31 teenagers, aged below 17 years old, sworn-in as child council members of Kuching South City Council for a three-year term

KUCHING, Oct 3 2026: Thirty one teenagers aged below 17 years old were sworn-in as Kuching South City Counncil's child council members before Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dr Sim Kui Hian this morning.

Caption: Xavier Ng receiving his letter of appointment as a child council member from Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian. Seen at left is MBKS mayor Wee Hong Seng

They were selected from applicants from secondary schools in Kuching.

Ten of the child council members have their three-year term extended for the period 2026-2028.

Dr Sim, who is also the deputy premier, stressed the importance of child council, saying that it is part of a leadership training for them.

"We want to give you a head start. Next time when you become councillors, leaders, politicians, civil society leaders, you will have a lot of experiences, not just dealing with the locals but also internationally," he said.

"This is what nation-building is all about," he said.

Dr Sim also noted that seven out of 11 child-friendly cities in Malaysia are in Sarawak, indicating the importance placed by the state government in maintaining  child-friendly cities.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Wee Hong Seng said he does not want to see the child council are for meetings, photographs or ceremonies.

"I want you to tell us what you see," he said.

"If you think that our parks can be better, tell us. If you see problems affecting children, raise them. If you have ideas on safety, health, environment, technology, sports, arts or activities for children, share them with us," Wee said.

He said adults look at a city very differently from children, saying "what we think is good may not always be what you need. That is why we need your voice."

"But remember, being a child council member is not only about telling MBKS what you want. It is also about asking yourself: what can I contribute?" he asked.

"You can be a voice for other children. You can encourage your friends to care for the environment, You can promote kindness and respect. You can help us to make Kuching South safer, healthier and more inclive.

"This is now nation-building begins. It starts with people who care about the place they call home and who are prepared to contribute something to make it better," he stressed.

DVSS tenders open apologies to the Iban community over the naming of two cattle as Keling and Kumang by a breeder participating in Agrofest

KUCHING, Oct 3 2026: The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud has tendered the department's open apology to the Iban community over the naming of two cattle as "Keling" and "Kumang" by a breeder participating in the Agrofest in Bintulu.

In a statement posted on his Facebook today, he said DVSS accepts full responsibility for this issue. 

"DVSS is committed to turning this incident into a valuable learning experience. We will tighten our screening processes and promotional guidelines moving forward to ensure that the cultural values, customs, and heritage of all ethnic groups in Sarawak are consistently preserved and respected. 

"We sincerely hope that this apology will be accepted by the entire Iban community. We also appreciate the constructive feedback offered, which serves to safeguard the harmony and dignity of the ethnic identities in Sarawak," he said.

He acknowledged that using the terms to refer to livestock was inappropriate and should not have happened, and offered an open apology to the Iban community.

Dr Adrian said the mistake was not intended to ridicule or offend any party, but reflected shortcomings in the screening of promotional materials for local cultural sensitivities.

He said the department had engaged with livestock breeders to address the issue, stressing that it should be handled openly and through shared responsibility rather than by pointing fingers at any party.

“We take full responsibility for this issue. DVSS is committed to making this incident a valuable learning experience. We will tighten the screening process and promotional guidelines in the future to ensure that the cultural values, customs, and heritage of all races in Sarawak are preserved and respected,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) views with great seriousness and strongly objects to the use of the names "Kumang" and "Keling" for livestock in Agrofest promotional materials that have been circulated to the public.

Its secretary general Sanjan Daik said for the Iban community, Kumang and Keling are not merely ordinary names, as both hold a highly significant place in the heritage, legends, cultural values, and identity of the Iban people.

"Therefore, PBDS holds the view that the use of these names in this context should not be taken lightly or dismissed as a trivial matter. 

"Was the cultural sensitivity of the Iban community taken into account?" he asked in a statement.

He said the party is not accusing any party of intending to insult or demean the Iban community.

"However, the questions that need to be answered are - Who proposed the names? Who selected them? Who approved their use? And was the cultural sensitivity of the Iban community considered before the names were used?" he asked.

He said PBDS calls upon the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services, especially its director Adrian Susin Ambud, to provide an official and open explanation regarding the selection process and the use of these names.

Sanjan said the party also calls upon the livestock breeders or the company mentioned in the materials to come forward and explain whether they were involved in the selection or assignment of these names.

He said PBDS demands an official explanation from the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services as to who proposed, selected, and approved the use of the names "Kumang" and "Keling", an explanation from the breeders/company, and were the parties concerned involved in the selection or assignment of these names and what were the considerations? 

Sanjan said PBDS wants all parties involved must take responsibility rather than simply pointing fingers at others should errors occur during the process.

He said the party wants a public apology, if the explanation reveals that the use of the name was an oversight or demonstrated a lack of sensitivity toward Iban cultural sensibilities, to be issued to the Iban community. 

Sanjan said PBDS requests a review of the name's usage and appropriate corrections to any related promotional materials.

Dayak Native Initiative (DANI) civil society has asked the relevant customary authorities to examine whether the incident constitutes a breach of adat and, if there are grounds to do so, determine the appropriate action through the proper channels. 

"Any finding of a breach or customary sanction must be made by the authority with jurisdiction," it said.

It said it strongly condemns the use of the names Keling and Kumang for two cattle, as shown on information boards in images now circulating. 

It said the act shows a lack of sensitivity toward Iban customs and heritage.

"Keling and Kumang are highly respected figures in Iban folklore and tradition. For many Iban people, these names carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. Using them for livestock at an exhibition has offended our community, whether it was done deliberately or through a lack of understanding," it said.

