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]

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]

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]

A fishing trip in Bau turned fatal after a 29-year-old man fell into Sungai Taman Limbang late Thursday night. Nailson Phillip was fishing with several friends when he suddenly fell face-first into the river at about 11.30pm. A friend pulled him out and they took him to Bau Hospital. He was pronounced dead at about 12.23am Friday. Police said initial checks found no suspicious injuries or signs of criminal elements. The case is being investigated as sudden death, with a post-mortem to determine the cause. 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: 1787306951160-bau-river-2108.jpg]

A 60-year-old woman has claimed trial in Kuching over an alleged RM2.42 million misappropriation from her late father’s estate. She was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code at the Kuching Sessions Court on Friday. The alleged offence took place at a bank along Jalan Song Thian Cheok on June 10, 2024 — one day before her father died. The money was allegedly withdrawn from her late father’s account and was believed to form part of the estate for distribution among his lawful heirs. The court granted her RM100,000 bail with two local sureties and fixed Sept 28 for pre-trial case management. The charge remains an allegation until proven in court. The charge or detention described here is not a conviction. Disputed facts remain for investigation or court, so readers should avoid naming unrelated people or treating an allegation as settled fact. [image: 1787285103885-kuching-estate-court-resized.jpg]

The Batu Kawa–Rantau Panjang road will remain open while land acquisition talks get underway. Formal discussions on land acquisition and compensation have started between the landowner and the authorities over a disputed parcel used by the public road linking Batu Kawa Old Town and Rantau Panjang. The landowner agreed not to block the route for now after authorities asked for public access to continue and road safety to be protected. The dispute centres on a claim that part of private land was used by the Public Works Department (JKR) for road and other public infrastructure. Batu Kawa Chung Hua Association chairman Lim Ah Ted urged all sides to settle the matter through legal and administrative channels. He said public roads should remain accessible and unilateral blockades should be avoided. [image: 1787285092714-batu-kawa-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.

The RM150 million remedial project for the Sungai Sarawak barrage had still not received final implementation approval as of Aug 20, despite the federal allocation being announced in March. Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin raised the delay after a site briefing on riverbed scouring near the barrage. The federal government announced RM150 million on March 13, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) was named implementing agency, and DID Sarawak later submitted the latest proposal to DID Malaysia for consideration and approval. Allocation, approval and construction are three different stages. A budget announcement does not mean a contractor has started work. At that point, the proposal was still moving through the approval process, which is why the minister called for it to be accelerated. The barrage has operated since Dec 1, 1997 as part of the Sungai Sarawak Regulation Scheme. Its five radial gates, navigation shiplock and bridge support flood mitigation, river-level management and navigation around Kuching. No closure or immediate public emergency was announced. The issue is planned remedial work for continued safe and reliable operation. The next facts worth watching are final approval, tender or contractor appointment, scope of works and the construction timetable. 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: 1787276043889-barrage.jpeg] Source: DayakDaily

A 22-year-old Kuching man has been fined RM10,000 after his bank account was used to receive scam money. The Magistrates' Court fined Dominic Unya Dunggat RM10,000, or three months' jail in default, after he pleaded guilty under Section 424C(1) of the Penal Code. The court heard that a victim transferred RM10,000 in three payments after receiving a WhatsApp call from someone claiming to be a relative from China who asked for a loan. Investigators later found that Dominic had handed his bank card to a longtime friend. The three transfers, made on July 25, 2025, were RM4,950, RM4,950 and RM100. The safest response is to stop, verify through an independent number and keep the evidence. Do not lend out a bank account or move money to a so-called safe account.

