Instill a deeper understanding of Sarawak beyond what are contained in school history textbooks, Dr Sim tells teachers

BATU KAWA, June 23 2026: BATU KAWA, June 23 2026: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has urged teachers to instill in students a deeper understanding of Sarawak beyond what is contained in history textbooks.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says that students should have a proper understanding of the formation of Malaysia

He said this is to assist the Sarawak government in nurturing a stronger and more confident sense of nation-building among the future generations.

He added many important aspects of Sarawak’s history, identity and contemporary development may not be adequately covered in existing school textbooks, but this should not prevent educators from imparting such knowledge to the younger generation, particularly students.

“Students should have a proper understanding of the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak’s position within the Federation of Malaysia, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), non-negotiable rights and safeguards accorded to Sarawak, as well as Sarawak’s development achievements and future direction.

“These are all important areas of knowledge for our students,” he said when presenting education grants to Chinese primary schools, national primary, secondary schools and independent Chinese secondary schools within his Batu Kawa state constituency.

He noted that the current Malaysian school curriculum provides only limited coverage on Sarawak’s history and related matters, making it necessary for teachers to complement classroom learning with additional information on Sarawak.

Dr Sim stressed that the Sarawak government places great emphasis on education and regards Chinese primary schools and independent Chinese secondary schools as integral components of the Sarawak's education system.

“Over the years, the Sarawak government has consistently provided financial assistance and even allocated land to support the development of Chinese schools.

“The Sarawak government has also been providing annual grants to independent Chinese secondary schools,”  he said, adding that since 2014, a total of RM102 million in annual allocations has been channelled to these schools, reflecting the Sarawak government’s commitment to treating all communities fairly and ensuring that no ethnic group's education is neglected.

He added that the state government is investing substantially in the implementation of its Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue higher education.

“IIn this regard, I hope teachers will continue to devote themselves wholeheartedly to nurturing students so that every child can play a meaningful role in Sarawak’s Nation-Building efforts,” he said.

Dr Sim said a total of RM13 million had been allocated to schools within his constituency from 2016 to 2025.

The schools are SJK Chung Hua Rantau Panjang, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang Ulu, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Moyan, SJK Chung Hua Syn San Too, SJK Chung Hua Kim Choo Seng, SJK Chung Hua Batu Kawa, SJKC Stapok, SJKC Sungai Tapang Kuching (MJC, Batu Kawa), SK Rantau Panjang, SK Jalan Arang, SMK Batu Kawa, SK Stapok, SK Garland, SK RPR Batu Kawa,SM Min Lit and SMK Jalan Arang.

Abang Johari meeting with GPS MPs and Senators in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23  2026 – Premier Abang Johari Openg last night chaired a joint meeting with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Members of Parliament and Senators in conjunction with the Parliament session which began yesterday.

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg chairing a meeting attended by GPS MPs and Senators

The meeting focused on current issues related to Sarawak's development, the implementation of strategic projects and efforts to champion Sarawak's rights and interests at the federal level.

According to Sarawakku, the official Facebook account of the Premier's Department, the meeting also served as an important platform to coordinate GPS's stance and strategy in strengthening Sarawak's voice at the national level.

In the meeting, the premier emphasised the importance of cooperation, unity and continuous commitment among GPS elected representatives to ensure that Sarawak's development agenda can be implemented effectively for the well-being of the people.

Parliament will sit from June 22 to 16 July 2026 for 16 days.

Meanwhile, the Dewan Negara is scheduled to sit from July 20 to August 4, 2026 for 10 days. The previous session of the Dewan Rakyat ended on March 3 after lasting 20 days.

Abang Johari keeping close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak State Assembly

BAU, June 22 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg is keeping  close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) to pave the way for the state election.

Caption: Premier and  GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg refuses to give any indication on the timing of the dissolution of the state assembly

He simply refused to give any indication when pressed by reporters after the opening of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) today.

“When is the (state) election? I don’t know either. So I cannot respond to your question,” Abang Johari said, quoted by  online news portal Dayak Daily.

He said his focus now is on “other priorities”

However, political pundits believe that the coming Sarawak state election could be held in November.

The term of the current SLA expires in February next year.

The election date could be clearer after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has its three regional conventions between July and September this year.

Based on past experiences, most of the state elections were held in November.

The last state election was held in December 2021 soon after the lifting of the state of Covid-19 emergency.

Holding state election in December is rather rare because the month is often associated with wet season and, therefore, unsuitable.

Meanwhile, the premier said a building in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, has been identified  to be used as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office, which will serve as a hub for economic and trade links between Sarawak and the region.

He said the office will be developed according to the same model as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office currently operating in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

"We have identified a building in Pontianak to be the office of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office like the ones we built in Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The model is the same and we will place officers and staff there.

"Because there are these facilities, it can be a hub of communication between us, Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.

 

Bidayuh Cultural Centre to serve as a centre for preserving heritage of the community

BAU:. June 22 2026: Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB), costing RM9 million, will serve as a centre for preserving the cultural heritage of the Bidayuh community as well as a platform that strengthens unity and the spirit of togetherness among the local community.

Caption: The iconic Bidayah Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) will open opportunities for the community ro meet

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the cultural centre provides a space for the community to gather, interact and carry out various activities that reflect the customs and traditions of the Bidayuh community in Bau.

“The existence of BCCB also opens up opportunities for the community to highlight their culture, talent and unique heritage to the younger generation and visitors.

"When we have a cultural centre, it becomes a space for the community to meet and hold cultural activities that reflect the customs and culture of the community in Bau, the majority of which is made up of the Bidayuh community.

"This is where they can highlight their culture, how they interact with each other and their talents," he said at the opening of the centre.

The premier added that the appreciation of shared culture and traditions can strengthen the relationship between communities thus fostering closer unity.

According to him, the spirit of unity instilled through cultural activities can serve as an example to other communities in efforts to preserve harmony and strengthen social relations.

The premier later handed over  a total of 1,316 land lots under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code were handed over to 1,142 recipients, involving the areas of Apar, Tabong, Segong, Tanjong Poting, Grogo, Sibuluh and Banan.

In addition, a total of 793 land lots in the SALCRA area were also handed over to 655 recipients involving the Jagoi OPE and Bratak OPE areas.

Abang  Johari also submitted the Native Communal Reserve Gazette for the Banan Area (Kampung Grogo/Sibuluh) with an area of 121 hectares and the Senggi-Poak Area, Jalan Batu Kawa, Tondong (Kampung Atas) with an area of 9.7 hectares.