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A two-hectare forest fire at Samunsam Forest Reserve in Lundu was extinguished after a five-day operation. The blaze was detected on Aug 20. Firefighters from Lundu station used a forest-fire pump, a 500-foot hose line and water from a nearby river to put out the remaining 0.1 hectare, with the operation ending at 4.09pm on Aug 24. Drone monitoring by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation had estimated the affected area at about two hectares. The operation also involved the Forestry Corporation, the Department of Environment and the Natural Resources and Environment Board. The fire is now reported as extinguished, but the public updates did not state its cause or mention injuries or evacuations. That distinction matters while Sarawak is dealing with poor air quality: residents should check the latest APIMS reading instead of assuming that every haze reading is linked to this site. Do not enter a restricted or remote forest area to investigate smoke; call 999 if an active fire is spotted. The next point to watch is whether agency monitoring detects any re-ignition.

A RM2.34 million project will widen the traffic-light junction linking Jalan Ling Kai Cheng and Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah in Sibu. The work covers about 200 metres and is expected to begin in September, taking roughly four months. The existing two-lane junction will be reconfigured to handle through traffic, right turns and U-turns, with the aim of reducing queues heading towards Jalan Teku and vehicles turning into Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah. A separate RM350,000 upgrade will also cover 500 metres of Jalan Lilin and is expected to take one to two months if weather conditions hold. For Sibu commuters, the likely trade-off is short-term disruption before the junction becomes easier to use. Most work is planned for the afternoon and night, when traffic is lighter, but the exact start date and temporary lane arrangements have not yet been announced. Motorists should slow down near the work area and allow extra time once construction signs appear. The next useful update will be the local authority's traffic arrangement for the September start.

500km of Kakus logging roads earmarked for upgrades About 500km of logging roads in interior Kakus has been identified for phased upgrading, with the aim of improving access for communities that still lack reliable road connectivity. The roads named in the latest update include Jalan Penyarai, Jalan Sungai Muput, the route to Ulu Kakus, Jalan Sangan–Nanga Merit and Jalan Nanga Takan. The figure is part of roughly 5,700km of logging roads across Sarawak identified for upgrading. This is an identification and planning update, not a promise that all 500km will be rebuilt at once. The works are expected to be phased because of cost and difficult interior terrain; no start dates, tender packages or completion targets for the five routes were announced in the update. For people travelling in Kakus, the practical point is to expect uneven conditions to remain while each phase is prepared. Smaller repairs are already being supported through Rural Transformation Project allocations, but residents and transport operators should check JKR Sarawak’s tender and road notices and allow extra time on rural routes until work notices are issued. The eventual test will be which route enters construction first and whether access remains passable during the works. Location: Kakus interior, Tatau Division

Padawan’s Biya villages may get a new treated-water system A treated-water system has been proposed for the Biya area in Padawan after recurring dry-season shortages hit villages that still rely on gravity-fed supplies. The proposed intake and treatment setup would be based in Kampung Sapit, which was identified as having a more reliable water source during dry periods. The plan could serve Kampung Nusa Raya, Kamas, Kiding, Kakas, Parang, Assum, Jaber and Sapit, with possible extension to a nearby PGA camp, SK Kambug and other villages. This is a proposal, not a live project yet. The larger treated-water project for the Biya area was reported as approved in 2017 with RM270 million, but its implementation has been delayed; the latest update did not confirm a contractor, construction start date or final connection list. For residents, that distinction matters: the plan may offer a backup while waiting for the long-delayed project, but it does not mean treated water is arriving immediately. JBALB handles rural water supply in Sarawak, so households should follow its Bau/Padawan notices for current interruptions and wait for a formal tender or construction update before making plans around the proposed system. Location: Biya area, Padawan

SUPP has hit back at DAP’s call for more opposition seats in the next Sarawak state election, turning “check and balance” into the latest line of political contest. Separate statements reported in Kuching on Aug 24 came from SUPP Kuching Branch Youth and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, who is also the party’s deputy treasurer. They argued that more DAP seats would not automatically mean better governance, and said scrutiny should be tied to policy debate and Sarawak’s interests under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The branch also accused DAP of being selective when criticising Sarawak while being part of the federal government. That remains SUPP’s political claim, not an independently established finding. The immediate trigger was DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s appeal for voters not to leave him and Violet Yong as the party’s only two representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, and to give DAP more room to provide checks and balance. For Kuching voters, this is a political position-taking exercise, not a government decision: the statements do not change the current assembly composition or announce an election timetable. As the debate develops, voters can compare each party’s concrete record and proposals on MA63, federal-state finances, natural resources, education and healthcare instead of treating slogans as policy. The next useful signals are a substantive DAP response and any formal election timetable issued by the Election Commission.

