Fazzrudin (third left) presents caps and aprons to one of the traders during the walkabout at the Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar on Monday. — Photo by Roystein Emmor. KUCHING (Feb 23): The Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar continues to provide space and opportunities for small traders to do business and sell their products throughout the holy month, said Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman. “The annual event plays an important role in supporting small and micro entrepreneurs to generate additional income ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,” he told reporters after launching the bazaar and conducting a walkabout on Monday. He also thanked the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Emart in collaboration with Maggi, for organising the bazaar every year. MPP chairman Tan Kai said the bazaar also serves as a platform to promote unity among the people of Sarawak. “The spirit of Ramadan is about togetherness. Many non-Muslims also visit the bazaar, and this reflects the unity we value in Sarawak,” he said, adding that all community projects should continue to emphasise unity as a core principle. Meanwhile, Emart Group head of property Lee Leong Peng said a total of 63 stalls are operating at the bazaar this year, with 16 selling beverages and the remainder offering a variety of food items, including grilled dishes. “The Emart Matang Ramadan Bazaar has been organised for more than 13 years to provide traders with business opportunities ahead of the festive season,” he said. The bazaar runs from Feb 19 to March 18. At the same event, Maggi distributed 500 cups of bubur lambuk to members of the public. During the walkabout, Fazzrudin also presented caps and aprons to participating traders.

    Dr Sim (seated, fourth left), other distinguished guests and members of the media during a photo call. KUCHING (Feb 13): Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has voiced concern that the media landscape has grown increasingly complex, with smartphones enabling anyone to act as a content creator or influencer, making the spread of misinformation and incomplete narratives easier. “In today’s environment, not everyone who produces content is a professional journalist. Some intentionally or unintentionally spread misleading or incomplete information, which can turn good efforts into negative perceptions,” said Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, during his ministry’s Media Night held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at a restaurant here on Thursday night. Dr Sim pointed out that negative stories often dominate headlines, while positive achievements, especially in healthcare and public service, tend to receive limited attention. He cited the dedication of doctors and nurses in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), many of whom choose to continue serving in Sarawak despite better opportunities elsewhere. “Many of our doctors could easily leave for higher pay, yet they stay because they want to serve Sarawak. How often do we hear stories about their sacrifices and achievements?” he asked. He reminded the media to support Sarawak’s nation-building efforts through fair and balanced reporting and to play a more proactive role amid the rapid rise of social media and digital platforms. He also proposed that negative reporting should be balanced with positive stories, so the public can gain a fairer and more accurate understanding of ongoing development efforts. “Sarawak nation-building cannot be done by the government alone. The media, civil servants and people must work together. Journalists shape public opinion, and that carries responsibility,” he said. Highlighting the influence of headlines, Dr Sim said different media framing of the same facts could produce vastly different public perceptions, especially on sensitive issues such as Sarawak’s oil and gas revenue. He referred to contrasting headlines on Petronas’ earnings and investments in Sarawak, noting that such framing could easily be politicised, making Sarawakians appear greedy or ungrateful, while also fuelling dissatisfaction locally. “Same facts, different headlines – the political interpretation becomes completely different,” he said, urging journalists to be mindful of context and impact. Dr Sim encouraged journalists to highlight Sarawak’s development milestones, including infrastructure expansion, flood mitigation, healthcare investment, free tertiary education initiatives and student loan assistance, where the Sarawak government currently covers 70 per cent of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments for eligible students. “If we don’t tell our own success stories, others will distort them,” he said. Dr Sim expressed hope that by 2030, Sarawak would be a model of prosperity, unity and social harmony. He thanked media practitioners for their professionalism and urged them to remain committed to ethical reporting, noting that responsible journalism is vital to sustaining public trust and social stability. Dr Sim, along with Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato’ Lo Khere Chiang, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) chairman Dato’ Wee Hong Seng and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai as well as Political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Kho Teck Wan later distributed Chinese New Year ang pow to members of the media.

