Members of the public can pay their last respects to the late Song See Guan at MBKS building on Oct 7

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is inviting members of the public to join its councillors and staff in paying their final respects to former Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly the late Song Swee Guan who passed away yesterday.

Caption: The late Song Swee Guan who passed away yesterday

MBKS said members of the public can pay their last respects on Wednesday, October 7 2026 commencing 11.15am at Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Selatan.

As part of the funeral procession, the vehicle carrying the late Song, 84, former MBKS chairman and Padungan State Legislative Member, will pass through the Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Selatan, giving Councillors, staff and members of the public an opportunity to pay their respects and bid a final farewell.

Song had served Kuching and Sarawak with dedication throughout his years of public service. 

His contributions to the city, the council and the community will always be remembered.

PRS Youth: Reasonable to demand that greater proportion of economic benefits generated from oil and gas resources be returned to Sarawak

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth believed that it is reasonable to demand that greater proportion of the economic benefits generated from oil and gas resources be returned to Sarawak and be invested for the long-term benefit of its people.

Caption: PRS Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang says the youth movement stands firmly behind the leadership of Premier Abang Johari Openg, in defending Sarawak’s interests

Its chief Christopher Gira Sambang explained this is because for decades Sarawak’s petroleum resources have contributed enormously towards Malaysia’s development. 

"PRS Youth would like to see greater oil and gas revenues channelled into rural infrastructure, clean water supply, roads, education, scholarships, digital connectivity, TVET, STEM, artificial intelligence and employment opportunities for young Sarawakians," he said in a statement when responding to a post on X by former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim.

"Our young people should not merely watch Sarawak’s resources being extracted. They must become engineers, technologists, entrepreneurs, professionals and future leaders of the industries built upon those resources," he added.

Gira said this is particularly important to the rural Dayak communities, where some longhouses are still waiting for reliable treated water, proper road connections and better telecommunications coverage.

He added the wealth beneath Sarawak’s soil and waters must ultimately translate into better opportunities above ground for Sarawakians.

"PRS Youth therefore stands firmly behind the leadership of Premier Abang Johari Openg, in defending Sarawak’s interests," Gira said, saying that PRS Youth believes in cooperation with the federal government and Petronas, but cooperation must be founded upon mutual respect and legal certainty.

He said recent comments by Zaid questioning Petros’ position and suggesting that its role as Sarawak’s gas aggregator could take billions of ringgit in business away from Petronas should not distract Sarawakians from the fundamental issue.

Gira, who is also Tamin State Legislative Member (SLM), reminded that Sarawak’s rights cannot simply be measured in ringgit and sen.

He stressed that the issue is not about weakening Petronas, neither is it about Sarawak fighting the federal government, but it is about recognising Sarawak’s rights, respecting our laws and establishing a clear framework for Petros and Petronas to work together.

He told Zaid that the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 1958) predates the formation of Malaysia and remains central to Sarawak’s position concerning its regulatory authority over petroleum activities.

"At the same time, we recognise Petronas’ position under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974). But the legal questions concerning the interaction between the federal and Sarawak laws should be determined through the proper constitutional and judicial processes," he said.

He noted that the joint declaration between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Premier Abang Johari Openg on May 21 2025 showed that cooperation is possible, saying that Petros as the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak can coexist with Petronas continuing to play an important role in the national and international petroleum industry.

"We do not want to destroy or weaken Petronas. It is a national institution which has contributed tremendously to Malaysia, and many Sarawakians have built successful careers within the organisation.

"However, cooperation cannot mean that Sarawak must surrender the rights that we have consistently defended," Gira said.

In his post on X, Zaid claimed that Petros taking over a key part of Petronas’s business would mean that Petronas stands to lose billions, estimated to be RM10 billion a year.

He also claimed that Petronas has already suffered from Sarawak's various actions and that Sarawak is challenging the very law Petronas is built on.

He also claimed that challenging PDA could undermine and even break Petronas’s national role.

He also asked Sarawak to recognise Petronas's rights over Malaysia's oil and gas under PDA, arguing that "this is non-negotiable."

Matters relating to oil royalties, petroleum cash payment, Maritime Territories Act and two others referred to the highest level of discussion, says Mustapha

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 2026: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties)  Mustapha Sakmud told Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament Willie Mongin that matters relating to oil royalties, petroleum cash payments,  Maritime Territories Act, stamp duty and state rights over the continental shelf have been referred to the highest level of discussion.

