Palm oil industy continues to benefit from stronger global commodity prices, despite geopolitical uncertainties

By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 19 2026: Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, the palm oil industry continues to benefit from stronger global commodity prices and rising demand for renewable and biobased energy. Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dr Stephen Rundie Utom told the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

Caption: Minister Dr Stephen Rundie Utom says export earnings from palm oil industry reaching RM5.93 billion in first four months of this year
 

He said the increasing interest in biodiesel and sustainable vegetable oils is expected to strengthen market demand and support higher crude palm oil prices moving forward.

“Sarawak’s palm oil industry continued to record encouraging growth with export earnings reaching RM5.93 billion from January to April 2026,” he said in his winding up speech.

He said during the same period, crude palm oil (CPO) production increased by 5.3%, from 1.27 million tonnes to 1.33 million tonnes.

He said crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) production also rose significantly by 20.4%, from 112,217 tonnes to 135,137 tonnes.

Dr Rundie said estate performance also improved, with the average fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield increasing from 4.6 tonnes per hectare to 4.7 tonnes per hectare.

“The oil extraction rate (OER) improved from 19.1% to 19.7%, while the CPKO extraction rate increased from 45.6% to 46.2%,” he said.

 As of April 2026, Dr Rundie said a total of 203,000 hectares of oil palm area under independent smallholders, 57,000 hectares under organised smallholders, and 1.2 million hectares under estates have achieved MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification.

Opening ceremony of SEA Games 2027 scheduled to be held at Stadium Taha Ariffin on Sept 18 2027

By CW Claire

KUCHIING, May 19 2026: The opening ceremony of the SEA Games 2027 has been scheduled to be held at Stadium Taha Ariffin on September  18 2027.

Caption: Sports Minister Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah says Sarawak will host 17 out of 38 sports 

Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said preparations for the SEA Games 2027 under the Sarawak Cluster are progressing in an orderly manner and remain on track in accordance with the established timeline.

“A comprehensive governance framework has been established under the Local Organising Committee SEA Games 2027,” he said in his winding up speech in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

He said the framework coordinates the implementation and execution of all preparatory matters at the operational level.

He said 22 working committees have been established to oversee key operational areas, including technical management, infrastructure, accommodation, transportation, medical services, security, media, and volunteer coordination.

He added each committee operates with clearly defined responsibilities, designated persons-in-charge, targeted action plans, and risk management measures to ensure that every component of preparation is implemented in a coordinated, efficient, and timely manner.

Karim said the state will host 17 out of 38 sports,namely Aquatics, e-Sports, Golf, Tennis, Lawn Bowls, Muay, Cricket, Taekwondo, Petanque, Squash, Gymnastics, Basketball, Archery, Shooting, Tenpin Bowling, Weightlifting, and Wushu.

“This reflects the substantial role entrusted to Sarawak  the overall delivery of SEA Games Malaysia 2027,” he said.

He added upgrading works for 11 SEA Games facilities have been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan and are currently progressing according to schedule.

He said the facilities Stadium Taha Ariffin, Indoor Stadium. Lawn Bowl Arena; Wushu Training Centre; Sarawak Lawn Tennis Centre; Sarawak Shooting Range; Sarawak Squash Centre; Cricket and Rugby Ground; Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre; Sarawak Archery Centre; and Pusat Petanque Sarawak.

Stadium Negeri renamed Stadium Taha Ariffin in recognition of his contribution to sports, especially football

By CW Claire

KUCHING, May 19 2026: Stadium Negeri has been renamed Stadium Taha Ariffin in recognition of his contribution to sports, particularly football. 

Caption: Taha Ariffin was the founder of the Football Association of Sarawak

Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state government has approved the renaming of the stadium.

“This recognition is a fitting tribute to an individual whose service and commitment greatly contributed to the growth and success of football in the state,” he said in his winding up in the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

Karim said Taha, the founder of the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) in 1974, was a distinguished figure who played a major role in shaping the sports development especially football in Sarawak.

“Under his leadership, Sarawak reached great heights and achieved significant success at various sporting events such as champion in Malaysia FA Cup in 1992, and three consecutive terms as champion of SUKMA in 1990, 1992 and 1994.

“These accomplishments reflected not only the strength of the team during that period, but also the vision, dedication, and leadership of Taha in building a strong sporting culture and identity for Sarawak.  

