Sarawak’s new CID chief has been told to make organised crime and gang activity a priority, but police did not announce any new arrest, charge or named target on Sept 1. Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah set out the brief during a handover ceremony in Kuching, where SAC Kumarasan Muniandy took charge of the state Criminal Investigation Department. The remit includes serious offences linked to unlicensed money-lending syndicates. Mohamad Zainal said several suspected drug-trafficking groups remain under police watch. He did not identify the groups or say how many were involved, and said action under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 would only be considered if investigators found enough evidence of organised crime. Police have previously used SOSMA in one organised-crime case that is still awaiting trial. No outcome has been decided in that case, while any action against the groups now under watch remains subject to investigation and the legal process.

Passengers flying between Borneo destinations should be ready for schedule changes as AirBorneo reviews operations amid Sarawak's worsening haze. The airline said some intra-Borneo flights may be retimed or cancelled for safety reasons, with further announcements to be made if scheduled services change. It urged passengers to check its latest updates before heading to the airport. The warning comes as hazardous API readings spread across Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Sarikei on Tuesday. That does not mean every flight is disrupted: the advisory describes possible changes while assessments continue. Travellers from Kuching should keep their booking details handy, allow time to check for notices and confirm the status of the specific flight rather than rely on general haze reports.

Ten Sarawak monitoring stations were still in the hazardous band at 2pm on Tuesday, even after Kuching eased from 407 in the morning to 374. NREB's 2pm table recorded Lubok Antu at 390, IPD Serian at 389, Kuching at 374, Kanowit at 364, Tebedu at 353 and Lundu at 351. Sarikei was at 349, Samarahan at 339, Sibu at 331 and Sri Aman at 327. All ten readings were above the hazardous threshold of 300. No station was above 400 in the 2pm update, but that was not a clear-air signal: Kuching had reached 407 earlier, while Serian was also above 400. API is a 24-hour running average, so residents should check the latest reading before outdoor activity and cut strenuous exercise while conditions remain hazardous.

Police have arrested a suspect and recovered a homemade firearm after a 17-year-old was shot in both legs in Lawas. The arrest was made on Aug 25, after the teenager was injured at a water catchment area in Long Lidong. Police said the firearm, locally known as a ‘bakakuk’, was found at a hut near the suspect’s home, covered with a zinc sheet. The teenager had earlier been found injured after he failed to return from the forest. He was taken to Lawas Hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. Investigators said the teenager had gone hunting with a relative and was accidentally shot by a friend who mistook him for an animal. That is the account under investigation; the arrest is not a conviction, and police have not announced any court outcome. The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 37 of the Arms Act 1960. Police are still tracing witnesses and gathering information. Anyone with relevant knowledge should pass it to the police and avoid spreading speculation about the case.

Sarawak’s proposed state constituency maps will go on public display from Sept 1, opening a one-month window for representations on the Election Commission’s redelineation plan. The proposal covers 17 additional seats and several renamed constituencies; if eventually approved, the State Legislative Assembly would grow from 82 to 99 seats. Notices are to appear in The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo, while exhibition boards, draft reports and maps are planned at selected city halls, municipal councils and district offices across the state’s 31 parliamentary constituencies. The EC’s proposed venues include Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Padawan Municipal Council—three separate local authorities, not one generic ‘Kuching council’. The display is not the final boundary map and does not by itself mean the next state election will use 99 seats. The proposal still needs approval by Parliament and gazettement before it can take effect. Representations may be made within one month after the notice is published, but the eligible groups are specific: the state government, an affected local authority, or a body of at least 100 people whose names appear on the current electoral rolls of the constituencies concerned. Kuching and Samarahan voters should check the displayed documents for the exact map, venue and submission procedure rather than rely on earlier leaked versions.

Four water treatment plants have been placed at the front of Sarawak’s next cloud-seeding plan as the dry spell continues to squeeze raw-water reserves. The priority sites are Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh and Lichok. The target window is Sept 3 to 5, but the operation still depends on suitable cloud formations. Agencies are due to meet on Sept 1 to decide how it will be carried out, so the dates are not a confirmed flight schedule. The exercise is intended to support both water sources and power dams. The wider response is already moving. From Aug 18 to 29, JBALB’s 24 water tankers and 74 contracted lorries—98 vehicles in all—made 680 trips and delivered 3.344 million litres across Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Limbang and Miri. The disaster committee has also approved RM400,000 for additional water tanks and central collection points in larger villages. Separately, bottled-water assistance recorded 1,943 cases from Jan 1 to Aug 26, covering 49,523 families and 225,822 people. Communities facing supply interruptions should follow JBALB or Sarawak Water notices for the operating details of their local tanker routes and collection points.