It is official: IKEA Kuching is expected to welcome shoppers this December, giving East Malaysia its first physical IKEA store. IKEA Malaysia announced the plan on 24 August. The Kuching outlet will also be the retailer's first small-format store in Malaysia , so shoppers should not expect the same layout as its four larger stores in Malaya. The compact store will feature room settings and home-furnishing ideas, along with selected products that can be bought and taken home on the same day. Customers will also have access to a wider IKEA product range beyond the items displayed in-store. IKEA said its team visited local households in Kuching to understand how people use their homes. Family gatherings and hospitality stood out, while storage and organisation were common concerns in both landed and high-rise homes. The company says those findings will shape the room settings and solutions shown in the new store. The exact opening day, full address, floor size, product list and details such as the restaurant or food market have not been announced so far . Recruitment numbers and application details were also not stated, so jobseekers should rely on IKEA Malaysia's official channels and be cautious of unofficial recruitment messages. For Sarawak shoppers, the biggest change is the chance to see room settings and selected products in person instead of relying only on e-commerce and fulfilment services. The next details to watch are the exact opening date, location and recruitment announcement. [image: 1787544876067-st-campaign.jpg] Source: IKEA Kuching campaign artwork via Sarawak Tribune [image: 1787544876250-says-cover.png] Source: SAYS / Skyscraper City / image provided to SAYS [image: 1787544876330-ikea-illustration.png] Source: IKEA Damansara via IKEA, published by SAYS (not the Kuching store) [image: 1787544876571-ikea-store.png] Source: IKEA Damansara via 360tour, published by SAYS (not the Kuching store)

Firefighters were due to resume work on Aug 24 after a Marudi landfill fire spread across about 0.7 hectares. The fire started at a waste pile on Sunday afternoon. The Marudi fire station received the emergency call at 2.26pm and sent five personnel with one CFRT fire engine. Firefighters used two hose lines, foam and breathing apparatus, while creating a firebreak to stop the flames from spreading. The operation was paused at 6.30pm. At that point, none of the estimated 0.7-hectare fire area had been fully extinguished. The local authority planned to continue with an excavator and water tanker on Aug 24; the excavator operator was still outside Marudi when the operation was suspended. The final status after the resumed operation was not yet confirmed. People near the landfill should avoid smoke, keep children away from the site and follow instructions from the local authority or firefighters. Anyone with breathing problems after smoke exposure should seek medical care. Residents near the affected area should keep away from smoke, unstable structures and emergency operations. The cause, total loss and final clearance should be treated as pending until the responding authority confirms them. [image: 1787544516619-20260824-marudi-landfill-fire.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department

Kuching's Air Pollutant Index (API) reading reached 175 at 8am on Aug 24, putting the city in the unhealthy range. Five Sarawak locations recorded unhealthy readings at 8am: Serian (189), Kuching (175), Samarahan (170), Sri Aman (158) and Bintulu (108). Kuching's reading was 175, down slightly from 177 at 4pm on Sunday. An API reading of 101–200 is classed as unhealthy, while 201–300 is very unhealthy. These are 8am readings, not a live noon update, so check the latest official reading before planning outdoor activities. Kuching South City Council (MBKS) distributed face masks at Kenyalang Market and Sungai Apong Market on Aug 23. Children, senior citizens and people sensitive to poor air quality should cut down unnecessary outdoor activity, wear a suitable mask, stay hydrated and seek medical attention if they have breathing difficulty. For people who must go outdoors, the useful detail is fit: a well-sealed N95, KN95 or KF94 offers better particle protection than a loose face covering. Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions should keep outdoor exertion down while the reading remains unhealthy. [image: 1787544504900-20260824-haze.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / MBKS

