Newly completed St Stephen Church Pantu can accommmodate up to 500 people at one time

PANTU, March 1 2026:  St Stephen Church now has a new look after the old dilapidated building was demolished and rebuilt for the comfort and safety of its believers.

 Caption: Newly completed St Stephen Church Pantu - Photo by Ukas

The construction of the new church was made possible through financial assistance from the United For Other Religions (Unifor), reflecting the Sarawak government's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the welfare and harmony of the multi-religious community in the state.

The new two-storey building is capable of accommodating up to 500 people at a time.

The ground floor of the building also serves as a church hall for organising various religious and community activities, while the main space on the upper floor houses a more spacious and comfortable place of worship.

The construction project was coordinated by the church with the cooperation of the local community to ensure that its implementation runs smoothly and meets the needs of the local community.

Caption: Christians attending  Sunday service at St Stephen Church Pantu - Photo by Ukas 

Residents in Pantu District expressed their highest appreciation and gratitude to the Sarawak government for approving the assistance.

With the completion of the new building, St Stephen Church is expected to continue to be an important centre of religious and social activities for the local community, thus strengthening the spirit of togetherness among the residents of Pantu and the surrounding area.

SUPP calls on more young people and women to become its members, saying it needs injection of fresh ideas

BINTANGOR, March 1 2026: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian has called for more young people and women to join the party, saying that it needs injection of fresh ideas.

Caption: SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian (right) having a deep conversation with Meradong State Legislative Member Ding Kuong Hiing - Picture by Ukas 

He said the survival of the party’s struggle cannot depend solely on existing leadership, instead, it must be driven inclusively.

He stressed that wider space must be opened for youth and women to play more significant roles within the organisational structure and the implementation of programmes at the grassroots level.

“The party needs to remain fresh with new ideas and energy. Youth and women have their own perspectives that can enrich the party's policies and approaches in facing current challenges,” he said at a meeting with party members in Meradong yesterday.

According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the meeting, held at the residence of Meradong State Legislative Member (SLM) Ding Kuong Hiing, was not merely a courtesy call but served as a strategic platform to strengthen the continuity of party leadership through the involvement of the new generation and the empowerment of women.

Dr Sim, who is also a deputy premier, said with the commitment to expanding the participation of youth and women and empowering the Meradong development agenda, SUPP is believed to remain relevant as a vehicle for the people's struggle, in line with the aspirations of building a more inclusive, advanced, and prosperous Sarawak.

He also reminded that unity, discipline, and loyalty within the party are the pillars of organisational strength, especially when facing an increasingly dynamic political landscape.

Dr Sim emphasised that close cooperation between the state leadership and party branches is vital to ensuring that every state government development plan is effectively conveyed to the people.

“In the national context, which has seen changes in the political landscape and an increase in civic awareness among the younger generation, SUPP is seen to be taking proactive steps by formulating strategies to empower branch machinery to be more responsive to current issues,” Dr Sim, who is also a deputy premier, said.

 

Programme to promote Bagatan ethnic community's culture and customs launched

KAPIT, March 1 2026: A programme to promote the culture and customs of the Bagatan ethnic community has been launched in an effort to introduce and deepen understanding of their cultural heritage, which forms part of Sarawak’s rich and diverse cultural legacy.

caption: The Bagatan girls in their traditional costumes - Photo by Ukas 

The programme was officiated by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), Snowdan Lawan at Rumah Philip longhouse, Nanga Merit, here yesterday.

The Bagatan ethnic group is one of the 34 ethnic communities in Sarawak, with an estimated population of fewer than 10,000 people.

Traditionally, they originate from 18 longhouses in the Rajang area, Anap in Bintulu, and Penyarai in Tatau.

The Bagatan community possesses distinct characteristics in terms of its customs and traditions, language, oral history, intangible heritage and traditional practices.

The implementation of this programme has received support from the Heritage and Arts Facilitation Fund as an initiative to strengthen efforts in the preservation, documentation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage knowledge.

The programme was initiated by the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Association in collaboration with the local community in Kapit to introduce the customs and history of the Bagatan community, while also developing handicrafts and heritage-based entrepreneurship.

Caption: Deputy Tourism Minister Snowdan Lawan being ushered by the Bagatan ladies - Photo by Ukas 

This approach enables elements of Bagatan culture to be highlighted through the production of traditional handicrafts, decorative arts and locally inspired attire, while at the same time creating economic opportunities for the local community, particularly among youths and women.

The officiating ceremony was also attended by head of the Heritage and Creative Industry Division Dr Elena Chai, a representative of Kapit Resident’s Office Daniel Batin, Kapit District Officer Geoffrey Kendawang, Kapit District Council Chairman Andy Lawrence, Penghulu Esik, Kapit District Council member Aman, and Secretary of the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Association Cecilia Lagak.

I only meet people of Julau during elections? It is fake news, says Larry Sng

PAKAN, March 1 2026: Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng has dismissed claims that he only meets the people in his constituency during elections.

Caption: Julau MP Larry Sng speaking at Nyalak Atas longhoue - Facebook/Larry Sng 

“Therefore, what is written on social media that I visit the people only during elections, it is false news and every trip I make is always kept in my Facebook as proof that I visit the people,” he said when launching the Women’s Bureau at Nyalak Atas longhouse last night.

He explained that he often visits the people in the Julau Parliament every weekend.

“This visit to the people has been carried out by me since I won the election in 2018,” he said in his Facebook post, adding that during every visit he makes, it is for him to see for himself what the demands and plight of the people are.

Larry said in his observation during all the visits to the people, they still lacks something, stressing that development projects are carried out in stages.

He said both the federal and state governments will continue to work together to deliver development to the people in the rural areas and will do their utmost to ensure that the development gap in the communities is not much different.

“This includes providing facilities for the people for their comfort and security.

“Similarly, infrastructure issues are a priority for the people, especially in the Julau parliamentary constituency,” he added.

In addition, in strengthening the Julau community, he said he always looks for ways to organise courses to increase knowledge and skills.

“Among the successful activities are oil palm cultivation courses and courses for women to make handicrafts,”Larry said, adding that he will organise a programme to visit the Timber Industry Council (MTIB) in Peninsular Malaysia to find out what jobs or things can be done in this industry

“In addition, we will take development ideas from other countries and bring them back to Julau for the development of the country,” he said.

“Similarly, the tourism industry and the furniture industry should be developed and set up in our country, so I plan to bring leaders to travel to other countries to learn new ideas,” he added.

Larry also handed over a total allocation ofRM83,900 the Village Development and Security Committees of Rumah Layau ak Lian, Engkamop, Rumah Kanyan Nyalak Atas,  Rumah Sumping Wong Bebelit and Rumah Asun Nanga Marau.