Committee briefs governor on the proposed contract law reform during courtesy call at Astana Negeri

KUCHING, Aug 3 2026: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi received a courtesy call from the Committee to Review and Study the Contract Law Reform in Malaysia at the Sarawak State Astana on Monday.

Caption: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar receiving call from review committee on contract law reform

The courtesy call was in conjunction with the Engagement Session (SLU) on the proposed Contract Law Reform in Malaysia at the Sarawak zone level, which brought together national leaders and legal experts to discuss proposed contract law reforms so that the existing legal framework remains relevant to current developments.

The delegation was accompanied by Federal Court Judge  Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, Court of Appeal Judges Wong Kian Kheong and  Azizul Azmi Adnan, and the President of the Arbitration Court of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and former Federal Court Judge Mary Lim Thiam Suan.

The courtesy call was aimed at strengthening strategic discussions on proposed contract law reforms at the Sarawak Zone level, thus ensuring that the country's legal system remains responsive to current needs.

Wan Junaidi, in his Facebook post, expressed hopes that the courtesy visit can continue to strengthen the relationship of cooperation between all parties, as well as being a catalyst for the formation of more inclusive, dynamic and far-sighted policies and legislation for the well-being of the people and the progress of Sarawak.

The engagement session also received cooperation and expertise from academic figures from higher learning institutions including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) and Taylor's University, as well as senior legal practitioners in the country.

Also present at the courtesy call were representatives from the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU JPM) led by its Director (Policy), Kevin Geh Kien Meng, together with Deputy Director (Policy), Dr Suharmi Ismail, as well as members of the Committee for the Review and Study of the Reform of Contract Law in Malaysia (CRRCL).

Bintulu Port Holdings president Ruslan Abdul Ghani will take over as SEB Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Nov 1

KUCHING, Aug 3 2026: Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad’s President and Group Chief Executive Officer Ruslan Abdul Ghani will assume the post of Sarawak Energy Berhad’s (SEB) Group Chief Executive Officer.

Caption: Ruslan Abdul Ghani taking over from Sharbini Suhali whose contract with SEB ends in October 2026 

He will take over from Sharbini Suhaili, effective November 1 this year.

Sharbini will complete his current contract with SEB at the end of October.

The board of directors  of SEB announced  Ruslan’s appointment and Sharbini’s retirement.

An engineer by training, Ruslan holds a Master of Science in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Before joining Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad, he spent 32 years with Petronas, serving in senior leadership positions in Malaysia and internationally, including Sudan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan.

During his tenure at Bintulu Port Holdings, he played an instrumental role in the successful transfer of the Port from federal to Sarawak ownership while driving organisational transformation, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

SEB chairman Ibrahim Baki said Ruslan’s appointment reflects the board's confidence in his ability to lead SEB into its next phase of growth.

"Ruslan brings extensive leadership experience, strategic vision and a proven track record of delivering transformation across complex organisations.

“His expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, combined with his strong commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, will enable SEB to continue advancing its long-term strategy while supporting Sarawak's renewable energy aspirations.

Ibrahim expressed the board's sincere appreciation to Sharbini for his outstanding corporate leadership and dedicated service to Sarawak Energy.

"Under his leadership, SEB has evolved into one of Southeast Asia's leading renewable energy utilities through the successful implementation of the Sarawak Energy Excellence Roadmap.

“He strengthened the group's operational and financial resilience, expanded regional energy connectivity and firmly positioned Sarawak as an emerging renewable energy powerhouse.

"During his tenure, Sharbini led the acquisition of the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant, strengthened Sarawak Energy's financial position while maintaining international investmentgrade and domestic AAA credit ratings and embedded a strong health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) culture across the organisation. Under his leadership, the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant received the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025 and Hydropower Sustainability Standard Silver Certification, reinforcing Sarawak Energy's international standing in sustainable hydropower,” Ibrahim said.

