Students in remote and rural areas must have access to quality education, says Snowdan

KUCHING, Sept 12 2026: Students in rural and remote areas must have access to quality education and equitable learning facilities to ensure they are not left behind in the progress of educational development.

Caption:  Deputy Minister Snowdan Lawan states that educational development should not focus solely on infrastructure but must also address accessibility, digital skills, and human capital development. 

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Snowdan Lawan stated that educational development should not focus solely on infrastructure but must also address access, digital skills, and human capital development.

“Efforts to bridge the digital divide need to be intensified, including through the provision of technological facilities that can enrich students' learning experiences,” he said while speaking at the Simunjan District Education Office (PPD) Excellent Service Award (APC) presentation yesterday.

He added that one of the initiatives implemented in his constituency involves supplying smartboards to schools, enabling rural students to engage in more interactive learning methods.

He noted that his involvement with the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) has facilitated the construction of a digital technology space at SMK Balai Ringin, as well as a robotics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) centre at SK Pantu.

Meanwhile, 98 educators and support staff from the Simunjan District Education Office (PPD) received the Excellent Service Award (APC) in recognition of their commitment, integrity, and dedication in carrying out their duties over the past year.

Snowdan remarked that the APC event is not merely an award presentation ceremony but serves as a catalyst for educators to continuously enhance their professionalism, integrity, and service delivery quality.

“It is hoped that such recognition will inspire educators to continue providing excellent service, ensuring that Sarawak’s educational agenda is effectively implemented,” he said.

The State Legislative Member for Balai Ringin also expressed his appreciation to teachers serving in rural and remote areas for continuing to carry out their duties despite facing geographical and logistical challenges.

He also suggested that schools take students to visit the TEGAS Digital Hub in Sama Jaya to provide them with early exposure to technology and the digital economy.

Sarawak Council of Customs and Traditions reaching out to the Bidayuh community residing in Malaya

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 2026: The Sarawak Council of Customs and Traditions (MAIS) has reached out to the Bidayuh community residing in Malaya in the efforts to expand networks and strengthen ties with the Bidayuh community living outside Sarawak.

Caption: MAIS officials with members of the Bidayuh community residing in Malaya

MAIS head Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat said the initiative reflects the continued connection with their origins, identity and cultural heritage despite being far from Sarawak.

"This programme aims to introduce and improve the community's understanding of the Bidayuh Customary Ordinance 1994, in addition to collecting views, experiences and feedback on customary practices in the context of daily life outside Sarawak," he said.

He said this when officiating the Bidayuh Customary Empowerment Programme 1994 with the Bidayuh Community in Malaya.

The programme organised by MAIS in collaboration with the Klang Valley Branch of the National Dayak Bidayuh Association (DBNA) was attended by 50 participants from the Bidayuh community living in Malaya.

Neilson said that MAIS would continue such outreach initiatives to ensure that the Sarawakian ethnic community abroad always receives the latest information regarding the codification and review of native customs.

He said that the effort is important to ensure that native traditional customs continue to be understood and practiced, as well as remaining relevant to the changing lives and needs of today's society.

"This approach also provides space for MAIS to obtain the views and experiences of the Bidayuh community outside Sarawak on the implementation of customs in daily life," he said.

Also present were the Director of the Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy, Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  Westmoreland Edward Palon, Director of the Centre for Language and Cultural Diplomacy of IDFR Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet and the Chairman of DBNA Klang Valley Branch, Connie Christopher Kesa.

PBK Voon: Putrajaya must move beyond discussions and deliver comprehensive and time-bound settlement of constitutional and political issues

KUCHING, Sept 12 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president called on the federal government to move beyond discussions and deliver a comprehensive and time-bound settlement of the constitutional and political issues arising from the formation of Malaysia.

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says that PBK's position is that there are serious historical and constitutional questions as to whether the Malaysia Agreement was validly implemented in accordance with all of its essential terms and safeguards

He said  Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's presence, together with the participation of Premier Abang Johari Openg and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor in Kota Kinabalu, demonstrates that the implementation of MA63 remains a matter of national importance.

“However, PBK's position goes further. It maintains that the validity, foundation and continuing constitutional consequences of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 must be examined honestly and without political fear,” Voon said in a statement when commenting on the Implementation of MA63 Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

“Our position is that there are serious historical and constitutional questions as to whether the Malaysia Agreement was validly implemented in accordance with all of its essential terms and safeguards,” Voon said.

He added PBK also maintains that, even assuming that MA63 was validly implemented, the constitutional circumstances and foundations upon which Malaysia was formed were materially altered by the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965.

“These are legitimate constitutional and political questions which must not be treated as taboo,” he said, adding that MA63 itself records that North Borneo and Sarawak, together with Singapore, were to be federated with the existing states of the Federation of Malaya and that the resulting federation was thereafter to be called Malaysia.

