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Sejingkat Bridge on track for an Oct 1 soft opening. The RM365.7 million Sejingkat Bridge is on track for a soft opening on Oct 1. The new crossing over the Sarawak River will provide a direct alternative for traffic from Serian and Kota Samarahan heading towards Petra Jaya and industrial areas on the northern side of the river. At present, that traffic has to pass through Kuching city centre, adding to congestion. Uggah described the bridge as a major game changer for Kuching. He said the contractor had not reported major manpower or funding concerns, while favourable weather had helped construction progress. [image: 1787134196672-sejingkat-bridge-resized.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.

Haze returned to Sarawak on Aug 19, with five monitoring areas recording unhealthy air quality at 9am. Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 156, followed by Kuching at 154, Sri Aman at 152, Samarahan at 113 and Mukah at 106. The figures were a snapshot from the Department of Environment's APIMS system, not a forecast for the whole day. in Kuching An API reading from 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy. The number can move as wind, rain and nearby hotspots change, so an old screenshot should not be used as the current reading. Check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions should be more cautious when readings are elevated. Reducing strenuous outdoor activity, closing windows when smoke is strong and using a well-fitting high-filtration mask outdoors are more useful than relying on a loose cloth mask. Affected at 9am: Serian, Kuching, Sri Aman, Samarahan and Mukah Important: These readings were recorded on Aug 19 and may have changed since publication. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-19, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1787112656808-sarawak-haze.jpg]

An 18-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on Jalan Canna, Kuching. The crash happened at about 12.25pm on Monday. Kuching police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the motorcycle lost control after coming from the Jalan Stutong Baru traffic-light junction and hit a sedan. The rider then fell and was dragged by a lorry travelling in the right lane. He died at the scene. The sedan and lorry drivers were not injured. Police are investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. 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: 1787112636655-kuching-crash.png]

Police are asking the public for help to locate 19-year-old Melvin Dhillon Muluk. Padawan district police said Melvin was last seen at Block V 202, Courtyard Santury Apartment, Bandar Baru Batu Kawa, at about 6.30pm on Aug 13. A missing-person report was lodged at Batu Kawa Police Station at about 11.53pm on Aug 15. Police said the clothing Melvin was wearing when he disappeared is unknown. Anyone with information can contact Batu Kawa police station chief SM Joelesley Enggat at 011-15336535 , Batu Kawa Police Station at 082-463411 , the Padawan district police headquarters operations room at 082-862233 , or any nearby police station. This is a police information appeal, not confirmation of the person's current whereabouts. Share only the verified details and send any useful sighting directly to the police instead of adding guesses to social media. [image: 1787101543484-melvin-dhillon-muluk.jpg] Source: DayakDaily

New Sarawak party Wawasan says it will contest the coming state election. Parti Wawasan Rakyat (Wawasan) president Affendi Jeman confirmed that the party plans to field candidates in the next Sarawak state election. Affendi also said he intends to contest the Pantai Damai constituency under the Wawasan banner. The party, formerly known as Parti Sedar Rakyat (Sedar), was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies on Aug 11, 2026. It says candidates will be assessed based on integrity, capability, grassroots support and commitment to their communities. Wawasan is also studying the wider electoral picture, including the proposed 17 additional state seats. No final commitment has been made because the boundaries and implementation are not settled yet. 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. [image: 1787101532947-wawasan-affendi.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post

A 28-year-old man has been jailed for 11 months after assaulting his younger sister in Santubong. The man pleaded guilty at the Kuching Court Complex to voluntarily causing hurt to a family member. The offence happened on June 28 after his 16-year-old sister did not respond when he asked her to buy a lighter. The court heard that he kicked her waist and punched her forehead. A medical assessment recorded soft-tissue injuries. He was arrested on Aug 13. The charge was filed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read with Section 326A, which applies when the victim is a family member. The court outcome described above should be kept separate from online speculation. Any further hearing, appeal or investigation update should come through the relevant authority rather than social-media claims. [image: 1787047725386-santubong-court-resized.jpg]

