Sarawak is expected to remain a major focus for infrastructure spending when Budget 2027 is tabled next month, with the Kuching Urban Transportation System among the projects analysts are watching. A TA Securities preview says the federal government could continue funding projects that narrow the development gap, including Pan Borneo Highway phases, rural roads and bridges, port and airport upgrades, flood mitigation, water treatment and electricity networks in East Malaysia. For Greater Kuching, the report singles out KUTS as a project that could receive continued support as it moves towards commercial operations. The next phase is expected to involve not just the autonomous trains, but also feeder buses, integrated ticketing, park-and-ride facilities and passenger information systems. That is an analyst forecast, not a confirmed allocation. The Finance Ministry’s pre-budget statement identifies regional development, infrastructure delivery and stronger economic resilience as priorities, but the actual projects and amounts will only be known when the budget is presented in Parliament on Oct 9. For Kuching commuters and businesses, the useful marker is whether the final document attaches firm funding and delivery milestones to KUTS and other transport links, rather than simply repeating broad development commitments.

Looking for a budget-friendly book haul in Kuching? POPULAR Bookfair is running at Aiman Mall Kuching from 3–28 September 2026. Selected English books are available at 3 for RM20 nett. There is also a 20% rebate on selected English and Malay books when buying two or more, plus a free RM5 voucher with a minimum spend of RM50 nett. Selected purchase-with-purchase items may enjoy up to 60% savings with a minimum spend of RM60. [image: 1788919321852-popular-aiman-bookfair.jpg] Source: EverydayOnSales Location: Ground Floor, Aiman Mall, Kuching Valid: 3–28 September 2026 The offers apply to selected titles/items and are subject to availability and terms at the venue. Source details: EverydayOnSales

Temporary Sarawak Energy billing help desks are next headed to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, with the rollout expected to run through October. The utility began with a counter at Wisma SESCO in Kuching from Sept 2 to 4. The travelling service is for customers who want staff to go through account records, bill amounts or meter readings face to face. Sarawak Energy said it traced 22 billing concerns raised on Facebook. Staff have contacted 20 users; one case is still being followed up, while another user could not be identified from the post. If a bill looks wrong, bring the account and bill details, plus the relevant meter information, when lodging an appeal. The company may discuss a payment arrangement after reviewing the case. Exact dates, hours and venues for the three cities have not yet been announced.

Lundu and Serian recorded hazardous air quality early Tuesday, as haze conditions worsened across Sarawak. Readings at 6am put Lundu at API 329 and Serian at 303. Kuching was at 241, with Samarahan at 239, Tebedu at 242, Sri Aman at 230 and Lubok Antu at 212 — all in the very unhealthy range. The latest figures mark a sharp deterioration from Monday: Lundu had been at 260 at noon, while Serian rose from 222 to 303. Other stations, including Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Betong, remained unhealthy. Kapit and Limbang were below 100, while Bario recorded 38. Air quality can change through the day, so people in affected areas should check the latest official API reading before planning prolonged outdoor activity, especially for children, older people and those with breathing problems.

Serian’s haze emergency is over, but air quality remains poor in parts of Sarawak. The Prime Minister’s Office said on Sept 7 that the King had consented to end the declaration after Serian’s latest API readings fell out of the hazardous range. The emergency was declared on Sept 4, when the index went above 500. That decision does not mark the end of the haze episode. Kota Samarahan recorded an API reading of 226 at 8am, and several other areas were still in the very unhealthy band. Conditions may shift with wind direction and hotspot activity. Residents in affected areas should keep outdoor time down and follow the latest instructions from the authorities while monitoring local API updates.