Haze is keeping 591 Sarawak schools closed on Aug 21. The Sarawak Education Department said the temporary closure took effect on Aug 20 and will continue tomorrow, Aug 21, after unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings were recorded at 3pm. The order affects 509 primary schools with 107,590 pupils and 82 secondary schools with 89,733 students. The 10 affected district education offices cover Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong. Schools have been told to monitor readings through the Department of Environment's APIMS system and follow Ministry of Health advice. Any further update will be announced by the department. Because these readings are tied to 2026-08-20, 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: 1787220315028-haze-chimon-20260820.jpg]

Pending Port handled about 217,500 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2026, down from about 764,800 tonnes during the same period last year, figures cited by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen show. Chong, who is also Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, said the drop raised questions about restrictions on ships with an air draft exceeding 26 metres after the Sejingkat Bridge came into operation. Roll-on/roll-off cargo, mainly vehicles, fell from about 380,000 tonnes involving 27,347 vehicles in the first half of 2025 to 2,435 tonnes involving 15 vehicles this year. He said cargo had shifted to Senari Port, where throughput rose from about 3.46 million tonnes to 4.12 million tonnes. Chong claimed the shift had caused congestion, longer vessel waiting times and cargo deliveries into Kuching taking one to two weeks longer. Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said Pending Port remained fully operational. Kuching Port Authority general manager Robert Lau said Pending Terminal was being repositioned to handle suitable domestic cargo, while Senari handles vessels requiring greater clearance. KPA recorded 179 ship calls and about 217,600 tonnes at Pending between January and June 2026. Changes in port handling can affect vessel waiting times and delivery schedules even when a terminal remains operational. Businesses moving cargo into Kuching should confirm the latest arrangement with the port authority rather than rely on a single political claim or an old estimate. [image: 1787198909240-pending-port-20260820.gif]

Urgent excavation has been ordered at Kuching’s Sg Apong Fishery Wharf to improve access for fishing boats. Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin directed the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) to speed up excavation works after visiting the wharf with Ministry of Transport Sarawak officers on Aug 19. The works will remove sedimentation near the wharf and clear a wreck that is affecting river access. Fishermen had also asked for the river channel to be deepened and trees near the wharf to be cleared. The Sungai Apong fishing association submitted its official application on Aug 5. Fishermen said shallow water and poor access have made it harder for boats to reach and berth at the wharf. Lee said the works are needed to make daily operations smoother for the fishing community. Changes in port handling can affect vessel waiting times and delivery schedules even when a terminal remains operational. Businesses moving cargo into Kuching should confirm the latest arrangement with the port authority rather than rely on a single political claim or an old estimate. [image: 1787187933338-sg-apong-wharf.jpeg] Source: DayakDaily

Three Chinese nationals were detained in Kuching after an operation linked to alleged home-repair scams. The Sarawak Immigration Department and Sarawak Consumers Association (PPS) carried out the Aug 19 operation after receiving several complaints. PPS said the three people could not produce valid identification documents or work permits. The complaints involved home-repair services advertised on Facebook. The providers allegedly offered free inspections, then claimed to find leaks and proposed drilling small holes and injecting liquid as a ‘new technology’ repair. Some consumers were allegedly charged thousands of ringgit and asked to pay into personal bank accounts. In some cases, the phone numbers became unreachable after payment while the leakage problems continued. PPS said one house inspected during the operation had no leakage problem. Several complaints were referred to the police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID). PPS said one follow-up recovered RM3,000 in compensation. Consumers are advised to verify service providers, get written quotations, avoid paying personal bank accounts where possible, and keep advertisements, chats, photos, videos and receipts as evidence. For home-repair work, get a written quotation, verify the business and avoid paying a personal bank account where possible. Keep the advertisement, chat history, photos and receipt if the work does not match what was promised. [image: 1787187922233-home-repair-scam.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post

Sarawak mission schools will get RM30 million in Unifor funding this year. Mission schools in Sarawak will continue receiving support from the state’s Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), with RM30 million allocated this year. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the funding is shifting beyond basic infrastructure such as desks and dining halls. It will also support software, soft skills, motivation classes, and help students improve in Science and Mathematics. The aim is to help more students, especially those from rural mission schools, meet entry requirements for Sarawak-owned universities and benefit from the state’s free tertiary education scheme. Unifor handed out RM34.87 million for 148 projects in its first disbursement this year. The remaining RM55.12 million is expected to be distributed by October. The allocation is a programme commitment; each school's work, timing and eligibility still depend on the official implementation details. Families should follow their school or the responsible department for the next confirmed announcement. [image: 1787134209476-mission-schools.jpg]

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