Budget 2027 raises the Ecological Fiscal Transfer fund to RM270 million for state-level conservation, but does not identify a separate Sarawak allocation in the announced measures. The Prime Minister and Finance Minister set out the increase in the Dewan Rakyat on October 9. The fund supports state governments in conserving natural heritage and is intended to encourage community-based economic activities and ecotourism. The RM270 million is the fund’s overall allocation, not a sum announced solely for Sarawak and Sabah. A separate RM65 million provision supports about 2,500 community rangers nationwide, including the construction and maintenance of ranger posts for patrols. It is not an announcement of 2,500 new ranger vacancies in Sarawak. Another RM15 million from palm oil industry cess collections is earmarked for environmental conservation, prioritising threatened habitats and species such as the Bornean elephant and orangutan. For Sarawak conservation groups and communities, the next useful detail will be how the national measures are translated into state projects and support on the ground; the announcement does not list a state-by-state distribution or an application timetable.

The Larian Semangat Merdeka brought 2,687 participants to Kuching North’s car-free morning on Sunday, October 4, with people with disabilities joining the wider community. The reported turnout included 21 deaf participants, five blind or low-vision participants and 66 children described as orphans. The figures show who took part, rather than race placings or finishing times. Organisers said participation was not limited to runners: some people walked and others needed assistance. That approach made the community programme different from a gathering only for experienced or competitive athletes. Kuching North City Hall linked the car-free morning to making public space available for walking, running, cycling and community interaction. The turnout gives a picture of how that space was used on Sunday, including by residents whose participation involved walking or assistance rather than running. Organisers also discussed more community activities in DBKU areas, but gave no dates or confirmed schedule for those plans.

Sarawak is exploring wider arts and cultural programmes involving schools as part of a stronger partnership with the National Department for Culture and Arts. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between the state tourism and creative-industry ministry and JKKN officials. Existing cooperation includes the annual Gendang Festival, whose preliminary rounds cover northern, central, Samarahan and Kuching zones. A Mobile Stage Truck used for grassroots arts programmes was also handed over by JKKN Sarawak to the Sarawak Arts Council. The truck had served rural programmes from 2010 to last year. The update signals a direction for future school and community programmes, but it does not yet set out participating schools, dates or a new curriculum. Those details will determine how widely students can take part.

Pending Jetty Hawker Centre has seen some improvements, but further infrastructure work will depend on continued funding and planning. The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor said toilets had been renovated, a monument installed and upgrading work around the jetty was under way after a site visit on Sept 16. MBKS will continue working with federal agencies on better facilities and development opportunities for the centre and its surrounding community. The council also said it would gather feedback from residents, hawkers and other stakeholders. No final cost or completion schedule was announced in the update. For traders, the immediate takeaway is that the centre remains an active community project rather than a finished redevelopment package.

More than 900,000 Sarawakians have benefited from Rahmah cash assistance, with 88,855 recipients recorded in the Kota Samarahan parliamentary constituency. The figures were announced in Kota Samarahan on Sept 16 as the government promoted the combined support of Rahmah Cash Aid and Rahmah Basic Aid. Eligible households in the most-needy group can receive up to RM4,600 a year through the two schemes, according to the minister cited in the announcement. The Rahmah Madani Sale programme is also being expanded through shops, supermarkets and mobile outlets. The stated target is at least three such programmes each month in every state constituency, giving rural communities more ways to access lower-priced daily necessities. The cash-aid figures are a record of beneficiaries, not a new application deadline. Households should rely on official government channels for eligibility and payment updates.

Five rural markets in the Mas Gading constituency will receive a combined RM1 million redevelopment allocation. The package covers a new Tembawang Sauh rural market, sales stalls at Kampung Grogo and upgrades to the Jagoi, Duyoh and Stenggang farmers’ markets in the Bau area. The implementing agency, UDA Holdings, will handle planning, delivery and monitoring. Before work starts, the project scope, land status and bill of quantities must still be reviewed. The announcement gives traders a clearer list of which sites are included, but it is not a completion date. The allocation forms part of Sarawak’s wider rural-market programme, which recorded 61 projects worth RM13 million from 2024 to Aug 31, 2026.

[image: 1783492441386-batu-kawa-parks.jpeg] Batu Kawa is getting 10 neighbourhood park projects, with RM3.82 million set aside for new and upgraded recreational spaces. The projects started in April and are expected to be completed by February next year. They are being carried out under the Sarawak government's Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), through Padawan Municipal Council (MPP). What is being built The works include new parks, upgrades and maintenance at existing facilities. The areas listed are Taman Genesis, Taman Moyan, Taman Highfield, Taman Desa Wira, Jalan Carina Estate, Jalan Batu Kawa Lorong 3, Taman Phoenix Batu Kawa, Jalan RPR Batu Kawa, Taman San Chin and Taman Vision Land. Deputy Premier and Batu Kawa assemblyman Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the projects are moving according to schedule. Another park planned at GOF Batu Kawa Dr Sim also said a new community recreational park is planned at the General Operations Force (GOF) Batu Kawa along Jalan Field Force. That project has a ceiling allocation of RM900,000. MPP is now finalising the paperwork before it goes to public tender. Location: Batu Kawa, Kuching Details: 10 neighbourhood park projects, RM3.82 million allocation, expected completion by February 2027 Source: https://dayakdaily.com/10-park-projects-worth-rm3-82-mln-to-enhance-recreation-in-batu-kawa/ What do you think?