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Sarawak takes 5,000 health worker shortfall to JPA
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said 18 per cent of health sector posts in the state, over 5,000 positions, remain unfilled. The matter has been raised with the Public Service Department and in MA63 talks, including a proposal for a special task force on local recruitment. He said Sarawak will keep pursuing health autonomy even though it requires amending 41 laws.
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FDS stays core to rural health in Sarawak, says Dr Sim
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) will remain a key part of rural healthcare in Sarawak. He said the helicopter crash involving the service is a point to reassess how health services reach the interior, and the state government is waiting for the official report before deciding further steps. He spoke to reporters at the home of the late Debra Moset in Padawan today.
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Sarawak ready to help Health Ministry improve services after Long Lellang crash
The Sarawak government is ready to assist the Health Ministry in improving healthcare delivery, including the Flying Doctor Service, following the recent helicopter crash in Long Lellang. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said any assistance depends on discussions with the ministry and the findings of the official investigation. He spoke at the funeral wake of crash victim nurse Debra Moset in Kampung Semadang, Padawan.
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Sarawak offers to help Putrajaya improve rural Flying Doctor Service
Sarawak Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state is ready to assist the Federal Government in strengthening rural healthcare, including the Flying Doctor Service, through teleconsultation, drones and more clinics. He spoke to reporters after paying his last respects to the late Debra Moset at her family home in Kampung Semadang, following the helicopter crash that killed her and others. Dr Sim said the crash was one of Sarawak's saddest days and thanked the nurses, doctors and pilots who have served the FDS.
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Nurse killed in FDS helicopter crash buried in Semadang
Debra Moset, a 40-year-old nurse killed in the Perkhidmatan Doktor Udara (FDS) helicopter crash at Long Lellang, Baram, Miri, last Tuesday, was brought home to her new house in Kampung Semadang, Kuching for a final tribute. Her body arrived at Kuching International Airport at about 10am and will be buried at St Patrick Cemetery, Semadang tomorrow. The crash also killed pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, nurse Jessie Paya Jok and medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry.
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Debra Moset's mother recalls Christmas plan for new Kampung Semadang home before Long Lellang crash
The mother of nurse Debra Moset said her daughter had planned to celebrate Christmas at her new house in Kampung Semadang, Padawan, before the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang. Renog Rasas, 71, spoke at the funeral wake on Sunday, which about 1,000 people attended, and recalled Debra's final message asking her to help tidy the house. Debra, 40, had worked in Miri and was part of the FDS team.
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Daughter of FDS crash nurse vows to become doctor, following mother's wish
Euodia Then Suling, 15, daughter of nurse Debra Moset who died in the FDS helicopter crash at Long Lellang, Ulu Baram on 8 September, is determined to become a doctor as her mother urged. She received her mother's remains at the family home in Kampung Semadang, Padawan today. The crash killed all five people on board the BO-105 helicopter.
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Serian schools reopen tomorrow as haze eases, Lubok Antu stays on PdPR
Schools under the Serian District Education Office in Sarawak will resume normal operations from Sept 14 after air quality improved, the state education department said. Schools under Lubok Antu will continue home-based learning, while the other 12 district education offices in the state also reopen. Face masks will be distributed to affected schools and outdoor activities remain suspended when the API exceeds 100.
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Hoan Gallery launches 'Under Sarawak Skies' with 100 artworks on Sept 16
Hoan Gallery at La Promenade Mall in Kuching will launch the 'Under Sarawak Skies' exhibition on Sept 16, featuring over 100 artworks by more than 30 regional and local artists. The exhibition runs until Nov 8 and includes a documentary preview, workshops and public programmes. It is supported by the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry.
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Lab results awaited after mass fish deaths in Sarawak River near Kuching Waterfront
Large numbers of fish were found dead along the Sarawak River near the Kuching Waterfront and Kampung Gersik-Boyan on Saturday morning. State agencies including NREB, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries have taken water and fish samples for laboratory analysis. Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the cause cannot yet be speculated on and promised a thorough investigation.
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SWCS to hold first Welfare Carnival at Boulevard Mall 2 on Oct 17-18
The Social Welfare Council of Sarawak will hold its inaugural 2026 Welfare Carnival on Oct 17 and 18 at Boulevard Mall 2 in Kuching, themed 'Stronger Minds, Safer Choices'. The event marks the council's 77th anniversary and focuses on mental health awareness, emotional resilience and healthy lifestyles, with substance abuse also addressed. Organisers have invited Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian to officiate and will present the Sarawak Southern Region Excellence and Service Awards.