More than 26,000 people in Sarawak had received welfare assistance by June, with total spending exceeding RM104.7 million. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the aid covered two main JKM schemes: The figures were announced in Kuching on Sunday and reflect assistance recorded up to June 2026. They are not a new one-off cash payment announcement. The ministry also said its SPeKTRUM caregiver-support programme had involved 150 participants from Sarawak. The national target is 2,000 trained caregivers by November, subject to the programme rollout. Families caring for elderly people, persons with disabilities or chronic patients should check eligibility and application details directly with the official Social Welfare Department channels. Avoid paying agents who promise to speed up welfare applications. The recipient count and spending figure do not announce a new automatic payment. Families should check eligibility and application status directly with the Welfare Department and avoid anyone asking for a processing fee.

Kuching is finally set to get its own velodrome, with construction targeted to begin in 2027. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state has identified a site for the proposed Sarawak Velodrome Centre. The project has also been briefed to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The update came after Sarawak cyclist Adib Andhar Andan won the men’s keirin at SUKMA XXII in Nilai on Aug 22. Afif Darwysh Mohamad had earlier won Sarawak’s individual time-trial gold, giving the state a historic cycling double. Sarawak’s cyclists currently have to travel to Peninsular Malaysia and wait for available training slots. A home velodrome would give the state a permanent base for track-cycling programmes and athlete development. For now, this is still a planned project. The current update confirms the site has been identified and construction is targeted for next year, but no project cost, exact location or tender timeline has been announced. A site and construction target are important first steps, but the cost, tender and exact location still need to be made public before athletes can plan around a working venue. [image: 1787479751313-velodrome-kuching.jpg] Source: UKAS via DayakDaily

Schools in 10 Sarawak education districts will reopen as usual on Aug 24 after API readings improved. The Sarawak State Education Department said the districts are Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong. The decision was based on readings recorded at 10am on Aug 23 through the Department of Environment’s APIMS system. Schools were reminded to keep monitoring local conditions. Outdoor student activities must be suspended when the API reading goes above 100. Schools in affected areas must close immediately if the reading exceeds 200, while teachers and staff do not need to report if it goes above 500. The reopening remains subject to readings staying below 200. Temporary closures can still be ordered based on recommendations from the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee. Students are advised to wear masks, drink enough water and avoid prolonged exposure to hot or hazy conditions. Schools can check the official APIMS portal and the Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak for updates. Because these readings are tied to 2026-08-23, parents should check the latest APIMS update and their school's notice before making plans for attendance or outdoor activities. A reopening is not a permanent all-clear if the API rises again. [image: 1787458078641-sarawak-schools-reopen-haze.jpg]

Kuching is set for its biggest private healthcare expansion in more than a decade, with at least RM1.45 billion in committed investment. Three new hospitals are moving ahead: Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching by Singapore-based HMI Medical, Gleneagles Hospital Kuching by IHH Healthcare, and Gardens Medical Centre by local developer Timber Land Group. Existing operators are expanding too. Borneo Medical Centre is adding 250 beds to its current 80, with the expansion expected to receive patients in the first quarter of 2028. Gleneagles will have 200 beds and an investment of about RM400 million. Regency will have 300 beds, with more than RM400 million for the hospital and RM50 million set aside for workforce development over five years. It is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs when it opens in 2029. By 2030, Kuching is projected to have more than 2,000 hospital beds across the public and private sectors. The growth is being driven by local demand, an ageing population and medical tourism — Sarawak received 104,106 medical tourists in 2025, including 91,688 in Kuching. The update is still developing; residents should rely on the next confirmed notice rather than treat an early announcement as final. [image: 1787458066048-kuching-healthcare-2026.png]