Caption: Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin asking for the latest development on matters discussed through MTPMA63

He said these matters had been elevated to the highest level for discussion between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Premier Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

He said a total of 13 out of 26 matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) discussed through the Malaysia Agreement Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) platform have been categorised as completed.

He said three other matters were categorised as partially completed while five matters were still pending.

He said that among the matters that had been finalised through the MTPMA63 Meeting Number 1/2024 on September 11 were the Federal financial obligations under List 3 (Conjoint List) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, the increase in civil service posts under Article 112 and the Borneonisation of the Federal Civil Service in Sabah and Sarawak.

"As for education and health issues, the matter has been categorised as partially resolved or interim.

Touching on the demand for a 35 per cent quota or one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak as stated in the Cobbold Commission Report and the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) Report, he said the prime minister had stated the appropriateness of increasing the ratio of Dewan Rakyat members from Sabah and Sarawak.

Mustapha said the matter is currently being discussed seriously and in detail at the MTPMA63 level and the Technical Committee.

"I myself have held initial discussions with the Election Commission (EC) to obtain input on the actions that need to be taken.

"I also proposed the formation of a special committee under the Technical Committee co-chaired by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) and myself to detail the implementation method," he said.

Commenting on the timeline for the settlement of claims, he said the MADANI Government is committed to expediting the settlement of all matters under MA63.

However, he said, its implementation remains subject to the legal process as well as the readiness of the state government in terms of operations, human resources and finances before a claim can be fully finalised. -

Bandar Kuching MP to MoH: Reinstate the progressive Regional Allowance for healthcare workers in Sabah, Sarawak

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii has asked the Ministry of Health (MoH) to reinstate the progressive Regional Incentive Allowance (BIW) for healthcare workers in Sabah and Sarawak, and pay them relocation allowances upfront based on actual costs to address the shortage of healthcare workers.

Caption: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says on the same day Serdang Hospital in Selangor reportedly received 150 new doctors.

He also wanted the ministry to announce in the near future a commitment to establish a Health Service Commission, empowered to determine remuneration without being bound by the general civil service pay schemes.

"Thirdly, (MoH should) grant immediate promotion upon permanent appointment, to make service in Sabah and Sarawak an incentive for securing specialist training placements, and clearly define the terms of permanent service, such as a duration of 12 to 24 months, commensurate remuneration packages, and subsequent career benefits,"he said during the debate in Parliament today.

Dr Yii said he also believes that the state governments must also play a role by offering state-level bonuses and incentives to healthcare workers serving in their respective states. 

"This can be viewed as a shared responsibility," he said, pointing out that this also implies that the federal government must return the revenues rightfully due to Sabah and Sarawak, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), saying that this is indisputable.

As a short-term measure, Dr Yii asked if the government prepares to recruit foreign doctors—starting with international graduates trained in Malaysia's medical universities while ensuring patient safety safeguards.

"This serves merely as a temporary bridge, not a substitute for efforts to improve the salaries and career prospects of our own doctors," he reminded.

Dr Yii noted that the rate of medical officers failing to report for permanent positions has surged from 2% in 2022 to 20% in 2023, is projected to reach approximately 40% in 2025, and stands at 66% for hospital postings in Sabah this month. 

"The MMA (Malaysian Medical Association) reports the rates of 70% to 76% in Sabah and Sarawak. This is no longer a warning sign; it is an emergency," he warned.

He noted that on September 28, Beluran Hospital received zero doctors, and currently, only six doctors are running the entire hospital, Kanowit Hospital is left with only three doctors while Kudat received four out of 17 and Sri Aman, six out of 20.

On the same day, he said Serdang Hospital in Selangor reportedly received 150 new doctors.

"This comes as no surprise, yet it may well be the result of poor planning. Back in July, the Deputy Minister of Health himself projected that only 280 out of 560 doctors would be posted to Sabah. 

"I commend the government for the more than 18,500 permanent appointments made since 2023, but these figures mean little if many doctors fail to report for duty,"  Dr Yio said adding that thee statistics may not reflect the true picture as doctors who decline offers are not recorded as having resigned. 

"We could be losing thousands of doctors without any official record," he said.

He said every absent doctor triggers a chain reaction, such as expectant mothers face longer waits, stroke patients lose critical "golden hour" treatment time, and diabetes cases progress to kidney failure. 

"In our rural areas, there is no other hospital just down the road. There is no Plan B," Dr Yii said.

Bandar Kuching MP wants police to conduct thorough investigation into FDS helicopter crash

 KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii has called for a thorough investigation to be conducted by the police into a flying doctor service (FDS) helicopter that crashed in Long Lellang, Baram, last month.

