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Sarawak's 4pm haze readings worsened across the state, with Serian joining Sri Aman in the very unhealthy band. The Air Pollutant Index Management System recorded Sri Aman at 229 and Serian at 228 on Aug 29. Kuching was at 180, Sarikei 194 and Samarahan 185, putting those stations in the unhealthy range alongside Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit and Samalaju. Only ILP Miri, Miri and Limbang remained in the moderate range, at 77, 76 and 56 respectively. All listed areas rose from the 10am readings, making this a materially worse afternoon snapshot rather than a repeat of the morning update. Under the API scale, 201–300 is very unhealthy and 101–200 is unhealthy. Residents can check the latest APIMS reading before prolonged outdoor activity, as the numbers may change with wind and rain.

Bintulu Port will come under Sarawak management on Sept 1 after a three-year handover process. The change follows the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024 taking effect on Aug 31. The transition covered staff, assets, finances and legal matters. The completed arrangements cover the absorption of all BPA employees, the return of some assets to Sarawak and settled compensation for transferred port assets. Bintulu Port has grown from an energy-industry facility into a major trade and LNG gateway over 47 years. The handover changes its jurisdiction and administration; the reports do not announce a port closure. Sarawak's plan to integrate it with the state's other ports, along with any changes port users may see, has not yet been detailed.

Kuching South residents whose homes were damaged by recent strong winds can register with MBKS for possible disaster assistance. MBKS is collecting each household's full name, MyKad number, address, contact number and photographs of the damaged roof. The council will compile the applications and send them to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), after its councillors, community leaders and staff help with forms and site assessments. Residents can register through MBKS WhatsApp at 011-1988 5962 or by email at [email protected]. Councillors and community leaders are also helping reach households, including residents who were away when the council visited. SDMC has yet to announce any assistance amount or approval outcome. Affected households should keep clear damage photos and supporting details ready when they contact MBKS.

Sarawak approves RM6 million road to Nanga Kapu in Batang Ai Sarawak has allocated RM6 million to build a road to Nanga Kapu, with the announcement made at the Batang Ai Community Engagement Programme in Lubok Antu on Aug 28. The project is intended to improve access for remote residents travelling to essential services and economic opportunities. The announcement did not include the road’s length, final route or a construction timetable, so the funding is not yet an indication that a new road is open for use. The next milestones are the design work, tender and appointment of a contractor. The construction schedule will become clearer once those steps are completed.

Jalan Ilmu in Miri to be raised by half a metre as flood repairs begin The low-lying road in Desa Senadin is now undergoing a RM1.481 million upgrade after it was badly affected by flooding earlier this year. Work runs from Aug 11 to Dec 10 and includes 510 metres of road-base work, 1,245 metres of premix, concrete kerbs, road shoulders and new markings. Raising the road level by about half a metre is intended to reduce the risk of repeated inundation. Miri’s wider road recovery will take longer. A separate RM10 million package covers 20 roads—seven in Desa Senadin, eight in Permyjaya and five in Tudan. Tenders are expected in the first or second week of September, with work targeted for October. Jalan Ilmu has a live construction schedule; the other roads are still awaiting tender. Motorists in the area should expect work-zone conditions while the projects progress.

A 56-year-old teacher has been charged in Mukah over 10 alleged sexual assaults involving female pupils. The charges concern alleged offences said to have taken place in a primary school’s science laboratory and classrooms between 2022 and 2024. The case came to light after a police report was lodged on Aug 7 following a complaint from one of the alleged victims. The man appeared in court in Mukah on Aug 28 and did not enter a plea. He was charged under Section 14(a), read with Section 16(1), of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Bail was set at RM2,000 for each charge, totalling RM20,000, with two local sureties, and was paid. The case is fixed for mention on Oct 20. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the accused has not been convicted.

Sri Aman recorded Sarawak’s highest air-pollution reading at 223 at 10am on Aug 29, putting the town in the very unhealthy range. The latest Air Pollutant Index Management System readings also placed Serian at 195 and Kuching at 171. Samarahan was at 169, Mukah 166, Sibu 162, Kapit 154 and Bintulu 151 — all within the unhealthy band. Sri Aman’s reading was the highest recorded nationwide at that time. An API reading from 201 to 300 is classified as very unhealthy, while 101 to 200 is unhealthy. These are readings taken at 10am, so conditions can shift through the day. Kuching’s 171 still matters for city residents planning outdoor activities; people with breathing problems should consider reducing prolonged strenuous exertion when the reading remains high and check the latest APIMS update before heading out.

