Nanta Linggi eyeing Melekun, one of the 17 new state seats?

KUCHING, May 9 2026: Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi has repeatedly said that he wishes to contest a state seat in the Sarawak state election which is due in February next year.

Caption: Works Minister and PBB secretary general Alexander Nanta Linggi has repeated his wish to go for a state seat in the coming Sarawak election 

However, he said his wish depends on Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leadership whose decision is crucial for him to enter the state legislative assembly (SLA).

He hinted that the state seat that he is eyeing will be in Kapit.

“After so long in Parliament, I do not rule out if there is a need for me to consider a role at the state level, subject to the party's agreement,” he told reporters after attending Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) meeting at the party  headquarters today.

He said he has served as Kapit MP for six terms or 30 years, saying it is time for him to move to another chapter of his political career.

Asked if given a chance to contest a state seat in the Sarawak election which seat he will contest, he replied: “In Kapit”, without being specific.

Under Kapit parliamentary constituency, there are three state seats - Pelagus, Katibas and Bukit Goram.

While Pelagus is ruled out because it belongs to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Katibas and Bukit Goram are PBB seats.

Lidam Hassan is Katibas incumbent while Jefferson Jamit is the incumbent for Bukit Goram.

However, Nanta can choose to contest in Melekun, one of the 17 new Sarawak seats.

Melekun is created out of Kapit parliamentary seats.

If the 17 new Sarawak state seats have been endorsed by Parliament before the Sarawak state election, Nanta may well be contesting Melekun, which is certain it will be allocated to PBB.

So, Lidam and Jamit need not step down to give way to Nanta, who is also PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary general.

Nanta is a grandson of Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng, one of the signatories of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Badly mutilated body of 64-year old man found, believed to be crocodile victim

MARUDI, May 8 2026: The  badly mutilated body of a  64-year old senior citizen has been found floating on Sungai Ridan by a search party this morning.

Caption: The badly mutilated body of a 64-year old senior citizen, covered with plastic bag, was found by a search party 

Marudi Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) spokesman, in a statement, said the man is believed to have been mauled by a crocodile while he was fishing at Sungai Ridan here yesterday.

“Only his head, two legs and one hand are still attached to the badly mutilated body, “ the spokesman said.

According to him, Marudi Bomba received a call from the man’s younger brother about 9.20pm last night, informed him that his brother had not returned home.

He said the younger brother was informed by the villagers that the victim had left his motorcycle by Sungai Ridan.

He said the victim’s clothes and fishing gear were found under the bridge.

“Initial search efforts were carried out at the scene, but still failed to find the victim,” the spokesman said.

Female hiker, 41, loses consciousness while ascending Bukit Selabat

KUCHING, May 8 2026: A female hiker, 41,, lost consciousness while she and her seven hikers were ascending Bukit Selabat, here, this morning.

Caption: Firemen using a stretcher to bring down the female hiker to the foot of Bukit Selabat 

Tabuan Jaya Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in  statement, said it received a emergency call about 6.10am, requesting for assistance to bring down the hiker to the foot of Bukit Selabat.

Upon arrival at the scene, the firemen found the woman unconscious while hiking up the mountain.

The statement said the firemen then brought the victim down the steep mountain slope. 

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the firemen transferred the victim to a stretcher to be taken to the registration site area and then handed over to the emergency medical response services unit  for follow-up action.