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.

Sarawak's OSEIC says 518 children have moved on to formal education since 2022. [image: 1784423039969-oseic-children-education.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post DALAT (July 19): Sarawak's One Stop Early Intervention Centre has helped more than 500 children with developmental delays continue into formal education. State Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said 518 children had completed OSEIC intervention programmes since 2022. Where the children went Of the 518 children, 145 entered mainstream schools, 303 joined the Special Education Integration Programme, while 70 continued at Special Education National Schools. OSEIC began in Kuching in 2020 and expanded to Dalat in 2023. As of June 30, it had provided intervention services to 3,051 children, with 648 still in programmes. More centres coming Fatimah said Miri is expected to become the third OSEIC location in 2027, giving more families access to early intervention closer to home. Location: Dalat / Sarawak Details: 518 children completed intervention and continued into formal education Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Sarawak is spending RM4.53 billion on 76 school construction and upgrade projects across the state — with 25 currently under construction and 27 already completed. Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi announced the update after handing over new classroom blocks at SMK Dalat and SMK Semop today. Of the 76 projects: 25 are actively under construction 24 are in planning and preparatory stages 27 have been fully completed Seven more school projects worth RM223.64 million are expected to be completed between June and December this year. For SMK Dalat, the RM27.2 million 18-classroom block was completed in December 2025, while SMK Semop's RM10.56 million 12-classroom block finished in January this year. Nanta also mentioned that preliminary work for the SMK Bukit Goram project in Kapit has started, with a Letter of Acceptance expected before the end of 2026. [image: 1780966886005-school-p1-resized.jpg] Nanta visiting a new classroom at SMK Dalat. He also announced RM20,000 contributions each to the Parent-Teacher Associations of SMK Dalat and SMK Semop. "This demonstrates the government's continued commitment to ensuring schools in Sarawak are provided with more comfortable, safe and conducive facilities," said Nanta. Source: Borneo Post What do you think — are schools in your area improving?

Termite-damaged and declared unsafe by JKR — yet SMK Dalat's girls' hostel continues to house students, prompting an urgent call from Minister Fatimah Abdullah. [image: 1780899349010-smk-dalat-1-resized.jpg] DALAT: The girls' hostel at SMK Dalat has been declared unsafe by the Public Works Department (JKR), but students are still living there due to a lack of alternative accommodation. Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, raised the issue during a visit to the school on Monday. "The first thing is safety. What we are concerned about is the safety of our students," she said. [image: 1780899350235-smk-dalat-2-resized.jpg] The nearly 48-year-old school comprises several ageing wooden structures, with termite infestation weakening parts of the buildings. The girls' hostel — located next to one of the old school blocks — remains occupied despite JKR's safety assessment. Fatimah noted that while the hostel is clean and well maintained by its occupants, visible signs of deterioration, including termite-damaged window frames, underscore the need for immediate action. The hostel was reportedly not included in the approved scope of renovation works for the school. Location: SMK Dalat, Dalat, Sarawak Details: Girls' hostel declared unsafe by JKR but still in use; Minister calls for urgent action; 48-year-old school with termite damage; renovation project did not cover hostel Source: The Borneo Post What do you think? Should student safety be prioritised faster?