A 35-hectare peatland fire in Jalan Bungin, Serembang, Betong has been fully extinguished after seven days of firefighting. The operation ended at 4pm on Aug 28 after crews cleared all six fire sectors. Bomba said teams tackled remaining hotspots with pumps and hose lines, while an excavator opened access through difficult terrain. The fire covered an initial 33 hectares before spreading to another two. Drone monitoring by the Natural Resources and Environment Board found no remaining smoke or fire after the final firefighting work. Crews had to work around narrow access routes, limited water sources and weak radio and mobile coverage. Monitoring will continue from time to time, so people should keep away from the affected peatland and report any new smoke to the authorities.

Sarawak’s dry spell is reducing water flowing into three major hydropower reservoirs, but the state grid remains reliable for now. Rainfall in the catchments feeding Bakun, Murum and Batang Ai has fallen since April 2025. Hydropower normally supplies about 65% of Sarawak’s grid electricity, with thermal generation contributing about 34% and other sources the remaining 1%. Sarawak Energy says the system is being adjusted to conserve water: hydropower output can be reduced during a prolonged dry period, while thermal generation is increased when needed. The utility is monitoring all three hydropower plants with state and federal agencies. Two cloud-seeding operations were carried out in May and June under the Sarawak Government’s coordination. A third operation is tentatively scheduled for Sept 3 to 5, subject to suitable weather conditions, so that window is not yet a confirmed operation. For households, hot weather can push up electricity use. Turning off unused appliances and spacing out high-powered devices can help. Smart-meter users can also check hourly, daily and monthly consumption through Energy Insights in the SEB cares app or web portal.

Targeted widening has started along Jalan Urat Mata as MBKS works on the route's busiest bottlenecks. The Kuching South City Council said work began on Aug 11 and is scheduled for completion on Jan 10, 2027. The revised plan covers about 600 metres on the right side from the Jalan Song junction towards Lorong 7, plus another 300 metres on the left from Lorong 3 towards Jalan Wan Alwi. The original proposal covered the entire 1.32-kilometre road, but the first phase is now focused on sections where extra lane space can make the biggest difference during peak hours. The work will stay within the existing 25-metre road reserve and does not require land acquisition. Jalan Urat Mata links Jalan Wan Alwi and Jalan Song, serving nearby homes, shops and major commercial areas. Motorists should slow down and watch for work zones as construction continues.

Long Banga and Ba’kelalan STOLports will share RM30 million in federal funding for upgrades targeted to start this year. Each rural airstrip has been allocated RM15 million from the Airport Development Fund. The money is approved, but design work and other preparations must be completed before construction can begin. The plans cover terminal improvements and possible runway extensions, depending on the physical conditions at each site. The current runway limits Twin Otter flights to nine passengers; a longer runway could raise that capacity, although the final scope is still being worked out. For communities in Sarawak’s northern interior, the two air links support access to schools, healthcare, supplies and town services across difficult terrain. The next concrete milestones are the design work, the construction schedule and a decision on whether either runway can be extended. Location: Long Banga and Ba’kelalan, Sarawak

A man died and three people were injured when two lorries collided on Jalan Sungai Menyan in Serian on Friday afternoon. The Serian Fire and Rescue Station received the emergency call at about 2.50pm. The crash involved a cargo lorry and a five-tonne lorry; four people were reported to be involved, with the man found trapped beneath the overturned five-tonne vehicle. Ministry of Health personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. The three injured victims were reported to have light injuries. One was taken to Serian Hospital by members of the public, while two were sent there in an Emergency Medical Rescue Services vehicle. The initial accounts released so far do not identify the people involved or explain how the collision happened. Condolences to the bereaved family, and best wishes for the injured victims’ recovery. Location: Jalan Sungai Menyan, Serian

A completed booster-pump upgrade is easing long-running water-pressure problems in four villages in Bau’s Singai area. The RM3 million project doubled the Kampung Apar suction tank’s capacity from 50,000 to 100,000 gallons. Five new high-density polyethylene tanks were installed, and a new pipeline now carries water to the reservoir at Kampung Barieng, serving Kampung Apar, Kampung Segong, Kampung Barieng and Kampung Tabung. The pump has been commissioned and handed over to the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department. The upgrade was aimed at homes on higher ground, where the old system struggled to maintain pressure as the villages expanded. Another RM8 million project to lay a 300mm HDPE pipeline in Jagoi is nearing completion. Additional booster pumps are planned for Kampung Bobak and Kampung Senibung, but no dates have been given for those installations. Residents have already seen an improvement during this year’s prolonged dry spell. The next test will be whether the pressure stays reliable through the dry season and the higher demand during festive periods. Location: Singai, Bau