The first thing to understand about Kampung Simuti’s new tanju is that it is not a resort dropped into the hills. It is an open-air verandah built by the village, reached as part of a rural Padawan drive where the view and the people who maintain it belong in the same story. The timber platform is the kind of place where I would arrive in daylight, let the greenery do the work, and resist turning a living village into a quick photo stop. [image: 1788748436245-tanju-resized.jpg] Source: New Sarawak Tribune Tanju is the local name for this verandah, known here as KUD Ngerat. It officially opened in 2026 as a community-based tourism product, with a practical purpose beyond a lookout: the platform is intended to host camping, so visitors can stay close to the landscape rather than simply pass through it. That explains the broad, uncluttered deck and the way the structure faces out over the surrounding green rather than toward a commercial attraction. [image: 1788748436572-simuti1.jpg] Source: Majestic Padawan The more important detail is how it came into being. The initial construction used a RM20,000 government allocation, but the tanju itself was built through gotong-royong by Kampung Simuti villagers. Once fully operational, the village JKKK is meant to manage it and return proceeds to the community. This is not background decoration: the platform is a small experiment in letting a rural settlement earn from its landscape while keeping control of the visitor experience locally. [image: 1788748436650-simuti2.jpg] Source: Majestic Padawan Look beyond the railing and you can read the older layer of the place. Public trail and visitor records already identify Kampung Simuti as a Padawan outdoor destination, while older community photographs show the village as a landscape to move through, not a single built attraction. The new tanju changes that relationship: it gives the scenery a place to pause, and gives the village a clearer reason to receive visitors. A second development phase has been announced for toilets, changing rooms and an observation tower, so expectations should stay realistic while those additions are unfinished. [image: 1788748436739-simuti3.jpg] Source: Majestic Padawan I would combine this with a daytime Upper Padawan route, allowing time for the road, village etiquette and whatever local arrangements the JKKK has confirmed. It suits travellers who want a quiet community-led stop, a camping possibility and a closer look at how rural tourism is assembled. It may disappoint anyone expecting a staffed visitor centre, guaranteed food service, fixed ticket counter or a polished all-day attraction. The tanju is newly opened, and facilities are still developing; check access and camping arrangements with the village before setting out. Kampung Simuti, Upper Padawan, Kuching, Sarawak ️ Google Maps: Kampung Simuti, Padawan Would you make this a slow Padawan stop, or stay overnight if the village camping arrangements suit your route?

Two Kuching deals worth noting this month: 1. POPULAR Bookfair at Aiman Mall 3–28 September 2026 Ground Floor, Aiman Mall, Kuching 3 selected English books for RM20 nett 20% rebate on selected English and Malay books when buying 2 or more Free RM5 voucher with minimum spend of RM50 nett Up to 60% off selected purchase-with-purchase items with minimum spend of RM60 nett [image: 1788746494050-popular-bookfair.jpg] 2. Country Farm Organics Grand Opening Promotion 3 September–4 October 2026 Village Grocer Horizon, Kuching Buy 1 Free 1 Organic Chia Seed 300g Up to 20% off selected Country Farm Organics products Any 2 Red or Green Raisin Canisters for RM30.70 [image: 1788746494121-country-farm.jpg] Offers are subject to selected items, stock availability and in-store terms. Check the promotional labels before paying. Sources: POPULAR Book Malaysia Facebook · Country Farm Organics Facebook

Serian remains under a haze emergency, with non-essential workplaces closed while authorities wait for the air pollutant index to fall below 500. The emergency was declared after the district’s API climbed above the very hazardous threshold. Essential services, including supermarkets, petrol stations, banks and security forces, are allowed to operate. Schools in 12 districts — including Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan and Serian — are closed from Sept 7 to 11. Lessons continue through home-based teaching during the closure. The order is confined to Serian; it is not a movement-control order. The emergency will be lifted when the API drops below 500, so residents should check official air-quality updates before making plans or travelling into the affected area.

