Over 901,000 people in Sarawak have received Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, says federal minister

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Sept 16 2026:  A total of 901,555 recipients in Sarawak have received benefits through the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), including 88,855 recipients in the Kota Samarahan Parliament.

Caption: Minister Armizan Ali says the poorest only received RM500 per year in 2012, but now in 2026, they receive RM4,600 per year

Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Armizan Mohd Ali said the amount shows the scale of cash assistance provided by the government to help the people deal with the cost of living challenges, with the neediest recipients now able to receive up to RM4,600 per year including the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA).

“In 2012, the poorest only received RM500 per year, but now in 2026, the poorest will have received RM4,600 per year including SARA assistance,” he said when officiating the Sentuhan Kasih and Jualan Rahmah MADANI Programme, here today.

Armizan said the Jualan Rahmah MADANI has been institutionalized as an official and permanent government programme since 2023 to help the people obtain daily necessities at more affordable prices.

He said the implementation of the programme has also been improved to ensure that its benefits can be expanded and accessed more consistently by the community.

"Now this programme has been institutionalised as an official government programme and starting in 2023, it is called the Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme," he said.

He said that among the improvements implemented was setting a target of at least three Rahmah MADANI Sales per month for each State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

According to him, the target allows the programme to be implemented more consistently and not only depends on the presence of leaders or the organisation of certain events.

He added that the implementation has also been expanded through the involvement of strategic partners in the retail sector including grocery stores and supermarkets, thus enabling more premises to offer the benefits of Rahmah MADANI Sales to consumers.

In addition, access to the programme has also been expanded through three implementation methods, namely on-premises, off-premises and mobile premises.

"Now we have three methods. Some are on-premises, some are off-premises and some are mobile like today, so there is more access and can enter the village," he said.

Sabah CM arriving in Kuching to attend national-level Malaysia Day celebration

KUCHING, Sept 16 2026: Sabah Chief Minister  Hajiji Noor arrived in Kuching today to attend the national-level Malaysia Day 2026 celebration to be centred at the Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK) later this evening.

Caption: Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor being welcomed by Sarawak Deputy Minister Dr Penguang Manggil at the Kuching International Airport

He was received by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dr Penguang Manggil.

Hajiji’s arrival in Sarawak reflects a continued commitment to strengthening the spirit of unity and inter-regional cooperation in conjunction with the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration.

The Malaysia Day 2026 celebration bribg together leaders and guests from Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia.

Among them will be Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Premier Abang Johari Openg and federal and state ministers.

Ahmad Zahid to discuss with Indonesian government on transboundary haze issue

KUCHING, Sept 16 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today he will raise the transboundary haze issue with the Indonesian government during his working visit to the republic starting tomorrow.

Caption: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says that proactive measures must be taken by ASEAN member countries, especially when it involves haze with a neighbouring country

He said he will discuss the  matter with the Indonesian Minister of Environment and the Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka as an effort to strengthen coordination between the two countries, especially in addressing hotspot incidents that can contribute to haze.

“Among the important topics is the haze problem which I will discuss and coordinate with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also the Indonesian Vice President,” he told reporters after chairing the National Disaster Supreme Committee meeting here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said a long-term approach must be given priority to prevent the haze problem from recurring and affecting neighbouring countries.

“In my opinion, proactive measures must be taken by ASEAN member countries, especially when it involves haze with a neighbouring country,” he said.

In the meantime, he stressed that regional cooperation is very important in ensuring that preventive measures can be implemented more effectively, especially when facing cross-border air pollution issues.

Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to make a working visit to Jakarta from 17 to 20 September 2026 to attend the Halal-20 Conference: The 5th World Halal Summit 2026 (Summit H20), organised by the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Republic of Indonesia.

Also present during the meeting were Deputy Premier and Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Douglas Uggah Embas and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Rubiah Wang.