It will be a grave political and historical mistake if Sarawak and Sabah not part of future federal government, says Soon Koh

KUCHING, Aug 3 2026: Senior politician Wong Soon Koh said it be would a grave political and historical mistake should a future federal government choose to sideline Sarawak and Sabah simply because it no longer depends on GPS or GRS for its parliamentary majority.

Caption: Bawang Assan SLM Wong Soon Koh says that without the participation of the two Borneo states, it would would inevitably strengthen regional consciousness in Sarawak and Sabah.

He said without the participation of the two Borneo states in the federal Cabinet, the implementation of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would almost certainly slow down.

“Negotiations on fiscal autonomy, administrative powers, education, healthcare, petroleum resources, revenue sharing and other long-standing constitutional matters could become increasingly difficult if there is no genuine political will in Putrajaya,” he said when responding to suggestions that the BN-PN would have enough parliamentary seats to form the federal government without the participation of Sarawak and Sabah.

He stressed without the participation of the two Borneo states, it would would inevitably strengthen regional consciousness in Sarawak and Sabah.

He said increasing numbers of Sarawakians and Sabahans understand their constitutional position and expect the federal government to honour the promises made in 1963.

“Attempts to marginalise the Borneo states will only unite their people in defending those rights,” he suggested.

“Thirdly, the federal-state relations could deteriorate. Mutual trust, which is essential for effective governance, economic planning and national development, cannot flourish if one partner feels ignored or treated as politically expendable.

“Fourthly, Malaysia’s long-term economic interests could also be affected,” he said, adding that Sarawak and Sabah are vital contributors to the nation’s energy security, natural resources, food security, environmental sustainability and strategic maritime position.

“National development cannot succeed if the aspirations of the two Borneo states are disregarded,” he added.

Wong, who is also Bawang State Legislative Member (SLM), said Malaysia cannot be governed solely from the perspective of the peninsular politics.

“The federation was never intended to be one in which one region dominates while the others merely follow,” he said, noting that it was founded on the principles of partnership, mutual respect, constitutional equality and shared responsibility.

He called on all political parties in Malaya—whether BN, PN, Pakatan Harapan or any future coalition—to publicly reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the full implementation of MA63.

He said the constitutional rights of Sarawak and Sabah must never depend on who forms the federal government or how many parliamentary seats a coalition commands.

“At the same time, this situation should serve as a timely reminder to the political leadership of Sarawak and Sabah.

“The strongest guarantee of our constitutional rights is not merely participation in the federal Cabinet,” Wong said, stating that it is the unity of the people and political leaders of Sarawak and Sabah in defending the interests of the two states.

He said regardless of party affiliation, leaders from both Borneo states must stand together whenever the constitutional rights and legitimate interests of our people are at stake.

He also said that history has shown that rights which are not defended will eventually be eroded. Rights that are firmly protected through unity, wisdom and constitutional means will endure.

“Malaysia’s strength lies in respecting the diversity of its regions, cultures and histories. A stable and prosperous Federation can only be built when every partner is treated with fairness, dignity and equality,” he said.

He reminded that the implementation of MA63 is not a favour to Sarawak and Sabah,  but is a constitutional obligation.

“It is a debt of honour. More importantly, it is the cornerstone upon which the future unity of Malaysia depends,” he said.

Ambassador Hendy Assan is the new director of Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

KUCHING, Aug 3 2026: Career diplomat Hendy  Assan is the new director of the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking over from Fenny Nuli who is now the Malaysian Ambassador Austria, Slovakia and United Nations bodies since May this year.

Caption: Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (right) receives a courtesy call from Ambassador Hendy Assan -

This morning he paid a courtesy on Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Astana Negeri.

In a statement posted on his Facebook, the governor said the courtesy call was to officially introduce him as the new director appointed to lead the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“During the meeting, Ambassador Hendy Assan and I also had a friendly exchange and discussed various matters related to the role and scope of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' duties at the regional level, in addition to strengthening the strategic cooperation between the state government and the federal government, especially in foreign affairs and diplomatic relations,” the governor said.

“Hopefully, Ambassador Hendy will continue to excel in leading his diplomatic assignments and continue to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sarawak state government in the future,” he added.