to take out Then Ket Fui from inside the car - Photo by Bomba 

Serian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station, in a statement, identified the man as Then Ket Fui, 70, the driver of the car.

“He was trapped in the driver’s seat, unconscious, while the other two, an elderly woman and a child, suffered injuries and were not trapped,” the station said.

It said the injured persons were taken by an ambulance to the Serian hospital for treatment.

The station said firemen took the unconscious man from the driver’s seat and he was confirmed dead by the medical personnel from the Ministry of Health.

Then’s body was subsequently handed over to the police for further action.

It said it received a call about the accident about 2.55pm this afteroon.

 

Karim gives assurance that co-host Sarawak will give its full commitment that 2027 SEA Games will be smoothly and successlly organised

KUCHING, Feb 13 2026: Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has given his assurance that Sarawak will give its full commitment to ensure the 2027 SEA Games will be organised smoothly and successfully.

Caption: Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah presenting a copy of the Sarawak SUKMA Games book to Mordi Bimol (right) - Photo by Ukas

Sarawak is a co-host of the biennial games with the federal government.

He said Sarawak is very serious in ensuring that every aspect of the preparations including facilities, infrastructure and organisation are at the best level.

“Contractors involved in the sports facility upgrade work have been given a period of at least three months to complete the project before the start of the games to enable field tests and pre-tournament events to be carried out,” he said.

He said this in a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from federal Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Mordi Bimol this morning.

He said the estimate cost of holding the games is around RM700 million, with an equal share between the federal government and the Sarawak government.

“RM350 million is borne by the federal government and another RM350 million by the Sarawak government specifically for the cost of organising, not including infrastructure expenses borne by the state,” he explained.

According to him, the official commitment was signed by him personally through a deed of guarantee after receiving a mandate from  Premier Abang Johari Openg to be brought to the federal level.

He stressed that with careful planning and strong commitment from all parties, Sarawak is confident of being able to make the 2027 SEA Games the best ever organized in Malaysia.

 Mordi, who is also Mas Gading MP, assured that his ministry will provide full support to Sarawak in technical aspects and coordination at the federal level.

“We will continue to assist and ensure close cooperation between the state and federal governments for the success of the 2027 SEA Games,” he said.

Chief executive officer of the 2027 SEA Games organising secretariat Abdul Rashid Yaakob said that from the total 38 types of sports being contested, around eight to 10 sports will be selected for the initial test sessions in Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

He said that several international tournaments will be organised as warm-up events to test the readiness of the venue and technical systems including digital displays and lighting.

“This is a normal practice for organising major games to ensure that all technical, operational and logistical aspects run smoothly,” he explained.

 

 

Search party finds body of a 32-year old man floating in the river this morning

MIRI, Feb 13 2026: A search party has today found the body of a 32-year old man who jumped into the river from Lutong bridge, Jalan Paragon, Lutong last Wednesday.

Caption: Family members identifying the remains of Jackson Dian - Photo by Bomba 

The body of Jackson Dian anak Bobby Ganing was found floating about 1km downriver from the bridge at about 7.10am this morning.

Lutong Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station, in a statement, said the remains of Jackson Dian have been confirmed by the family members.

Lutong station, acting on information from the police, went to the spot where the deceased was said to have jumped into the river.

A motorcyclist who happened to pass the bridge saw the deceased jumping into the river about 12.48pm on Feb 11 2026.

He then turned back and stopped at the location where the deceased had jumped and managed to see the deceased struggling before disappearing under water.

He then contacted the police via a phone call to report the incident.

Lutong station said initial information revealed the deceased was having mental problems.