Sarawak's Senior Citizen Health Benefit had 233,389 active recipients by July 31, with RM99.5 million spent since the programme began in July 2024. The state-funded, cashless scheme gives eligible senior citizens up to RM500 a year for outpatient medical and dental services at appointed panel clinics. As of July 2026, 270 active clinics statewide were participating. Coverage is broader than a basic GP visit. The scheme includes treatment for common illnesses, tooth extraction, fillings, dentures and scaling, plus selected vision, hearing, blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney, liver, thyroid, prostate and cervical screening services. The key words are eligible , active recipient and panel clinic . Seniors or family members should verify the recipient's status, confirm that the clinic is currently on the panel and ask whether the planned treatment is covered before registration. The annual benefit is capped at RM500, so it is also worth checking the remaining balance. Of the active recipients, 67,487 were already receiving monthly assistance from the Sarawak Social Welfare Department. The programme's reach is significant, but the next useful public data would be district-level clinic coverage, waiting times and the share of the RM500 benefit actually used. The announcement gives scale, but residents still need the official eligibility, intake and participating-location details before assuming they can claim a service or benefit. [image: 1787047706087-schb-seniors.jpg] The recipient figure does not announce a new automatic payment. Older residents and their families should confirm eligibility, participating clinics and the remaining annual balance with the responsible welfare or health office before treatment.

Sarawak is being urged to publish regular water-level data for the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric reservoirs. Sarawak is being urged to publish regular water-level data for the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric reservoirs as prolonged dry weather raises questions about future power generation. Senator Abun Sui Anyit said he saw what appeared to be a 300m to 500m exposed stretch along the Bakun reservoir during a visit on June 2. He stressed that this was a field observation, not an official measurement. He wants Sarawak Energy Berhad and the state government to release the current levels, minimum operating levels and a clear contingency plan. He also called for independent studies on the impact of drought, climate change and sedimentation. Sarawak Energy's published figures put Bakun's maximum operating level is EL 228m and its minimum operating level is EL 195m. This update concerns planning, repairs or public data—not an automatic notice that the facility has closed or that a power or water disruption is imminent. The next useful confirmation is the agency's approval, tender, works timetable or published measurement. [image: 1787015299226-bakun-dam-reservoir.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post

More than 40 stalls were badly affected after a storm hit Kuching’s N6 Metrocity 2 Youth Night Market. Strong winds tore through the N6 Metrocity 2 Youth Night Market in Kuching on Saturday night, forcing the market to close. More than 40 of about 300 trader lots were badly affected. Canopies were blown away or wrecked, while the main stage, management office and electricity supply cables were also damaged. Traders estimate losses of RM2,000 to RM5,000 for a canopy alone, not counting damaged equipment and goods. The Meteorological Department had issued a thunderstorm warning from 5pm to 9pm for Kuching and several other parts of Sarawak that evening. The danger does not end when the rain stops: fallen trees, loose roofing, flooded roads and damaged cables can remain hazardous. Residents should avoid affected routes and report damage to the council or emergency services rather than entering the area to take photos. [image: 1787015171980-kuching-night-market-storm.jpg] Source: The Star

A 67-year-old Kuching man has been fined RM6,000 after threatening to shoot a shop owner. Saidi Abang Samsudin pleaded guilty to criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the Penal Code at the Kuching Court Complex on Aug 17. He will serve 12 months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. The incident happened at an eatery on Jalan Wan Alwi on Dec 22, 2023, during the grand opening of a neighbouring shop. The man was upset by loud firecrackers and ash entering the eatery. Court facts said he called the female shop owner over, showed her an object believed to be a pistol and said, “Saya rasa nak tembak ja u” — “I feel like shooting you.” Police later seized a Springfield XDS 9mm pistol, a magazine and five rounds of ammunition. The court outcome described above should be kept separate from online speculation. Any further hearing, appeal or investigation update should come through the relevant authority rather than social-media claims. [image: 1786961235163-kuching-court-complex-resized.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post / Chimon Upon

