FWTA system strengthens Sarawak's autonomy in determining entry of foreign workers into the state

MIRI, Sept 29 2026: The implementation of the Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) system strengthens Sarawak's autonomy in determining the entry of foreign workers into the state.

Caption: Advisor to Premier's Department Ken Leben says that through a more structured and data-driven approach, the state government can obtain more accurate information to analyze and identify workforce and industry needs.

An advisor at the Sarawak Premier's Department, Ken Leben stressed that this approach grants Sarawak greater flexibility to control, manage, and monitor the influx of the workforce in accordance with industry needs. 

He said the system developed by the Immigration and Labour Management Unit (ILMU) aligns with the state government's aspirations to strengthen governance and enhance service delivery efficiency through digitalization and the use of technology—including artificial intelligence (AI)— under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

“Through a more structured and data-driven approach, we can obtain more accurate information to analyze and identify workforce and industry needs.

“Such data is also crucial for policy planning, economic development, workforce planning, and government decision-making,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the SCSIMon Industry Update programme today.

At the same time, he emphasized that the people of Sarawak must benefit from industrial growth through job opportunities, increased income, and career development.

He noted that the Sarawak government is currently in the process of integrating the Foreign Worker Tracking and Monitoring System (FWTMS) with the systems of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), and the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe).

“This integration aims to enable data exchange and sharing between systems, thereby improving the efficiency of officers processing applications,” he added.

Ken, a former deputy director-general of Malaysian Immigration Department, said that Sarawak Labour Department, Sarawak Immigration Department, Sarawak State Health Department and Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are strategic partners of ILMU that have been involved from the outset in the development of the FWTA system and related process reforms.

The two-day programne, held in conjunction with the Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Month 2026 celebration, brought together government agencies and industry players to receive briefings on the management of non-resident workers in Sarawak.

If bird's nest harvesting at the Niah National Park were to cease, it will lose its value as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, says SFC general manager

NIAH, Sept 29 2026: The state government will continue to allow bird's nest harvesting at the Niah National Park under a monitored licensing system, as stipulated in the Wildlife Protection Ordinance and the Bird's Nest Rules.

Caption: SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran (centre) says  if bird's nest harvesting were to cease, a value of Niah Caves as World Heritage Site would be lost, as it is a practice passed down through generations among the local Niah community.


Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager and controller of Sarawak National Parks and Nature Reserves Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said bird's nest harvesting is a heritage feature of Niah Caves that contributed to the national park's recognition as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

“If bird's nest harvesting were to cease, a value of this World Heritage Site would be lost, as it is a practice passed down through generations among the local Niah community.

“For this reason, the Sarawak government will continue to allow bird's nest harvesting to be carried out under a monitored licensing system, as stipulated in the Wildlife Protection Ordinance and the Bird's Nest Rules,” he 
said in a statement.

He added there are currently only 11 bird's nest harvesting licenses remain active, compared to the 89 licenses previously recorded.

“Active license holders comply with the Niah Caves bird's nest harvesting management system introduced in the 1990s through the Danida Project," he said in a statement today.

“Harvesting activities are permitted during two seasons annually: the first quarter and the last quarter of the year,” Abang Arabi added.

Regarding the issuance of new licenses, Abang Arabi said that opportunities are limited because no new areas within the Niah Caves or Gunung Subis blocks have been identified as productive for bird's nests.

He said SFC is also collaborating with the Sarawak Museum Department to address environmental issues within the caves, such as moss growth on the walls, which could affect the quality of the bird's nests. 

“Bird's nests from Niah Cave were once renowned for being among the highest quality; therefore, the cave environment must be preserved to ensure the harvesting tradition continues,” he said.

He said a total of 1,010.78 kilograms of bird's nests were recorded as harvested at Niah Cave between August 12, 2025, and March 31 of this year.

Names of Malay villages in vicinity of Kuching City may be linked to settlements with similar names in Java, Indonesia, suggests Karim

 KUCHING, Sept 29 2026: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has suggested that the names of  Malay villages in the vicinity of Kuching City  may be linked to the settlements  with similar names in Java  due to emigration of Indonesians to Sarawak before the Brooke era.

Caption: Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says no comprehensive published research explaining the origins of the villages

He suggested deeper research be conducted into the similarities and early history of Sarawak.

He said that to date there has been no comprehensive, published research explaining the origins of village names such as Kampung Gersik, Kampung Boyan, Kampung Surabaya and Kampung Semarang.

"These names likely did not emerge by coincidence; rather, they are believed to hold historical significance, potentially linked to the migration of people from Java to Sarawak in the past.

“If we look at it, these villages already existed before the arrival of the Brookes, indicating the presence of earlier settlement systems and civilizations in Sarawak,” he told reporters after the opening of the International Conference on Sarawak History at Wisma Melayu here today.

He added that the discovery of historical sites—such as the temple ruins in Santubong, which share architectural similarities with Borobudur—further reinforces the possibility of early civilizational influences, such as that of the Srivijaya era, in the region.

He emphasized that Sarawak’s history should not be viewed as beginning solely with the Brooke era; instead, it must encompass earlier periods that demonstrate the existence of governance systems and a multi-ethnic society living in harmony.