Firefighters put out a 10-acre bushfire at Miri’s Kuala Baram Bypass on Sunday evening after strong winds helped the flames spread quickly. Lutong Fire and Rescue Station received the call at about 5.41pm. Six personnel left a minute later and arrived at 5.51pm. Thick smoke hampered the operation. The crew used an approximately 1,000-foot hose line, one nozzle, the fire engine’s pump and water from a hydrant. The fire was brought under control at 7.45pm and fully extinguished at 8.30pm. Personnel from Miri Central Fire Station and the police were involved, while several Miri Open Burning Emergency Mutual Aid (Mobema) teams were also at the scene. The report gave no cause, casualty details or property-damage assessment. Anyone who sees smoke or flames near the bypass should keep clear of the area and call emergency services; do not approach the fire line.

Twenty-three people were injured after a tour bus carrying 43 people crashed at the Kanowit Roundabout along the Pan Borneo Highway early Monday. The single-vehicle crash was reported at 2.25am. Six firefighters from Sibu Jaya Fire Station were sent to the scene. No one was trapped, but one woman was still inside the bus and was helped out by firefighters; the other 42 people had already been assisted out by members of the public. The injured — 19 women and four men — received initial treatment before being taken to Sibu Hospital and Kanowit Hospital. Police, Health Ministry personnel and the Civil Defence Force also took part in the response, which ended at 4.50am after firefighters ensured the scene was safe. The latest reports did not state what caused the crash or whether traffic arrangements at the roundabout changed afterward. Drivers using the Pan Borneo Highway through the area should follow any police directions and slow down near the scene.

Sarawak has mobilised 119 water tankers as dry weather puts smaller river-based water systems under pressure. The state’s main water-supply dams — Bengoh, Gerugu, Assyakirin and Sika — are still recording normal levels. The greater risk is in JBALB schemes that draw from small rivers, so the Utility and Telecommunication Ministry, JBALB and Sarawak Water are coordinating extra tankers, storage and alternative sources. Nine centralised water collection centres have been established in Sri Aman, with 13 more locations identified in Betong. The tanker response is being coordinated across divisions and with other agencies for areas that need support. For water-supply problems, residents can report through local leaders or call JBALB at 082-262111 and Sarawak Water at 082-222333. The 1-300-88-2020 Sarawak Water line will become effective on Sept 1. The dry spell is expected to continue into 2027 under El Niño conditions, while any cloud-seeding operation remains weather-dependent. Households are urged to use water carefully.

Seven Sarawak locations were in the hazardous API band by 8am on Monday, Aug 31, including Kuching and Samarahan. Kuching recorded 317 and Samarahan 330. Serian was the highest at 476, while Tebedu (385), Lubok Antu (367), Lundu (349) and Sri Aman (326) made up the other four hazardous readings. The same NREB table placed Sarikei at 267, Sibu at 219 and Mukah at 214 — all in the very unhealthy range. An API reading of 301 or above is classified as hazardous, while 201–300 is very unhealthy. These readings can change during the day. Residents should check the latest official update before making outdoor plans. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and anyone with serious breathing difficulty or chest pain should seek medical attention.

The RM170 million Menalun–Sungai Poi road project in Kanowit is moving into Phase 3, but the full route is still targeted for completion only in 2030. Phases 1 and 2 have been completed. The latest phase began with a groundbreaking on Aug 29 and involves a 3.6-kilometre road through hilly terrain. It carries an allocation of RM46.11 million and a contract value of RM39.96 million, and does not include bridges or extend as far as the school. Phase 4 remains at the design stage. The RM58.4 million allocation covers another 2.6 kilometres and two bridges, with the planned route connecting Sekolah Kebangsaan Ulu Poi and the longhouses Rumah Panjang Gani and Rumah Panjang Tarang. The project is meant to improve access for remote communities and essential services, but the 2030 date is a completion target that depends on the remaining phases being delivered. The road should not be treated as a fully open connection yet; the next milestones are Phase 3 progress and a firm construction plan for Phase 4.

About 70% of a one-storey Post Office Malaysia building in Bekenu was damaged in a fire on Saturday morning. The Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call at 8.44am and sent a team from Batu Niah, about 38 kilometres away. Firefighters reached the scene at 9.21am and used a 400-foot hose line with two water jets, drawing water from a nearby river. The 40-by-40-foot building was made safe after the blaze was extinguished and the site was overhauled to check for remaining fire sources. The operation ended at 12.30pm, with police, the Civil Defence Force, Sarawak Energy, postal staff and Rela assisting. The cause of the fire and the estimated losses remain under investigation. Customers who normally use the Bekenu counter should wait for the postal operator’s service arrangement before making a trip, and keep clear of the secured area.

