Immigration Dpt arrests 40 illegal immigrations in raids in Samarahan and Sejingkat

KUCHING, March 6 2026 – The Kuching Immigration Enforcement Division has arrested 40 illegal  immigrants (PATI) in operations carried out at midnight last night at several kongsi houses in the Samarahan and Sejingkat areas.

Caption: Foreign nationals arrested kongsi houses at construction sites 

The operation, which involved 30 officers, targeted kongsi houses provided by employers to house foreign workers at construction sites, the state Immigration Department said in a statement.

It said several individuals who tried to escape, but their attempts were successfully thwarted by the quick action of officers.

All 40 arrested PATI were taken to the Semuja Immigration Depot, Serian for detention and further investigation.

The department said the Kuching enforcement division will continue to intensify enforcement operations from time to time to combat the presence of foreigners who violate the provisions of the country's immigration laws.

 

WAK Festival 2026 edition launched, inviting artists, creative communities, cultural practitioners to submit programme proposals

KUCHING, March 6 2026: The WAK (What About Kuching) Festival has officially launched its  Call For Proposals (CFP) for the 2026 edition, inviting artists, creative communities, organisations and cultural practitioners from Sarawak and the region to submit programme proposals to enliven the festival.

Caption: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (2nd left) speaking a press conference to launch Call For Proposals for the 2026 WAK Festival edition 

Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who launched here today, said it has now established itself as an important platform in promoting Sarawak's arts, culture and lifestyle to a wider audience.

"WAK Festival reflects Sarawak's creative, diverse and forward-looking identity, as well as playing a role in strengthening the network of creative communities at the local and regional levels," he said during the launch.

 Festival director Donald Tan said the eighth edition of the festival carries the theme 'Shoots', symbolising growth and the emergence of new ideas within Sarawak's creative ecosystem.

He said the theme reflects the process of talent development, creative collaboration and emerging arts enterprises, providing space for new ideas to emerge and grow in the local creative industry.

He explained that the approach aligns with open-access arts festival concepts such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, widely recognised as a platform for creative experimentation and a space for new talents to showcase their work to broader audiences.

"WAK provides an opportunity for the creative community to try out new ideas, form collaborations and develop creative enterprises that can grow beyond this festival," he said.

By elevating Sarawak's identity, the 'Shoots' theme also places emphasis on the development of young talents and new creative enterprises at an early stage, thus helping to strengthen the state's creative industry progressively from the grassroots level.

Throughout June and October 2026, the festival will provide an open platform for the local, regional and international creative community to present their work and showcase their creativity in various public and private spaces in Sibu, Miri and Kuching.

Through an open access approach, the festival encourages active participation from collaborators across various fields of art, culture and lifestyle, with involvement from neighboring states and regional countries expected to further enrich the festival's diversity.

Interested artists, organizations and community groups can submit programme proposals via the festival's official website at www.wakfestival.com.

With the completion of major bridges and roads, people can now return home for festive seasons in shorter time, says premier

KUCHING, March 6 2026: The Sarawak government's bridge and road projects not only strengthen the state's transportation network, but also make it easier for people to return to their hometowns and strengthen family ties during the festive seasons.

 Premier Abang Johari Openg: This year, not many of our people will use ferries like in the Daro, Igan, Mukah, Betong and Sri Aman areas because we have completed many bridges. 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said that people now no longer need to worry about facing congestion on the ferry to return home for Hari Raya celebration because better and safer infrastructure facilities have been provided throughout the state.

He said many areas that previously relied on ferry services such as in Daro, Igan, Mukah, Betong and Simanggang are now having travelling time reduced  after the construction of several major bridges was completed.

"This year, not many of our people will use ferries like in the Daro, Igan, Mukah, Betong and Sri Aman areas because we have completed many bridges.

"This means that there is no longer any worry about going back to visit relatives in their respective villages," he said when speaking at the symbolic ceremony of handing over the 2026 Sumbangsih Raya at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here today.

In fact, he explained that the provision of a road network such as the Pan Borneo Highway which does not charge tolls will make it easier for people to travel back to their hometowns.

He added that the provision of a more efficient road network including the Pan Borneo Highway project which does not charge tolls will also provide facilities for people to travel long distances more smoothly and comfortably, especially during the festive season.

Also present were the Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Fatimah Abdullah.