If you walk Jalan Masjid looking for a normal attraction, the first surprise is how little there is to enter. Across from Brooke Dockyard, the old Kuching Railway Terminus and maintenance depot sit as a quiet, weathered reminder rather than a functioning museum. I would treat this as a short, respectful exterior stop in an old-town heritage walk—not a place to climb through or expect an open visitor centre. [image: 1788667450763-terminus.jpg] Source: DayakDaily That quietness is part of the story. Sir Charles Brooke’s Sarawak Government Railway opened officially on 9 April 1916, linking the Kuching terminus first to the 3rd Mile Bazaar and then to the 10th Mile Bazaar, now Kota Padawan. The trip took about 35 minutes, with five services a day. It carried people, goods and livestock, so the line was an early attempt to connect Kuching’s town economy with the inland settlements. [image: 1788667450868-locomotive.jpg] Source: DayakDaily Look at the surviving terminus with that in mind: it is not a grand colonial station designed for photographs, but the leftover working edge of a small railway system. Three coal-fired engines—Bulan, Bintang and Jean—were powered by coal from the Sadong colliery. When the road to the 7th Mile improved and cheaper bus services grew, the railway lost its everyday purpose and ceased full service in January 1931. [image: 1788667450964-track.jpg] Source: DayakDaily The line’s history also has a darker turn. During the Japanese Occupation, parts of it were used on and off to move stone from the 7th Mile quarries, passengers and prisoners of war forced to work there. That is why the old building matters beyond nostalgia: the same transport corridor reflects ambition, changing technology and wartime coercion. A heritage walk here should slow down enough to notice the depot, the street alignment and the gap between what the railway once connected and what survives now. [image: 1788667451146-bulan.jpg] Source: Wikimedia Commons / Ho Ah Chon collection I would pair this stop with Brooke Dockyard, the old courthouse quarter and the riverside, allowing time to read the surrounding streets rather than making a special trip only for the building. It suits travellers who enjoy industrial history, archival stories and overlooked urban details. Anyone wanting a polished museum, preserved carriages or guaranteed interior access will be disappointed. The terminus is currently best approached as a public-street exterior view; do not enter fenced or unused areas, and check local conditions before going. Jalan Masjid, across from Brooke Dockyard, Kuching, Sarawak ️ Google Maps: Kuching Railway Terminus Would you add this quiet railway trace to a Kuching old-town walk, or leave it for a future heritage restoration?

Sarawak’s haze is already changing travel plans, with the state recording a dip in tourist arrivals as air quality worsens. Tourism Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the decline was noticeable and could continue while the haze persists. He made the remarks in Kuching on Sept 5, as Serian remained under a state of emergency after its API reading passed 500 earlier in the week. The pressure is not limited to hotels and tour operators. Kuching’s Borderland Music Festival and Miri’s Jom Heboh Carnival are among the events facing a more difficult operating environment. Abdul Karim said organisers should follow SDMC guidance and reconsider outdoor plans when readings become very unhealthy. Kuching recorded an API reading of 313 on Sept 4. Serian was at 334 on the morning of Sept 5, after peaking at 521. Schools in 12 districts are scheduled to close from Sept 7 to 11, affecting nearly 200,000 students. For visitors, the practical question is whether an outdoor itinerary still makes sense on the day. Check the latest APIMS reading and event notice before travelling; the numbers can change with wind and rain.

RM5.8 million project to light up 11.9km Petra Jaya-Rambungan route, completion set for June 2027 A RM5.8 million street lighting project along the 11.9-kilometre Petra Jaya–Rambungan route has been handed over for implementation, with completion targeted by June 16, 2027. Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the project will install and rehabilitate high- and low-voltage systems along the route, particularly in the Matang section. The work includes 11kV overhead lines with six 50kVA transformers and 794 LED street lights, along with underground cabling, mini pillars and control boxes. Dr Abdul Rahman said vandalism had been a recurring problem — this is roughly the fifth time lighting has been reinstalled along this road — and called for closer community cooperation to monitor and report suspicious activity. The road serves as a main route and an alternative to Jalan Matang, with usage rising alongside nearby housing development. The project connects the Pantai Damai and Tupong state constituencies. The contractor is Arena Megasuria Sdn Bhd, with Perunding Teknikal Consult Sdn Bhd as consultant and the Kuching Division Public Works Department as superintending officer.

