Abang Johari explains why Sarawak govt is investing heavily on road networks

 KUCHING, Oct  11 2025: Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg explained the importance on the Sarawak government investing heavily to strengthen the infrastructure system throughout the state. 

Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar cutting his 79th birthday cake, watched by Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (second left).

“This is because without an efficient connectivity network, Sarawak’s economy will not be able to grow rapidly and inclusively,” he said at the 79^th birthday celebration of Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Central Padang here.

“In addition to the Pan Borneo Highway project, Sarawak is also developing the Second Trunk Road (STR) which will shorten the distance and travel time between Sibu and Kuching,” he said.

He added the 225-kilometre STR, which starts from the Samarahan bridge and connects to the Pan Borneo Highway at the Roban Interchange, is expected to be completed in 2028 at a cost of RM5.58 billion.

He said at the same time, the 896-kilometre Coastal Highway is being constructed and is expected to be completed in 2027 at a cost of RM5.42 billion.

“This route will connect the coastal areas from Kota Samarahan, Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau,

Kabong, Tanjung Manis, Daro, Matu, Igan, Oya, Mukah, Balingian, Bintulu to Miri, before

connecting with the Pan Borneo Highway,” he said.

The premier said that infrastructure development also involves Northern Sarawak up to the Sabah border.

He said recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 2 (SSLR2) project.

He said the SSLR Phase 2 project will provide a new alignment to facilitate movement between Miri, Marudi, Mulu, Limbang, Lawas and Ba’ Kelalan directly to Sabah without going through Brunei via SSLR Phase 1.

“With a length of 335 kilometres and a cost of RM7.6 billion, this project is expected to be completed by mid- 2029,” he added.

Abang Johari said the state government is also implementing various initiatives to upgrade logging roads in the inland areas, especially in Kapit and Ulu Baram.

“All these projects will certainly strengthen connectivity in the northern areas of Sarawak and

open up new economic potential, especially in the agricultural and rural tourism sectors,” he said.

 

 

What will Sarawak get under Anwar's federal budget 2026?

KUCHING, Oct 10 2025: Sarawak will receive RM6 billion in development allocation under the federal budget 2026, compared to RM6.9 billion that neighbouring Sabah will receive.

Anwar: Sarawak will be allocated RM6 billion in development allocation for next year

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling the budget in parliament today, said the two Borneo states will receive the highest allocations for next year.

He said the federal government is determined to ensure rapid development in the two states in line with the wishes of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This is not just a promise, but a concrete action to bridge the development gap, specially basic infrastructure, between the two states and the peninsula Malaysia,” Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said.

He said Sabah and Sarawak will receive the special grant of RM600 million each.

On the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road 1 (SSLR 1), he said it is expected to be completed in November 2026 while SSLR 2 is under construction and is expected to be completed in mid-2029.

He added the Trans Borneo Highway (LTB) project will complete the Sabah-Sarawak connection road, saying a letter of acceptance  for its construction is expected to be issued early next year.

Anwar said the government will upgrade the existing road pavement structure for the red line alignment in the Durin and Salim sections in Sibu at a cost of RM350 million.

He added to ensure that Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula enjoy the best digital benefits, the MADANI Submarine Cable Extension (SALAM) will be developed by the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) along 3,190 kilometres at a cost of RM2 billion.

“This will involve an undersea route from Sedili in Johor, to Kuching and Sibu in Sarawak and then to Tuaran, Kudat, Banggi Island, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah,” he said.

Anwar also announced other proposed projects, such as building the main road in Kapit Division from Nanga Serau to Nanga Seranau, and construction of health clinic with Mukah quarters within the Mukah Division Integrated Health Complex.

The others are the beef cattle production enhancement programme, paddy and rice industry empowerment programme and the people's residency programme (PRR) in Samariang.

He said an allocation of RM1.5 billion for the construction and upgrading new facilities for uniformed bodies, including the Sarawak police headquarters in Kuching, Sungai Tujoh ICQS in Miri and additional building for the 23^rd Battalion of the General Operation Force in Sri Aman.

Anwar also announced that for next year, all nine million STR recipients will also receive SARA up to RM100  per month or 1,200 ringgit per year.

Meanwhile, one million STR recipients under eKasih will receive SARA up to 200 ringgit per month or 2,400 ringgit per year.

The unmarried category will receive RM600, which is RM50 per month through SARA.

The maximum rate to be received by a household is RM4,600 for families with five children.

The Government will once again give RM100 under SARA to 22 million Malaysians aged 18 and above.

This will be channeled in mid-February in time for Ramadan preparations and Chinese New Year celebrations.

Anwar said new schools will be built to meet the needs of the local population, including

SK Sri Sadong in Serian and SMK Desa Wira in Batu Kawah.

He said three new unity activity centres will be built at a cost of RM46 million ringgit, including  Miri Unity Activity Centre.

Anwar said specifically for the people in rural and interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, RM250 million is provided to cover the cost of distribution of basic goods to areas such as Taradas, Kudat and Kawayoi, Kinabatangan, Sabah as well as Entaroh, Kapit and Nanga Segeris, Sibu.

