PACAs need to fully understand election procedures, be prepared for any any eventually, Uggah reminds them

SPAOH, Oct 4 2026: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah has reminded polling agents and counting agents (PACAs) that they should fully understand election procedures and be prepared to face any eventuality in the coming state election.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says that PACAs need to fully under their respective roles and responsibilities

He said this is to ensure that the voting process and vote counting in the state election runs smoothly and according to the regulations set.

He said that PACAs need to fully understand their respective roles and responsibilities, especially when monitoring the voting process and vote counting at each polling station.

Uggah said PACAs who are trained and prepared are able to carry out their duties more effectively, besides ensuring that the interests of their respective parties are safeguarded throughout the election process.

“PACAs are very important in the election because they look after the interests of the parties at each polling station,” he said at the closing of the PACA preparation and role briefing programme to face the coming state election today.

Uggah stressed that the vote counting process requires special attention from PACAs to ensure that each procedure is carried out correctly and complies with the regulations set.

He said they also need to be prepared to face any eventuality, including situations that require a recount of votes.

He hoped that all PACAs could carry out the mandate given to them in a transparent and disciplined manner, in addition to always complying with election regulations.

Former MBKS Mayor Song Swee Guan passes away at SGH

KUCHING, Oct 4 2026: Former Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Song Swee Guan has passed away at 3.30pm this afternoon, aged 84, current mayor Wee Hong Seng confirmed in his post on MBKS Facebook.

Caption: Former MBKS Mayor and Speaker Song Swee Guan passes away at the Sarawak General Hospital. He was 84.

He said he is deeply saddened by Song's passing at Sarawak General Hospital where he was receiving treatment.

"This is a very sad moment for me personally," Wee added.

He said he has known Song for many years, and he will always remember him as a kind, humble and sincere person. 

"He was someone who treated people with warmth and respect, and I was fortunate to have known him beyond his public positions and titles," he added.

He said Song holds a very special place in the history of Kuching South, adding that as the first mayor of Kuching South, he helped lay the foundation for the city that "we serve today."

"He later continued his service to Sarawak as Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

"But beyond his achievements and public service, what I will remember most is the person himself. He was a good man with a good heart, and his passing is a great loss to all of us who knew him," Wee said.

He said it is difficult to say goodbye to someone who has contributed so much and who has been part of the journey of Kuching South from its early days.

On behalf of Kuching South City Council, and from the bottom of his heart, Wee extended his deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

"Thank you, Datuk Song, for your service, your friendship and the memories you have left behind," Wee said

Sarawak Trade and Tourist Office in Pontianak to start operations middle of next year, says deputy -premier

KUCHING, Oct 4 2026: The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, is targeted to begin operations by the middle of next year, following the completion of building renovations and the securing of relevant approvals.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says that the state government has identified the building in Pontianak

Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that the building to house the office has already been identified but requires renovation work before it can be utilised.

“We have identified the building, and it requires renovations and other preparations.
“So, we hope to commence operations next year, possibly by the middle of the year,” he told reporters after the Welfare Micro-Entrepreneur Award ceremony 2026 at the Metrocity Event Centre here today.

He said the office's operations will also require approval from the Indonesian government through the relevant ministries.

He added that Sarawak would identify a chief executive officer (CEO) to manage the office and ensure that the company operations comply with the conditions stipulated by the Indonesian government.

However, he said that a building for the STATO office in Abu Dhabi has not yet been identified, and negotiations are ongoing to select a suitable location.

Tanah Berenyang shakes ACSJ final to take top spot, Mawat takes second place and three other titles

BETONG, Oct 4 2026: Band group Tanah Berenyang was crowned champion with the song Arissa,taking home a cash prize of RM10,000 and a trophy at the grand final of Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara 2026 (ACSJ 2026) last night.

Caption: The winners of ACSJ and officials after the grand final

Rising star Mawat secured second place with the song Dayang Bintang, winning RM8,000 and a trophy, while Phoebe Chloe took third place with Diempu Nuan Siku, receiving RM5,000 and a trophy.

Mawat also won three additional awards: Most Popular 9th ACSJ Finalist, Most Popular ACSJ Song, and Best Performance. 

In the individual categories, Winnie Albert won Best Vocals for the song Aku Ukai Lulung, Joannes Johnny Aman received the Best Lyrics award for Bisi Intan Dikembuan and Ramles Walter was named the Most Sporting ACSJ Artist.

The 9th ACSJ offered a total prize pool worth RM77,000 across nine categories, serving as a platform to showcase the talent and creativity of Iban music practitioners.

Deputy Premier and chief patron of ACSJ Douglas Uggah, in his speec, said he believes that thee Iban music industry holds the potential to create new economic opportunities for current and future generations, while also serving as a vital medium for preserving the artistic heritage and cultural identity of the Iban community.

Caption: Mawat takes second place and three other titles

He said efforts to empower the Iban music industry must be implemented comprehensively through the development of new talent, the marketing of high-quality works, and the creation of a progressive arts ecosystem.

He added the ACSJ serves as a crucial platform for recognizing the works and talents of Iban singers who have the potential to expand the local music industry.