Serian’s API reading reached the hazardous level at 357 by 7am on Sunday, while Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman were already in the very unhealthy band. The morning reading reported from the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Management System put Samarahan at 293, Kuching at 284 and Sri Aman at 215. Serian was the only Sarawak station above 300, the threshold for hazardous air quality. Most of the other monitored areas were in the unhealthy range, including Sarikei at 195, Sibu at 187, Bintulu at 177, Samalaju and Mukah at 170, Kapit at 159, Miri at 154 and ILP Miri at 144. Limbang was the exception at 86, in the moderate range. The figures are a time-stamped snapshot, so they can shift as wind, rain and smoke movement change. Kuching residents planning outdoor exercise or travel should check the latest APIMS reading first; people who must go out should keep exposure short and pay attention to breathing symptoms.

Sarawak's 4pm haze readings worsened across the state, with Serian joining Sri Aman in the very unhealthy band. The Air Pollutant Index Management System recorded Sri Aman at 229 and Serian at 228 on Aug 29. Kuching was at 180, Sarikei 194 and Samarahan 185, putting those stations in the unhealthy range alongside Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit and Samalaju. Only ILP Miri, Miri and Limbang remained in the moderate range, at 77, 76 and 56 respectively. All listed areas rose from the 10am readings, making this a materially worse afternoon snapshot rather than a repeat of the morning update. Under the API scale, 201–300 is very unhealthy and 101–200 is unhealthy. Residents can check the latest APIMS reading before prolonged outdoor activity, as the numbers may change with wind and rain.

Bintulu Port will come under Sarawak management on Sept 1 after a three-year handover process. The change follows the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024 taking effect on Aug 31. The transition covered staff, assets, finances and legal matters. The completed arrangements cover the absorption of all BPA employees, the return of some assets to Sarawak and settled compensation for transferred port assets. Bintulu Port has grown from an energy-industry facility into a major trade and LNG gateway over 47 years. The handover changes its jurisdiction and administration; the reports do not announce a port closure. Sarawak's plan to integrate it with the state's other ports, along with any changes port users may see, has not yet been detailed.

Lubok Antu haze closes 30 schools on Aug 28 as the district’s API reaches 200. The Sarawak Education Department’s temporary closure covers 28 primary schools with 2,242 pupils and two secondary schools with 1,793 students. The API reading was 200 at 8pm on Thursday, after reaching 210 at 4pm. This is a Lubok Antu district order, not a closure of every school in Sarawak. JPN Sarawak told schools to monitor APIMS readings and follow haze-related safety procedures. Parents should check with their school or the district education office for any update because the notice does not give a reopening time. Location: Lubok Antu, Sarawak

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

Miri and Bintulu are set to receive expanded community HIV support under a RM2.25 million, three-year Sarawak allocation. Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, first established in Kuching as a halfway home and support centre, will extend services that include treatment support, temporary shelter, counselling, psychosocial care, treatment monitoring, welfare assistance and community outreach. The expansion brings this support model closer to people living with HIV, their families and other vulnerable groups in the two cities. It is being carried out through a partnership between the Sarawak Government, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Sunway Group and Yayasan PETRONAS. It will also complement the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE), which helps eligible low-income patients with travel costs when they need specialised chronic-care treatment in other cities. The funding has been announced, but the practical details for Miri and Bintulu are still to come: where the services will operate, when they will open and how referrals will be handled. Those details will matter to families planning treatment and travel.

Northern Sarawak’s connectivity plan is moving toward a direct Limbang–Lawas link, with the new route intended to reduce reliance on paths through Brunei. The agreement signed in Lawas on Aug 26 brings Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO) together to use communications infrastructure already owned in Sarawak. It includes SESCO’s Virtual Fibre network, with the overall network alignment reported at about 1,926 kilometres. The gap is felt in everyday services. Businesses in Lawas have faced e-payment problems, while the Lawas district police headquarters has also experienced internet issues despite its role in disaster management. Better links would support education, healthcare, government services and emergency response across the two northern divisions. This is an infrastructure agreement, not a switch-on notice. The parties have not given a launch date, coverage map or speed target, so the next meaningful update will be where the route reaches and whether service interruptions ease.

A 243-home affordable housing scheme at Teku, Sibu is moving into implementation, with the project site now handed to the Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The Teku Village Expansion Scheme is estimated at about RM117 million and is planned for completion within 36 months. An initial RM350,000 has been allocated for site clearing and earthworks under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The 40.2-acre site is planned for detached homes built on stilts, with each lot measuring about 8.3 points. Newly married couples have been proposed as a priority group, but applications remain open to other members of the public who meet the eligibility requirements. No application deadline or final selection details have been announced. Priority for newlyweds should not be read as automatic approval; applicants will still have to meet the scheme’s requirements.