Jalan Matang’s 1,100mm water main will be repaired from 10pm on Sept 4 to noon on Sept 5, with traffic changes beginning a day earlier. The pipeline feeds Bukit Siol Reservoir, which supplies Kuching, Petra Jaya and nearby areas. Sarawak Water says homes around Jalan Demak, Jalan Bako, Petra Jaya, Matang from Kubah Ria to Batu 9, Taman Sri Harmoni, Jalan Sultan Tengah and surrounding locations may face low pressure or a temporary interruption during the repair. Households in the affected areas are advised to keep at least 24 hours of essential water before the work starts. Tankers will be deployed where needed, with priority for critical facilities and essential needs. Motorists will be diverted via Jalan Matang Bersinar and Jalan Matang Bersinar 3 from Sept 3 to Sept 12. The longer traffic window covers site preparation, excavation, heavy machinery access and road reinstatement around the median. Supply will return gradually after the pipe is refilled. Higher ground and areas farther from the main distribution system may take longer, and brief discolouration is possible while the lines are flushed. Sarawak Water will issue progress and restoration updates through its official channels. Location: Jalan Matang, Kuching

Lubok Antu haze closes 30 schools on Aug 28 as the district’s API reaches 200. The Sarawak Education Department’s temporary closure covers 28 primary schools with 2,242 pupils and two secondary schools with 1,793 students. The API reading was 200 at 8pm on Thursday, after reaching 210 at 4pm. This is a Lubok Antu district order, not a closure of every school in Sarawak. JPN Sarawak told schools to monitor APIMS readings and follow haze-related safety procedures. Parents should check with their school or the district education office for any update because the notice does not give a reopening time. Location: Lubok Antu, Sarawak

Bintulu flood-mitigation work at three sites is targeted to start in October after an extra RM53 million allocation. The package covers remaining Phase Two components at Gem Park, Desa Damai and SJK Sebiew. The Bintulu DID may call the tender in early September, with physical work expected between mid- and late October. A separate long-term study would examine Bintulu’s wider flood-mitigation system, including the capacity of existing measures and where upgrades are needed. Sarawak is considering an international consultancy working with local experts, but the firm, cost and scope are still under discussion. The October date is a target, not a guarantee that flooding will stop. Residents in the affected areas should continue following local warnings during heavy rain while waiting for the tender notice and confirmed work schedule. Location: Bintulu, Sarawak

Two Kuching businesses are under investigation after displayed prices did not match the amounts charged. KPDN Sarawak officers found the first case in Sejingkat at about 11.22am on Aug 26. A customer was charged RM13.20 for an item marked RM11.50, and officers took a copy of the business licence, four receipts, the price tag and a promotional tag. A second case was recorded at a Stutong premise around 12.43pm, where officers seized a copy of the business licence and a pair of shoes marked RM29.90. KPDN Sarawak said both cases are being investigated under Section 12(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999. No court finding has been reported. Shoppers who spot a mismatch should keep the tag and receipt, take a photo if safe, and report it to KPDN through WhatsApp at 019-848 8000, [email protected] or 1-800-886-800. Location: Sejingkat and Stutong, Kuching

Miri and Bintulu are set to receive expanded community HIV support under a RM2.25 million, three-year Sarawak allocation. Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, first established in Kuching as a halfway home and support centre, will extend services that include treatment support, temporary shelter, counselling, psychosocial care, treatment monitoring, welfare assistance and community outreach. The expansion brings this support model closer to people living with HIV, their families and other vulnerable groups in the two cities. It is being carried out through a partnership between the Sarawak Government, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Sunway Group and Yayasan PETRONAS. It will also complement the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE), which helps eligible low-income patients with travel costs when they need specialised chronic-care treatment in other cities. The funding has been announced, but the practical details for Miri and Bintulu are still to come: where the services will operate, when they will open and how referrals will be handled. Those details will matter to families planning treatment and travel.

Northern Sarawak’s connectivity plan is moving toward a direct Limbang–Lawas link, with the new route intended to reduce reliance on paths through Brunei. The agreement signed in Lawas on Aug 26 brings Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO) together to use communications infrastructure already owned in Sarawak. It includes SESCO’s Virtual Fibre network, with the overall network alignment reported at about 1,926 kilometres. The gap is felt in everyday services. Businesses in Lawas have faced e-payment problems, while the Lawas district police headquarters has also experienced internet issues despite its role in disaster management. Better links would support education, healthcare, government services and emergency response across the two northern divisions. This is an infrastructure agreement, not a switch-on notice. The parties have not given a launch date, coverage map or speed target, so the next meaningful update will be where the route reaches and whether service interruptions ease.

A 63-year-old woman who had been reported missing was found dead in a 10-foot-deep drain near Petra Jaya Health Clinic on Thursday morning. Members of the public found the woman before firefighters from the Petra Jaya station were called in at 9.34am. Bomba recovered her from the drain, completing the operation at 10.47am, and handed the body to police for further action. Police had been informed that she was feared missing the previous day after her child noticed she was gone. No details have been announced about how she entered the drain or what caused her death. The circumstances remain under police investigation. Families looking for a missing relative should report it promptly and share the person’s last known location with police. A deep drain is not a place to enter alone—call emergency services and keep clear of the scene.