Two debt collectors jailed 34 months each for smashing windows, hurling paint at Kuching homes Two debt collectors have been sentenced to a combined 34 months in prison each after pleading guilty to vandalising borrowers' homes in Kuching, including a case where the victim had already repaid more than double the original loan. Samson Ng Jiann Haur, 36, and Marco Tiong King Ling, 32, appeared before Magistrate Leona Dominic Mojiliu and admitted to charges under the Moneylenders Act 1951 and the Penal Code. In the more serious incident, the pair used an iron baseball bat to smash every window of a house in Taman Hui Sing just after midnight on Aug 29. The 25-year-old victim had borrowed RM2,000 — receiving only RM1,200 — and had already repaid RM4,800, yet still faced threats over a claimed RM6,800 balance. Each man received 18 months for this charge. A separate attack that same night saw pink paint flung at a house in Taman Seng Goon Garden, damaging two parked cars. The victim, 22, had CCTV footage showing men in a vehicle carrying out the act. This earned each man an additional 16 months. Ng also faced separate drug charges, receiving 10 months' jail and a RM6,300 fine for amphetamine and methamphetamine use on three occasions between 2012 and 2026. Neither man had legal representation.

MBKS probes dry hose, locked-away extinguishers after Stutong Market vehicle fire Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is investigating concerns over emergency firefighting equipment at Stutong Market after a vehicle was destroyed by fire on Thursday morning, with a dry fire hose and missing extinguishers hampering efforts to put out the blaze. Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said during his ShallWeeTalk live session on Saturday that the council had directed the relevant personnel to investigate and submit a report. He acknowledged that several fire extinguishers at the market had gone missing, calling it an internal security issue. Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who was distributing N95 masks at the market when the fire broke out, posted on social media that the fire hose had no water supply and that extinguishers were locked inside an office and not readily accessible. He urged MBKS to inspect all firefighting equipment at markets under its jurisdiction. Wee said it would be premature to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed, adding that the cause of the fire itself must also be established. The fire started around 5am on Sept 3 and was eventually extinguished by firefighters. MBKS councillors have visited the affected hawker to check on their well-being and are assisting with police reports and other matters.

Kampung Temurang is the kind of Padawan stop where the information centre matters as much as the trail. From Kuching, the drive takes about an hour; from the village centre, the Rafflesia site is roughly a 20-minute walk with a local guide. I would arrive ready to ask what is blooming, because the forest decides whether this is a flower day or a limestone-and-river day. [image: 1788489442506-temurang-1-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan The walk is not just a hunt for a giant flower. Temurang sits along Borneo Heights Road in the Braang Bidayuh landscape, where local stories place early settlements on Braang Mountain. The heritage trail links old settlement routes with the present villages of Temurang, Bidak and Braang Payang. That is why a guide adds real value: the rocks and paths are cultural landmarks as well as terrain. [image: 1788489443179-temurang-2-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan Look closely at Batu Berketis, the small upright limestone pinnacles locals call the Narrow Stones. Nearby Buk Benang is associated with Braang legend and ritual traces, while several caves in the limestone hills carry wartime stories connected to Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. These details turn a generic jungle walk into a landscape with memory. Do not enter caves or climb sharp rock without local direction. [image: 1788489443730-temurang-3-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan The Rafflesia is the seasonal bonus. Older local tourism material says Temurang can be a nearer alternative to Gunung Gading, but a bloom is never guaranteed; call or ask the village before building a whole day around it. The wider Padawan river system also hosts rafting routes: in the 2024 Padawan Raft Safari, Temurang was one of the starting points and Kampung Git the finish. [image: 1788489444571-temurang-4-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan I would pair Temurang with a Padawan countryside route, allowing half a day for the guide-led walk and extra time if a flower is open. It suits travellers who want community-led nature, Bidayuh history and uneven ground. It will disappoint anyone expecting a guaranteed bloom, a paved botanical garden or a self-guided photo loop. Wear proper shoes, bring water and confirm guide, trail and bloom conditions before leaving. Kampung Temurang, along Borneo Heights Road, Padawan, Sarawak ️ Google Maps: Kampung Temurang Would you plan around the Rafflesia season, or come for the rocks and the stories even when there is no bloom?

