Don't dissolve state assembly just yet before the 17 new seats have been approved, PKR senator tells the Sarawak government

MIRI, Sept 4 2026: Senator Abun Sui Anyit expressed his hope that the state government would not dissolve the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) until after the process of approving the 17 new state seats has been completed.

 Caption: Senator Abun Sui Anyit says he believes that there is still a chance for the 17 new seat can be used in the coming state election 

He said he believes that there still has a chance for the new seats to be used in the upcoming Sarawak state elections, if the re-delineation process can be fully completed before the SLA is dissolved.

“This depends on the completion of the entire delimitation process in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Constitution, including the relevant objection, recommendation and approval processes until it is finally gazetted,” Abun said in a statement.

“Therefore, I urge the Sarawak government not to dissolve SLA too early before the new delimitation process is completed.

“If the time period provided by law is still sufficient, the Sarawak government has the space to allow the process to be completed first so that the proposed new SLA seats can be used in the upcoming elections,” he said.

He said be believes that the additional seats are to give a more balanced representation, especially in the vast interior areas.

563 primary, 84 secondary schools ordered to close temporarily

KUCHING, Sept 4 2026:  A total of 563 primary schools involving108,477 students and 84 secondary schools with 90,082 students will be temporarily closed from Sept 7 to 11 due to prevailing hazy conditions, state Education Department said in a statement today.

 Caption: Thick haze hovering over Tun Jugah Road

It said the schools  are in Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Julau and Meradong.

It said Home Teaching and Learning sessions will be implemented throughout the temporary closure period of schools affected by the haze phenomenon in accordance with the provisions in the Ministry of Education of Malaysia’s Release Letter Number 8 of 2016; Guidelines for Managing Teaching and Learning in the aftermath of Disasters dated 21 July 2016.

“Any changes or latest information will be notified from time to time,” the department, adding that schools are reminded to comply with the standard operating procedures set by the ministry.

It said that all educational institutions under  its supervision are advised to always comply with the ministry’s guidelines.

The department said it always gives priority to the welfare, health and safety of students, especially when facing hot weather or any unexpected weather conditions. “The hot weather that has hit the country has also caused several locations in Sarawak to show Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels.

“Based on the continuous monitoring of API readings throughout this school holiday and the report issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, it has decided to temporarily close the schools,” the department said.

King approves declaration of emergency in the entire Serian Division

KUCHING, Sept 4 2026: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has approved a declaration of emergency in the entire Serian Division due to haze condition which has reached a level of air pollution that is hazardous to the health and safety of the public.

Caption: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a statement, said the decision was made after taking into account the advice of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg as well as relevant agencies regarding the level of air quality in the area.

“The necessary measures will be taken more effectively to protect the health and welfare of the affected residents,” the PMO said.

It added that the federal government will continue to monitor developments from time to time and ensure that all necessary actions are implemented immediately, including mitigation measures and the provision of health information and advice to the public.

Air quality index (API) for Sarawak at 5pm

	STATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	306	Hazardous
	SAMARAHAN	292	Very Unhealthy
	IPD SERIAN (MCAQM)	515	Very Hazardous
	SRI AMAN	241	Very Unhealthy
	SARIKEI	183	Unhealthy
	SIBU	182	Unhealthy
	MUKAH	177	Unhealthy
	KAPIT	90	Moderate
	BINTULU	161	Unhealthy
	SAMALAJU	155	Unhealthy
	MIRI	116	Unhealthy
	ILP MIRI	152	Unhealthy
	LIMBANG	92	Moderate
	LUNDU	320	Hazardous
	TEBEDU	375	Hazardous
	LUBOK ANTU	323	Hazardous
	KANOWIT	209	Very Unhealthy
	LAWAS	135	Unhealthy
	BARIO	74	Moderate
	BETONG (MCAQM)	187	Unhealthy