Premier hinting Sarawak civil servants to receive a two-month bonus this year

SARIKEI, Aug 8 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has hinted that the state civil servants would likely receive a two-month salary bonus following the state's income performance for the first six months.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg receiving a memento from Deputy Minister Len Talif Salleh at the opening of the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) programme 

The hint was based on the latest the state’s financial report that he has received.

However, he will announce the details when he tables next year’s state Budget in the November sitting of the State Legislative Assembly (SLA).

"According to the report that  I received for the last six months, it is quite convincing, but I cannot reveal it until budget time. But today I see civil servants and others working hard, I dare say two months," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating  Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) 2026 Programme for Sarikei Division today.

The premier added that the hint of the bonus payment takes into account the state's current income performance, as well as the commitment and efforts of civil servants in ensuring that the development agenda and service delivery to the people continue to be implemented effectively.

He said that the Sarawak government will provide various incentives to officers as appreciation for their commitment and efforts in carrying out their respective responsibilities.

Air quality in Sarawak continues to deteriorate, with six districts recording an API at over 100

KUCHING, Aug 8 2026: Air quality in Sarawak continues to deteriorate as at 8am today, with six districts recording an Air Pollutant Index (AP) of unhealthy level.

Caption: The data shows the air quality index (AP) for Sarawak as at 8am today

With the prevailing hazy conditions enveloping Sarawak, the air quality index (API) for Serian district has gone up to 171 (162 recorded yesterday), Kuching and Samarahan at 154 (both 152 yesterday), Sri Aman 139 (89 yesterday).  Bintulu 124 (89 yesterday) and Tebedu with an API of 114 (127 yesterday).

Bario district, however, continues to have “good” aur quality, registering an API at 28.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Board on its website, the other districts registering below 100 API or at moderate level.

Sarikei district registered an API of 97, Mukah 96, Samalaju 93,  Sibu 92, Miri 82 and ILP Miri .

API Levels and Meanings:

Good (0–50): Air quality is safe; pollution poses little or no risk.

Moderate (51–100): Air quality is acceptable, though sensitive individuals may experience minor issues.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101–150): Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease may face health effects.

Unhealthy (151–200): General public health effects can occur; sensitive groups may experience more serious issues.

Very Unhealthy (201–300): Health alert warning of emergency conditions for the entire population.

Hazardous (301–500): Emergency warning; everyone is likely to be heavily affected and should avoid outdoor activities.

Repair work on burst main pipe in MIri expected to be completed later tonight

MIRI, Aug 7 2026: Repair work on the 18-inch AC main pipe that burst near GK Supermarket at Bulatan Pujut 3 is expected to be completed later tonight, while water supply to the affected areas will be restored in stages after the distribution system returns to stability.

Caption: Minister Lee Kim Shin observing the workers repairing the burst main pipe

Transport Minister and Senadin State Legislative Member (SLM) Lee Kim Shin said the water supply restoration process is expected to take up to 12 hours depending on the pressure in the distribution system.

“Water tanker trucks have been sent to the affected areas to assist residents who need temporary water supplies,” he said after personally inspecting the repair work carried out by Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd  at the incident site this evening.

Earlier this morning, Lee was informed of the water supply disruption in Permyjaya, Desa Senadin, Tudan and surrounding areas. Lee immediately contacted Sarawak Water to obtain information on the cause of the incident and the progress of the repair work.

Sarawak Water informed that the burst pipe incident that occurred at around 4am affected the water supply in Piasau, Permyjaya, Tudan, Lutong, Senadin, Southlake, Vista Perdana, Kuala Baram and surrounding areas.

“Sarawak Water also opened several border valves to divert water supply to several areas, thus allowing some consumers to receive water supply again in the afternoon,” he said.

He said that the water supply would not be restored simultaneously once the repair work was completed because the distribution system needed time to refill and build pressure before the supply returned to normal.

In this regard, he urged Sarawak Water to continue to provide the latest information to the public until the water supply was fully restored.

Touching on the traffic congestion around Pujut Roundabout 3, Lee said that the incident had not only affected the water supply, but also caused inconvenience to road users.

Following this, he had contacted the Miri District Police to deploy traffic personnel at the affected locations to control and smooth the flow of traffic on the route which is already busy every day.-

Four districts in Sarawak register unhealthy air quality as at 4pm

KUCHING, Aug 7 2026: Four districts - Serian, Kuching, Samarahan and Tebedu - registered an unhealthy air quality as at 4pm today.

Caption: Data of air pollutant index for Sarawak

According to Natural Resources and Environment Board, Serian registered an air pollutant index (API) of 162, Kuching and Samarahan both recorded API of 152 and Tebedu, an API of 127.

Thirteen districts recorded a moderate API while Bario registered an API of 28 which is considered as good.

Sarikei district registered an API of 91, Sri Aman and Bintulu with 89 and Sibu 88.

AQI Levels and Meanings

Good (0–50): Air quality is safe; pollution poses little or no risk.

Moderate (51–100): Air quality is acceptable, though sensitive individuals may experience minor issues.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101–150): Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease may face health effects.

Unhealthy (151–200): General public health effects can occur; sensitive groups may experience more serious issues.

Very Unhealthy (201–300): Health alert warning of emergency conditions for the entire population.

Hazardous (301–500): Emergency warning; everyone is likely to be heavily affected and should avoid outdoor exertion