A direct Sibu–Dalat road could cut travel time, but the project is still at the planning stage. Dalat assemblywoman Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the proposed 13.1km route should be prioritised to improve connectivity for residents and businesses. It would connect Kampung Kekan Seberang, Kut Muara, Sungai Pinang, Bungan Besar and Rassau, and be built to R3 road standards. The Sarawak government-funded component is estimated at RM140 million and is expected to be tendered in the first quarter of 2027. A separate 9km federal component, estimated at RM131 million, is undergoing detailed design and land-related works, with tender targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to approvals. At present, travellers between Sibu and Dalat use longer routes via Selangau, Mukah and Oya, or Tanjung Manis, Daro, Matu, Igan and Oya. Fatimah said the direct link would make travel easier and support local development. [image: 1787447273446-dalat-sibu-road.jpg] A target date or project announcement is not the same as an open road or operating facility. Until an official opening or traffic notice is issued, residents should keep using the current arrangements and watch for the next construction or approval milestone.

Kuching’s private healthcare map is about to change — with at least RM1.45 billion committed to new hospitals and major expansions. Kuching has gone more than a decade without a new private hospital. That is set to change with three projects: Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching at The Northbank, Gleneagles Hospital Kuching at Batu Lintang, and Gardens Medical Centre at Kota Sentosa. Existing operators are also expanding. Borneo Medical Centre is adding 250 beds to its existing 80, while Normah Medical Specialist Centre and KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital are increasing capacity. By 2030, Kuching is expected to have more than 2,000 hospital beds, roughly split between private and public facilities. BMC’s RM350 million extension is expected to start receiving patients in the first quarter of 2028. Gleneagles’ 200-bed hospital carries about RM400 million in investment. Regency’s 300-bed hospital is expected to open in 2029 and create more than 1,000 jobs. Gardens Medical Centre has an initial construction budget of RM300 million. The push is being driven by local demand, an ageing population and medical tourism. Sarawak recorded 104,106 medical tourists in 2025, with 91,688 visiting Kuching. The investment and future bed count indicate a change in capacity, not that every new service is open today. Patients should continue checking each hospital's official opening, specialist and appointment information instead of assuming a project announcement changes current treatment options. [image: 1787447261289-kuching-private-healthcare.png]

Sarawak plans to expand KEMAS autism early-education provision from one class now to 24 classes across the state in 2027. The classes will operate under the Tabika Tunas Istimewa programme, aimed particularly at families in rural communities where suitable early support can be difficult or expensive to reach. Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the nationwide programme is expected to have 132 classes next year. Private autism classes can cost about RM700 to RM1,000 per child. Bringing classes closer to rural families could reduce both fees and travel barriers, but the headline number is only the first step. The announcement did not list the 24 locations, opening dates, intake age, class size or application method. Parents should wait for KEMAS to publish those details rather than assume every district will receive a class immediately. The programme is early education, not a replacement for clinical assessment, therapy or individual medical advice. Its value will depend on trained educators, suitable learning environments, manageable class sizes and clear referral links for children who need additional support. For now, families can monitor KEMAS announcements and contact their nearest KEMAS office to register interest. Publishing the locations early would also help rural parents plan transport and assessment arrangements. The 24-class figure is a 2027 target, not a list of confirmed locations or an immediate intake notice. Parents should wait for KEMAS to publish the districts, age range and application details; early education also does not replace clinical assessment or therapy.

One man died after a car and lorry collided along the Bintulu–Samalaju Coastal Road this morning. A team from the Kidurong Fire and Rescue Station was called to the crash at about 8.41am. Firefighters found the driver trapped in the Proton Preve. He was extricated using rescue tools and handed to Ministry of Health personnel, who confirmed his death at the scene. The operation ended at 10am after Bomba secured the area. The cause and legal classification should be left to the police, medical team or rescue authorities. Drivers and bystanders should keep clear of the scene, avoid sharing distressing images and pass genuine information directly to investigators. [image: 1787393638309-20260822-bintulu-crash-borneo.jpg] Source: Bomba photo via The Borneo Post

Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong says Sarawak needs a stronger opposition to keep the GPS government in check. Speaking at DAP Sarawak's 60th anniversary fundraising dinner in Kuching, Yong said the opposition should question government decisions, scrutinise public spending and speak up when policies affect residents. She compared GPS to a football team acting as both player and referee, and said opposition lawmakers are needed to provide checks and balances in the State Legislative Assembly. Yong also questioned the use of a Switzerland-based VistaJet for official flights and raised concerns about the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project. She linked construction work around Pending to reports of low water pressure and murky water, while the claims remained part of her criticism of government decisions. This is a politician's or party's position, not an election result or an official finding. The useful follow-up is the relevant assembly record, election notice, project document or published spending information.

