Dr Annuar: Sarawak government targeting an increase of median household income to RM15,000 from RM5,504 through PCDS 2030

SIBU, Sept 18 2026: The Sarawak government is targeting an increase in the median household income to RM15,000 for a family through the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), from the current RM5,504. Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee said.

Caption: DrAnnuar Rapaee notes that Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is currently at RM73,784, which is higher than the national rate of RM59,186, thus being categorized by the World Bank as a high-income region.

He said the indicator is used because it symbolizes the people's actual level of well-being and standard of living compared to using the average value.

"According to economic studies, a more accurate indicator to measure the well-being of the people is the 'median household income', not the average. The average is calculated by adding all salaries and dividing it by the number of people.

"While the median looks at the middle value, which is 50 percent of the people earn an income above that value and another 50 percent earn less than that value," he said when presenting the Sejahtera MADANI Programme Focus on Income Increase (Equipment) of the Sarawak State Development Office (SDO) Sibu Zone in 2026 today.

Dr Annuar noted that Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is currently at RM73,784, which is higher than the national rate of RM59,186, thus being categorized by the World Bank as a high-income region.

However, he explained that the success of Sarawak's GDP per capita achievement needs to be complemented with continuous efforts to increase the people's household income specifically.

"So we are still working to ensure that the PCDS 2030 target is achieved, and the efforts made by SDO today are the best step towards that," he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 36 Household Members (AIR) with poor status consisting of students and alumni of Sibu Vocational College (KVS) received equipment assistance worth RM180,000 through the programme.

The one-off assistance is part of the Income Increase Focus allocation of RM1.375 million implemented throughout Sarawak.

The Sarawak SDO Sibu Zone in a media statement announced that the assistance is targeted at AIRs registered in the eKasih system.

Also present were the Director of ICU JPM Sarawak Dato Jasni Jubli, Deputy Academic Director of Sibu Vocational College Ling Tiong Yung and Sibu District Education Officer Lau Ngie Tung.

A successful trial flight conducted at Bebuling STOLPort, almost ready to receive commercial flights

SPAOH, Sept 18 2026: A successful trial flight was conducted this morning, with Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said it would pave the way for further discussions to determine when commercial flights could begin operating at the Short Take-off and Landing Airport (STOLPort)

Caption: Bebuling STOLPort is almost ready to start its operation following a successful trial flight

According to him, a date has yet to be set and will only be finalised following discussions with the relevant parties, including on operational, safety and maintenance requirements.

“Practically speaking, the trial flight has been completed and went smoothly. 

“We are very pleased that today we were able to see this STOLPort being used,” he said in a Facebook post today.
 
The Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development added that Bebuling STOLPort, which was developed at a cost of RM248.03 million, has a 1.119-kilometre runway and is capable of accommodating aircraft such as the King Air.

More importantly, he said the facility was not merely intended for passenger travel, but also held significant potential as a cargo hub to support the agriculture and industrial sectors in surrounding areas.

“There is a packing centre in front of this terminal, while behind it is an Agro Park covering about 1,000 hectares. This gives us tremendous potential to bring our agricultural produce to external markets,” he said.

The Bukit Saban Assemblyman added that this potential would be further enhanced by the STOLPort’s strategic location, particularly with the completion of the Batang Lupar 2 Bridge, which is expected to improve access from areas around Batang Lupar to Betong.

At the same time, he said the facility could serve as a new gateway to strengthen Betong’s tourism industry by providing visitors with easier access to attractions in the division and surrounding areas.

Among the tourism products with potential to be further promoted are the replica of Rentap Fortress at Bukit Sadok, a longhouse more than 100 years old as well as destinations in Kabong and Batang Ai.

“Travelling by air from Kuching to Bebuling takes only about 15 minutes, compared with around three hours by road,” he said.

Uggah stressed that safety remained a priority before Bebuling STOLPort could be fully opened for commercial flights.

According to him, regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been put in place to ensure safe flight operations, while firefighting facilities have also been provided at the STOLPort.

He said further discussions on safety, operations and maintenance would continue before the licensing process and commercial operations are finalised.

Uggah expressed hope that Bebuling STOLPort would not only provide a faster travel option, but also become a catalyst for local economic growth through the expansion of the agriculture, cargo handling, industry and tourism sectors.

"When the Sarawak Premier first announced the construction of this STOLPort, we wondered what it would be used for. But today, it is clear that this facility can drive economic activity and production while benefiting the community,” he added. 