Sejingkat Bridge Could Open To Traffic By Oct 1, Easing Kuching Congestion. The RM365.74 million bridge across the Sarawak River could open to traffic as early as Oct 1, after Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas inspected the final stitching works on Aug 17. The 1,281.2-metre dual-carriageway bridge will give motorists from Serian and Kota Samarahan a more direct route towards Demak Laut, Petra Jaya and nearby industrial areas, without passing through Kuching city centre. That is expected to ease congestion in the city. The contractor reported no major manpower or funding problems. The project’s scheduled completion date remains Oct 22, 2026. [image: 1786961176589-sejingkat-bridge-20260817.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / JKR Sarawak 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.

Sarawak's air quality has improved, with every monitoring station at moderate level except Bario, which remained good. The Natural Resources and Environment Board's Daily Haze Watch recorded Kuching's Air Pollutant Index (API) at 87 as of 8am Monday, seven points lower than Sunday afternoon. Serian dropped from 157 to 98, while Samarahan fell from 151 to 92. Lundu and Tebedu also moved down from unhealthy readings to 93 and 73. API readings from 51 to 100 are classified as moderate, while 0 to 50 is considered good. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-17, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1786939511831-20260817-sarawak-air.jpg]

Two rural electrification projects worth RM13.1 million are being implemented in Ngemah to connect 147 households. The projects cover Ngemah Tengah and Hulu Ngemah. Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana said the RM9.188 million Phase 3 project in Ngemah Tengah is 66.6% complete and will benefit 114 households in four longhouses and one settlement. Electricity has already reached 65 households. The remaining homes are at Rumah Lau, Rumah Ai and Rumah Reba. Power-line works for the three longhouses are targeted for completion by the end of this year, with documentation expected to be submitted to Recoda on Aug 21. The RM3.909 million Phase 4A project in Hulu Ngemah is 9.4% complete. It will cover two longhouses and 33 households, with completion targeted for December 2027. Rain, difficult access and the use of logging roads remain challenges. The update is still developing; residents should rely on the next confirmed notice rather than treat an early announcement as final. [image: 1786928810225-ngemah-electricity.jpg] Source: Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat Ngemah / The Borneo Post

A Kuching man lost RM104,310 after a scammer pretended to be his friend on WhatsApp. The 49-year-old received a message on Aug 13 asking him to make an advance payment for goods. Thinking it was genuine, he made four transfers to three bank accounts between Aug 13 and Aug 15. His real friend later said the WhatsApp account had been hacked and had never asked him for the money. Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. A conviction carries one to 10 years in jail, whipping and a possible fine. Police advise the public to end suspicious calls, avoid sharing banking information, and verify account and phone numbers through the Royal Malaysia Police’s Semak Mule portal before making payments. A message that appears to come from a friend still needs a separate check. Call the saved number or another mutual contact before transferring anything, and use Semak Mule when a bank account is provided. Anyone who has already paid should contact the bank and 997 immediately rather than waiting for the recipient to reply.

A familiar voice is no longer proof of identity: AI cloning can make a scam call sound like a child, grandchild or friend. Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin raised the risk during an Aug 16 scam-prevention talk in Miri. He said scammers can combine convincing voices, images, videos and fake documents, then add urgency or secrecy to stop victims from checking with family members. The pressure tactics are the real warning signs. “Do it now”, “don't tell anyone” and “stay on the line” are designed to prevent independent checking. Family members can help older relatives by agreeing on a safe word and practising what to do before a real call arrives. A familiar voice is no longer enough to prove who is calling. Families can agree on a private question or safe word now, then call back using a number already saved in the phone instead of continuing a pressured conversation. If money has already moved, contact the bank immediately and call 997; keep the messages, account details and receipts for investigators.