Caption: Bandar Kuchibg MP Dr Kelvin Yii asks if it is found that maintenance was neglected or warnings were ignored, then this was no ordinary accident.

He said he does not question the integrity of the investigation, but he will not accept any attempt to cover up the truth. 

"If it is found that maintenance was neglected or warnings were ignored, this is no ordinary accident. It must be investigated by the police as a case of potential criminal negligence, and those responsible must face legal action," he said during the debate in Parliament today.

Dr Yii also called for a speedy payment of compensation to be made to the families of the victims.

"It is almost a month has passed, yet the families of Alexson and Jessie still do not know the amount or the date of the compassionate payment. 

"Alexson’s widow, Stephanie, is a housewife with two children aged five and two," he said, referring to assistant medical officer Alexson Adit Henry and staff nurse Jessie Paya.

THe other three victims are pilot Captain Zainol Ariq, medical officer Dr Ainul Baroah Kamaruddin and staff nurse Debra Moset.

Dr Yii also urged the federal government to provide additional compensation to all five victims' families — beyond the compassionate payment— including education funds for the victims' children up to the university level and monthly living allowances for the dependents who have lost their breadwinner.

"I hope the Minister of Health can announce the amount and the date to all five families as soon as possible, and assign a dedicated officer to each family to assist them in their recovery process," Dr Yii said.

On September 8, 2026, a FDS helicopter crashed in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram. Captain Zainol, Dr Ainul, Alexson, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok lost their lives while delivering medical care to remote communities. 

Dr Yii said they deserved safe aircraft and to return home to their families, saying that their deaths cannot be treated merely as accident statistics.

The BO-105 helicopter, 9M-LLF, was operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace. It was manufactured in 1991. It was 35 years old, and according to Dr Yii production of this model had ceased in 2001. 

He said preliminary reports indicate an engine fire prior to impact. 

He asked two days after the crash, the company grounded its entire BO-105 fleet, if grounding the fleet was necessary after five lives were lost, why was it not done sooner?

He said a Certificate of Airworthiness on paper means nothing if actual maintenance is not carried out.

He said in the public interest he asked when was the FDS contract awarded to Layang-Layang, at what value, and was it through an open tender?

He also asked if the contract stipulate an age limit for the aircraft and why were the medical personnel still being flown in a model that ceased production 25 years ago.

"When did the Ministry of Health last independently audit the company's maintenance records and when will the AAIB’s preliminary report be released to the public?" he asked.

Premier launching Sarawak Cybersecurity Strategy and Roadmap 2030 n

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026 – Premier Abang Johari Openg has launched Sarawak Cybersecurity Strategy and Roadmap (SCSR) 2030, the state’s first comprehensive, whole-of-Sarawak cyber security strategy in conjunction with International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says that SCSR marks a significant milestone in Sarawak's digital development

The launch of SCSR 2030 marks a significant milestone in Sarawak’s digital development, recognising that cybersecurity is integral to the state’s digital transformation and economic development. 

With the vision “A Secure and Trusted Foundation for Sarawak’s Digital Economy,” SCSR 2030 provides a strategic direction for strengthening the security and resilience of Sarawak’s increasingly digital ecosystem. 

The five-year roadmap comprises 18 strategic initiatives across five pillars, providing a coordinated pathway to strengthen Sarawak’s cyber security capabilities, resilience and digital trust.

Scuring Sarawak’s strategic information assets protecting people, businesses and communities talent Development and capacity building strengthening governance and operational frameworks strategic cllaboration and cooeration SCSR 2030 brings together government, state-owned enterprises, critical infrastructure operators, businesses, academia and communities under a common Whole-of-Sarawak direction for cybersecurity. 

Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) said cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the role of government agencies alone.

"Building a secure digital Sarawak is not something the Government can do alone. It requires the collective effort of government, businesses and communities working together. 

"Every secure system, every cyber-aware business, and every informed citizen contributes towards strengthening Sarawak’s digital resilience and safeguarding our shared digital future,” SMA explained.

It said SCSR 2030 marks an important step in enhancing public confidence in digital services, strengthening cybersecurity preparedness, and supporting Sarawak’s aspiration to become a leading digital economy in the region. 

Also present at the launch ceremony were Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, SMA General Manager Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng and SMA Deputy General Manager Dr Suhaila Jaffar. 

Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2022 has -provided an early framework for Sarawak's digital transformation journey, says premier

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has said that the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018 to 2022 has provided an early framework for Sarawak's digital transformation journey government, business, infrastructure, innovation and human capital. 