He also highlighted other points of interest, such as the Chinese community in Bau that engaged in gold mining prior to the Brookes' arrival, as well as areas like Jalan India and Masjid India in Kuching, which are believed to have long-standing origins.

In light of this, he urged higher learning institutions and local researchers to conduct more research to document this history comprehensively. 

“Documenting this history is crucial so that future generations can understand the community's origins and how inter-racial harmony was established long ago,” he stressed.

At the same time, he emphasized the need for cooperation among various agencies—such as the National Archives, museums, the Sarawak State Library, RTM, and the Information Department—to coordinate existing historical materials.

He explained that although each agency possesses its own comprehensive and well-preserved collection, constraints regarding resource sharing force researchers to visit multiple locations separately.
“Coordination and collaboration among agencies are vital to facilitate access to historical materials and ensure that research efforts can be conducted more comprehensively,” he stated.

Sarawak tightening control over movements of animals from neighbouring territories to de-ecalate the spread of rabies

KUCHING. Sept 29 2026: Sarawak is strengthening its surveillance, enforcement and control of animal movements across its borders in the efforts to de-escalate the spread of rabies from neighbouring territories.

Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, representing Premier Abang Johari Openg, at the launch of Rabies in Asia 2026 conference

Premier Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak's geographical position in Borneo and its ties with neighbouring territories make cross-border cooperation vital in efforts to control and ultimately eradicate rabies.

He said the disease knows no district, state or national boundaries, and therefore prevention and control efforts cannot rely solely on administrative borders.

"Rabies knows no boundaries. This disease does not distinguish between districts, states or countries. Therefore, our efforts to address it cannot be limited to administrative boundaries alone," he said in his text of speech read by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian at the launch of Rabies in Asia (RIA) 2026 conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

THe premier said the role of the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) must continue to be strengthened as an important part of rabies control efforts, particularly in areas at risk of cross-border animal movement.

A total of 113 IBET members are participating in the conference and play a role in strengthening surveillance, enforcement and preventive efforts on the ground.

The premier added that Sarawak is taking various prevention and control measures, including vaccination, surveillance, enforcement, public awareness and cooperation with various agencies and strategic partners.

Among the approaches implemented is Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV), which aims to reach stray dogs that are difficult to catch and vaccinate conventionally.

The latest field programme involved the distribution of 2,281 oral vaccine baits, alongside the vaccination of 3,579 dogs.

The premier stressed that eradicating rabies cannot be shouldered by the government alone, but requires the involvement of technical expertise, field experience, communities and various organisations that share the same goal.

In this regard, the One Health approach will continue to be emphasised, with cooperation between the veterinary health and public health sectors, supported by enforcement agencies, local authorities, researchers, animal welfare organisations and communities.

He said expanding the Rabies in Borneo platform into Rabies in Asia also opens opportunities to strengthen collaboration with more countries and organisations, particularly in surveillance, vaccination, animal movement control, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

"The goal of eradicating rabies cannot be achieved by one country, one agency or one profession alone. It requires sustained commitment and, most importantly, cooperation," he said.

He said continued cooperation is essential to ensure that every step in prevention, detection, monitoring of animal movements and community engagement is further strengthened until the target of eradicating rabies is achieved.

Also present were Tebedu Assemblyman and Malaysian Veterinary Council member Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Loh, state Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) director Abdul Wahab Rahim and Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Dona Wee.

Sarawak records RM11.2 billion in approved invesments in first half of this year, says Awang Tengah

KUCHING, Sept 29 2026:  Sarawak recorded RM11.2 billion in approved investments across the primary, manufacturing, and services sectors in the first half of 2026. Deputy Premier  Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said, stressing that the achievement continues Sarawak’s investment momentum after successfully securing RM116 billion in approved investments between 2021 and 2025.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says that major investments are located in Kuching, Bintulu, and Miri.

He said Sarawak must ensure that received investments not only generate economic growth, but also forge stronger linkages with local economies and domestic players.

“We want investments, whether Domestic Direct Investments (DDI) or Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), to generate quality employment opportunities, technology and knowledge transfer, stronger local enterprises, and broader market access,” he said at the opening of the Sarawak Global Supply Chain & Sourcing 2026 today.

He added that Sarawak's economic transformation is currently opening up opportunities in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors, green energy, downstream oil, gas and petrochemicals, green metals, hydrogen and clean technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, precision engineering, agriculture, and food manufacturing.

He noted that major investments at strategic industrial locations such as Kuching, Bintulu, and Miri must be linked more effectively with Sarawakian businesses in engineering, maintenance, logistics, technology, professional services, manufacturing, digital solutions, and specialised services.

In the meantime, Awang Tengah emphasised that participating in global supply chains requires innovation, discipline, and continuous improvement to meet global clients' demand for quality, reliability, competitiveness and innovation, as well as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

He suggested that capable Sarawakian companies must be identified and systematically prepared to fulfill the procurement needs of major investors.

"This means strengthening certification, quality standards, management systems, production capacity, financial readiness, technology adoption, and delivery reliability," he explained.

Also present were Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak  Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) Lester Matthew.