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Bau police Amanita holds Meet and Greet at Lepapa Siniawan
The Amanita unit of the Bau District Police Headquarters held a Meet and Greet programme around Lepapa Siniawan, Bau, Sarawak. Together with the district crime prevention and community safety division, it introduced Amanita's role, current crime trends and the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol app to residents, especially women.
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Haze eases in parts of Malaysia but parents stay alert over school closures
Clearer skies have returned to parts of Malaysia, but parents in Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam remain cautious about the haze and possible school closures. In Sarawak, schools in Serian and Lubok Antu stay shut until API readings fall below 200, under the National Haze Action Plan.
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House on Lorong Diplomatik in Kuching 80pc destroyed by fire, three residents safe
A house at Lot 2798, Lorong Diplomatik Line 1, Kuching was about 80 per cent destroyed by fire at around 9.47pm. Three residents were reported safe, while a neighbouring house was five per cent damaged by heat. The Petra Jaya fire station put out the blaze, which ended at 11.07pm.
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AIM25 makes history in Sarawak, finale at BCCK Kuching on Sept 26
The 25th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM25) will be held in Sarawak for the first time, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on 26 September, in conjunction with Malaysia Day. Winners of 16 main categories will share RM950,000 in funding from the Communications Ministry through MyCreative Ventures, with performances by artists including Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and Indonesia's Fajar Noor.
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Schools in Serian and Lubok Antu remain closed until API drops below 200
The Sarawak State Education Department has extended the temporary closure of schools in Serian and Lubok Antu until the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in both districts falls below 200. Meanwhile, 12 other districts in Sarawak will operate as usual starting next Monday. Face masks will be distributed to affected students and school staff due to the haze.
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Dr Sim opens BIC 5 art festival at Aeroville Mall in Kuching
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian opened the fifth Borneo Illustration and Creative Festival (BIC 5) at Aeroville Mall in Kuching. He said creative platforms help Sarawakians tell Malaysia's story from a Sarawak perspective and contribute to state nation-building. The festival, themed 'Cerita Kita: Stories of Malaysia', features 275 artworks and runs until Sept 20.
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Dead fish wash up along Sarawak River near Kuching Waterfront
Large numbers of dead fish were found along the Sarawak River near the Kuching Waterfront and Kampung Gersik-Boyan on Saturday morning. The Sarawak Agriculture Department collected water and fish samples for laboratory analysis, with low oxygen levels among the possible causes being examined.
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Lo Khere Chiang sets up Neighborhood Watch for Batu 6 residents
Residents of Batu 6 in Kuching are being urged to join a Neighborhood Watch group with police, RELA and community leaders to improve security. Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang said the group lets neighbours alert each other and authorities about suspicious activity without confronting intruders. The initiative was announced at a community dialogue at Choon Foh Kopitiam in Capital Garden.
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Hamzah Brahim backs EC Sarawak boundary review despite Stakan polling district changes
Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Brahim said he supports the Election Commission's electoral boundary review even though several polling districts under his area will move to the proposed N23 Samarindah seat. He spoke to reporters at the DUN N17 Stakan Community Fire Programme in Kota Samarahan. The review, gazetted on Sept 1, would raise Sarawak's DUN seats from 82 to 99, with public objections open until Sept 30.
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Serian API hits 236, very unhealthy level
The Serian District Police Headquarters area in Sarawak recorded an API reading of 236 as of 4pm, a very unhealthy level. Four other Sarawak areas were also unhealthy: Sri Aman 199, Samarahan 179, Kuching 174 and Sarikei 115. Another 50 areas nationwide were at moderate levels.
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Hamzah: 17 new Sarawak DUN seats will not change GPS service commitment
Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Brahim said the proposed creation of 17 new Sarawak state seats, including Samarindah, will not affect Gabungan Parti Sarawak's commitment to serving Sarawakians. He spoke to reporters after officiating a community firefighter programme at Dewan Perpaduan Stakan in Taman Samarindah, Kota Samarahan, on Sept 12. The Election Commission began a public display of the proposed seats on Sept 1.
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Stakan assemblyman wants every JKKK to keep fire extinguishers
Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Brahim has proposed that every Village Development and Security Committee in his constituency be required to keep fire extinguishers at designated spots. Speaking after the Bomba community programme at Dewan Perpaduan Stakan in Taman Samarindah, he said JKKK annual allocations could be diverted from less urgent activities to buy the equipment. He noted there are about 18 JKKKs in the densely populated constituency.
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Kuching retail outlet fire put out after 11 hours
A fire at a retail chain near Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce in Kuching was fully extinguished at 2.54pm today after burning for about 11 hours. The blaze destroyed the first floor and severely damaged the second floor of the building. Four people were involved but reported safe, and the cause and losses are still under investigation.