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says the state government will develop the Kuching AI Data Campus in Tanjung Embang as a catalyst for the next phase of Sarawak’s AI ecosystem,

He said the initiatives that the state government is pursuing today in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors and other advanced technologies are built on this established direction.  

"They represent the next stage of Sarawak's efforts to use technology not only to improve how we work, but also to strengthen our economy and create new areas of value," he saidat the opening of the 9th edition of the International Digital Economy Conference (IDEC 2026) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.

The premier said that the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) is playing a central role in advancing Sarawak’s AI agenda, bringing together the development of AI capabilities, infrastructure. talent, applications and trusted infrastructure.

"This direction is being further shaped through the Sarawak AI Blueprint 2026 to 2030, which is currently being developed to provide a coordinated approach to AI development across government, industry, academia and research. 

"The Sarawak Sovereign AI Infrastructure Platform, officially launched in August this year, establishes a foundation for locally governed AI computing and the secure management, governance and protection of strategic government data," he added.

He said by bringing data, computing and AI capabilities under a more integrated and locally governed environment, it can reduce dependence on external platforms while strengthening Sarawak’s capacity to develop and deploy AI for its own priorities. 

"This is not only about data protection. It is about turning data into a strategic asset for better decision-making and service delivery," he explained.

He said the platform can support applications such as smarter urban planning and more efficient development processes, while providing a foundation for wider AI applications across government and the economy. 

He said the state government will also develop the Kuching AI Data Campus in Tanjung Embang as a catalyst for the next phase of Sarawak’s AI ecosystem, saying that the campus will be supported by dedicated power and water infrastructure, AI computing facilities and digital connectivity nodes, and will be developed through a public-private partnership approach. 

The premier said the campus is intended to provide the physical foundation for the development of an AI Grid, while creating a platform to attract investment, strengthen our data-centre ecosystem and support the growth of AI-related businesses and capabilities in Sarawak. 

"Alongside this, the AI Grid is being developed to connect computing resources and make use of Sarawak’s renewable energy capacity. stating that taken together, these initiatives represent progression from strategy to infrastructure, and from infrastructure to application. Their significance lies in our ability to apply AI responsibly to Sarawak’s priorities. 

He noted that ADAM AI, developed for the Sarawak Civil Service, provides one practical example of this approach, saying that it demonstrates how AI can be applied within government to work with authorised information, support policy analysis, and improve the way we prepare documents, assess scenarios and make decisions. 

The premier believed the potential extends beyond government, pointing out that the same capabilities can also be adapted across industries where Sarawak has distinctive needs and strengths. 

"But technology capabilities do not develop in isolation. Infrastructure, talent, research, industry, investment and access to markets need to reinforce one another if ideas are to move from research and experimentation into products, services and businesses. 

"For Sarawak, this means creating an environment where a researcher can develop an idea, where a company can test and commercialise it, where investors can support its growth, and where the resulting product or service can find markets beyond Sarawak.  30. It is through this connection between knowledge, capability, investment and markets that innovation can move beyond an idea and become economic value," he stressed.

Air quality across Sarawak in the moderare range as at 9am this morning

KUCHING, Oct 5 2026: The air quality across Sarawak is within the moderate range, according to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) data as at 9am this morning.

The air quality index (AQI) readings show that all the locations are at less than 100 levels..

However, the AQI readings may change as some of the locations are recording just below 100 level.

Serian’s AQI reading was at 98 level while Kuching, Samarahan and Betong were at 94 level.

The air quality in these locations may dip into unhealthy level, if the wind from the burning Kalimantan changes its direction towards Sarawak.

	LOCATION	INDEX	STATUS
	KUCHING	94	Moderate
	SAMARAHAN	94	Moderate
	SERIAN (MCAQM)	98	Moderate
	SRI AMAN	81	Moderate
	SARIKEI	84	Moderate
	SIBU	81	Moderate
	MUKAH	77	Moderate
	KAPIT	74	Moderate
	BINTULU	78	Moderate
	SAMALAJU	79	Moderate
	MIRI	84	Moderate
	ILP MIRI	79	Moderate
	LIMBANG	61	Moderate
	LUNDU	89	Moderate
	TEBEDU	69	Moderate
	LUBOK ANTU	82	Moderate
	KANOWIT	86	Moderate
	BELAGA	93	Moderate
	LAWAS	71	Moderate
	BARIO	57	Moderate
	BETONG (MCAQM)	94	Moderate