PBM president Sng believes BN-PN will form the next federal government, based on the Johore and Negeri Sembilan elections results

KUCHING, Aug 2 2026: Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Larry Sng believed that Barisan Nasional - Peritakan Nasional (BN-PN) formula will from the next federal government and possibly win a clean sweep of all the state election in Malaya.

Caption: PBM president Larry Sng says BN-PN only need an additional 14 seats to form the federal government

He said this is based on the recent election results for both Johore and Negeri Sembilan.

“The total combined seats won by BN and PN in 2022 is 98. The magic number to form the federal government is 112. Only 14 additional parliamentary seats needed,” he said in his Facebook post.

Discounting the political alignment from Sabah and Sarawak, he said he believes that based on the current trajectory, it is highly likely that BN - PN will easily form the simple majority post GE16.

“That would also mean that GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) will no longer play the role of king maker,” Julau MP  suggested.

In the  Johore state election on July 11,  BN won 48 seats while Pakatan Harapan (PH) secuted eight seats while in the just concluded Negeri Sembilan election, BN-PN won 25 seats while PH, 11 seats.

PDP launching new digital platform ahead of state and general elections

BINTULU, Aug 2 2026: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) is strengthening its organisational preparedness ahead of state and general elections through the launch of a new digital platform which includes an official website and an online membership system.

Caption: PDP secretary general and Baram MP Anyi Ngau says that whatever PDP members do it must be in line with the party's constitution.

PDP secretary  Anyi Ngau said the initiative is a step to modernise the party's administration, streamline membership management and expand the participation of the people, especially the young.

Speaking at the PDP Digital Transformation and Unity Assembly, he said the implementation of the digital platform must comply with the party's constitution and existing procedures, including the support and approval process at the division level to ensure that every matter is carried out according to the stipulated regulations.

"Whatever we do it must be in line with the party's constitution. This digital platform must comply with the constitution and our spirit of cooperation in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)," the Baram Member of Parliament said.

He also reminded that the term of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) and Parliament is now drawing to a close, hence the party must utilise the time available to strengthen the organisation and foster unity among members.

He said that early preparations are important to ensure that the PDP is always ready to face the elections which can be held at any time in accordance with the provisions of the State and Federal Constitutions.

“Now is the right time for us to organize the organization and strengthen unity so that the PDP continues to be a relevant component in the GPS. When the PDP becomes stronger, the GPS will also become stronger and we can continue to move in tandem to develop this state,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP Youth chief Yiak Chiong Wei said that the launch of the official website and online membership platform reflects the party’s commitment to being more open, efficient and people-centric.

According to him, digital transformation is not just about modernizing party administration, but also aims to bring the PDP closer to the people, strengthen relationships among members and make it easier for more individuals who share the party's aspirations to join the PDP.

Abang Johari hinting cheaper fare for ART commuters

KUCHING,  Aug 1 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has hinted that the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) fare under the Kuching Urban Transport System (KUTS) is expected to be lower than the fare charged by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg explains that state government has calculated the operating costs and will bear the fixed costs of the system 

He said this is because it will receive high subsidies from the government.

He said the state government will bear the fixed operating costs of the system to ensure that the fares charged to users remain reasonable.

He explained that the state government has calculated the operating costs and will bear the fixed costs of the system while the increase in the number of users including tourists is expected to help strengthen the operation of KUTS.

"I think we also make a benchmark based on what is offered in other places but I try to ensure that the fares are cheaper than other places," he said when met by reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony of the first Naming Rights Agreement for the ART Station.

Abang Johari added that state government subsidies are a common practice worldwide since public transport systems cannot rely entirely on passenger fare collection.

According to him, the cheap fares are charged to ensure widespread use by the people and tourists with a modern transportation system.

At the same time, he explained, this will reduce traffic congestion often experienced in the Kuching and Kota Samarahan areas in order to reduce the number of cars on the road while encouraging sustainable and clean alternatives.

State government remains committed to protecting rights of owners of native customary land, says Uggah

BETONG, Aug 1 2026: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah has given his assurance that the state government remains committed to protecting the rights of owners of native customary land through the implementation of continuous land surveying and gazetting programmes.

Caption: Deputy Premier and PBB deputy president Douglas Uggah speaking at PBB Betong Zone Convention

He said that since 2020, about 1.2 million hectares of land have been surveyed while around 900,000 hectares have been gazetted, compared to about 260,000 hectares surveyed before 2010.

"The Sarawak government wants land to be given ownership rights. Not only increasing allocations for land surveying works, but also increasing manpower to speed up the process," he said in his address at PBB Betong Special Zone Convention today.

The convention was opened by Premier and PBB president Abang Johari Openg.

Uggah also said that Sarawak's increasing revenue generation capacity has enabled more strategic development projects to be implemented, thus bringing tangible benefits to the people.

Uggah, who is also the Second Minister of Finance and New Economy, said the state's revenue has increased from RM5.6 billion in 2017 to RM14.2 billion in 2024, thus strengthening Sarawak's financial position to finance various development agendas.

He said among the major achievements in the Betong Zone are the construction of eight bridges including Batang Lupar Bridge, Bebuling Airport (STOLport), two agro parks, a water treatment plant, more than 200 kilometres of plantation roads as well as the implementation of three regional development agencies.

He added that Sarawak is now increasingly receiving recognition at the national and international levels as a result of the state government's approach which focuses on developing a new economy based on hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI), a green economy and strengthening the state's strategic assets including PETROS and ports.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and members of the PBB Supreme.

Sarawak is on right track to become one of Malaysia's strongest economies by 2030, says Abang Johari

BETONG, Aug 1 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg believed that Sarawak is on the right track to emerge as one of the strongest economies in Malaysia by 2030 through the implementation of policies focusing on infrastructure development, high-technology economy, education and human capital development.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says Sarawak now is  fourth economies in Malaysia

He said the state government has drawn up various strategic initiatives to ensure the state continues to grow sustainably, thereby improving the standard of living of the people throughout the state.

"In terms of the economy, we are among the top five in Malaysia. Besides Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Labuan, we are in fourth place.

"I think, by 2030, if our planning is right, our position will improve, overtaking either Johor or Selangor," he said when speaking at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone Special Convention today.

Touching on infrastructure development, he said various large-scale projects are being implemented, including the construction of bridges and roads that will transform connectivity in central and coastal Sarawak.

He said new road network projects, including the construction of major bridges, would shorten travel time between areas such as Betong, Saratok, Spaoh and surrounding areas, thereby spurring rural economic growth.

"Money needs to be found, and we are thankful that our revenue has increased from RM7 billion to RM14 billion.

"This is our development performance.

"All this requires substantial spending, but strong state financial management has enabled Sarawak to carry out these projects using its own financial resources," he said.

On the future economy, Abang Johari said Sarawak continues to focus on clean energy development, particularly hydrogen, as an environmentally friendly alternative energy source.

He said the state government's early investment in hydrogen technology has now placed Sarawak among the world's leaders in hydrogen economy development, earning international recognition.

He said the state government allocates hundreds of millions of ringgit annually to finance higher education in order to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the new economy.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Douglas Uggah Embas and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker  Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, PBB Supreme Council members, delegates and PBB members from the 14 branches of Betong Zone.