Pemilihan tapak rumah panjang perlu tepat, jamin keselamatan penduduk

TATAU, 16 Ogos 2026: Pemilihan tapak yang sesuai dan selamat perlu diberi keutamaan dalam perancangan pembinaan rumah panjang baharu bagi mengelakkan pembaziran peruntukan kerajaan serta memastikan keselamatan penghuni terjamin. 

Caption: Menteri di Jabatan Premier John Sikie Tayai

Menteri di Jabatan Premier John Sikie Tayai berkata, aspek kesesuaian tapak perlu diteliti pada peringkat awal, termasuk mengambil kira kos meratakan tanah serta risiko tanah runtuh dan banjir.

Beliau berkata, kawasan yang terlalu tinggi dan memerlukan kos meratakan tanah yang besar sepatutnya dielakkan memandangkan peruntukan bagi kerja meratakan tapak rumah panjang lazimnya tidak melebihi RM400,000.

“Jangan memilih kawasan yang terlalu tinggi sehingga memerlukan kerja meratakan tanah dengan kos yang terlalu besar. Pastikan kawasan tersebut juga tiada risiko berlaku tanah runtuh ataupun banjir.

“Selain itu, tapak yang telah dipilih benar-benar akan digunakan untuk membina rumah panjang. Jika projek telah dilaksanakan di sesuatu tapak tetapi rumah panjang tidak dibina di situ, perkara itu akhirnya akan merugikan kita semua,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Perasmian Projek Naik Taraf Siling dan Lantai Ruai di Rumah Lonny Anak David, Sungai Penyir, pada Ahad.

Dalam pada itu, Sikie menekankan aspek keselamatan turut perlu diberi perhatian dalam pembinaan rumah panjang, khususnya bagi mengurangkan risiko kebakaran.

Ujarnya, setiap rumah panjang baharu perlu mempunyai pemisah kebakaran (fire breaker) menggunakan susunan bata sehingga ke bahagian bumbung bagi membantu menghalang api daripada merebak dengan pantas.

Beliau turut mengingatkan supaya kerja pendawaian elektrik dilaksanakan oleh individu yang mendapat kelulusan Sarawak Energy bagi memastikan pemasangan elektrik mematuhi keperluan keselamatan.

Sikie turut menyatakan penghargaan terhadap rumah-rumah panjang baharu di Batang Anap yang dibina dengan kemas dan seragam, khususnya pada bahagian ruai, yang menurutnya mencerminkan semangat kerjasama dan toleransi masyarakat.

Dalam majlis sama, beliau mengumumkan peruntukan Projek Kecil Luar Bandar (MRP) sebanyak RM10,000 kepada Biro Wanita Rumah Lonny.

Terdahulu, Tuai Rumah Lonny David merakamkan penghargaan kepada Sikie atas peruntukan bagi pelaksanaan projek menaik taraf siling dan lantai ruai yang melibatkan 25 pintu rumah panjang di bawah Projek Penambahbaikan Rumah Miskin Sarawak (PPRMS). - Berita Ukas

Your role important in defending the country's sovereignty, deputy minister tells Sarawakians residing in the border areas

LIMBANG: Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah  said he believes Sarawakians residing in the border areas play an important role in helping to defend the country's sovereignty, especially as the eyes and ears of the government.

Caption: Deputy Minister Hasbi Habibollah reminds Sarawakians residing along the border areas to respect the borders of the neighbouring countries

He said Limbang's position bordering Brunei gives the local community its own advantages in building good relations, besides jointly contributing to the peace and progress of the border area.

"The important thing is that we respect the borders of our neighbours, do not carry out activities that are against the laws of both countries.

"We also have good relations between the Malaysian government and the Brunei government, as well as between the Sarawak government and the Brunei Government, very good," he said during his speech at the UKAS 2026 Outreach Programme closing ceremony: Empowering the Limbang Division Border Community yesterday.

He said that the close relations between Malaysia and Brunei, especially in the border areas, have opened up space for various forms of cooperation that benefit the communities of both countries, including in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and development.

Adding that, the good relations also provide Sarawak with an opportunity to learn best practices and progress made by neighbouring countries in the aspects of development, education and services that can be adapted to local needs.

According to him, the Limbang community also has the opportunity to take advantage of the strategic position of the area by establishing economic and trade relations with neighbouring countries, including bringing local products to market in Brunei.

In the meantime, he reminded the young people not to be easily fooled by offers that could cause them to be used as 'drug mules' to bring prohibited goods across border.

He said, the younger generation needs to be wary of any suspicious offers and not take risks that could affect their future and personal safety.

“People in border areas need to play a role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty by continuing to be the eyes and ears of the authorities, especially by reporting any suspicious activities that could affect public safety and order,” he added.

Meanwhile, 28 residents in the Batu Danau constituency received approval notification letters or identity documents through the Registration and Identification Programme.

The UKAS 2026 Outreach Programme also featured talks and exhibitions by various Federal and State agencies to raise public awareness of their roles in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the country’s borders.

Also present were Batu Danau State Legislative Member (SLM) Paulus Palu Gumbang, Deputy Director of the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), Mohamed Faizal Shah Ali, Deputy Resident of Limbang Division, Marie Rozita Kulai and Limbang District Officer, Sulaiman Engal.

Indonesian consulate in Kuching acknowledges the concerns raised by Sarawakians over poor air quality

KUCHING, Aug 16 2026; The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) here says it acknowledges the concerns raised by the people of Sarawak regarding poor air quality over the past weeks.

Caption: Wild fires in Kalimantan

“As close neighbours bound by enduring friendship, shared borders, and strong bilateral ties, Indonesia places the utmost importance on the health, well-being, and tranquility of communities across both Sarawak and Indonesia,” it said in a statement.

It added that in the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, the Indonesian government continues to execute comprehensive, relentless, and proactive measures to prevent and extinguish forest and land fires across affected regions.

The consulate general said these intensive on-the-ground and aerial efforts encompass heightened early-warning patrols, rapid ground firefighting deployments, continuous water-bombing sorties, targeted weather-modification operations (cloud seeding), and strict law enforcement against unlawful burning.

“The integrated actions are undertaken around the clock to safeguard communities, protect ecosystems, and mitigate potential fire impacts,” it said.

It stressed that the Indonesian government remains firmly committed to maintaining close communication, information sharing, and regional cooperation with all key stakeholders, including under the framework of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

“This collaborative partnership reinforces joint preventive strategies, enhances regional coordination, and minimizes potential transboundary environmental and socio-economic effects,” the consulate general said.

It explained that it will continue to closely monitor situational developments and actively coordinate with relevant Sarawak authorities and stakeholders.

“United by mutual goodwill and shared resolve, KJRI Kuching expresses its sincere hope that these concerted endeavors will swiftly yield positive results, ensuring that air quality and everyday activities in Sarawak and surrounding regions return fully to normal,” it said.