Election Commission in process of preparing recommendations to review Sarawak's parliamentary electoral boundaries

KUCHING, Oct 10, 2025: -The Election Commission (EC) is in the process of preparing recommendations for a review of the parliamentary electoral boundaries for Sarawak, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. 

Caption: The time has come to review the parliamentary constituencies for Sarawak

She explained that the review is carried out based on the principles and procedures outlined under the Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution as well as the jurisdiction provided under Article 113 of the Federal Constitution. 

“The time has come to review  the parliamentary constituencies for Sarawak after eight years. The eight-year timeline had  ended on August 21, 2023, and at this time the EC is in the process of preparing the recommendations,” she said when explaining the current status of the re-delineation  process in a written reply to Pagoh Member of Parliament Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today. 

According to WAI.fm. Azalina also explained that for Sabah, the eight-year period ended on February 21, 2025, while for states in peninsular Malaysia, it will end on March 9, 2026.  

“The process for each state can only be implemented after the eight-year period ends or if there is a legal amendment to the number of members of the Dewan Rakyat or State Legislative Assembly,” she said. 

She further said that once the study recommendations for re-delineation for Sarawak have been prepared, a notice will be displayed to allow stakeholders to submit representations during the public exhibition period.  

She said if there are objections, a local inquiry will be held as provided for in Part II, Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. 

“The local inquiry can be conducted at the request of the Sarawak government, local authorities or a group of at least 100 registered voters in the area concerned,” she added. 

 Azalina also stressed that issues of transparency or fairness do not arise in the redelineation process because every stakeholder will be given space to be involved. 

 “The Prime Minister will then have to table the demarcation review report and the draft demarcation order in the Dewan Rakyat to gain a simple majority support,” she explained. 

She stressed that the Dewan Rakyat members will play an important role when the motion is tabled later — whether to approve or reject it in line with the spirit of democracy and the transparency of the country’s electoral process.  

In August this year, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof had said that the federal government had agreed in principle to consider increasing the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak. 

He had said the proposal was agreed in principle by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting in Kuching. 

However, he said the proposed increase in the number of seats would require further discussions as there were differing legal views between the Attorney-General of Sarawak, Attorney-General of Sabah and federal Attorney-General.  

In the May sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA), Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali had said no final decision had been made yet on the proposed re-delineation exercises of electoral boundaries in Sarawak. 

She said discussions between the state government and the federal government were ongoing, saying that the discussions on  strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat had remained active under the framework of MA63. 

She said the Sarawak government had consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in Parliament as originally envisaged under the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962.

Soon Koh slams Umno Youth chief for politically motivated attack against Tiong King Sing

 KUCHING, Oct 9 2025: Bawang Assan Sarawak State Legislative Member (SLM) Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh has slammed Umno Youth chief Datuk Akmal Salleh for persistently launching such deliberate, divisive, inflammatory, and politically motivated attacks against Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sri Tiong King Sing. 

Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh asks Akmal Salleh:What have you done for Malaysia?

He said Akmal’s actions risk making the unity government, which includes Umno, look extreme and fundamentally intolerant on the global stage.

“While Tiong is delivering results and bringing in revenue for the nation, what exactly are you doing?” Wong asked Akmal, in a statement.

He said the Umno Youth chief may have picked the wrong person to attack.

“He (Tiong) is representing the mandate of Sarawak. He is not from peninsular Malaysia and neither is he the one to be easily bullied by your narrow and manipulative politics.

“When you attack him, you are not just attacking an individual, you are attacking a leader who carries the political weight of Sarawak,” Wong said.

Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice president, said that if Malaysia is divided racially and religiously “we will be slaughtered in the face of the changing global dynamics.”

He said he welcomes a positive and constructive policy debate, but not racial, religious, or personal attacks.

“Your persistent rhetoric and divisive actions have inflicted a great deal of harm on our nation which was built on the principles of moderation and inclusivity,” he added.

Wong also slammed Akmal for asking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to sack Tiong as the federal minister.

He said Tiong’s position is not for Akmal to decide, nor will he quit.

Wong said if Akmal cannot work with a multicultural government, then he is free to leave Umno, which is in the coalition government.

“There is no time for responsible leaders to dabble in rhetoric and slogan-shoutings,” Wong said, adding that Tiong has consistently worked to promote Malaysia as a united, inclusive and world-class destination, bringing together all races and faiths to drive country’s economy through tourism.

“All leaders should  therefore reject divisive rhetoric and focus instead on strengthening inter-communal trust.

“We should not allow reckless words to destroy mutual respect that we have long nurtured in our multi- cultural and multi-religious nation.

“We should not allow political theatrics to rear its ugly head,” he said.

 

Petros-Petronas issue: It is not just a brotherly fight, but an exercise of power under the law by Sarawak, asserts Doris

KUCHING, Oct 9, 2025: Sri Aman Member of Parliament Datuk Sri Doris Brodie explained that the issue between Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) is not a fight, but an exercise of power by Sarawak. 

Caption: Sri Aman MP Datuk Sri Doris Brodie speaking on behalf of the other GPS Members at the lobby of Dewan Rakyat

“However, let me emphasize that the dispute in the Kuching High Court is not just a “brotherly fight.” This is a matter of the exercise of power under the law,” she told reporters in Parliament today.

