Cautioning the public against the spread of viral poison-pen messages via WhatsApp

I have cautioned members of the public to be cautioned against the spread of viral poison-pen messages claiming that caretaker Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblymen must step down if asked to vacate their seats ahead of the forthcoming 13th Sarawak state election (PRN13). Our media friends had seek my comments on the viral poison-pen messages that had be spread via WhatsApp messages on the purportedly list of senior GPS state assembly representatives who will be dropped in the PRM13 including myself on top of the list. 

As the GPS and PBB chief spokesperson, I have clarified that the coalition had not issued any official statements on the list of candidates that were asked to step down or on who would be contesting each constituency in the next state polls. The official announcement will be made by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak himself and that is how it will be done. 

Based on my own experience with GPS and its backbone party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), such lists are never circulated in such a manner. We have never done that. That is why I question the authenticity of these messages. As the name implies, it is a poison-pen letter. When something is a poison-pen letter, it does not state or reveal who sent it. Therefore, we should not assume what is being circulated is true. 

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, these poison-pen letters were left at local suraus or posted directly to houses — physical letters without signatures or sender names. Those responsible for disseminating the messages were taking advantage of modern technology to mislead their targets. Now, with technology being far more sophisticated, social media is being used to either smear someone’s reputation, boost another person’s profile, or falsely parade individuals as confirmed candidates.

Those who have circulated the messages might be pursuing their own political agendas. It is possible they put these messages out themselves to gauge public’s response. They might even generate supportive comments to make it appear that the candidate they selected is popular, hoping to catch the attention of top party leadership.

Giving our Backbenchers members the role in check and balance mechanism for the government of the day

Backbenchers from Gabungan Parti Sarawak will keep the Sarawak state government in check if GPS manages a clean sweep at the next state election, They (backbenchers) would act as a pressure group and functions “like the opposition” in the event GPS wins all 82 seats at the polls. Thus, we have our own checks and balances mechanism, including the ombudsman unit and other mechanisms to ensure accountability.

With Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) presently holds 80 of the 82 seats in the assembly, with the remaining two seats, Padungan and Pending, held by DAP, our State Government maintains adequate checks and balances despite concerns about the lack of a strong opposition. Back in November 2023, Sarawak became the first state to have an ombudsman unit set up by law, after the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill was passed at the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN).

I have mentioned these to our media friends after there were suggestions on the possible elimination of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly which would create an opportunity for other opposition parties to step up and represent Sarawakians.

The suggestions came from other poltical parties Sarawak which had called for a strong, credible and homegrown opposition that could hold our GPS government accountable without being controlled by political forces from West Malaysia.  

The other camp had advocated for local opposition and non-GPS political parties to become more effective as the control mechanism against the government of the day based on the allegations that they are not controlled by anyone from outside Sarawak. The absence of DAP from our State Assembly would not spell the end of the opposition in Sarawak, but could instead open the door for other opposition parties to emerge as alternative voices for the local folks.

Welcoming opening of new Hotel Everly Lhesson Kuching at Vivacity Mega Mall, Jalan Wan Alwi, Kuching

We congratulate owners of the newly opened Hotel Everly Lhesson which is located at the Vivacity Mega Mall shopping complex of Jalan Was Alwi, Kuching. The official opening ceremony was graced by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg this morning. In his speech, our Premier had mentioned that Kuching City is still in need of more hotel rooms to meet the increasing demand for accommodation facilities even though we currently have approximately 13,000 of them. 

The demand for hotel rooms in our city is also expected to continue rising as Sarawak prepares to co-host the 2027 SEA Games and several other international events scheduled to be held locally. Hence, the current shortage of hotel rooms in our city has forced some visitors to seek alternative accommodation, such as homestays, Airbnb etc.

According to our Premier, similar situation occurred during the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) held in Sarawak when the demand for accommodation of athletes, coaches, officials as well as family members from other state had dramatically surged. Our state government is also prioritizing the comfort of athletes and officials by deciding to accommodate them all in hotels during the 2027 SEA Games.

The increasing demand for hotel rooms is also due to the high number of requests to host business events and conferences in Kuching and the opening of new hotels, such as Hotel The Everly Lhesson in Kuching will help to expand accommodation options while supporting the growth of the city's tourism and events sectors.

Thus, our accommodation capacity must also continue to be strengthened, in line with the goal of establishing Kuching as a preferred destination for hosting more large-scale events particularly to meet the demand from tourists, conference delegates, and visitors attending various events in the city. 

Commending the organisers of "23rd Padawan Raft Safari 2026"

I have suggested to the organisers of "Padawan Raft Safari" to consider introducing a rafting league or series which will attract entries from throughout the country and overseas. This is to encourage more outdoor adventure enthusiasts especially from abroad to come over to Sarawak and try rafting activities in various part of our state.

I have mentioned this during the closing and prize presentation ceremony of the "23rd Padawan Raft Safari 2026" which was held at the community hall of Kampung Git in Jalan Puncak Borneo, Padawan. This year's edition of the popular rafting event had attracted over 100 entries for the event which had attracted our young folks too.

The annual raft race is organised by the Padawan Municipal Council and has become more than a watersports event but it serves as a good platform to showcase Padawan's natural beauty, local culture and community especially to the participants. The race is divided into a five categories covering distances that ranged from 15 km to 40km and had required the participants to travel downstream along Sungai Sarawak Kiri.

I have also commended the organisers for undertaking various safety measures to ensure the participants' safety while they start from different locations with the finishing line is at Kampung Git. Among the interesting categories are the 15km raft women's category, 22km raft race for hotels, tour agencies and NGOs, 22km government agencies category, 32km raft open and 40km two-men kayak category. Congratulations to all the winners and we hope to see them again in the near future where the competition is expected to be stiff.

Preserving the history of former State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building through having a dedicated gallery

The history of Sarawak’s former State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building could be preserved for future generations through a dedicated gallery when the 53-year-old building is transformed into the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre which is located at our old State Legislative Assembly Building in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Among the functions of the proposed gallery are to document the old DUN building’s history and significance as Sarawak’s former legislative seat.

There is a possibility that we will have a small gallery to commemorate the history of this building. It does not have to be large because this building was specifically built to serve as the State Legislative Assembly at one time. The old DUN building had witnessed numerous significant events, including the enactment of laws, and continued to hold memories for us Sarawakians.

The building was officially opened in the 1970s before the current State Legislative Assembly building was constructed. There are a lot of history that had took place here, and many laws were enacted from this building. Although the former DUN building has not been gazetted as a heritage building, efforts were being made to retain its historical features, including the wood panelling and golden glass mosaic roofing.

The proposed gallery, together with a coffee-table book to be produced upon completion of the project, would provide a record of the building’s history and significance. With the gallery put in, with the coffee-table book that we’re going to produce once the building is completed, it will reflect the history, the stories about this building, and that is sufficient.

The former DUN building is being upgraded into the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre as part of a wider three-facility complex comprising the centre, the old Lapau building, which will be converted into a restaurant, and an upgraded fountain area. Once completed, the complex will serve as a recreational area and public park for families, in line with the vision of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The proposed outdoor facility might not be inside the hall, except when there are performances, but the surroundings of the complex will be a very good park for families and others to enjoy.