Uggah's text of speech was read by through the Betong Division Resident Richard Michael Abunawas at the final of ACSJA held at the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall.

The 9th ACSJ offered a total prize pool worth RM77,000 across nine categories, serving as a platform to showcase the talent and creativity of Iban music practitioners.

Also present were Sarawak Public Service Commission member ack Aman Luat, Betong District Officer Laga Kueh, Sarawak Broadcasting Department representative Razali Baba, and  University of Malaya Dayak Alumni Association presideng Coolplay Nyipa.

Abang Johari chairs a meeting with GPS MPs and Senators in federal capital

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 2026 – After officiating the 8th Series of the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Programme Tour in Mukah Division in the morning, Premier Abang Johari Openg flew to federal capital last night to continue his official agenda.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg and GPS MPs and Senators posing before the camera before the start of the meeting

He chaired a meeting with Members of Parliament and Senators from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as part of his official itinerary in Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting discussed Sarawak's development progress, implementation of strategic projects, and matters concerning Sarawak's rights and interests at the federal level.

Discussions also covered current developments requiring attention and cooperation between the Sarawak government and its parliamentary representatives.

The meeting served as a platform to coordinate GPS's stance in advancing Sarawak's agenda at the national level.

The GPS MPs and Senators also shared their views on development issues and matters affecting the interests of the people of Sarawak.

This reflects GPS's commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Sarawak government and its parliamentary representatives, particularly in ensuring that the state's development agenda and the interests of the people of Sarawak continue to receive attention at the federal level.

Review names of individualls who have been blacklistted or barred from Sarawak, National PKR vice president tells state government

KUCHING, Oct 4 2026: National PKR vice president Roland Engan has called on the Sarawak government to review the names of individuals who have been blacklisted or barred from entering Sarawak, including re-evaluating the basis, duration, and necessity of such restrictions.

Caption: National PKR vice president Roland Engan asks  if an individual has been blacklisted for a long time, are the grounds for that restriction still relevant?

He clarified that he is not calling for Sarawak's immigration powers to be set aside, but merely suggesting that these powers be exercised in the spirit of periodic review, fairness, and the public interest.

"If an individual has been blacklisted for a long time, are the grounds for that restriction still relevant?" Roland asked when commenting on the ban imposed on Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman from entering Sarawak on Sept 29.

"If circumstances have changed, why is the restriction not being reviewed?" he asked in a statement posted on his Facebook.

Roland said if there are valid security or legal reasons, the public deserves to be assured that every decision is made based on legitimate and proportionate grounds.

"In the case of SAM president, I am of the view that the Sarawak government should reconsider the restriction and allow her to enter Sarawak to carry out work that is lawful and in the public interest," he said.

Roland asked what threat Meenakshi could pose to Sarawak.

He said SAM is a civil society organisation that has long been engaged in work related to the environment, indigenous peoples, agriculture, and community rights. 

"SAM itself has stated that its office in Marudi supports indigenous communities in community-based forest management and agroecology projects.

"In fact, it maintains an office in Marudi, Baram, and conducts programmes involving agroecology training, seedling production, sustainable agriculture, and support for community initiatives," Roland explained.

He has personally observed that SAM Marudi has helped raise community awareness regarding human rights and community rights; consumer rights; the rights and interests of indigenous peoples; sustainable agriculture and agroecology; and sustainable land management and usage.

He said SAM Marudi also has helped in environmental conservation; and the community's capacity to participate in defending their interests.

"In my view, such work should not be viewed merely as a burden or a threat to the Sarawak government," he added.

Coming Sarawak state election will be my last, insists premier

MUKAH, Oct 4 2026: Premier Abang  Johari  Openg reiterated that his decision to make coming state election his last is not due to external pressure, but rather his age.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that his decision to step down as State Legislative Member and  PBB president is due to his age

He said that he has already clarified this matter while attending the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Special Convention in Miri recently.

He said ageing is a natural process that must be accepted, and state leadership needs to be carried on by a team that has been trained.

“We grow older by the day. If it were possible to reverse the process, it wouldn't be an issue, but it cannot be reversed. So, we must accept it as something natural.

“To lead the state, we must have a team.  Adenan Satem, Douglas Uggah, and the rest of us were trained under Taib Mahmud's leadership as PBB president and chief minister.

"We develop the state as a team, and we must continue to have a team,” he said when met by the media after officiating the 'Sarawakku Sayang' Programme for the Mukah Division yesterday. 

Responding to a question about whether he might consider continuing to lead beyond 2030, Abang Johari reiterated that his decision was based on age.

“No. It depends on age. Do you know how old I am? By 2030, I will be 80 years old.” "Well, at that age, if one is still going strong..." he explained.

Meanwhile,  PBB Women Wing chief Fatimah Abdullah, who is also the Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, appealed the premier to reconsider the decision.

She insisted that Abang Johari’s leadership remains essential for advancing the state's development agenda, particularly in strengthening the economy, community wellbeing, and education.

Abang Johari has been chief minister since 2017 and as premier from 2022 to the present.

He was State Legislative Member for Satok from 1977 to 2021 and from 2021 as SLM for Gedong.