Kuching’s air quality improved to the moderate range by Sunday evening, but Serian and Samarahan were still unhealthy. At 5pm on Aug 16, Kuching’s Air Pollutant Index (API) reading fell to 91. Serian recorded 157 and Samarahan 147, both still in the unhealthy range. API readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy, while 51 to 100 is moderate. Rain brought some relief after a week of dry weather. All 107 schools under the Serian District Education Office were scheduled to reopen on Aug 17 after temporarily closing when the API went above 200. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-16, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy.

Kuching’s air quality improved after Saturday’s rain, but five areas in Sarawak were still at unhealthy levels this morning. At 8am on Sunday, the Natural Resources and Environment Board’s haze watch recorded these readings: Kuching’s reading dropped from 163 at 4pm on Saturday after an evening shower brought some relief following a week of dry weather. Other parts of Sarawak were in the moderate range, between 51 and 100. The air quality can change quickly with the weather and wind direction. Authorities also reminded the public that open burning is prohibited. Offenders may face a fine of RM25,000 to RM1 million, up to five years in jail, or both. These API figures are a time-specific snapshot from 2026-08-16, not a full-day forecast. Rain, wind and new hotspots can change the number quickly, so check APIMS again before school sports, outdoor work or a long trip. Children, older people and people with asthma or heart or lung conditions should reduce strenuous outdoor activity while the air remains unhealthy. [image: 1786853210530-haze-kuching-20260816.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post / Chimon Upon

Five residents escaped unharmed after a two-storey semi-permanent house caught fire near Dewan Dayak Baru in Bau on Friday afternoon. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) said it received the alert at 12.49pm and firefighters from Bau station arrived five minutes later. The fire involved the upper floor and destroyed about 70 per cent of the structure. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 1.15pm and completed safety checks before ending operations at 1.46pm. All five occupants were safe and no injuries were reported. BOMBA said the cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation. 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.

A severe thunderstorm swept through Kuching on Saturday evening, bringing rain that eased the haze but leaving damage across the city. MBKS said response teams were sent out after roofs were blown off, trees were uprooted, electricity cables were affected and flash floods were reported in several areas. At Taman Riverview in Pending, a fallen tree blocked the road. A local Kapitan and his wife began clearing it with a chainsaw before being warned about the safety risks. Bomba also attended incidents at Jalan Chong Chin Kong and Jalan Ming Ching near Jalan Foochow. As a safety measure, MBKS ordered stalls at the UCCN Gastronomy Pavilion to stop operations after strong winds damaged about half of its canopy. Residents affected by the storm can notify MBKS, while the public is advised to avoid exposed roads during thunderstorms. The danger does not end when the rain stops: fallen trees, loose roofing, flooded roads and damaged cables can remain hazardous. Residents should avoid affected routes and report damage to the council or emergency services rather than entering the area to take photos.

Sarawak plans to begin developing a CubeSat laboratory in 2027, with a state nano-satellite targeted for space by 2030. [image: 1786788255616-sarawak-cubesat-20260815.jpg] Photo: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) via DayakDaily Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the plan after meeting aerospace experts. He said a satellite could support the collection of Earth and resource data, while the programme would create demand for engineers with space-technology and basic astronomy knowledge. What is confirmed — and what is not CubeSats are small satellites built around standardised units, making them useful for education, technology testing and focused observation missions. A local laboratory could therefore be valuable even before a launch by training engineers and letting teams design, assemble and test hardware. The 2030 launch remains a target, not a confirmed mission date. The announcement did not name a launch provider, final satellite specification, budget or exact laboratory site. Those are the details that will show whether the idea has moved from roadmap to funded engineering work. For Sarawak, the strongest case will be practical use: flood and land monitoring, agriculture, mapping or environmental data that local agencies can actually use. The next milestones to watch are the 2027 lab start, technical partners and a published mission plan. Announced in: Kota Samarahan ️ Timeline: Laboratory development targeted for 2027; satellite target 2030 Sources: DayakDaily report · NASA explainer on SmallSats and CubeSats