Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Author: M Rajah

The people’s Governor, a statesman beyond protocol

Wan Junaidi and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. I am suggesting this title because it aptly describes my Head of State’s approachable nature while stressing his stature as a respected leader. Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Sarawak’s Governor, embodies humility, warmth, and a genuine connection

Why the U-turn? Honour the special recruitment promise!

SARARAWKIANS have every reason to feel deeply disappointed and frustrated after the federal authorities backtracked on the special teacher recruitment programme, which was specifically designed to address the state’s shortage of primary and secondary school teachers by recruiting local Sarawakians.  This initiative, which was supposed to be a step forward

Lifeline for under-enrolled Chinese schools

Many parents recognise the value of multilingualism, particularly proficiency in Mandarin, which enhances career prospects due to its global economic importance. – Dr Teh Choon Jin, National Association of Private Educational Institutions secretary-general The low enrolment in Chinese primary schools (SJKCs) across Sarawak, particularly in Sibu, has long been a

Sarawak Premier tops list of 1,376 Sabah state award honourees

KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg heads the list of 1,376 recipients of Sabah state awards in conjunction with the 71st birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin tomorrow. He receives the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK) award, which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri

Ensuring fairness for our brightest students

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. – Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher Today, I will broach the subject of education – more precisely, equal educational opportunities for all. Recent concerns surrounding the allocation of matriculation spots and university seats have raised important questions about fairness, meritocracy

Fasten your seatbelts, we are ready to take off

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is a man in a hurry to get things done for his state, but he can be patient – when it is necessary. He has fought hard for Sarawak to own a retail bank, to take over Bintulu Port from the

Abang Jo a pillar of Sarawak’s growth, strength and resilience

The recent anonymous two-parter article titled ‘Abang Jo’s Luck Is Running Out’ in a national news portal  is nothing short of a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the awesome leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The article presents a highly negative, biased narrative, while it

Additional seats in Dewan Rakyat, not the Senate!

The debate on increasing representation for Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia’s legislative framework is not new. However, the recent proposal by Projek SAMA, an NGO advocating institutional reform, has stirred some discussion. Its suggestion to allocate 15 additional seats in the Dewan Negara to both Sarawak and Sabah has raised

UNIFOR: A model for religious harmony 

The purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticise others. — Dalai Lama XIV Religion is a topic I often tread lightly around, but today, I will make an exception. The truth deserves to be told, especially Sarawak’s remarkable approach to managing religious diversity through its pioneering Unit

Our natural resources – a matter of rights and dignity!

Alas, just when I thought the issue about Sarawak’s historical rights to our natural resources is settled – more or less – the debate over our rights to our resources, especially oil and gas, is once again coming to a head. As Petronas mulls legal action to “safeguard” its monopoly