3,000 tengadak fry released into Debpur River under Tagang system project

BARIO, Sept 30 2026:  A total of 3,000 ikan tengadak  fry were released into the Debpur River at Kampung Pa Umor here under the Tagang System Project, aimed at boosting fish populations and conserving the river ecosystem.

Caption: Deputy Minister Gerawat Gala (third from right) and others are ready to release the fish fry into the river

Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Gerawat Gala said the project is a fisheries resource conservation effort that actively involves the community in maintaining the river's sustainability.

"The Tagang System fosters a sense of shared responsibility among the community to ensure that fisheries resources remain preserved for the benefit of future generations," he said at the launchof the Tagang System Project at the Debpur River, Kampung Pa Umor, Bario, yesterday.

He expressed hope that the Kampung Pa Umor community and residents living along the Debpur River would remain committed to safeguarding the *Tagang* area, ensuring the continuity of these conservation efforts.

He also extended his appreciation to all parties involved—particularly the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the Sarawak Department of Agriculture—for making the initiative a success.

Earlier, in his welcoming address, Sarawak Forestry Corporarion (SFC) general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said Debpur River was selected due to its strategic location and the presence of deep pools suitable for fish breeding and the natural maintenance of aquatic population.

He added that the implementation of the Tagang System aligns with SFC projects under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), specifically Focus 35.1: Implementation of Community-Based Economy Programmes.

The 17,584-seater Taha Ariffin Stadium given approval by AFC and FAM to become venue oi Kuching City FC

KUCHING, Sept 30 2026:  Taha Ariffin Stadium is now on track to become the official venue of Kuching City FC (KCFC) for the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup and AFC Champions League Two competitions after receiving conditional approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Caption: KCFC executive chairman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman expresses confidence that Taha Ariffin Stadium can be used before Oct 7

KCFC executive chairman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said the approval was given after a site inspection by the AFC and FAM on September 23, with several requirements still needing to be resolved by the relevant parties.

According to him, the two main things that are still in process are the installation of stadium lights and the preparation of a broadcast room, while several other minor needs can be completed in the near future.

"The lighting work is 90 percent complete and we are confident that it can be used before October 7, while for the broadcast room we will discuss with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) to ensure it can be provided," he said at a press conference today.

He said the approval was the result of collaboration between the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, SSC and KCFC through the implementation of part of the RM7 million allocation for stadium improvement works.

Fazzrudin said that among the improvements that had been implemented were the installation of numbered seats, the provision of dressing rooms for the home and visiting teams, referee rooms and match officials' rooms, as well as improvements to the surau, toilets, lighting and spectator safety aspects.

"With all the seats completed, this stadium can accommodate 17,584 spectators.

"These numbered seats are something new to our supporters who were previously used to the free seating system. That's why we are using the friendly match with Sabah to familiarize them with the sector system and designated seating," he said.

Meanwhile, he said, KCFC has also streamlined security aspects by increasing the number of marshals and security personnel to cope with the larger number of spectators and the high-intensity match atmosphere.

He explained that the KCFC security team has also been sent to several matches outside Kuching to learn about stadium security management from more experienced parties.

In the same development, he explained that KCFC also pays attention to the management of hawkers around the stadium to ensure that economic activities on match days can run in an orderly manner and comply with AFC requirements.

He said this approach was important given that organising international matches not only involved teams and supporters, but also competition officials, sponsors, visiting teams and other delegations.

"We not only want Kuching City to move forward, but we want to bring together the entire ecosystem on match days, including the hawkers outside the stadium."

"We want them to be placed in an area that is comfortable, orderly and meets the conditions set by the AFC," he said.

He said the Taha Ariffin Stadium will see the presence of teams from several countries including South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cambodia when KCFC competes in international competitions.

Fazzrudin also called on supporters to cooperate in complying with the entry and seating system as well as maintaining the cleanliness and facilities of the stadium to ensure that the court can continue to be used as KCFC's home court.

Lo criticises Guan Eng for calling upon the federal government to exclude foreign workers from increase in minimum wage scheme

KUCHING, Sept 30 2030: Labour Solidarity and Learning Resources Association (LLRC) deputy president Andrew Lo has criticised national DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng for calling upon the federal government to exclude foreign workers from increase in minimum wage scheme,

Caption: LLRC deputy president Andrew Lo says that higher wages will lead to increase in domestic consumption and more business for employer

He said the exclusion will mean that employers will stop employing locals and employ lower pay foreigners.

"If Lim really wants to help business he should push for higher wages so that it will in turn push investments in technology and higher productions instead of forever addicted to low wage economic model. 

"Higher wages will lead to increase in domestic consumption and more business for employer," Lo said in a statement.

Lo also said Sarawak  United People's Party (SUPP) call for the government to boost business before increase wages has no justifiable basis. 

"The fact is that productively has been boosted, yet wages has fallen behind," he claimed.

Lo, who is also the Sarawak Bank Employees Union (SBEU) chief executive officer, said increase wages will boost the economy and that is because workers spend 100 per cent on what they earn, pointing out that profits of business are not fully taxable with all sorts of exemptions and they may be invested in not productive and speculative sectors or may even be invested overseas.