The residents listen to a briefing during the townhall session. KUCHING (Feb 10): A flood mitigation project in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa has been well-received by local residents in addressing recurrent floods there, said the Desa Wira village security and development committee (JKKK). They voiced their strong support during a townhall session held by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Kuching on Jan 26, which updated residents on the project’s progress. “About 150 residents attended, along with representatives from the State Ministry of Public Health, Local Government and Housing, Padawan Municipal Council, Kuching Resident’s Office, Kuching District Office, community leaders, as well as the project consultant and contractor,” it said in a statement. Tuai Rumah Jeki Entebar of Lorong 22 Desa Wira said the project was important for controlling floods in low-lying areas and should proceed without obstruction. “I do, 100 per cent, support this project. Those who object have their own vested interests. This project must go on,” he said. Penghulu Stanley of Desa Wira said the project had to be implemented to reduce frequent monsoon flooding that has caused significant property losses, adding that studies conducted by DID should reassure residents. “The residents should not worry anymore,” he said. Kapitan Voon Shu Phin said the flood mitigation reservoir would not only store excess rainwater during heavy rainfall to prevent losses, but could also function as a recreational park during dry periods. “This will provide residents with a pleasant place for walking and leisure.” A committee member of Surau Nurul Najihin described the project as a source of hope for Desa Wira residents, noting that flooding had already been reduced even with the project at about 50 per cent completion “We are grateful to Batu Kawah assemblyman YB Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian for implementing solutions that were never realised previously. “We hope future plans will include widening and reinforcing the river at Pine Square, supported by geographical studies to divert rainwater flow,” he said. The flood mitigation project, implemented in two phases, was launched in 2025, and the first phase of the project is now nearing completion. While several residents raised concerns over potential impacts on their properties during Phase 2, engineers provided detailed explanations and assurances. According to JKKK Desa Wira, the residents do not want to face hardship and trouble caused by floods again. Heavy rainfall on Dec 31, 2025 and in early January this year led to the relocation of 277 residents from 73 families in Kampung Desa Wira to Dewan Masyarakat Stapok and Dewan Surau Nurul Najihin in Kampung Stapok, where they stayed for five days.

An Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue fever. – AFP file photo KUCHING (Jan 26): Authorities are intensifying control measures at Kensho Townhouse, Pines Square in Batu Kawa here following a dengue fever outbreak reported earlier this month. Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai said the outbreak, which was reported on Jan 5, is expected to end on Feb 7, provided no new cases are detected. According to him, investigations carried out by MPP found Aedes mosquito breeding sites in the surrounding area to be the cause of the outbreak. “MPP is currently working closely with the Kuching Divisional Health Office to implement intensive outdoor and indoor fogging operations to curb the spread of dengue,” he said in a statement. He however, expressed grave concern over the lack of cooperation from certain residents, particularly those who have denied access for indoor fogging, which he stressed is critical in controlling the outbreak. “All residents must give full cooperation to the authorities. Failure to do so will jeopardise public health and delay outbreak control,” he said. Tan urged residents to immediately remove stagnant water containers inside and outside their homes, ensure cleanliness within their houses and surrounding areas, and eliminate all potential mosquito breeding sites. “The residents are also advised to carry out self-administered aerosol spraying indoors as an additional control measure and to avoid outdoor activities during the outbreak period, especially during peak mosquito biting times in the early morning and late evening. “If outdoor activities are unavoidable, use insect repellent to reduce the risk of mosquito bites,” he said. He said property owners who do not reside in the area are to inspect their premises without delay. “Larvicides must be placed in gully traps, toilet bowls and toilet cistern tanks,” he added. Stressing that dengue is preventable through collective action, Tan urged residents experiencing symptoms such as high fever, headache, body pain, nausea or extreme tiredness to seek medical treatment immediately and to inform doctors that they live in an outbreak area. “MPP calls on all residents to act responsibly and work together with the authorities to safeguard public health and prevent further spread of dengue fever,” he said.

Dr Sim (centre) poses for a group photo with attendees at the event. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (Feb 22): The Sarawak government has set its sights on building a lush 70-acre urban sanctuary, similar to KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur, under the multi-phase Ang Cheng Ho (ACH) Quarry redevelopment project as part of its plan to transform Batu Kawa by 2030. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the proposed park, set to be among the largest in Kuching, will form part of a comprehensive master plan for the area. The development will incorporate more than 40 acres of land across the road together with the over 20-acre quarry lake, creating a combined park area of about 70 acres. Dr Sim noted that he had met with private landowners surrounding the quarry to coordinate a comprehensive master town planning initiative to transform the area into a tourist resort destination complete with a shopping centre, hotel and other supporting facilities. “So eventually, this will be like the area behind KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) — a very nice garden setting, with a shopping centre fronting landscaped gardens and a park,” he said. Dr Sim, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, said this when met by reporters during a Chinese New Year open house at the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry Multipurpose Hall here on Saturday. The multipurpose hall, managed by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), can accommodate between 800 and 1,000 people in an air-conditioned setting. It is part of Phase 1 of the redevelopment, which has been completed and is now open for community use. On the project’s progress, Dr Sim said the redevelopment is currently in Phase 2, with an allocation of RM8 million this year. This phase will include walking trails, rock-climbing and extreme sports facilities, as well as water sports activities around the quarry lake. “So, Phase 2 of the Ang Cheng Ho Quarry has started this year. We are looking to complete it within the year. It involves an allocation of RM8 million. “At the moment, the area is still quite dark. Under Phase 2, we will install proper lighting and introduce various sporting and recreational activities to activate the place,” he said.