Sarawak is being urged to publish regular water-level data for the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric reservoirs. Sarawak is being urged to publish regular water-level data for the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric reservoirs as prolonged dry weather raises questions about future power generation. Senator Abun Sui Anyit said he saw what appeared to be a 300m to 500m exposed stretch along the Bakun reservoir during a visit on June 2. He stressed that this was a field observation, not an official measurement. He wants Sarawak Energy Berhad and the state government to release the current levels, minimum operating levels and a clear contingency plan. He also called for independent studies on the impact of drought, climate change and sedimentation. Sarawak Energy's published figures put Bakun's maximum operating level is EL 228m and its minimum operating level is EL 195m. 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: 1787015299226-bakun-dam-reservoir.jpg] Source: The Borneo Post

Two rural electrification projects worth RM13.1 million are being implemented in Ngemah to connect 147 households. The projects cover Ngemah Tengah and Hulu Ngemah. Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana said the RM9.188 million Phase 3 project in Ngemah Tengah is 66.6% complete and will benefit 114 households in four longhouses and one settlement. Electricity has already reached 65 households. The remaining homes are at Rumah Lau, Rumah Ai and Rumah Reba. Power-line works for the three longhouses are targeted for completion by the end of this year, with documentation expected to be submitted to Recoda on Aug 21. The RM3.909 million Phase 4A project in Hulu Ngemah is 9.4% complete. It will cover two longhouses and 33 households, with completion targeted for December 2027. Rain, difficult access and the use of logging roads remain challenges. The update is still developing; residents should rely on the next confirmed notice rather than treat an early announcement as final. [image: 1786928810225-ngemah-electricity.jpg] Source: Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat Ngemah / The Borneo Post

Five residents escaped unharmed after a two-storey semi-permanent house caught fire near Dewan Dayak Baru in Bau on Friday afternoon. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) said it received the alert at 12.49pm and firefighters from Bau station arrived five minutes later. The fire involved the upper floor and destroyed about 70 per cent of the structure. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 1.15pm and completed safety checks before ending operations at 1.46pm. All five occupants were safe and no injuries were reported. BOMBA said the cause of the fire and estimated losses are still under investigation. 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.

Sarawak plans to begin developing a CubeSat laboratory in 2027, with a state nano-satellite targeted for space by 2030. [image: 1786788255616-sarawak-cubesat-20260815.jpg] Photo: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) via DayakDaily Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the plan after meeting aerospace experts. He said a satellite could support the collection of Earth and resource data, while the programme would create demand for engineers with space-technology and basic astronomy knowledge. What is confirmed — and what is not CubeSats are small satellites built around standardised units, making them useful for education, technology testing and focused observation missions. A local laboratory could therefore be valuable even before a launch by training engineers and letting teams design, assemble and test hardware. The 2030 launch remains a target, not a confirmed mission date. The announcement did not name a launch provider, final satellite specification, budget or exact laboratory site. Those are the details that will show whether the idea has moved from roadmap to funded engineering work. For Sarawak, the strongest case will be practical use: flood and land monitoring, agriculture, mapping or environmental data that local agencies can actually use. The next milestones to watch are the 2027 lab start, technical partners and a published mission plan. Announced in: Kota Samarahan ️ Timeline: Laboratory development targeted for 2027; satellite target 2030 Sources: DayakDaily report · NASA explainer on SmallSats and CubeSats

The Sarawak General Operations Force seized RM40.39 million worth of contraband and illicit goods in 24 raids from Aug 1 to 13. GOF Sarawak Brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the operations covered 11 districts, including Kuching, Padawan, Kota Samarahan, Lundu, Bau, Serian, Bintulu, Miri, Betong, Sri Aman and Sarikei. The operations led to 31 arrests. The biggest haul came from Op Taring Chiller: 573.85 tonnes of frozen goods, including chicken, beef, fish, mutton, squid and crabs, worth about RM33.9 million. Twelve people were arrested in that operation, with the cases handed to the Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services for investigation. Other seizures included 7,500 litres of diesel, untaxed cigarettes and alcohol, timber, subsidised goods and swiftlet nests. The cases were referred to the relevant agencies under the Customs Act, Control of Supplies Act and other state laws. Location: 11 districts across Sarawak, including Kuching and Kota Samarahan Details: The raids ran from Aug 1 to 13 under several enforcement operations. [image: 1786701905005-pga-sarawak-contraband.jpg] Photo: The Borneo Post Source: The Borneo Post Malay report: Utusan Borneo What do you think?

