Abang Johari: If I have rejeki, it is possible I may reduce AirBorneo fare of RM375 for Kuching-Kuala Lumpur sector

SEBUYAU, July 9 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg said the state government may consider lowering AirBorneo’s fare rate of RM375 for flights along the Kuching-Kuala Lumpur sector.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg (seated, centre) speaking to reporters after official opening of Batang Lupar No. 1 Bridge 

AirBorneo is introducing fares of RM375 all-in for a one-way Economy Class ticket and from RM736 all-in for a one - way Business Class ticket, inclusive of airport taxes and fuel surcharges, for a year travel commencing from July 20 2026.

“If I have “rejeki”, it is possible that I may considering reducing the fares for the benefit of people of Sarawak,” he said at the opening of Batang Lupar No.1 Bridge.

He said the purpose of setting up AirBorneo is not to make profit, but to provide service to the people.

“We want to give opportunities to the people to connect with each other.

“It is also a way for us to connect to places outside Borneo,” he explained.

He said the fare of RM375 for one-way is cheap because it is also include foods and drinks while on board.

The premier noted that each time there is a festival, such as Hari Raya or Gawai Dayak or Chinese New Year, commercial airlines would raise the price of tickets.

“It causes a lot of frustration and disappointment among Sarawakians  working in Malaya who want to be with their families in Sarawak.

“As long as I am the premier I will not allow AirBorneo to increase the price of their air tickets,” he said.

225 kaban baru SUPP, mandang pengandal ke penau GPS

SARIKEI, 9 Julai 2026: : Bisi 225 kaban baru nerima kad nyadi kaban Parti Sa’ati Rayat Sarawak (SUPP) lalu mandangka pengandal sida ngagai pengeransing parti nya sereta tuai Gempung Parti Sarawak (GPS) ngemudi pemansang nengeri.

Caption: Kaban parti SUPP nerima kad nyadi kaban

Sapit Menteri Pengawa Bekebun Bedandang Besai enggau Komoditi ti mega Chairman SUPP Pampang Sarikei, Huang Tiong Sii madah, kaban ti nambah nya mandangka sukung rat rayat ngagai pengawa SUPP ti semampai keran negi hak rayat enggau pemansang Sarawak.

Iya ngelalu semua kaban baru ba ruang bilik besai SUPP lalu ngarap sida ulih begulai negap parti sereta terus gawa ke komuniti.

“SUPP semampai ngelalu penatai kaban baru. Pengelebih parti bepanggai ba kaban ti bekunsi juluk iya nya gawa ke rayat enggau ngemansang Sarawak.

“Aku mega gaga meda majak mayuh raban nembiak ngulu SUPP. Nengah semangat enggau kerejasama semua, kitai ulih nempa Sarawak ti maju, seati enggau lantang agi,” terang iya.

Iya nyebut jaku nya lebuh bejadi Pengawa Nyua Kad Nyadi Kaban SUPP di Palan Servis Pengari Rayat Repok, ditu, Hari Tiga.

Kaban Parlimen Sarikei nya madah, SUPP nyadi siti ari parti komponen pemungkal GPS deka terus mangku pengawa besai nentuka penegap politik nengeri seraya meri servis pemadu manah ngagai rayat. 

Huang ti mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Repok madah, nengah iring Premier Sarawak enggau GPS, parti nya deka naka ulih ngemujur agenda pemansang ke pengelantang rayat sereta pemansang Sarawak. - Ukas

Btg Lupar No.1 Bridge officially declared opened, recognised as the longest bridge spanning over a river in the country

SEBUYAU, July 9 2026: Batang Lupar No. 1 bridge was officially declared opened today, recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records as the longest bridge spanning over a river ever to be built in the country.

Caption: A representative of the Malaysian Book of Records handing a certificate to recognise Batang Lupar No, 1 Bridge as the longest bridge in Malaysia spanning over a river to Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah, witnessed by Premier Abang Johari Openg

Premier  Abang Johari Openg declared the RM849 million bridge opened in the presence, among others, Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Douglas Uggah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar, Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Dr Stephen Rundie Utom and Utilities and Telecommunication Minister and Sebuyau State Legislative Member Julaihi Narawi.

Batang Lupar No. 1 is a two-lane, one-way bridge spanning the Batang Lupar River , connecting Sebuyau with Triso.

 With a total length of 4.884km , the bridge was built to the state Public Works Department R5 standards and is supported by 87 bridge piers.

