Kuching remained in the very unhealthy air-quality band on Sunday morning, even as readings improved in four other Sarawak areas. The API reading in Kuching was 235 at 8am, down from 276 at 8pm on Saturday. Sri Aman was also in the very unhealthy range at 216, while Lubok Antu, Lundu and Kanowit recorded 237, 215 and 215 respectively. Samarahan, Serian, Bintulu and Samalaju moved into the unhealthy band after their readings fell to between 184 and 200. No Sarawak station was above the hazardous threshold of 300 at the 8am update. The improvement is uneven. Smoke haze from Kalimantan was still drifting into parts of Sarawak on Sunday, and conditions may change with wind and rainfall. For Kuching residents, an API reading between 201 and 300 remains a signal to reduce prolonged outdoor activity and keep vulnerable family members away from smoky air.

The old Batang Layar Bridge in Betong has been closed since Sept 4 and may stay shut for up to two weeks while safety repairs are carried out. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Public Works Department found structural concerns at the bridge. Even if the repair work finishes early, the closure may run for the full two weeks so the crossing can be checked before reopening. The replacement bridge has passed 70 per cent physical progress. The wider project, including related road works, is more than 40 per cent complete. Uggah asked the contractor to use the current dry weather to speed up construction. For people travelling through Betong, the confirmed position is simple: the old crossing is not yet open, and the new bridge is still a construction project. Follow the latest local traffic notice before choosing the route; no reopening date was announced in the report.

Sarawak wants cloud-seeding missions to continue through September whenever the weather allows, as dry conditions put dams and raw-water sources under pressure. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state was discussing more frequent operations with the federal government. The request is conditional: aircraft can only seed clouds that meet the required atmospheric conditions. The third 2026 operation ran from Sept 3 to 5 across Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit and Limbang. It targeted three dams — Batang Ai, Murum and Bakun — and 13 catchment areas. Uggah said previous missions had helped raise levels at Murum and Bakun, although the effect at Batang Ai was smaller. The immediate concern is water, not a guaranteed fix for the haze. Lubau’s supply was described as critical, while operations at Awik and Spaoh had stopped. Hot weather is expected to remain a risk into October. Cloud seeding depends on suitable clouds, humidity and wind. A scheduled window therefore does not guarantee a flight or measurable rain at a particular town.

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.

Serian remains under haze emergency for three more days as API drops, workplaces allowed to operate The Serian Division will stay under a state of emergency for the next three days despite an improvement in air quality, with businesses and government offices permitted to continue operations under health precautions. Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said it is monitoring the situation closely after Serian's Air Pollutant Index peaked at 521 on Sept 4. By 10am on Sept 5, the reading had dropped to 334, still within the hazardous band of 301-500. SDMC warned that API levels could fluctuate depending on wind direction and hotspot activity. A full assessment will be made after the three-day monitoring window before any recommendation is submitted to Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on whether to lift or extend the emergency. Industries, plantations, construction sites and quarries in the affected area may continue operating provided all necessary health safeguards are in place. The public has been advised to avoid outdoor activities where possible, and to wear N95 or at minimum 3-ply masks when going out. Particular care should be taken for children, senior citizens and vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment reported that nine of Malaysia's 16 detected hotspots on Friday were in Sarawak, with the remaining five in Sabah and two in Terengganu. ASMC satellite data showed 139 hotspots in Kalimantan, with moderate to thick haze moving northeast towards Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei. Six Sarawak locations recorded very unhealthy API as of 1pm Sept 5: Serian (287), Kuching (267), Sri Aman (251), Samarahan (242), Samalaju (202) and Bintulu (201). Seven more registered unhealthy readings.

