Concrete house beionging to 86-year old woman almost completely destroyed in an afternoon fire

KUCHING, Aug 11 2026: A concrete house belonging to a 86-year old woman in Jalan Foochow was almost completely destroyed in an afternoon fire this afternoon.

Caption: Firemen extinguishing the house fire

Tabuan Jaya Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said the woman and four other family members, however, escaped unhurt from the burning house.

 The department said it received a call at 2.15pm, informing that the fire had broken out at the premises.

According to the department, the fire destroyed 80 per cent of the house.

The fire also affected 15 per cent of a nearby house.

The cause of the fire is being  investigated and the total loss has yet to be ascertained.

Kuching South City Council Mayor Wee Hong Seng was among those who came to the scene.

Sarawak Metro to establish its own auxiliary police unit

KUCHING, Aug 11 2026: Sarawak Metro marked another important milestone in ensuring the future safety and security of the operations of its Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) with the establishment of its own auxiliary police unit.

Caption: Sarawak Metro chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa receiving the certificate from SAC Roselina Daud

This was formalised recently when the Royal Malaysia Police presented Sarawak Metro with the certificate approving the company’s request to set up the unit.

During the simple ceremony held at Sarawak Metro’s corporate office, the police Sarawak contingent’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief SAC Roselina Daud presented the certificate to Sarawak Metro’s chief executive officer Mazli Mustaffa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mazli highlighted the significance of the auxillary police unit in terms of safeguarding the KUTS project’s assets and premises as well as beefing up security within the perimeter of the KUTS’ alignment.

"The handover of this certificate is a crucial achievement in building a structured, professional, and effective security unit capable of supporting the operation of the KUTS,” said Mazli.

He also emphasised that security is the backbone of an efficient and trusted public transport service, noting that the newly established auxiliary police unit will play a vital role in safeguarding the entire KUTS ecosystem.

"Safety is the foundation of efficient and reliable public transport.

“With our auxiliary police unit, we will be able to strengthen security across the entire KUTS ecosystem, such as our operational facilities, depot, stations, and strategic assets, to create a safe environment for passengers, staff, and the local community alike.”

Mazli explained that the unit’s strength and operational capabilities will be developed in phases to align with the progressive rollout of the KUTS project.

“Sarawak Metro looks forward to continued collaboration with the police in training, compliance, and competency development to guarantee the highest safety standards for the public,” he added.

Management of high-impact projects and funds requires high level of integrity, deputy reminds heads of governments depts and agencies

KUCHING, Aug 11 2026: Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Dr Juanda Jaya reminded heads of government departments and agencies that  the implementation of high-impact projects, management of large resources and funds requires a higher level of integrity, transparency, accountability and governance.

Caption: Deputy Minister DrJuanda Jaya says that integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance must continue to be strengthened 

“We cannot compromise on any form of weakness, leakage or abuse of power.

“Flaws in governance can not only affect the effectiveness of state development, but more worryingly, can erode the people’s confidence and trust in the government administration system,” he said at the Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (PINTAR) 2026 Conference today.

Juanda stressed that integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance must continue to be strengthened to ensure that Sarawak's development can be implemented effectively and maintain the people's confidence in the government administration system.

He said this was very important in line with Sarawak's position which is currently on a rapid development path through the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

He explained that heads of departments and agency leaders play roles that go beyond daily administrative duties, including shaping work culture, assessing risks and serving as a bulwark in defending the policies and dignity of the organisation from being tarnished by issues of abuse of power.

Woman, 78, killed by crocodile as her terrified daughter watched helplessly

BATU NIAH, Aug 11 2026: A 78-year old woman was killed by a crocodile while she and her 31-year old daughter were looking for snails along a tributary of Sungai Suai here this morning.

Caption: The body of the crocodile victim covered with plastic canvas at the Sungai Suai wharf

Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said it received a call that the woman was grabbed by the crocodile while she was sitting in her boat.

”During the incident, the daughter, who was about meter meter away, witnessed the crocodile grabbing her mother who was in the boat,” the department.

The crocodile then dragged the victim 10 meters from the boat, before releasing her after being surrounded by villagers.

The incident occurred in a stream connected to Sungai Suai. She was found floating by villagers.

She was then taken by villagers to the wharf.

The firemen later handed over the body of the victim to the police for further action.