The bridge was officially opened to the public on May 21, 2026 at 4pm, completely replacing the previously operating Batang Lupar ferry service and seamlessly connecting the Coastal Corridor.

The construction of the bridge is a key component of the Coastal Roads Network and the Second Major Road Plan by the State  government which aims to drive socio-economic and commercial activities in the coastal area.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the bridge was held on March 21 2021.

Batang Lupar No.1 bridge was one of the three major bridge projects cancelled by the Pakatan Harapan federal government.

The state government took over the funding from the federal government as its significance and importance to Sarawak was beyond politics.

Speaking to reporters later, the premier said the construction of the bridge was at the request of the local communities and Julaihi as well as the then Batang Lupar Member of Parliament Rohani Karim.

He said the construction was approved by the then Prime Minister Najib Razak and the then Chief Minister the late Adenan Satem in 2018.

“After the defeat of the Barisan Nasional government, the new federal government of Pakatan Harapan led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Finance Ministe Lim Guan Eng and Works Minister Baru Bian decided that there was no need to build the bridge.

“They said the funds for the bridge was needed for the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road.

“Gabungan Parti Sarawak, at that time, was an opposition coalition at the federal level,” he said, adding that it was difficult for the federal government to continue with the bridge project.

Abang Johari said, he as the leader of the state government and other state leaders, decided they must find solution so the bridge’s construction could proceed.

Anwar, Abang Johari attending National Climate Change Council meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg today attended the Seventh Meeting of the National Climate Change Action Council (MTPIN) Number 1 of 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, at Parliament House.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Premier Abang Johari Openg extending greetings before the start of the National Climate Action Council meeting at Parliament House

The meeting was the main platform to strengthen cooperation between the federal government, state governments and related agencies in accelerating the implementation of the country's climate change agenda.

Among the matters discussed were the effects of global warming on Malaysia, preparatory measures to reduce its impact on the national economy and efforts to strengthen the country's resilience in facing the challenges of climate change.

The meeting also examined new opportunities that can be exploited to increase the country's economic competitiveness in line with the transition towards low-carbon, sustainable and resilient development.

Also present were members of the National Climate Change Action Council (MTPIN), federal ministers, chief minister, state secretaries and representatives from relevant ministries and agencies.

Meanwhile, the premier yesterday attended a meeting with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund (SSWF) Office.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to strengthen strategic engagement and exchange views on matters of mutual interest, particularly in areas related to sustainable development, economic growth and regional cooperation.

The ADB delegation was led by Director General Zhang Nian Shan and included Regional Cooperation Director Alfredo Perdiguero, Advisor Said Zaidansyah, and Senior Country Specialist Gary Krishnan.

The Sarawak delegation comprised Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Deputy State Financial Secretary Hasmawati Sapawi, Director of the Economic Planning Unit Sarawak (EPU) Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, Director of Sarawak Climate and Energy Diplomacy Unit (SACED) Angelia Liew San Chuin, and Head of the Urban and Regional Planning Division, EPU, Robita Lee Robinson.

The engagement underscores Sarawak's continued commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with international development institutions in advancing the state's long-term development agenda and sustainable economic aspirations.

Sagah: English proficiency essential requirement to produce workforce that can compete globally

KUCHING, July 8 2026: Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister  Roland Sagah Wee Inn stressed that English proficiency is no longer an advantage, but rather an essential requirement to produce a workforce that can compete globally.

Caption: Education Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn says many graduates have failed to get jobs because they have poor command of the English Language

He said that apart from having technical skills, graduates also need to master English so that they can communicate confidently and compete internationally.

“As educators, including myself, we are responsible for equipping students not only with academic knowledge, but also language skills and confidence to succeed in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world,” he said when officiating English Education Symposium (SELES) 2026 here today.

"Weak English proficiency is still one of the main factors affecting the marketability of graduates, especially in multinational companies," he reminded.

He said that the results of a survey conducted several years ago found that many graduates failed to get jobs not because of a lack of academic qualifications, but because of poor English proficiency.

In fact, he said that some graduates in the field still face difficulties in speaking well, thus showing the need to strengthen the quality of English teaching and learning.

He said the Sarawak government continues to emphasize efforts to strengthen English proficiency through the implementation of the Dual Language Programme Sarawak (DLP Sarawak) and the Dual Language Programme Sarawak Assessment Test (UPDLPS) as among the strategic initiatives to improve language competence among students.

Also present was the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee.