What's happening around you
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Sarawak interim special grant raised to RM1.5b, says analyst
The federal government has increased Sarawak's interim special grant from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion, announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the national Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching. Political analyst Datuk Dr Lee Kuok Tiung says the increase strengthens confidence in Putrajaya's commitment to MA63 negotiations and sets a new benchmark for future financial talks.
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Kuching API hits 152, Serian 145 as unhealthy air returns to Sarawak
Kuching recorded Sarawak's highest Air Pollutant Index reading of 152 as of 10am today, placing the city in the unhealthy category after several days of clearer conditions. Serian followed at 145, also unhealthy, while Samarahan registered 91 and most other divisions recorded moderate to good readings. Residents sensitive to air pollution are advised to monitor the latest API and limit prolonged outdoor activity.
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MPOB Belaga station at Sungai Asap to stay, focus on smallholder services
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board station at the Bakun Resettlement Scheme in Sungai Asap, Belaga will be retained and restructured under a more sustainable model focused on smallholder services. Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon said the proposal was discussed with Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad in Kuching, and that the ministry and MPOB leadership responded positively. Belaga has nearly 2,000 oil palm smallholders farming about 10,000 hectares.
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Worker, 57, injured after leg trapped in excavator at Batu Lintang site
A 57-year-old worker was injured after his leg became trapped in the tracked section of an excavator at a site along JKR Batu Lintang in Kuching this morning. Firefighters from BBP Batu Lintang used a crane and another excavator to free him before handing him to medical personnel. The operation ended at 8.42am and firefighters later briefed workers on safety procedures ahead of demolition work.
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Wan Junaidi wants Malaysia Day celebration rotated among states
Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has proposed that the national Malaysia Day celebration be held in a different state each year. He said this would deepen public understanding of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and strengthen national unity. The proposal was made at the 2026 national Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
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Sim Kui Hian: differing views must not divide Sarawak
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian urged Sarawakians to value cultural diversity and not let differences of opinion split the state. His speech was read by Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng at the Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival 2026 last night. He also called for calm amid rapid information technology change and for Sarawak's rights and autonomy within Malaysia to be defended.
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Elderly man dies after being hit by MPV in Batu Kawa
A 79-year-old man died after being struck by an MPV on Jalan Field Force in Batu Kawa, Kuching last night. The 36-year-old driver, who did not hold a valid licence, has been detained as police investigate under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
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Communications Ministry sec-gen grateful for smooth Malaysia Day celebration at BCCK
The Malaysia Day 2026 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) ran smoothly last night. Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah thanked all parties, especially Sarawakians who attended.
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Ibraco launches NBX and NBX Residence 1 in Kuching, roadshow at The Spring Sept 18-20
Ibraco Berhad has launched NorthBank Business Exchange (NBX) and its first residential block, NBX Residence 1, within its 123-acre NorthBank township in Kuching. A roadshow at The Spring Shopping Mall from September 18 to 20 showcases the 268-unit development, which includes mobility-friendly homes in Tower A. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian officiated the launch, describing NBX as part of the emerging Sarawak Health Metropolis.
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PM urges Petronas, Petros to work as one team on Sarawak gas dispute
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Petronas and Petros to cooperate as a team to develop the country, stressing both must respect federal and state laws. He said only some commercial agreement aspects remain to be settled in the Sarawak gas rights dispute now before the Federal Court.
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Health Ministry denies no top management attended FDS crash victims' funerals in Sarawak
Deputy Health Director-General Dr Ismuni Bohari denies claims that no senior Health Ministry management attended funerals for victims of the Air Doctor Service helicopter crash in Sarawak. He says he was personally in Miri and Kuching to comfort the victims' families, while the minister and other officials were assigned to other locations under a set arrangement.
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Anwar assures PETRONAS-PETROS issue can be resolved
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given assurances that the issue between PETRONAS and PETROS can be resolved, with negotiations now focused on several commercial aspects. He said the principles agreed between the Federal Government and Sarawak remain the basis, and PETROS should be guided and strengthened as a shared company. He spoke at the 2026 Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
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Abang Johari: Sarawak will continue to progress within Malaysia at Malaysia Day 2026 celebration
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg delivered a speech at the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration in Kuching. He emphasised Sarawak's commitment to continued development within Malaysia and paid tribute to former security forces. The event was attended by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the Prime Minister.
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Abang Johari: Sarawak can be a developed state by 2030
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said Sarawak can become a developed, high-income state by 2030 through close cooperation between the GPS state government and the Federal Government. Speaking at the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration in Kuching, he welcomed the Prime Minister's assurances on MA63, a revenue-sharing formula and tourism as a shared matter.
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Sarawak, federal government to set revenue-sharing formula under Article 112D
The federal government and Sarawak will determine a revenue-sharing formula as provided under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said he appreciated the agreement, which he raised alongside developments on Sarawak's rights and interests, in a speech at the national-level Malaysia Day 2026 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. He also welcomed the agreement to place tourism on the Concurrent List under the Ninth Schedule.
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Tanjung Embang expected to draw RM100 billion investment for Sarawak
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said the development of Tanjung Embang as a low-carbon hub is expected to inject around RM100 billion in investment into Sarawak's economy over the next decade. He said the project will be supported by a new international airport and deep-sea port, while Bintulu has been chosen as one of 43 Transitioning Industrial Clusters worldwide under the World Economic Forum. He spoke at the national-level Malaysia Day 2026 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
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Abang Johari welcomes one-third parliamentary seat ratio for Sarawak, Sabah
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg welcomed the federal government's agreement to set the parliamentary representation ratio for Sarawak and Sabah at no less than one-third. He said the agreement is in line with MA63 and the IGC Report, and thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He spoke at the national-level Malaysia Day 2026 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
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Bintulu Port handed over to Sarawak in Kuching ceremony
The federal government officially handed over Bintulu Port to the Sarawak state government at a ceremony held at Kuching International Airport on Malaysia Day. The handover involved four legal documents and follows a takeover process that began in 2023, with the port's status changing from federal to state on September 1.
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Telecom tower generator catches fire at Jalan Kuap, Kota Samarahan
A generator supplying electricity to a telecommunications tower caught fire at Jalan Kuap in Kota Samarahan this afternoon. The Siburan Fire and Rescue Station put out the blaze and no victims were reported.
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Abdul Karim: 23 years of KIMF show Sarawak diversity unites, not divides
The Kuching Inter-Cultural Mooncake Festival (KIMF) 2026 opened at Carpenter Street, Kuching last night, marking its 23rd edition. Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said in a speech delivered by Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan that Sarawak's cultural diversity is a source of unity and a tourism draw. He said the festival belongs to all communities and welcomed the participation of young traders.
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Kota Sentosa assemblyman hands out food baskets for Malaysia Day
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin distributed food baskets to residents of his constituency for Malaysia Day 2026 in Kuching. He said Sarawak's mix of races and religions should be a strength rather than a source of division, and that no one in the community should feel left out.
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Depo Kitchen wins Grab 5-Star Eats 2025 recognition
Depo Kitchen, a Kuching-based food brand in Sarawak, has been recognised in the Grab 5-Star Eats Awards 2025. Founded by Masduqi Husni Thamrin and his wife Dayang Puspasari Abang Spian, the business began under a 10-by-10-foot blue canopy at home before growing into a restaurant serving kunafa, nasi ayam penyet and other dishes.
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Kasih@HAWANA aid presented to late journalist James Ritchie's family in Kuching
The family of the late veteran journalist James Alexander Ritchie received a contribution under the Kasih@HAWANA Fund X TM at their home in Tabuan Desa, Kuching. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching presented the aid to his wife, Helen Tan, recognising his more than 50 years in journalism. The fund has so far helped 241 recipients this year, 35 of them from Sarawak.
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Veteran broadcaster in Kuching gets Kasih@HAWANA X TM aid on Malaysia Day
Uleyvia Ubang, a 58-year-old veteran broadcaster with 30 years at Cats FM who has chronic kidney disease, received a contribution from the Kasih@HAWANA X TM Fund at her home in Kuching on Malaysia Day. The fund, backed by Telekom Malaysia's CSR and run by the Communications Ministry through Bernama, has aided 77 media practitioners since June 2026 and 847 since 2023.