Sarawak Teachers' Union says the school meal programme should cover secondary students too, especially those from low-income families. [image: 1784952263224-stu-rmt-secondary.jpg] The Sarawak Teachers' Union (STU) has urged the government to extend the Rancangan Makanan Tambahan (RMT) from primary schools to secondary schools. Deputy president Yong Sie Hing said some secondary students still come to school without breakfast because of family financial hardship. He said this affects their health, focus, motivation and academic performance. STU said student welfare in rural and interior areas needs closer attention, including poverty, learning facilities, transport, internet access, teacher quarters, utilities and teaching resources. The union said it is ready to help gather verified data for the government, and will also look at cooperation with companies, NGOs and welfare groups to support students who need help. Location: Sibu / Sarawak schools Details: STU wants RMT expanded to secondary schools, with focus on low-income and rural students Photo: Utusan Borneo Source: https://www.utusanborneo.com.my/2026/07/25/stu-gesa-pelaksanaan-rmt-ke-peringkat-sekolah-menengah What do you think?

Thick fog over Sibu this morning forced a Kuching-Sibu flight to turn back after two landing attempts. [image: 1784952230128-sibu-fog-flight-resized.jpg] Sibu woke up to heavy fog on Saturday morning, with visibility dropping across parts of town and the Rajang River almost covered by mist. The Borneo Post reported that Sibu's air quality was still at a moderate level, with an API reading of 57 at 8am. Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said his flight from Kuching could not land at Sibu Airport because of low cloud cover and fog. After two attempts, the aircraft returned to Kuching Airport. Location: Sibu / Kuching-Sibu flight route Details: Heavy fog, reduced visibility, one reported flight unable to land after two attempts Photo: The Borneo Post / Peter Boon Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/07/25/thick-fog-blankets-sibu-disrupts-flights/ What do you think?

Ten crocodile hook lines are now active along Batang Igan after safety checks by SFC. [image: 1784801116235-batang-igan-crocodile.jpg] Image source: DayakDaily / Vicky from Pixabay The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Regional Office Sibu has deployed 10 hook line sets in Batang Igan as part of a crocodile population removal operation. The operation began on July 21 and is scheduled to continue until Aug 2. The hook lines were placed from the mouth of Sungai Lubuk Kabang to SK Sungai Pinang after field assessments. Why it matters SFC said the operation is meant to reduce human-crocodile conflict in high-risk areas and improve public safety for nearby communities. The active hook lines will be monitored throughout the operation. Location: Batang Igan, Sibu division Details: 10 hook lines, July 21 to Aug 2, SFC public safety operation Source: DayakDaily What do you think?

[image: 1784088236065-sibu-drugs.jpg] Sibu's drug problem is showing a sharp rise, with reported drug and substance abuse cases increasing by 40.6% in one year. Sibu MP Oscar Ling said Home Ministry data tabled in Parliament showed the number of people involved in drug and substance abuse in Sibu rose from 903 in 2024 to 1,270 in 2025. That increase is higher than Sarawak's overall rise of 17.6%, where statewide cases went from 10,705 to 12,590 over the same period. Main concern Ling said amphetamine-type stimulants were the most commonly abused drugs in Sibu, making up about 82.7% of cases in 2025. ATS-related cases rose from 639 to 1,050. He urged police, the National Anti-Drug Agency and schools to strengthen enforcement, prevention programmes and community education, especially for youths. Location: Sibu, Sarawak Details: Drug and substance abuse cases rose sharply, with synthetic drugs named as the main threat. Source: The Borneo Post What do you think?

Bukit Lima Nature Reserve in Sibu is set to be gazetted as Malaysia's largest protected urban peat swamp nature reserve. [image: 1783850680098-bukit-lima.jpg] Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the protected area will cover about 1,045 hectares, made up of the existing 301 hectares and another 744 hectares. He said major development will not be allowed inside the reserve. Only small-scale facilities for recreation and basic amenities are planned. The reserve has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the country's largest protected urban peat swamp nature reserve. Why it matters For Sibu, this is a big green lung right inside an urban area. It also gives Sarawak another conservation asset that can support education, recreation and environmental protection at the same time. Location: Bukit Lima Nature Reserve, Sibu Details: The announcement was made after the Sarawakku Sayang Programme in Sibu on July 11. Source: Sarawak Tribune What do you think?

