Government & Policy news in Batu 18
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Single mothers' group wants regular community outreach in Sarawak
The Sarawak Single Mothers Association (Pitsa) has called for community programmes to be held more regularly so single mothers stay informed in the digital age. A Jiwa@Komuniti programme at Hawa Banquet Hall in Kuching yesterday included a talk on scams by police, organised with the state Information Department for Malaysia Day 2026.
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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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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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Uggah: Efficient administration key to delivering Sarawak policies
Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said the state government's ability to deliver policies and aid depends on efficient administrative machinery at every level. Speaking at the PRN Mambong Administrative Machinery Workshop at the Biperoh Association Hall in Padawan on Sept 11, he urged communities to make full use of government facilities and reaffirmed Sarawak's commitment to its rights under MA63.
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Sagah: Sarawak must turn resources into innovation
Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the state must convert its research, biodiversity and natural resources into new industries and commercial opportunities. Speaking at the closing of the Sarawak SHInE International Conference 2026 at Imperial Hotel in Kuching on Friday, he cited the Sarawak Bioeconomy Roadmap as a key step linking research to industry.
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Sarawak halal certificates now total 1,256, JAIS says
Sarawak has 1,256 halal certificate holders to date, with more than 20 certificates approved today, according to the state Islamic Religious Department's Halal Division. Its head, Ustaz Jamaludin Taim, said 71 per cent of applications are completed within the 30-day KPI, and blamed delays on cleanliness, kitchen practices and difficulty sourcing items such as gelatin and food colouring. He spoke after a certificate handover ceremony at iCafe Sarawak Chinese Muslim Seafood in Kuching.
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Sarawak Bioeconomy Roadmap launched in Kuching
Sarawak launched its Bioeconomy Roadmap at the close of the Sarawak SHInE International Conference 2026 at Imperial Hotel, Kuching. State Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the roadmap, developed with SRDC and BioVerde Technologies, aims to strengthen industry-research links and speed up commercialisation. Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg announced it at the conference opening the day before.
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Sarawak rolls out One Planting, Three Harvests model for pineapple growers
Sarawak is promoting a 'Sekali Tanam, Tiga Kali Tuai' model to help pineapple smallholders earn from fruit, suckers and plant waste. The concept was outlined at the opening of a three-day state pineapple industry course at Hotel 56 in Kuching, attended by about 200 participants.
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Uggah confident GPS can sweep all Dayak-majority seats in Sarawak polls
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said GPS is confident of winning all Dayak-majority seats in the coming state election, citing its five-year development record. He spoke after officiating at the Mambong Administrative Machinery Workshop at the Biperoh Association Multipurpose Hall in Kampung Gerung near Kuching. Uggah declined to say whether all Bidayuh incumbents would be retained as candidates.
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Anwar to announce interim measure on Sarawak claims on Sept 16 in Kuching
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will announce an interim measure on Sarawak's longstanding claims during Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching on Sept 16. He said he will continue discussions with Premier Abang Johari over the next few days, and the federal government also agreed to raise Sabah's interim payment to RM1.5 billion.
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Abdullah Saidol: Communication turns Sarawak's diversity into strength
Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol said communication is what turns the state's mix of ethnic communities, languages and beliefs into strength. Speaking at the 10th International Conference on Communication and Media (i-COME'26) at Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching on Friday, he warned that fabricated narratives on race and religion can spark unrest and urged media to avoid clickbait. He also witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent between Ukas and UUM.
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Sarawak Energy reviews 24 viral electricity bill complaints
Sarawak Energy is reviewing 24 electricity bill complaints that went viral on social media and has contacted the affected customers. SESCO chief executive Yusri Safri said each case is assessed on its own circumstances and adjustments or waivers may be made where warranted. Special bill counters are open in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu throughout September.
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DAP Sarawak questions 99-seat DUN expansion without more parliamentary seats
DAP Sarawak has questioned the rationale for raising the number of Sarawak state seats from 82 to 99 without a matching increase in parliamentary representation. Its chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the party objects on three grounds, including unequal voter distribution and unfair ethnic representation, and spoke at a press conference at the party's Sarawak headquarters in Kuching.