“The original constitutional structure of 1963 also expressly distinguished the states of Malaya from the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

“PBK therefore rejects any historical narrative which treats Sarawak and Sabah merely as ordinary administrative units of Malaya.

“They were founding Borneo States and constituent parties in the formation of Malaysia, with special constitutional safeguards and arrangements arising from MA63 and the constitutional instruments associated with it.

“The constitutional settlement must therefore be restored and respected in substance, not merely in words,” Voon stressed.

He said PBK suggested that federal government must review and, where necessary, repeal, amend or restore every provision of the Federal Constitution which has diminished, altered or failed to give effect to the constitutional position, safeguards and rights originally secured for Sarawak and Sabah.

He said the objective must be to restore the constitutional balance contemplated at the formation of Malaysia, including the distinct position of the Borneo States within the Federation.

“This must not be reduced to changing terminology alone. Constitutional recognition must be accompanied by the restoration of the substance of the rights and safeguards,” he said.

Voon also said the governments of Sarawak and Sabah must jointly demand from the federal government the restoration of all constitutional, legislative, administrative and financial rights, powers and safeguards which were transferred, reduced, diluted, altered or otherwise taken away contrary to the constitutional settlement associated with MA63.

“This should include a comprehensive review of matters relating to legislative and executive powers, immigration, financial rights, natural resources, development, public administration and other safeguards specifically applicable to Sarawak and Sabah.

“The federal government must provide a clear list of outstanding matters, a timetable for implementation and a mechanism for independent verification,” he suggested.

Voon also said there must be a definite and short timetable for the federal government to complete the restoration of these rights.

“This cannot continue indefinitely from one negotiation to another, from one committee to another and from one prime minister to another.

“If the federal government is unwilling or unable to complete the constitutional settlement within the agreed timetable, then the governments and peoples of Sarawak and Sabah must consider, through lawful, democratic and constitutional means, what further constitutional options are available to them,” he said, pointing out that PBK does not advocate violence, disorder or unconstitutional action.

“But PBK will not accept the proposition that Sarawak and Sabah must remain permanently bound by an arrangement merely because successive governments have failed to honour its constitutional spirit and safeguards.

 

“PBK therefore calls for political courage, not endless negotiation,” Voon stressed, stating that if constitutional safeguards were agreed, they must be respected.

SUHAKAM welcomes Apex Court's decision that Orang Asli communities possess communal and proprietary rights over customary lands

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 2026: – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has welcomed the Federal Court’s decision in favour of seven Orang Asli villagers from Kampung Batu 20, Pekan, Pahang, concerning the destruction of their ancestral graves during development activities. 

In a statement, it said the unanimous decision reinstated the High Court’s ruling in favour of the villagers, including the award of RM20,000 in general damages to each of the seven plaintiffs.

“Significantly, the Federal Court affirmed that Orang Asli communities possess communal and proprietary rights over customary lands on which they have traditionally lived, foraged, farmed and fished, notwithstanding the absence of formal land titles,” SUHAKAM said in a statement.

It said it particularly welcomes the Court’s recognition that Orang Asli customary rights extend beyond the physical occupation or economic use of land to encompass their cultural and spiritual relationship with their ancestors and traditional territories, including access to ancestral burial grounds.

It added that the Court’s finding that the desecration of ancestral graves strikes at the core of Orang Asli dignity affirms the deep connection between land, culture, spirituality and identity.

It said the judgment further reinforces that the issuance of land titles or development rights to third parties does not, by itself, extinguish pre-existing customary rights.

“This decision underscores the need to protect customary rights before development takes place, rather than leaving affected communities to seek redress only after harm has occurred,” SUHAKAM said.

It reiterates that government authorities, state agencies and businesses have a responsibility to identify and respect customary land rights before land is alienated or development projects are approved or commenced.

“This requires meaningful engagement with affected communities and respect for the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), particularly where development may affect customary lands, burial grounds, sacred sites, livelihoods or cultural heritage.

“The decision is also consistent with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Malaysia supported.

“UNDRIP recognises Indigenous Peoples’ rights to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied lands and territories, and to practise and revitalise their cultural traditions and customs,” it noted.

It, therefore, calls on the federal and state governments to strengthen the legal and administrative recognition and protection of Orang Asli customary land rights.

“Clear safeguards are needed to ensure that customary territories, burial grounds and culturally significant sites are properly identified and protected before land is alienated, leased or approved for development.

“Businesses operating on or near customary territories must likewise undertake effective human rights due diligence to prevent adverse impacts on the rights, dignity, culture and heritage of Orang Asli communities and ensure access to effective remedies where harm occurs.

“This judgment is an important reminder that development cannot be pursued at the expense of human dignity, cultural identity and the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” SUHAKAM said, stressing that protecting Orang Asli customary lands is not merely a matter of land administration, but one of equality, dignity, cultural survival and justice.