Anwar praises Abang Johari's leadership, especially in spearheading change and progress in new technology

 KUALA LUMPUR:, Feb 5 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg’s leadership has once again won the praise of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, especially in spearheading change and progress in the field of new technology.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg arriving at KLCC for the opening of Malaysian Ecnomic Forum 2026
 

"I am more impressed by the presence not only of fellow ministers, but also by the support of figures such as the premier who is another figure who is quite forward in driving change and progress in the field of new technology," he said, quoted by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Anwar was speaking at the  opening of the Malaysia Economic Forum (MEF) 2026 which was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC today.

Malaysian Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said MEF 2026 is the main platform for he government together with stakeholders to set the direction of the country's economy.

According to him, the forum emphasises the implementation of evidence-based policies that will be directly channeled into the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Also present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, cabinet ministers, industry leaders and representatives of the corporate and academic sectors.

For the record, FEM 2026 is the second edition of the Malaysian Economic Forum and is now recognised as the country's main platform in driving the socio-economic agenda.

Themed “Accelerating Growth, Advancing Malaysia”, this year's forum focuses on efforts to accelerate national development in line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030).

FEM 2026 brings together stakeholders to discuss various strategic issues including economic policy, investment, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable energy, talent development, affordable housing, healthcare reform and preparedness for an ageing population.

The forum is expected to play an important role in shaping the country's economic strategy to ensure inclusive and resilient growth.

Boy, 7, with intellectual disability, who was reported missing from his family house yesterday, was found safe

BAU, Feb 5 2026: A seven-year old boy with intellectual disability has been found safe this afternoon by a villager involved in the search and rescue (S&R) operations not far from his family house at Kampung Tembawang Sauh in Bau district. 

Caption: The boy(wearing red shirt) with her mother (right) after he was found safe - Screenshot from Sarawak Edition live

In a live interview with Sarawak Edition, the man who identified himself as Raju, 48, found the boy, Kelvin Martin anak Beger, hugging a tree and was scared, not far from the boy’s family house.

The boy later received treatment from personnel from the Civil Defence Department and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) for minor scratches on the legs.

Bau Bomba station’s spokesman  announced the finding of the boy as “good news, the victim has been found, the victim is safe and has minor injuries” at 2.30pm.

Among those who visited the family were Opar state legislative member Billy Sujang and Bau senior police officers.

The search and rescue (S&R) operations for the boy, who was reported missing from his family home at Kampung Tembawang Sauh in Bau district  yesterday afternoon, was initiated following receiving a report from her mother about 6.15pm yesterday.

The S&R operations resumed this morning, covering an area within a 3km radius from where the victim's belongings were found.

The search party involved 10 firemen, nine police personnel, five from the Civil Defence Departnent, 10 Rela members and 30 villagers.

Bau Bomba station’s spokesman said the station received a call from the boy’s mother about 6.15pm yesterday after the villagers failed to find him.

He said that according to the boy’s mother  at about 1.30pm yesterday while she was drying clothes at her house she found that her son was not in the living room.

“She tried to search him around the house but could not find him. Her son was a disabled person card holder,” the spokesman said.

 

Search for 7yo boy with intellectual disability enters its second day today

BAU, Feb 5 2026: The search and rescue (S&R) operations for a seven-year old boy with intellectual disability, who was reported missing from his family home at Kampung Tembawang Sauh in Bau district  yesterday afternoon, resumed this morning.

Caption: A fireman going through the bushes hoping to find the boy - Photo by Bomba  

Bau Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station’s spokesman said the S&R operations resumed this morning, covering an area within a 3km radius from where the victim's belongings were found but so far the boy, identified as  Kelvin Martin Anak Beger has not been found.

He said the search party involves 10 firemen, nine police personnel, five from the Civil Defence Departnent, 10 Rela members and 30 villagers.

He said the station received a call from the boy’s family member about 6.15pm yesterday after the villagers failed to find him.

He said that according to the boy’s mother  at about 1.30pm yesterday while she was drying clothes at her house she found that her son was not in the living room.

“She tried to search him around the house but could not find him. Her son was a disabled person card holder,” the spokesman said.

When she could not find her son, she sought the villagers’ help.

 

UP-DLP Sarawak to stay, reviewing it will confuse teachers, students and parents, assures MEITD

KUCHING, Feb 4 2026: The state Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) will not review the Ujian Penilaian Dual Language Programme Sarawak (UP-DLP Sarawak), it said in a statement in response to calls from certain quarters for it to be reviewed.

MEITD: The  UP-DLP Sarawak is reflecting the Sarawak government’s commitment to strengthening both subject mastery and language proficiency among students. 

“The current framework will be retained, as implementation must remain within the legal framework of the Ministry of Education’s approval,” MEITD stressed.

“This is also necessary to avoid confusion among teachers, students, and parents, given that the existing system is already well established and generally accepted by all parties,” it  explained.

MEITD noted that the reintroduction of centralised assessments at Year 4 (from 2026) and the continuation of the Form 3 assessment reinforce the role of standardised evaluations in ensuring equity, comparability, and quality assurance nationwide.

“Within this context, UP-DLP Sarawak stands as an early, MA63-aligned initiative, implemented with the approval of the federal Ministry of Education (MoE) while reflecting Sarawak’s educational aspirations.

“The successful execution of UP-DLP Sarawak demonstrates Sarawak’s institutional readiness, technical capability, and governance maturity in administering standardised assessments within the national framework,” it added.

It said that UP-DLP Sarawak is reflecting the Sarawak government’s commitment to strengthening both subject mastery and language proficiency among students.

“The assessment was implemented following formal approval from MoE, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), allowing Sarawak to conduct a state-based assessment under the DLP Sarawak framework.

“The development and implementation of UP-DLP Sarawak involved close coordination among multiple stakeholders, including MoE, Sarawak Education Department; schools and educators statewide and Swinburne Innovation Malaysia (SWIM) as the implementing agency.

MEITD said partner institutions, such as  i-CATS University College and University of Technology Sarawak (UTS); as well as examination, security, logistics agencies, parents, and students are also involved.

“Despite regulatory and operational constraints, the assessment was implemented in full compliance with national examination standards and MoE’s requirements, ensuring credibility, recognition, and continuity for students.

“Comprehensive preparations were undertaken, including the development of guidelines, establishment of committees, strict examination security protocols, statewide briefings, online registration, question setting and vetting, printing, distribution, supervision, and marking processes,” MEITD said.

It also said that statewide logistics and security operations were successfully carried out, including in remote and rural areas, through strong inter-agency cooperation, with student safety and examination integrity as top priorities.

“The successful implementation of UP-DLP Sarawak demonstrates the capability of Sarawak’s education system, the professionalism of its educators, and the readiness of students to undertake structured, standardised assessments,” MEITD stressed.