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Abdullah Saidol: Malaysia formation facts must be told in proper perspective
Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Abdullah Saidol said facts about Malaysia's formation must be presented in proper perspective to avoid confusion, especially amid conflicting interpretations on social media. He spoke in Kuching after a preview of the Malaysia Day 2026 Exhibition at Plaza Merdeka, which runs from Sept 10 to 16 and displays key documents including the Cobbold Commission Report and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
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Sarawak targets RM15,000 monthly household income by 2030
Sarawak aims to raise average household income to RM15,000 a month by 2030, up from about RM6,900 now. State Utility and Telecommunications Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the target needs effort from all sides, speaking at the Sebuyau district education incentive ceremony at Dewan Kampung Sampat, Sebuyau.
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Abang Johari: Sarawak to study biodiversity for regenerative medicine research
Sarawak is exploring its biodiversity as a source for regenerative medicine research, Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said after launching the Sarawak SHInE International Conference 2026 in Kuching on Thursday. He has asked medical research experts to study whether bio-based cells from the state's forests could help treat diseases such as cancer, and called for collaboration with outside talent, citing Singapore's research strength.
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DBKU holds two-day public speaking course for KIK members
Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) ran a two-day public speaking and presentation skills course at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). The course involved members of DBKU's Innovative and Creative Groups (KIK), including preparation for SCSICA 2026 and the DBKU KIK Convention 2026.
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Sarawak invites Brunei to join Borneo Quran recitation event in Kuching
The Sarawak government has officially invited Brunei to participate in the Borneo Cities Quran Recitation Assembly (MTQBB) 2026, scheduled for October 26-29 in Kuching. The invitation was delivered during a courtesy call to Brunei's Minister of Religious Affairs in Bandar Seri Begawan. The main event will be held at the Sarawak Islamic Complex Hall, with the opening ceremony by the Sarawak Premier on October 27.
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BCCK in Kuching named venue for national Malaysia Day 2026 celebration
The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak has been officially selected as the venue for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16. The decision to hold the event indoors was made due to the current haze affecting parts of Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. The celebration will feature cultural performances and the signing of the Malaysia Proclamation Book.
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Sarawak Energy expands billing support counters to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri
Sarawak Energy is extending its dedicated billing support counters to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri following customer complaints about electricity bills. The initiative, which started at Wisma SESCO in Kuching, will run until October to help customers get their accounts reviewed. The utility has identified 22 customer cases raised on Facebook and is engaging with those affected.
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PBDS to chart future direction, unveil unity charter at Sept 19 convention in Kuching
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) will hold its 2026 convention on Sept 19 at a hotel in Kuching to set its future political direction and launch its Political Unity Charter. Secretary-general Sanjan Daik said the convention, expected to draw about 500 delegates, aims to establish a clear political foundation and articulate the party's role in Dayak representation ahead of the state election.
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Sarawak invites Sabah to join Borneo Quran recitation assembly in Kuching
The Sarawak government has invited Sabah to participate in the Majlis Tilawah Al-Quran Bandaraya Se-Borneo (MTQBB) 2026, scheduled to be held in Kuching from October 26 to 29. The invitation was extended by Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi during a courtesy call to Sabah's Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif. The event aims to unite major cities in Borneo through the Quran.
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Kuching ready for national Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16, says minister
Preparations for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching are progressing well, according to state minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The event will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Sept 16, featuring speeches by leaders and cultural performances, with an estimated 5,000 attendees expected.
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Public briefing on Sarawak electoral boundary review set for Sept 8 in Kuching
Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) will hold a public briefing on the Sarawak electoral boundary review on Tuesday, Sept 8, at Pua Kumbu, Lot 10 Boutique Hotel in Kuching. Election Commission commissioner Dr Mohd Faisal Syam Abdul Hazis and EC Sarawak director Abang Noraffian Abang Ibrahim will explain the process and answer questions.