Sarawak may carry out a third cloud-seeding operation as haze and dry weather put pressure on water supplies. The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said the operation will target critical dam catchments and water catchment areas. It will be carried out with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), but only if suitable clouds and weather conditions are available. MetMalaysia will decide the location and timing after technical checks. At noon on Aug 14, unhealthy API readings included Kuching 171, Samarahan 170, Serian 182 and Sri Aman 162. SDMC warned prolonged dry weather could worsen haze, strain water sources and raise the risk of forest, peatland and open-burning fires. Location: Sarawak, including Kuching and Samarahan Details: This would be Sarawak’s third cloud-seeding operation this year. [image: 1786701893462-sarawak-cloud-seeding.jpg] Photo: DayakDaily (file photo) Source: DayakDaily Cross-check: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Construction of the Sarawak Bioindustrial Park's Central Hub has started in Kota Samarahan, with a 24-month completion target. [image: 1786680414071-sarawak-bioindustrial-hub-20260814.jpg] Photo: The Borneo Post The wider development covers 100 acres and is intended to connect research, product development, pilot processing, manufacturing and commercialisation in one location. Its focus areas include bioactives, biohealth, biomaterials, bioenergy and environmental solutions. The Central Hub is expected to provide shared laboratories, pilot-scale processing facilities, collaborative workspaces and support for Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant production. It is managed by BioVerde Technologies Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre. Why this is more than another building announcement Sarawak already has biodiversity research. The difficult part is turning a promising compound or process into a product that can be tested, manufactured consistently and sold. Shared pilot and GMP-oriented facilities could close part of that gap for researchers and smaller companies that cannot build everything themselves. Eight collaboration agreements and memoranda were exchanged at the ceremony, but the report did not publish the construction cost, confirmed tenant list, job numbers or commercial production dates. Those measurable details — together with the 24-month construction milestone — are what Kuching and Samarahan residents should track next. Location: Kota Samarahan ️ Scope: Central Hub within a 100-acre bioindustrial park Sources: The Borneo Post report · Sarawak Biodiversity Centre

Kuching’s API reached 177 on Aug 12 as haze worsened across Sarawak. [image: 1786593856418-kuching-haze-20260812.jpg] At 4pm, data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed 11 areas at unhealthy levels and two at very unhealthy levels. Tebedu recorded an API reading of 214 and IPD Serian 201. Samarahan was at 178, followed by Kuching at 177. Other unhealthy readings were recorded in Lubok Antu (165), Sarikei (160), Sri Aman (157), Bintulu (153), Miri (151), Sibu (124), Lundu (111), Samalaju (110) and Lawas (102). API readings from 101 to 200 are classified as unhealthy, while 201 to 300 are very unhealthy. The readings are updated hourly. Location: Kuching and Sarawak Details: APIMS readings at 4pm on Aug 12 Source: Borneo Post What do you think?

Sarawak recorded 112 open-burning cases from Aug 1 to 11, with reports rising sharply since Aug 8. JBPM Sarawak director Jamri Masran said 28 cases were logged on Aug 11, after 16 on Aug 8, 25 on Aug 9 and 21 on Aug 10. The cases covered 75 bush fires, 20 rubbish fires, eight forest fires, four farm or plantation fires and five others, affecting a combined 111.64 hectares. Kuching Division recorded the most cases at 27, followed by Samarahan with 16. Two larger forest fires in Sri Aman and Daro involved about 80 and 10 hectares respectively. JBPM Sarawak urged residents to pause open burning, rubbish burning and land-clearing fires while the weather stays hot and dry. Report fires early before they spread and worsen the haze. [image: 1786583428207-open-burning.jpg] Location: Sarawak; Kuching Division recorded the highest count Details: 112 cases, 111.64 hectares affected, 27 cases in Kuching Division Source: TVS Photo: JBPM Sarawak via TVS What do you think?

A 53-year-old accounts clerk in Kuching lost RM622,320 to an online stock investment scam. Padawan District Police Chief Supt Barry William said the woman joined the scheme in mid-June after clicking a link and downloading an app. She then made 15 transactions involving six different bank accounts, all from her personal savings. At first she received a profit of RM1,120. That was the bait — she was then told to pay more to grow her investment. But when she tried to withdraw the profits shown in the app, she couldn't. That's when she realised it was a scam. The transactions happened between June 14 and July 23. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. [image: 1785924267789-scam-investment.jpg] Police advise the public to verify any investment platform before transferring money, and to be wary of apps that promise quick returns. Location: Kuching (Padawan) Case: Section 420 Penal Code — cheating Source: Borneo Post RM622K gone in two months. Have you or someone you know ever been approached by these investment schemes? What do you think?