POPULAR Bookfair is now running at Aiman Mall, with several offers for readers looking to stock up without paying regular price. [image: 1788487351345-popular-aiman-bookfair.jpg] Source: POPULAR Book Malaysia via EverydayOnSales Deal details 3 selected English books for RM20 nett 20% rebate on selected English and Malay books when buying 2 or more Free RM5 voucher with a minimum RM50 nett spend Up to 60% savings on selected purchase-with-purchase items with a minimum RM60 nett spend Exclusive gift when applying for or renewing a POPULAR Card/e-Card Validity: 3–28 September 2026 Time: 9:30am–10pm Location: Ground Floor, Aiman Mall, Kuching The key word is “selected”, so check the promo labels and final price before paying. Stock availability and other terms may apply.

Kuching, this weekend needs a small change of plan. With the haze still affecting outdoor activities, the Merdeka Spirit Run has been postponed to 4 October, while the Kuching Lights and Floral Festival and Luna Light Wonderland remain temporarily closed. So here are four indoor options for 5–6 September instead. Please check the live API reading before leaving home and keep outdoor time short. 1. Borneo Cultures Museum Time: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am–4:30pm Place: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, next to Padang Merdeka This is the easiest half-day plan if you want somewhere comfortable, spacious and genuinely worth the trip. The five floors cover Sarawak and Borneo through objects, stories and interactive displays; allow at least two hours so you are not rushing the upper galleries. [image: 1788480398087-borneo-cultures-museum-resized.jpg] Source: Sarawak Tourism Board 2. Kuching Cat Museum Time: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am–5:00pm Place: DBKU Headquarters, Bukit Siol, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya A very Kuching choice, especially for families or anyone who has somehow lived here for years without seeing the giant cat entrance. The galleries mix cat art, history, collectibles and plenty of quirky photo spots. [image: 1788480398397-cat-museum.jpg] Source: Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) 3. Movie session at TGV Vivacity Time: 5–6 September; sessions run from late morning into the night—check the live schedule before booking Place: TGV Cinemas, Level 3, Vivacity Megamall, Jalan Wan Alwi If you just want air-conditioning and an easy two-hour escape, this is the no-planning option. Current listings include English, Mandarin and Korean titles, with IMAX available at this branch. Pick the session online first so you do not end up wandering the mall waiting for the next show. [image: 1788480398451-tgv-vivacity.jpg] Source: CHINPAKLOONG Architect via Archify 4. Bowling at Megalanes Adventure World Time: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am–12:00 midnight; confirm lane availability before going Place: The King's Leisure Complex, Lot 7852, Section 64, Kuching Good for a group that cannot agree on a movie. Bowling keeps everyone indoors and gives you something active to do without spending time in the haze. Weekend lanes can fill up, so call ahead if you are bringing a bigger group. [image: 1788480398502-megalanes-kuching.jpg] Source: KuchingBorneo Quick reminder: conditions and opening arrangements can change at short notice during the haze. Check APIMS plus the venue's latest social update before heading out. If the air is still very unhealthy or hazardous, staying home is honestly the better weekend plan.

Thirty per cent of work in major Sarawak government projects will be allocated to Bumiputera firms under a policy announced by Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking at the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association’s Sarawak meeting in Kuching on Sept 2, Abang Johari said the arrangement follows a model used by Sarawak Energy. Bumiputera contractors may also partner with non-Bumiputera companies when larger jobs require more technical capacity. At the same event, PKMM Sarawak said 60 of 61 projects in a RM200 million allocation had been awarded through a ballot managed by DAL HCM Sdn Bhd. Those contracts range from RM100,000 to several million ringgit. The RM200 million is the package cited by the association, not the announced value of all future work covered by the wider policy. The state has also provided heavy machinery to PKMM, while the Construction Industry Development Board is training local crane operators. No new application window or full tender list was announced, so firms will still need to follow the procurement notices for individual projects.

