Pupils and parents using the roadside beside SJK Sungai Apong in Kuching now have a barrier between them and the deep drain. Safety railings have been installed with funding from Kuching South City Council (MBKS), according to a council press release reported by DayakDaily on Oct 30. A council site assessment had identified the unprotected drain as a hazard, particularly when heavy rain raises the water level. The work addresses a specific part of the school journey: the drain-side area used by families arriving at and leaving the school. It is a protective barrier, rather than a reported change to traffic flow, parking arrangements or school access. MBKS placed the improvement under its work on Unicef’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative, which brings children’s safety into decisions about public infrastructure. The report did not give the length or cost of the railings, or an installation completion date; Oct 30 is the date of the published update and inspection photograph.

Nearly 69% of complaints logged through MYJalan since its 2023 launch involved roads handled by authorities outside the Works Ministry network. The platform recorded 68,334 complaints from Aug 1, 2023 to July 31, 2026. Of these, 46,886 were channelled through its No Wrong Door system to bodies such as local councils, district and land offices, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, and the Public Works Departments in Sabah and Sarawak. Another 21,448 complaints involved federal or state roads supervised by the ministry and its agencies. The ministry said 20,762 had been resolved and 686 remained under action. For Sarawak road users, MYJalan accepts photographs and GPS locations across 10 categories, from potholes and damaged markings to faulty traffic lights and landslides. The RM904.2 million maintenance allocation cited for 2026 covers Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan together; no Sarawak-only breakdown was given.

Bintulu flood-mitigation work at three sites is targeted to start in October after an extra RM53 million allocation. The package covers remaining Phase Two components at Gem Park, Desa Damai and SJK Sebiew. The Bintulu DID may call the tender in early September, with physical work expected between mid- and late October. A separate long-term study would examine Bintulu’s wider flood-mitigation system, including the capacity of existing measures and where upgrades are needed. Sarawak is considering an international consultancy working with local experts, but the firm, cost and scope are still under discussion. The October date is a target, not a guarantee that flooding will stop. Residents in the affected areas should continue following local warnings during heavy rain while waiting for the tender notice and confirmed work schedule. Location: Bintulu, Sarawak

Delayed public projects are getting a closer look after complaints from the public. [image: 1784801084746-sick-projects.jpg] Image source: DayakDaily / Nanta Facebook page Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi has ordered a full review of delayed and “sick” projects under the Ministry of Works after reading public complaints about projects that are still not completed. The issue was raised during the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting on July 23. Nanta said the report must spell out the status of affected projects, the causes of delay, and quick steps that can actually be taken. What happens next The ministry will look at project monitoring, accountability, and the reasons some works keep falling behind schedule. Nanta said every delayed project affects people who are waiting to use roads and public facilities. Location: Nationwide, with Sarawak-based minister leading the review Details: Delayed infrastructure projects, public complaints, ministry review Source: DayakDaily What do you think?