Sarawak housing law amendments remain under legal review, no tabling date set Proposed changes to Sarawak's key housing laws are still with the State Attorney-General's Chambers (SAG), with no firm timeline for their tabling in the State Legislative Assembly. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the proposed amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance 2013 (HDO 2013) and the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Regulations 2014 (HDR 2014) are currently undergoing legal review and refinement. Speaking at the SHEDA Property Expo 2026 in Kuching, Dr Sim was responding to SHEDA president Augustine Wong, who sought assurance that the amendments could be tabled before the current assembly term ends. The Deputy Premier said legislative processes can take time, pointing to another state ordinance that took about two years to complete. He reiterated the government's willingness to continue engaging with the industry on regulatory issues. Location: Kuching

Sarawak Forestry steps up patrols in fire-prone areas as haze and heat threaten wildlife Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has intensified monitoring in high-risk forest areas as the prolonged hot, dry and hazy weather increases the risk of forest fires and puts additional pressure on wildlife. SFC general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said field patrols are being carried out particularly in peat forest areas and areas close to human activity, with hotspot detection technology used to identify early signs of fire. Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) that have previously been affected by fires are receiving extra attention. Among the sites being closely monitored are Bako National Park, Kuching Wetland National Park and Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kuching region, as well as Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary, Lambir National Park, Niah National Park and Mulu National Park in the Miri area. The corporation has also prepared emergency equipment and trained personnel, including veterinary officers, to respond to wildlife injuries or health problems caused by smoke exposure. SFC is coordinating with private veterinary centres and the Department of Veterinary Services. Location: Kuching, Miri

Sarawak to launch SAMUDAH platform to streamline business-to-government dealings The Sarawak government will soon introduce the SAMUDAH Management System, a coordinated digital platform designed to improve communication and issue-resolution between businesses and government departments. Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said the system will provide a structured mechanism for resolving business-related issues, with clearly recorded data to help policymakers identify and address system-level problems. His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the opening of the SHEDA Property Expo 2026 at voco Kuching. The initiative is part of a broader push under the 13th Malaysia Plan to streamline government delivery. It will complement the Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM) system, which manages the performance of 13MP commitments including the construction of 20,000 affordable homes. Location: Kuching

Sarawak developers must now set aside 10% of project land for green spaces Developers in Sarawak will be required to dedicate at least 10 per cent of their project area to green spaces, Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg announced at the SHEDA Property Expo 2026 in Kuching. The requirement forms part of the state's push to embed sustainability into new developments. The same event also outlined that all new government buildings have been required to incorporate green features since 2025, while Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be used for government projects valued at RM10 million and above. The government is also targeting the use of Industrialised Building System (IBS) technology in 70 per cent of future government buildings and schools, and aims to source at least 50 per cent of construction products locally. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state has also committed to building 20,000 affordable housing units. The Premier's speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Location: Kuching Details: The policy applies to new developments across Sarawak and was announced on Sept 4, 2026 at voco Kuching.

The Kuching High Court has ended a nearly three-year drug case without calling the five accused to enter their defence. At the close of the prosecution’s case on Sept 3, the judge ruled that evidence from 15 witnesses had not established a prima facie case. All five were discharged and acquitted. The charge alleged that the group, acting with common intention, trafficked 42.2kg of methamphetamine at a hotel near Jalan Nanas at about 12.30pm on Oct 12, 2023. It was brought under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code. Because the court stopped the case at the prosecution stage, the five were never required to answer the allegation. The Sept 3 ruling is an acquittal, not a release after serving a sentence; no further step by the prosecution was stated.

The engineering question raised in Kuching reaches beyond one gadget: how can exams stay credible when AI can generate or display answers? For Sarawak's universities, schools and engineering students, that is the practical issue behind Thursday's fireside chat. Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said future engineers may need to develop technology capable of spotting AI-generated answers. He was referring to a report he had read about AI-enabled glasses that could provide answers, not to a proven incident in a Sarawak exam. The exchange took place during the 34th FEIAP General Assembly and World Engineering Congress at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. Hosted by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, the regional gathering runs from Sept 2 to 4. The session announced no new Sarawak examination rule, detector purchase, trial, budget or implementation date; any classroom or examination change would require a separate decision from the relevant education authorities.

Kuching's API was 285 at 2pm Thursday, putting the city in the Very Unhealthy band as haze continued to affect Sarawak. Residents planning a long stretch outdoors should check the newest reading rather than rely on the 2pm figure. Children, older people, pregnant women and people with heart or respiratory conditions face higher risk. Anyone who develops breathing difficulty should seek medical care. Lubok Antu posted the 2pm watch's most severe reading at 469, rated Very Hazardous. IPD Serian was at 370 and Lundu at 305, both Hazardous; Samarahan recorded 271 and Sri Aman 282, joining Kuching in the Very Unhealthy range. Miri's 100 was Moderate. The API is a 24-hour running average based on the dominant pollutant, not a single moment outdoors: 201 to 300 is Very Unhealthy, 301 to 400 Hazardous and 401 to 500 Very Hazardous.