Sarawak voters have until Sept 30 to inspect a proposed electoral map that adds 17 state seats, including seven in and around greater Kuching. The Election Commission put the recommendations on public display on Sept 1. If the review is approved, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly would expand from 82 to 99 seats. Ten existing state constituencies would be renamed, while the Igan parliamentary seat would become Batang Lassa. For the Kuching area, the proposed additions are Matang and Semarak under Petra Jaya, Pasir Pandak under Santubong, Tabuan Jaya under Bandar Kuching, Maong under Stampin, Samarindah under Kota Samarahan and Sungai Serin under Puncak Borneo. The plans may be inspected at the locations named in the EC notice and through the commission’s official website. A formal representation must come from the Sarawak government, an affected local authority, or a group of at least 100 registered electors from an affected constituency. Valid objections will proceed to a local inquiry. No voter’s constituency has changed yet. The names and boundaries remain proposals, and the new seats may miss the next state election if the review is not completed in time.

The first thing I would listen for at Satow Waterfall is the water getting louder as the concrete path leaves Kampung Bobak and enters the shade. This is a village recreation place shaped around a living stream, not a polished resort pretending to be rainforest. [image: 1788402964010-satow-1.gif] Source: The Borneo Post Online Satow is known as a multi-tier waterfall with at least six levels. The first two are reached by a short paved walk and concrete stairs, which explains why families come for a quick swim or picnic rather than a full-day jungle expedition. A public Bombastic Borneo travel video follows the falls from tier one to tier six; I would treat each pool as its own stop instead of rushing to one viewpoint. [image: 1788402964134-satow-2.gif] Source: The Borneo Post Online The place also shows how the Singai area meets visitors. Kampung Bobak sits in the Bidayuh landscape around Bau, where village roads, shade shelters and barbecue places turn a natural feature into shared weekend space. The unusual megalithic feature at the sixth tier is the detail I would look for: it makes the upper section feel geologically older and more specific than a generic swimming hole. After rain, the six drops become louder and more connected; in a dry spell, the pools are calmer but less dramatic. [image: 1788402964182-satow-3.gif] Source: The Borneo Post Online There is a trade-off. Recent independent coverage records three gazebos, two barbecue pits and a short walkway, but also found the toilets and changing room unusable at that visit. Bring water, food, grippy footwear and a change of clothes, and do not assume facilities are operating. Rocks and algae can be slippery; children should stay close to the pools, especially after heavy rain. [image: 1788402964270-satow-4.gif] Source: The Borneo Post Online From Kuching, this works as a half-day Bau/Singai detour, paired with Adis Buan or another nearby village stop. I would choose Satow for multiple small cascades, shade and a local picnic rhythm without a long trek. Visitors expecting a managed national-park trail, guaranteed toilets or one dramatic plunge may be disappointed. Search for “Satow Waterfall, Kampung Bobak” and check local conditions before leaving. Kampung Bobak, Singai, Bau, Sarawak ️ Google Maps: Satow Waterfall Kampung Bobak Would you spend the morning moving through all six tiers, or stop at the first pool for a slower village picnic?

Clean-water aid has reached two dry-spell-hit communities: 84 families in Biawak, Lundu and another 10 in Lingga, Sri Aman. The 2026 Dry Season Clean Water Delivery Report dated Aug 31 records 670 cartons of 1.5-litre bottled water for 335 residents of Kampung Pasir Hilir. Rumah Perindu at Sungai Pisang received 80 cartons for 40 residents. Together, the deliveries covered 375 people in 94 families. Lower river levels are also reducing the raw water available at some treatment intakes. The Sarawak Social Welfare Department is coordinating bottled-water aid with the Rural Water Supply Department, which handles tanker deliveries. Communities relying on rainwater, gravity-fed systems or SAWAS supplies are especially exposed during a long dry spell. Households with disrupted supply have been asked to report through their divisional or district Disaster Management Committee. The number of residents, daily drinking-water needs and expected duration of the shortage are used to determine assistance.