Speaking on behalf of the Backbencher Club (BBC) of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Members of Parliament to rebut claims by Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim, she said “Sarawak does not demand more than it is entitled to, and will not demand less than what has been promised.”

She said Petronas operates under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA), while Petros was established under the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016, enacted by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly under its constitutional jurisdiction.

“We would like to stress that this is not a new claim. It stems from the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee or ICG and the Borneo States (Legislative Powers) Order 1963, which clearly states that the power over the distribution of electricity and gas in Sarawak is under the jurisdiction of the State,” she said.

Doris said Sarawak has the right to assert its right to manage resources within its borders, in line with the Constitution and the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Therefore, I urge that this issue be seen not as a conflict, but as an opportunity to strengthen the strategic partnership between Petros and Petronas.

“In this way, we will not only safeguard the interests of the state and the people of Sarawak, but also strengthen Malaysia’s position as a stable and competitive energy producing nation,” she added.

She said Sarawak's position in Petros-Petronas issue is only related to downstream activities, namely gas distribution.

“This is a jurisdiction that has already been established under the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016, a valid Sarawak law and approved by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

“This law is not inconsistent with the Federal Constitution.

“Through the Borneo States [Legislative Powers] Order, 1963, the legislative powers of Sarawak have been extended to include the fields of electricity and gas distribution.

“This is in line with the recommendations in the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962,

particularly in item 11 (c) in Annex A, which stated that legislative powers relating to electricity and gas charging should be devolved to Sarawak and Sabah.

“To ensure that Sarawak has full legal and administrative control over the distribution of gas activities, and to avoid a situation where the oil industry in Sarawak would need to apply for two different licences under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) and DGO 2016, an Exemption (Amendment) Notice 2021 was gazetted and signed by the Prime Minister at that time.

“Through this exemption, the marketing and distribution of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas in Sarawak are exempted from the requirements of Section 6(1) and (3) under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA).

“When the Federal law on gas distribution no longer applies in Sarawak, only the DGO 2016 will remain as the only law in force in Sarawak to regulate the supply and distribution of gas.

“That is why it is important to emphasize here that the Gas Distribution Ordinance and the appointment of Petros as a gas aggregator do not conflict with the Petroleum Development Act

1974, because Sarawak has already been exempted from the relevant provisions.

“The Ordinance is a valid law, has never been struck down by any Court in Malaysia, and enjoys the presumption of constitutionality.

“We call on us to both respect the spirit of federalism and respect the constitution, which is clearly stated in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which is a reference to the division of powers between the Federation and the States.

Item 8(j) of the Federal List provides —

“Subject to item 2(c) of the State List: Development of mineral resources;

mines, mining, minerals and mineral ores; oil and oil fields;

buying, selling, importing and exporting minerals and mineral ores;

petroleum products; regulation of labour and safety in mines and

oil fields.”

“While Item 2(c) of the State List states — Permits and licences to explore for mines; mining leases and mining certificates.”

These two provisions are complementary and must be understood in the context of the federal-state relations established by the Constitution.

“Item 8(j) of the Federal List, which states that the powers are subject to Item 2(c) of the State List, reflects a balancing arrangement of powers between the Federation and the States.

“It states that in matters relating to mineral and petroleum resources, the exercise of Federal power should be carried out taking into account the role and responsibilities of State legislation in relation to the granting of licenses and permits for such activities.

“Sarawak has always respected and complied with the Federal Constitution. All state laws, including the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016, are enacted within the scope of the powers provided by the Constitution.

“This Ordinance regulates all gas distribution activities within the boundaries of Sarawak through licensing requirements — just like any other regulatory law in the state.

“However, it must be noted — with all due respect — that there are still certain parties operating in this sector without complying with the licensing requirements as stipulated.

“This is not a matter of politics or controversy, but a matter of compliance with the constitutionally valid state laws.

“If all other companies, including international and local players, can comply with the requirements of Sarawak’s laws, then it is only right that state-owned companies should do so — especially when Sarawak implements its laws with full respect for the federal structure that we all uphold,” Doris said

She said the Federal Constitution is not a buffet menu where we can pick and choose clauses that we like and reject those that are not beneficial.

She said it must be read in its entirety, saying:”We cannot take Item 8(j) to legitimize the Federal’s full control over oil and gas resources, while turning a blind eye to Item 2(c) which grants the State the right to licenses and permits.”

“The two are intertwined — that is the balance of federalism that has been in place since 1963,” Doris said.

Doris stressed that it is very important for her to emphasise that Sarawak never intended to kill or destroy Petronas, saying that it is not its intention.

“Instead, Sarawak's aim is to work with Petronas in developing the oil and gas industry in Sarawak so that the results can be mutually beneficial to Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.

“We believe that as Sarawak develops and its industry grows, Malaysia as a whole will also receive significant benefits in terms of investment, employment and economic outcomes.

“We do not want to be at odds, but want to ensure that the relationship between Petronas and Petros is built on a foundation of mutual respect and reinforcement,” she stressed.