Bintulu MP instructs relevant agencies to complete deepening Sungai Plan before Chinese New Year

BINTULU, Dec 30 2025: Tiong King Sing has instructed the relevant agencies to immediately start deepening Sungai Plan, the aim is to see tangible results before the Chinese New Year in February, next year.

The Bintulu MP gave the instruction after visiting several “red zone” areas with the relevant authorities today.

He said following recent heavy rain, areas along Sungai Plan were hit by flooding, with water levels reaching about three feet in some locations.

“I have made it clear that Sungai Plan must be dredged using excavators and properly cleared to restore its original drainage and flood retention capacity,” he said on facebook post.

“As the land involved falls under different authorities, I have directed Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Land and Survey Department, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to form a cross-department task force.

“One agency will be appointed to lead and coordinate efforts including identifying the exact locations and causes of blockages, clarifying river reserve boundaries, defining roles and responsibilities, and working through the technical approach and execution details for the dredging works.

“At the same time, I have clearly stated that any factory or warehouse occupying drainage reserves or river reserves must remove the structures immediately,” he said.

Tiong stressed that those who fail to cooperate will be subject to enforcement action by the Land and Survey Department, which will verify the encroachments on site and take action strictly in accordance with the law, without exception.

“I cannot accept situations where government land is illegally occupied for private gain, drainage is obstructed, floods keep happening, and the public suffers while the government takes the blame,” Tiong, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, warned.

He said BDAy has taken the lead by instructing contractors to begin cleaning and clearing drainage channels, and works have officially started.

He said he also  understands that the works are expected to take approximately three weeks, although the actual timeline will depend on weather conditions.

“I will continue to closely monitor the progress to ensure the clean-up remains on track, improves drainage efficiency, and reduces the risk of sudden flooding,” he added.

 

Sarawak Secretary says Madeline's passing is a great loss to the country, especially Sarawak

KUCHING, Dec 30 2025: Sarawak Government Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki has said the passing of economist Associate Professor Dr Madeline Berma is a great loss to the country, especially Sarawak. 

Caption: Madeline Berma died at her residence in Bangi, Selangor, at the age of 64.

He said she had contributed a lot in the fields of higher education, research and knowledge development, including policy thinking and economic development discourse.

“On behalf of the Sarawak Civil Service, I would like to express my condolences to the entire family of the later Madeline,” he said in a statement.

Madeline, 64, died at her residence in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, at about 11.30 am today.

According to her nephew Basil Cliffton Calvert,  Madeline had been suffering from kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatment.

However, the cause of her death has not been confirmed.

She was a professor of economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Her most recent positions were Member of the Sarawak Economic Action Council and Fellow of the Institute for the Future of Malaysia.

She was appointed Sarawak Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Madeline was also the director of the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women's Leadership Centre, National University of Malaysia.

She graduated with Bachelor of Economics, National University of Malaysia (1982), Master's Degree in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States (1986) and Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hull, United Kingdom (1997).

Her remains will be brought to Kuching on January 1, 2026. 

Don't be deceived by racist, hateful and false information narratives to change the Madani govt, Senator Abun reminds Malaysians

KUCHING, Dec 30 25: Senator Abun Sui Anyit has urged Malaysians to evaluate the success of the Madani government rationally and should be based on facts.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) with the senators after the Dewan Negara session. Senator Abun Sui is second from right

He said it should not be influenced or deceived by the racist, hateful and false information narratives often played by the opposition and a few parties who fail to appreciate the true achievements of the government today, including attacks motivated by narrow interests against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“We cannot change the government or the country’s leaders solely based on racist sentiments and hatred,” Abun said in his New Year's message today.

 “On the contrary, a change in leadership must be based on a mature assessment of the credibility of a figure, his leadership capabilities, and the strength of the party that is truly seen to be able to govern and lead the country stably in the future.

“The fact is, so far, no other leader has the credibility, experience, integrity and wide acceptance to compete with, let alone replace PMX, either in the near future or after the 16th General Election.

“The country still needs the continuation of stable, principled and reform-oriented leadership.

“However, the continuation of the country’s leadership does not mean the future is barren,” he said, stressing  the Madani government is also committed to uncovering, guiding and producing new talents for Malaysian leaders, so that the post-PMX leadership transition process will take place in an orderly, mature manner and based on the interests of the country, rather than being determined by sentiment, slander or hate politics.

“With the strong support of family, friends and all Malaysians, I am confident that the Madani government will continue to move forward, serve with trust, and build a fair, prosperous and competitive nation for all,” he stressed.

Abun emphasised that the Madani government has proven that a country's success is not born by chance, but is the result of policy stability, the courage to implement reforms, and the people's trust in the country's leadership.

He said domestically, the country's economy continues to be strengthened through high-quality investments, job creation and an inclusive growth agenda, with an emphasis on the well-being of the people across the regions, including Sabah and Sarawak.

“Internationally, the prime minister's leadership has successfully expanded strategic relations with various countries and the global community, thus opening up new investment opportunities and increasing world confidence in Malaysia.

“This has clearly strengthened the country's position and image on the international stage,” Abun said.

“All these achievements are not just numbers and statistics, but are translated into real benefits for the people, from family well-being, new economic opportunities, to ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future for the country,” he added.