A planned road network linking several Sarawak towns could bring the Kuching-Sibu drive down to about two hours. [image: 1783742633328-roads.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / UKAS What the route covers Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the network would link Sebuyau, Sri Aman, Lingga, Betong, Roban, Sarikei and Sibu. According to DayakDaily, he said the route would be around 212km, cutting about 140km from the current journey. Why it matters The Premier said the new links would connect Sibu more closely with Kuching and growth areas in Sri Aman and Betong. He also said Sibu would be connected to Tanjung Embang, where the state plans to develop an international airport and deep sea port, with the journey expected to take about one and a half hours. Location: Kuching-Sibu corridor via Sebuyau, Sri Aman, Lingga, Betong, Roban and Sarikei Details: Proposed new road network, about 212km route, possible 140km reduction Hot Score: 26/30 Source: DayakDaily What do you think?

The Kuching-Sibu drive could become much shorter once Sarawak's coastal road network is fully completed. [image: 1783591436761-road.jpg] Source: DayakDaily / UKAS What changes Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said eight road projects under the Sarawak Second Trunk Road and Coastal Road Network will cut the Kuching-Sibu distance by 144km. When the full network is ready, motorists would travel about 252km between Kuching and Sibu, compared with 396km via the Pan Borneo Highway. The projects cover major links through Samarahan, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Lingga, Sri Aman, Betong and Roban, with a combined investment of RM3.21 billion. Location: Kuching-Sibu coastal corridor, covering Samarahan, Betong and Sri Aman divisions Details: Several packages have target completion dates between September 2026 and 2030. Batang Lupar 1 Bridge is one key part of the wider network. Uggah said the route is expected to improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs and open more economic opportunities for communities along the coastal corridor. Source: DayakDaily For people who often travel Kuching-Sibu, this one really matters. What do you think?

Sarawak is just one step away from bringing China's prestigious Fudan University to Sibu — only final approval from Beijing remains. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian announced he will travel to Beijing next week to secure the green light from Chinese authorities. The proposal has already been approved by the Shanghai government, the Sarawak government, and the Malaysian government. The planned campus will include a medical school — a critical move to address Sarawak's shortage of around 2,000 doctors. Dr Sim made the announcement at a dinner in Sibu hosted by the United Chinese Association (UCA) for Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Ouyang Yujing. “Talent development and education remain key priorities for the Sarawak government in our efforts to strengthen human capital and drive long-term development,” Dr Sim said. If approved, this would be Fudan University's first overseas campus — a significant milestone for Sarawak's education landscape. [image: 1780536754195-fudan-sibu.jpg] Location: Sibu, Sarawak Details: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian heading to Beijing next week; only China govt approval pending; medical school planned to address doctor shortage Source: DayakDaily What do you think?

Sibu is just RM3 million away from becoming Sarawak’s next city — its council reserves have more than doubled since 2019. Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting announced today that the town’s financial reserves have grown to RM47 million, up sharply from RM19 million when he took office in 2019. The threshold for city status is RM50 million. [image: 1779861795348-sibu-city-status.jpg] SMC chairman Clarence Ting speaking at a press conference after launching the WAK Sibu Festival 2026 calendar at Wisma Sanyan on May 26. The second requirement — a population of 300,000 — is also being gradually met as Sibu sees demographic shifts and steady growth. “When I became chairman in 2019, people often asked why Miri could be upgraded to a city but not Sibu. After reviewing the criteria, we were only short of two main requirements,” Ting said. Sibu, long seen as a predominantly Chinese-majority town, is now becoming increasingly diverse, with a growing Iban population and broader ethnic representation. Location: Sibu, Sarawak Reserves: RM47M (up from RM19M in 2019) Target: RM50M reserves + 300,000 population Source: DayakDaily What do you think — will Sibu finally get city status this year?