He also called on employers to stop being cry babies every time minimum wages are reviewed.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Guan Eng called upon the government to exclude foreign workers from any increase in the minimum wage.

He said the proposed revision, expected to be announced when Budget 2027 is tabled on Oct 9, should take into account the pressures faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said the current RM1,700 minimum wage was expected to be raised, with details to be announced when 2027 Budget is tabled.

Lim said any increase should not apply to foreign workers, arguing that local employers had hired them based on previously agreed employment contracts.


SUPP Batu Kitang secretary Amy Tnay said the government should strengthen the economy and ensure businesses are capable of raising wages sustainably before imposing further pressures on wages.

She said sustainable wage growth must be underpinned by economic growth, business expansion, and improvements to productivity.

Tnay said businesses should be pushed to raise wages, but for them to have the capacity to raise wages.

Sejingkat Bridge to be opened to road users on October 5

KUCHING, Sept 30 2026: Sejingkat Bridge will be opened to road users after a soft opening at 10am on Oct 5, a statement from the state Public Works Department (JKR)announced today.

It said the opening of this bridge marks another important milestone in efforts to strengthen the communication network and improve the smoothness of mobility between Kuching and its surrounding areas.

"The state Public Works Department would like to express its appreciation to all parties involved in the implementation of this project and for their cooperation throughout the construction period," the statement said.

The statement advised road users to always obey signs, speed limits and safety instructions when using this new route. 

The RM365.7 million Sejingkat Bridge is part of a wider road infrastructure network being developed to help improve connectivity. transformation.

The bridge, located in Kuching is the world's longest-span harp-type double-cable-plane double-pylon concrete cable-stayed bridge, with a total length of 1,281.2 meters and a tower height of 119.06 meters, according to the state JKR on its Facebook's post.

It is constructed by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. and built by the Second Highway Engineering Bureau. 

The main pylons of the bridge adopt an innovative longitudinal diamond-shaped separated structure, paired with a dedicated steel tie beam system.

The construction of the main bridge of the Sejingkat Bridge commenced in 2023. 

The bridge will shorten travel distances between Kuching and destinations such as Sibu and Sri Aman, contributing to enhancing the operational efficiency of Sarawak's overall road network.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president banned from entering Sarawak, no reasons given

KUCHING, Sept 30 2026: Environmental organisation Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman was barred from entering Sarawak when she arrived at Miri Airport yesterday afternoon.

Caption: SAM president Meenakshi Raman  was prohibited from entering Sarawak when she arrived in Miri yesterday afternoon

In video posted on Tik Tok, she said the denial of her entry was totally unacceptable.

She said she was not given any reason when she was told that her entry into Sarawak was denied by the Immigration officer manning the counter.

"If I have known that I would be barred, I would not come to Sarawak," she said.

She arrived at Miri Airport on a 2.40pm flight and was stopped by a state Immigration officer  after landing about 4.50pm.

In a statement posted on its Facebook, SAM secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam strongly condemns the denial of entry into Miri of Meenakshi.

She said at the immigration counter, Meena’s identity card was taken and she was asked whether she was involved in any case. 

"Approximately 15 minutes later, immigration officers informed her that a report had been lodged against her on May 21 2025. She was then asked whether she had received any letter from the Sarawak authorities. 

"Meena had received no such letter, notice, explanation or prior indication that she had been prohibited from entering Sarawak. 

"Had she been informed of any such restriction, she would not have boarded the flight," she said.

Mageswari added that this is an unacceptable and profoundly disturbing exercise of state power, saying that as a Malaysian citizen and president of one of the country’s oldest environmental organisations, Meena was denied entry without being informed of the reasons for the decision or afforded an opportunity to respond, raising serious concerns regarding procedural fairness. 

"This is particularly alarming when Meena was permitted to enter Sarawak as recently as 2024," she noted,

She added that SAM has worked in Sarawak for decades and maintains an office in Marudi, saying that its work is rooted in supporting grassroots communities, particularly indigenous peoples, farmers and fishers to defend their territories, livelihoods and environment from destructive development. SAM’s Marudi office is responsible for the organisation’s work on indigenous community issues in Sarawak.

"Every citizen has a right to freedom of movement. While Sarawak has powers relating to entry from other parts of Malaysia, such power is not a licence for arbitrary exclusion," she moaned. 

She said SAM demanded that the Sarawak government and the relevant immigration authorities immediately state the precise legal basis for barring Meena from Sarawak; disclose the nature, source and basis of the barring; explain why she was not notified in advance about this ban; and immediately revoke any restriction imposed against her.

Mageswari urged he federal government not to remain silent, stating that the arbitrary exclusion of environmental and human-rights defenders from a part of their own country strikes at democratic accountability, civic space and the public’s right to speak out on environmental destruction and the rights of affected communities. 

"Activists must be able to undertake legitimate public interest work without any intimidation and harassment," she said.

Mageswari Sangaralingam