It called on the organisers of Sarawak Agrofest and those responsible for the display to explain publicly how these names were chosen and approved, saying that if the information boards are still on display, the names should be changed immediately. We also urge those involved to apologise publicly to the Iban community.

"We call on the organisers to consult Iban community leaders and the Council for Native Customs and Traditions so that this does not happen again. Names and symbols that hold deep meaning for a community should be carefully reviewed before they are used at public events," DANI said.

Dr Sim to submit proposal to MoH for Sarawak govt to directly employ doctors

KUCHING, Oct 2 2026: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said that he will submit a proposal to the Ministry of Health (MoH) to enable Sarawak government to directly employ doctors to help address the need for medical personnel in the state.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says that the proposal to directly employ doctors is among the approaches that need to be explored to enable Sarawak to obtain the necessary medical personnel

He said he will submit the proposal when he will hold discussions with the Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at a date to be decided later.

He said the proposal to directly employ doctors is among the approaches that need to be explored to enable Sarawak to obtain the necessary medical personnel.

He said the state government wants to hold discussions with MoH to find a comprehensive solution to the state's medical workforce challenges.

Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the discussions need to look at the issue comprehensively, including policies, funding and specialist training opportunities.

"I will seek an appointment with the Minister of Health later, we will discuss and examine this policy issue comprehensively including the permission to employ doctors and not just focus on the issue of payment alone.

"This is because payment is only part of the overall challenge, which also includes aspects such as postgraduate training opportunities and so on," he told reporters after the launch of the Padawan Discovery Festival at the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall today.

 Dr Sim said the issue cannot be resolved through a financial approach alone because it also involves policies and opportunities for the development of doctors' careers.

He added that the results of the discussion will later help Sarawak identify the real needs before the relevant proposals are submitted for consideration and further action. 

Families affected by recent strong winds each receives additional RM1,000 from MBKS

KUCHING, Oct 2 2026: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is providing additional aid of RM1,000 to each family affected by the recent strong winds in its jurisdiction to assist with home repairs and alleviate the victims' financial burden.

Caption: MBKS Mayor Wee Hong Seng (in white shirt, back row) with the aid recipients and MBKS councillors

MBKS Mayor Wee Hong Seng said that the assistance, provided through the MBKS *Prihatin* (Care) Programme, is an additional initiative by the local authority, complementing the RM107,000 in disaster relief allocated by the Sarawak government to approximately 75 affected families.

“When the roofs of the houses are blown off by the wind, victims do not ask who arrives first or who receives the most media coverage. They simply want their homes repaired and their lives to return to normal,” he said during the MBKS Financial Aid Presentation Ceremony for families affected by the strong winds, held at the MBKS headquarters here today.

According to him, the Sarawak government aid announced on September 25 will be distributed in stages to eligible recipients following the verification and validation of their applications and documents.

He said the process involves the preparation of police reports and documentation regarding property damage to ensure that every application meets the stipulated criteria and that public funds are distributed transparently and systematically.

Wee noted that since the day the incident occurred, MBKS— alongside council members and community leaders— has conducted house-to-house inspections and assisted victims in preparing documents and submitting aid applications to the government.

He explained that the assistance provided to victims also includes contributions from elected representatives, with each aid channel operating under its own specific distribution mechanism and process. 

He emphasized that the priority for all parties is to ensure victims receive appropriate assistance so that home repairs can be carried out and their lives restored.

Meanwhile, MBKS will continue to strengthen its ground-level engagement through mobile services and existing communication channels to identify residents' needs and ensure aid reaches those who require it.

Once a teacher, always a teacher for two retired educators

MUKAH, Oct 2 2026:  An educator's dedication does not cease upon retirement; instead, it lives on through the transformations fostered in their students and their continued contributions to society.

Caption: Cikgu Shazwan Seun retired in in August 2024

For teachers Shazwan Seun and Angela Murni, the recognition they received serves not only as an appreciation of their service but also as a reminder of the trust, sincerity, and commitment that must be upheld by future generations of educators.

Shazwan, who concluded his mandatory service on August 1, 2024, after more than three decades in education, recalled that seeing former students grow into knowledgeable and disciplined individuals is the most meaningful reward for a teacher.

In an interview with Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), he said an educator's responsibility extends beyond merely imparting knowledge in the classroom; it involves shaping character and preparing the younger generation for the future.

"If our task were simply to teach, it would be easy—entering and leaving the classroom while ensuring academic success. However, the primary goal is to educate—to shape their futures and ensure they become individuals who are balanced emotionally, physically, and spiritually," he said when met after the Mukah Division Loyal Service Medal presentation ceremony today.

The ceremony was officiated by the Premie Abang Johari Openg, during his visit to Mukah for the Sarawakku Sayang programme.

Caption: Cikgu Angela advises students to do their best in whatever task is assigned to them.

Throughout his career, Shazwan served in vocational schools, religious schools, and the Mukah Division Education Office, in addition to holding positions such as Senior Assistant at SMK Oya and Principal of SMK Mukah.

He later served as a mentor to principals, providing guidance on leadership and school management.

 Drawing on her experience, Angela believes that collaboration among parents, teachers, and the community is crucial in addressing the challenges of educating today's generation, particularly regarding the cultivation of student discipline and proper conduct.

 She expressed her appreciation to the Sarawak government for the recognition bestowed upon her and offered words of advice to the next generation set to assume service responsibilities, urging them to always demonstrate their utmost commitment.

“Do your best in whatever task is assigned to you. Put your heart and soul into what you do,” she said.

This message underscores that the quality of service is measured not merely by the duration of one's tenure, but also by the dedication shown in fulfilling one's mandate and the willingness to carry on responsibilities for the benefit of the community.