MA63 and IGC Report are important foundations in preserving spirit of formation of Malaysia, stresses Awang Tengah

KUCHING, Sept 15 2026: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan stressed that Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) Report are important foundations in preserving the spirit of the formation of Malaysia.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says respecting MA63 and IGC Report means respecting spirit of Malaysia itself

He said that the two documents are not just historical records, but rather reflect the understanding, assurance and spirit that formed the basis of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

“Respecting MA63 and the IGC Report means respecting the spirit of Malaysia itself, a federation built on trust, respect and recognition of the rights and interests of all parties," he said in his Malaysia Day message.

According to him, after more than six decades of the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak has now changed a lot with stronger economic progress and increasing investor confidence.

He said that Sarawak has recorded more than RM116 billion in investment value from Domestic Investment (DDI) and Foreign Capital Investment (MPI) in the five years since 2021.

However, he stressed that progress cannot be measured by numbers alone, but rather real development must be translated into a better future, quality education, job opportunities with good salaries and wider economic opportunities for the people.

“When a family, whether in the city or the countryside, can enjoy a more prosperous life, that is Sarawak that is changing, a Sarawak that is developed and has high income,” he said.

Awang Tengah also stressed that Malaysia’s strength lies in the strength of the regions and states that make it up.

“When Sarawak develops, Malaysia changes. When Sarawak prospers, Malaysia becomes more prosperous,” he emphasised.

He called on the people to continue to preserve unity and strengthen the spirit of togetherness that is the foundation of the formation of the nation to ensure that today’s success can be continued for future generations.

Separately, another Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said that Malaysia Day celebration should be a space for all Malaysians to relive the history of the formation of the country and understand their respective rights and responsibilities in the Federation of Malaysia.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says Malaysia Day celebration is a reminder of the formation of Malaysia

He explained that September 16 is not just a public holiday, but rather an important date for Malaysians to reflect on the meaning of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and the direction of the country.

According to him, the celebration is a reminder of the formation of Malaysia in 1963 which involved the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore.

In this regard, he hopes that the people understand the history of the formation of Malaysia more deeply, including the position of the rights of Sabah and Sarawak and the responsibilities of the Federal Government based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.

“Let us together celebrate Malaysia Day with purpose, mission and vision,” he said in a special message in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration on Tuesday.

Dr Sim said Sarawak is now receiving increasing attention with high hopes placed on this state in shaping the future of Malaysia.

“Recently, most people have looked to Sarawak and placed their hopes on Sarawak as another way forward for Malaysia,” he said.

He also called on all Malaysians to use the Malaysia Day celebration as a momentum to strengthen the spirit of togetherness and jointly build the country's future.

Tellian YB lodging police report regarding the use of "analogy touching upon religious sensitivities"

MUKAH, Sept 15 2026: Tellian State Legislative Member (SLM) Royston Valentine has lodged a police at the Mukah district police headquarters "regarding the use of an analogy touching upon religious sensitivities in a recent speech by a political representative."

Caption: Tellian SLM Royston Valentine holding a copy of his police report in front of the Mukah police station. Picture-Facebook

He said he was at the station over three hours to assist the investigating officer and to clarify his position and the grounds for the report.

"I took this action not because of political ideological differences; that is why I arrived alone, without the presence of members from the political party I represent," Royston said in his Facebook post.

"This is a matter of my responsibility as a Christian, my concern for religious sensitivities, and my commitment to the harmony of Malaysia’s plural society—all aimed at preventing such incidents from recurring in the future.

"I believe that issues touching on the 3Rs (Royalty, Religion, and Race) should not be gambled with or used for comparisons that could spark misunderstandings, unease, or tension within society.

"I leave this matter entirely to the police to conduct an investigation that is professional, fair, and in accordance with the law," he wrote.

At the same time, he said he wishes to emphasise to everyone—and remind himself as well—that freedom of speech comes with great responsibility.

"As a representative of the people and my faith, I will continue to stand firm in upholding the harmony, tolerance, and mutual respect between religions and races that have long formed the foundation of Malaysia's unity," he stressed.

Royston reminded that not all jokes are suitable for every society, saying that in a plural society like Malaysia, what might be considered an ‘adult joke’ in the West is not necessarily acceptable here—especially when it involves religious sensitivities.

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