“As a mark of appreciation and recognition for his immense contribution to the sport development in Sarawak, the state government has approved the renaming of the current Stadium Negeri to Stadium Taha Ariffin,” Karim said.

“Today, we are witnessing the continuation of that legacy through the remarkable achievement of Kuching City FC, which has created history by qualifying for the final of the Malaysia Cup 2025/2026 for the first time since its establishment,” he said.

He called on the state legislators, as well as the people of Sarawak, to extend their fullest support to Kuching City FC as they prepare for the Malaysia Cup final against Johor Darul Ta’zim at Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil on May 23 2026

Sarawak records 1.24 million visitor arrivals in first quarter of this year

By CW Claire

KUCHING, May 19 2026: Sarawak recorded 1.24 million visitor arrivals in the first quarter of this year,  an increase of 4.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the state legislative assembly (SLA) today.

Caption: Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah says Sarawak recorded a total of 4.97 million visitor arrivals last year 

He said Asia remains Sarawak's key source of visitors, contributed 52.6% of the total visitors.

“Out of this, 48.8% are from the ASEAN countries,” he said in his winding up speech.

He said Sarawak generated a remarkable RM3.15 billion in tourism receipt from January to March this year.

He said Brunei and Indonesia together accounted for 48% of Sarawak's total visitor arrivals, underscoring their continued strategic importance to our tourism sector.

He added Sarawak generated a total of RM12.67 billion in tourism receipts with a growth of 1.75% in 2025, compared to the previous year.

Karim said Sarawak recorded a total of 4.97 million visitor arrivals last year, reflecting a modest

growth of 2.89% compared to 2024, which highlights a steady recovery and continued positive momentum for the tourism sector.

The minister also said that Sarawak's tourism sector continues to gain momentum, supported by a diverse range of tourism offerings and well-executed marketing initiatives.

“My ministry is committed to further elevating Sarawak's standing as a leading destination, highlighting its unique eco-tourism, blend of arts, culture, and heritage,” he said.

“We are happy to note that despite the challenges posed by the global crisis, the statistics indicated that Sarawak's tourism industry continues to flourish and strengthen.

“The tourism industry acts as an economic catalyst by creating a spin-off effect that extends far beyond hospitality services, generating multiplier effects that elevate the social wellbeing of the community.

“The number of tourist arrivals is translated into tourism receipt which indicates how much the industry's contribution to the economy,” he said.

DAP Chong's motion rejected, deputy speaker's ruling upheld

By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 18 2026: Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar dismissed a motion tabled by DAP’s Padungan state legislative member (SLM) Chong Chieng Jen to reverse Deputy Speaker Idris Buang’s ruling and the expunged words be reinstated in the hansard.

Caption: Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar says Padungan SLM Chong Chieng Jen's motion more than 250 words 

He said the motion was should have been submitted at least two days in advance before it is tabled in the state legislative assembly (SLA) for debate.

Chong submitted notice to  table the motion this morning.

Asfia said it is sub-judice to touch on cases that are pending in court.

He added the individual that Chong mentioned, along with 20  others, have been charged in court.

The speaker stated that the motion cast a dark aspersion against the august house, in particular, with the allegation “that this August House is condoning and endorsing such illegal activity by attempting to cover-up the matter and forbidding the discussion thereof in this August House.”

He said no member, whether outside and inside the house, should ridicule, dispute, show contempt or deliberately refused to comply with the ruling of the chair.

He said the motion for debate should not exceed 250 words, instead Chong’s motion contained 648 words.

“Therefore, motion  be rejected and the ruling by the deputy speaker is upheld,” he said.

Chong, in his motion, has said that during the debate on the Royal Address he has mentioned the name of an individual who was among those 21 persons arrested and charged in court for involvement in gangsterism and organised criminal group and his close association with some SUPP leaders.

“On May 15, when the individual and his gang were brought to court for further remand, it was carried out under the highest police security with many of the police officers wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying semi-auto machine guns.  

“The whole process was recorded and shown in video clips of many mainstream media and widely reported nationwide,” he said.

“It is most absurd that when media across the nation are reporting the matter, the discussion of such matter that has caused wide public concerns was forbidden by the deputy speaker and disallowed to be recorded in the Hansard.

“The close association of some SUPP leaders with this individual has also been widely reported in local media and social media,” he said.