Integrated ops involving various agencies battling to extinguish bushfire covering 16ha outside Sibu town

SIBU, March 27 2026: An integrated operation involving various agencies is now being intensified to control a bushfire covering an area of about 16 hectares here today. 

Sibu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Z one One Division chief Andy Alie (picture) said the extinguishing operation was carried out strategically through the division of three main sectors, namely A, B and C, with a strength of 50 personnel from the Sibu Fire and Rescue Station Central.

According to him, the geographical challenges also demanded high efficiency of the team as the personnel had to cross a stream before carrying out a combination of defensive and direct attacks to prevent the movement of the fire from spreading further.

“The division of sectors and assignment of personnel were completed as early as 9am, and the operation is now being actively carried out in all affected areas,” he said.

The operation was also supported by various agencies including RELA, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) as well as a volunteer team, reflecting strong cross-agency cooperation in dealing with emergency situations.

Bushfire outside Sibu town

At the same time, the Sibu DID has deployed excavators to carry out cleaning work and open new routes, thus facilitating the team's access to the fire location which was previously difficult to access.

Andy said Sibu Bomba received the first emergency call on March 23, but the operation could not be carried out earlier due to the location of the incident being located about two kilometres from the nearest access route and the lack of suitable access.

"The extinguishing operation could only be fully carried out today after the route was successfully opened through the cooperation of various agencies and the use of heavy machinery," he explained.

He added that close monitoring will continue to be carried out with the adjustment of operational strategies and the assignment of resources dynamically according to current developments in the fiel

Chinese Sng says as an elected MP from a Dayak constituency, it is also his responsibility to think about Dayak issues

JULAU, March 27 2026: Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng said as an elected representative from a Dayak constituency, he feels that it is also his responsibility to think about Dayak issues, despite him being ethnically Chinese.

MP Larry Sng: As a suggestion, perhaps the various Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should come together and have a forum to discuss the Dayak issues. 

He said having assimilated himself with the community, speaking their language, appreciating the culture and adopting similar ways of thinking,  he is very conscious that he is not here to tell the people what they should be doing.

“As I have said in a recent podcast what are you not doing, that other people are doing? The answer is for the Dayak leaders to answer this. Not me,” he said in his Facebook post.

“As a suggestion, perhaps the various Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should come together and have a forum to discuss this,” Larry, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president, said.

“They can also honour their community leaders who have succeeded in various fields like academia, business, sports and entertainment, and take the opportunity to chart a vision and shared goals for the community,” he said.

He agreed that since uniting all Dayaks under one party is difficult to fathom let alone achieve for now. he believes it is easier for all Dayaks to agree on some common ground, perhaps achieving higher representation in state seats or holding of government posts or improving equity in the private sector holding, etc.

“I believe that much can be achieved when people come together to share their opinion. This isn’t a challenge to GPS, or other races.

“On the contrary,  think the state government should very much be a part of it.

“It is not my intention here to play politics or to stoke Dayak sentiments. I just feel that if such issues are left untouched for too long, the racial harmony and unity in the state will be easily challenged when the disparity becomes too wide.

“It is also a good platform for GPS to showcase what they have achieved for the Dayaks and dispel any false truths with facts,” he added.

He noted that following his podcast interview on “Tuak Talk” he has received good feedback and support from members of the Dayak community and some minor criticisms.