Five SMART tower sites in Sarawak now have security walls after repeated theft and vandalism hit public utility infrastructure. [image: 1785202545637-review_smart.jpg] Image source: DayakDaily Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) has built perimeter walls at five SMART tower locations, including Sungai Rayah in Sarikei. The problem is not small. Each SMART telecommunications tower costs about RM2.5 million to build, while one protective wall costs more than RM100,000. Julaihi said the vandalism involves public assets such as electricity cables, fibre optic networks and utility infrastructure. Copper cable theft can disrupt electricity supply, telecommunications service and even water distribution. Why it matters Sarawak has been building SMART towers to improve connectivity, especially outside city areas. When these sites get damaged, the cost does not stop at repairs. It can also affect internet access and basic services for nearby communities. Julaihi said enforcement is still needed, but public awareness is just as important because the State cannot build expensive walls around every tower. Location: Sarawak, including Sungai Rayah, Sarikei Details: Five SMART tower sites fortified after repeated theft and vandalism; each tower costs around RM2.5 million, while one wall costs over RM100,000. Source: DayakDaily What do you think?

Sarawak and Indonesia discussed stronger air links to Jakarta, Balikpapan and Pontianak, together with better road connectivity through border checkpoints. [image: 1784023513243-sarawak-indonesia-airlinks.jpg] Photo: Ministry of Transport Sarawak via DayakDaily The discussion took place during a courtesy visit by Indonesian Consul General in Kuching Dr Abdullah Zulkifli to Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. Both sides said growing movement between Sarawak and Kalimantan makes easier transport links increasingly important for tourism, trade, investment and family travel. Discussion is not the same as a confirmed route Jakarta, Balikpapan and Pontianak were named as existing or potential connections under discussion. The July 14 statement did not announce an airline, flight frequency, launch date or fare for any new service. That distinction matters. A route only becomes useful to travellers after an airline receives the necessary approvals and publishes a bookable schedule. Until then, residents should not plan a trip around an unconfirmed service. Land links were also part of the meeting. The two sides discussed Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security checkpoints along the Sarawak–Kalimantan border as cross-border movement and economic activity increase. For Kuching travellers, the next facts worth watching are which airline applies for the route, whether it will be direct, how often it will fly and whether timings allow useful onward connections. Official updates should come from the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, the airline concerned and airport or aviation authorities. Status on July 14: Connectivity options discussed; no new launch date announced Sources: DayakDaily · Ministry of Transport Sarawak

[image: 1784023457577-gof-seizure-sarawak.jpg] Sarawak GOF seized RM19.96 million worth of illicit goods in a two-week statewide crackdown. The Sarawak Brigade of the General Operations Force recorded 18 successful operations from July 1 to July 13. The seizures involved unlicensed frozen products, subsidised diesel, illegal timber and wildlife-related items. What was seized More than 60 tonnes of frozen products without permits were found in Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Sri Aman and Kuching. GOF also seized nearly 16,000 litres of diesel in Sri Aman and Kota Samarahan, together with tanks, heavy machinery and other equipment. Other cases involved logs, processed timber, agarwood, swiftlet nests, rice, frozen meat and undocumented migrants. Location: Sarawak, including Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Sri Aman Details: 18 operations, RM19.96 million in seized goods, several arrests involving locals and foreigners Source: DayakDaily What do you think?

Malaysians will soon be able to apply for a passport that lasts 10 years instead of the current 5 — and it will cost RM350. [image: 1780640317943-malaysia-passport.jpg] The new 10-year Malaysian passport was officially gazetted on June 3 under the Fees (Passports and Visas) (Amendment) Order 2026. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban confirmed the change is coming this year, adding that the current 5-year option will remain available. Fees at a glance: Category 10-Year Passport Fee General (13-59) RM350 Senior (60+) RM175 OKU (disabled, 18+) Free Immigration staff Free Lost or damaged passport replacement fees: First replacement: RM550 Second: RM850 Third or more: RM1,350 Seniors 60+: RM375 (first), RM675 (second), RM1,175 (subsequent) For comparison, the current 5-year passport costs RM200 (RM100 for seniors). The 10-year option costs RM150 more but saves you the hassle of renewing every five years. Good news for Sarawakians — no more trips to Immigration every half-decade. One application, set for a decade. Source: DayakDaily | Borneo Post Worth switching over when it launches?

美里附近 Bekenu 一间21门长屋今晨遭大火吞噬，136名居民一夜之间失去家园。 消拯局凌晨1:17接获投报，Batu Niah 及美中消拯局随即派员赶赴 Rumah Nelson Ningkan，Jalan Sungai Saeh，Kampung Labau Bekenu 展开灌救。 这座非永久性木制长屋单位每间面积约16×100平方英尺，整栋建筑完全烧毁。 消拯人员耗时7小时，出动4条水柱分别从正面、两侧及后方灌射，直到早上8:18才控制火势。 所幸无人伤亡，但136名居民已全部流离失所。 地点： Kampung Labau Bekenu（美里附近） 详情： 21门非永久木制长屋全毁；7小时灌救行动；无人伤亡 [image: download] 图片来源：大马消拯局（Bomba） 新闻来源： DayakDaily 你觉得呢？