Following Najib receiving conditional pardon, DAP to hold its CEC meeting tomorrow to determine its stance and course of action

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 2026: The DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) will meet tomorrow to discuss and determine the party's stance and subsequent course of action, in response to the conditional release of former Prime Najib Razak and be placed under house arrest early today.

Caption: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook says that 1MDB scandal has linked Malaysia to kleptocracy in the eyes of the world, tarnished the country's image, and eroded the trust of the people and investors in the nation's administrative institutions.

Its secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the party respects the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power of pardon as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 

"DAP consistently upholds the principles of Constitutional Monarchy and the Supremacy of the Constitution, while also defending the rule of law and the fight against corruption," he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Najib will be allowed to serve his remaining jail term at home until Aug 23, 2028 subject to him paying a fine of RM50 million, the legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement early today.

This comes after a conditional pardon granted by king Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar following Najib's appeal to the Federal Territories Pardons Board for house arrest. 

He is currently serving a six-year prison term.

The fine is part of his reduced sentence granted by the previous king in January 2024.

Najib was initially sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million in July 2020 on three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money laundering and one count of abuse of power.

The charges involved the transfer of RM42 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), into his personal bank accounts in 2014 and 2015.

Najib faces another lengthy jail term in a separate 1MDB-related case. 

The High Court in December 2025 sentenced him to 15 years in prison and fined him RM11.38 billion on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering involving RM2.2 billion misappropriated from 1MDB. The jail term was due to begin in 2028 after he finishes his current sentence. 

He has filed an appeal against the verdict and sentence.

Loke said the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) misappropriation scandal stands as the largest corruption scandal in our nation's history. 

"It has linked Malaysia to kleptocracy in the eyes of the world, tarnished the country's image, and eroded the trust of the people and investors in the nation's administrative institutions.

"The conviction of Najib in the 1MDB-related case is a matter adjudicated by the courts, and its impact on the country cannot be forgotten," he said.

He stressed that the financial repercussions of this misappropriation continue to be borne by the nation and its people to this day, pointing to a statement by the Ministry of Finance on September 13 2026 that the total 1MDB obligations borne by the government amount to RM51.4 billion, comprising RM42.5 billion already paid by the Government and an outstanding debt of RM8.9 billion.

"From the outset, DAP has consistently demanded justice and accountability regarding the 1MDB scandal. 

"We have championed a thorough investigation into this misappropriation and insisted that those responsible face a free and fair legal process.

"We also remain mindful that public outrage over the 1MDB scandal was a key factor leading to the change of government during the 14th General Election in 2018. 

"The people's mandate to oppose corruption and the abuse of power remains a core principle upheld by DAP," Loke said, noting that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh conveyed a stance and views aligned with DAP’s principles while discharging her duties as a member of the Pardons Board. 

"As she has explained, these views were expressed honestly and forthrightly in the national interest," loke said.

Air quality in Kanowit categorised as very unhealthy, 13 other locations with unhealthy air quality

KUCHING, Sept 18 2026: The air quality in Kanowit registered at a very unhealthy level as of 1pm today.

Caption: The hazy condition in Kuching - File picture

The air pollutant index (API) reading in Kanowit was 207, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

The weather monitoring stations recorded 13 locations with unhealthy status while six others logged moderate air quality.

The unhealthy air quality in Kuching was the highest, registering 181 level, following by Samarahan 173, Serian 169. Betong 166,  Sibu 165, Bintulu 159, Simanggang and Mukah with 153 and Lundu (146).

The six locations with moderate air quality are Samalaju (97), Miri (64)m ILP Miri (77), Lawas (57), Limbang (54) and Bario (52). 

AIR POLLUTANT INDEX (API) STATUS FOR SARAWAK

18 September 2026, Friday 1:00 P.M.

	STATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	181	Unhealthy
	SAMARAHAN	173	Unhealthy
	SERIAN	169	Unhealthy
	SIMANGGANG	153	Unhealthy
	SARIKEI	162	Unhealthy
	SIBU	165	Unhealthy
	MUKAH	153	Unhealthy
	KAPIT	145	Unhealthy
	BINTULU	159	Unhealthy
	SAMALAJU	97	Moderate
	MIRI	77	Moderate
	ILP MIRI	64	Moderate
	LIMBANG	54	Moderate
	LUNDU	146	Unhealthy
	TEBEDU	142	Unhealthy
	LUBOK ANTU	102	Unhealthy
	KANOWIT	207	Very Unhealthy
	LAWAS	57	Moderate
	BARIO	52	Moderate
	BETONG (MCAQM)	166	Unhealthy