Sarawak will revisit five earlier dam proposals, but no construction approval has been announced. Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said on Aug. 22 that his ministry, the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd had agreed in principle to review previous feasibility studies for the Tebia, Batang Layar, Sungai Ulu Mukah, Sungai Pesu and Sungai Suhu projects. The announcement puts the proposals back on Sarawak’s water-planning agenda. It does not mean that any of the five dams has been approved for construction. No project budget, storage capacity, start date, completion date or confirmed service area has been announced. Some reports use names such as Ulu Mukah River Dam, Pesu River Dam and Suhu River Dam; these refer to the same group of locations rather than additional projects. Julaihi said the review was needed as Sarawak upgrades existing water treatment plants, develops new facilities and extends transmission pipelines. Those investments still depend on a reliable supply of raw water — water taken from a river, reservoir or other source before treatment. A treatment plant can only produce treated water if enough suitable raw water reaches its intake. The minister also linked the review to dry weather, haze and rising demand towards 2030. During a prolonged dry period, an intake may receive less water or become difficult to operate. A storage dam could help regulate raw-water availability, but it would not automatically increase a treatment plant’s processing capacity or connect a particular town to the treated-water network. The dam, treatment plant, transmission main and local distribution system would all need to be planned as one supply chain. That distinction matters when looking at recent water disruptions in Kuching and Samarahan. The report said piling works along major roads had damaged underground water pipes and cables, contributing to murky water, low pressure and temporary water, power and telecommunication interruptions. Those incidents involve damage to existing utility infrastructure, while the five dam proposals concern longer-term raw-water storage. A new dam would not prevent a separate construction project from damaging a pipeline, so water security also depends on protecting the network already in the ground. The next meaningful update will be the information produced by the renewed feasibility studies. Residents and businesses will need to see how much water each location can reliably provide during the dry season, what storage capacity is being considered, which treatment plants and transmission routes would be connected, and how much the projects would cost. Environmental assessments, formal approvals, funding decisions, tender notices and construction schedules would then show whether any proposal has moved beyond the review stage. Until those details are published, the five locations remain proposals under reconsideration. They should not be treated as approved dams, confirmed construction sites or guaranteed future water sources for Kuching, Samarahan, Mukah or any other specific area.

Kuching pharmacists are urging the public to use well-fitting, high-filtration masks as haze worsens. SHiNE Pharmacy chief pharmacist Christina Wong said N95 and KN95 respirators offer better protection from fine particles than loose-fitting surgical masks. Song Plaza Caring Pharmacy pharmacist Wendy Tsai also recommended KF94 masks, which are available in adult and children’s sizes. Both pharmacists stressed that fit matters. Parents were advised to keep young children indoors when air quality is poor, while older people and those with asthma or chronic lung conditions should take extra care outdoors. For people who must go outdoors, the useful detail is fit: a well-sealed N95, KN95 or KF94 offers better particle protection than a loose face covering. Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions should keep outdoor exertion down while the reading remains unhealthy. [image: 1787360697074-kuching-haze-mask.jpg]

A factory along Semaba Road in Mile 5 was destroyed by fire on Friday evening, while nearby houses were damaged. The Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 5.22pm and reached the scene at 5.35pm. Firefighters from Kota Sentosa, Batu Lintang, Tabuan Jaya and Siburan worked to stop the flames from spreading to a neighbouring factory. The two-storey semi-permanent factory was completely destroyed. Several nearby houses, including workers' quarters, were damaged. The fire was brought under control at 6.40pm. A total of 34 firefighters and officers were deployed. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still being investigated. Residents near the affected area should keep away from smoke, unstable structures and emergency operations. The cause, total loss and final clearance should be treated as pending until the responding authority confirms them. [image: 1787360685976-semaba-factory-fire.jpeg]