A former Kuching bank relationship manager has been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined RM40 million after admitting 24 cheating and money-laundering charges. The Sessions Court heard that eight customers aged 60 to 75 lost more than RM1.58 million in a bond investment scheme that did not exist. He had offered higher returns while handling investments and remittances for the bank’s customers. Instead of placing the money in investments, he used customers’ signatures and biometric approvals to move funds into third-party accounts through DuitNow, interbank transfers and cashier’s orders without their knowledge or consent. He pleaded guilty to 16 cheating charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code and eight charges under Section 4(1)(b) of the anti-money-laundering law. The court ordered the prison terms to run concurrently; reports said he did not pay the RM40 million fine. A bank title is not proof that an investment is authorised. Customers should verify the product and recipient account through the bank’s official contact channels before approving any transfer or biometric confirmation.

Eight people are under a four-day remand after Kuching CID raided a Jalan Song apartment suspected of housing an online love-scam call centre. The raid was carried out at around 11pm on Sept 1. Police detained two local men, one local woman and five foreign men, all aged 21 to 26, and seized laptops, phones and other devices believed to have been used in the operation. Police said their preliminary checks pointed to an alleged call centre targeting people outside Malaysia, with the eight believed to have worked there full-time. Those claims remain part of an investigation under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code. The Kuching Magistrates’ Court granted the four-day remand on Sept 2. None of the eight has been reported charged or convicted. Police have asked anyone with relevant information to contact a nearby station or the Kuching District Control Centre at 082-244444.

Stampin Resettlement Scheme’s flood project now has a contractor, but residents are still waiting for the construction timetable. DID Sarawak handed the Letter of Award to TMK Construction and Transport Sdn Bhd on Sept 2. The first package, valued at RM87,956,231.16, covers roadside drains and culverts along Jalan Stampin Baru and work on outlets leading to Sungai Stampin, Sungai Stutong and Sungai Kuap. This is the first firm step towards site work after years of planning. A DID update in July said the RM350 million scheme was announced in November 2022 and had yet to begin physical construction at that point. The wider plan will be delivered in stages, with reinforced-concrete drains, channels and detention ponds among the proposed works. Project estimates put the reach at 1,053 households, or 9,026 people. The award does not mean flood protection is already in place. DID has not published the start and completion dates or a traffic-management schedule, details that Jalan Stampin Baru residents will need once work begins.

Former The Borneo Post editor and Sibu haiku poet John Tiong Chunghoo died on Wednesday at the age of 66. His brother confirmed the death. No cause was disclosed. John began his journalism career with The Borneo Post in the 1980s, serving as an editor before later working with national newspapers. He also wrote travel pieces and remained active as a poet. His PoemHunter biography lists more than 3,000 poems and records that his work was used by schools and universities in several countries, including material connected with GCE and International Baccalaureate examinations. His writing also appeared in international literary and education publications. Former colleagues and readers remember a Sibu newspaperman whose haiku found an audience far beyond Sarawak. Condolences to his family and friends.

Open burning along the Sibu Jaya bypass has been ordered to stop after a Tuesday fire was linked to nearby farming activity. Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) said its chairman inspected the site with Natural Resources and Environment Board officers and firefighters. Sibu’s Air Pollutant Index was 327 — in the hazardous range — when the fire was reported. NREB officers told the council that people believed to be involved ran into nearby bush when enforcement personnel arrived. No suspect has been identified publicly and no charge has been announced. SRDC will ask the Land and Survey Department to verify the affected plots and their registered owners. Landowners along the bypass have been urged to check for unauthorised farming, while the council plans a multi-agency meeting over repeated burning in the area.

Jalan Oya Health Clinic is still operating at its present site while authorities assess a rented building for a possible temporary move. A Sept 1 inspection covered both the existing clinic and the proposed rental premises. The move is being considered because of the present building’s condition, with rising patient numbers and staff workload also putting pressure on the clinic. No temporary address, move date or change to appointments has been announced. Sarawak health authorities and the Health Ministry still have to decide whether the proposed premises are suitable and how services would be transferred. Patients should continue using the arrangements already given by the clinic unless an official notice says otherwise.