KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — AirAsia has submitted enhanced procedures governing the use of medical child restraint devices on its flights after a family travelling with a daughter who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy was denied boarding from Singapore to Kuching last month.

The low-cost carrier said it had proposed the revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the authorities for approval following a review of the May 26 incident, which drew widespread attention on social media.

In a statement today, AirAsia X (AirAsia Group) chief safety and quality officer Captain Saravanan Subramaniam said the changes were aimed at improving support for passengers with special needs.

“This incident has given us the opportunity to improve our existing processes so that we can provide better support to passengers with special needs.

“We are committed to ensuring that our policies are continuously refined to meet the needs of our diverse passenger groups,” he said.

Saravanan said passenger safety remained the airline’s priority and that the decision made at the time was in line with existing safety policies and operating procedures.

“We apologise to the family for the inconvenience caused.

“While the decision made at the time was in accordance with the prevailing safety requirements and operating procedures, it was never intended to prevent any passenger from travelling,” he added.

The case gained public attention after the mother of a girl with quadriplegic cerebral palsy said her family had been prevented from boarding despite her daughter having used the same chair on previous flights without issue.

AirAsia said it appreciated the feedback shared by the family and remained committed to making air travel more inclusive for all passengers.

The airline said it had submitted the enhanced SOPs covering the use of approved Child Restraint Devices (CRDs) for medical purposes on board its aircraft and is awaiting regulatory approval.

KUCHING, June 1 — A man was seriously injured in a road accident involving a sedan in front of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sematan yesterday afternoon.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Operations Centre said the injured man was the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.

“The incident was reported at 1.22pm. The male driver was not trapped but sustained serious injuries, while a female passenger also suffered injuries.

“Both victims had been extricated by members of the public before firefighters arrived at the scene,” it said in a statement.

The statement added that the Bomba operations team placed the injured driver on a stretcher before handing him over to Ministry of Health (MOH) personnel for further treatment.

The female passenger also received medical attention following the incident. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 13 — Internet coverage across Sarawak has increased significantly to 94.5 per cent from 54.3 per cent in 2022 following a RM2.3 billion investment in telecommunications infrastructure under the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative.

Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the achievement marked a major milestone in Sarawak’s digital transformation efforts and reflected the success of close collaboration among various stakeholders.

“These achievements would not have been possible without strong collaboration among government agencies, regulators, telecommunication service providers, infrastructure partners, technology companies and industry stakeholders,” he said when speaking at the Sacofa Client Networking Hi-Tea 2026 held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, according to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

Julaihi, who is also Sacofa Sdn Bhd chairman, said digital connectivity had been identified as a key enabler under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

He highlighted the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation (Smart Project as one of the key components of the Saluran initiative, involving the construction of 618 telecommunications towers, including 17 relay towers, in rural and remote areas throughout Sarawak.

The project complements the Federal Government’s National Digital Network (Jendela) programme, under which 636 telecommunications towers have been completed under Phase 1.

Another 337 sites have been identified for Phase 2 implementation beginning in the fourth quarter of this year, he said.

According to him, Saluran also encompasses service-based initiatives such as the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), which currently provides fixed wireless broadband and fibre connectivity to nearly 50,000 households.

In addition, WiFi Saluran has been deployed at about 250 rural locations to provide interim satellite internet access while permanent telecommunications infrastructure is being established.

He said Sacofa would continue to strengthen its role as the backbone of Sarawak’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, supported by approximately 12,000km of fibre-optic infrastructure and the management of 1,680 telecommunications towers statewide.

“Sarawak, through Sacofa, will continue to expand fibre optic infrastructure, enhance internet speed and improve connectivity coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” he said.

Looking ahead, Julaihi said Sarawak is broadening its technological ambitions beyond telecommunications, including plans to develop aerospace and satellite-related capabilities through the establishment of a dedicated space agency and the Sarawak Aerospace Advisory Council.

Among those present were Sacofa board members, telecommunications industry players, strategic partners, clients and other stakeholders. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 14 — Efforts to curb vandalism and cable theft affecting public facilities must go beyond arresting perpetrators and focus on those who purchase stolen cables, said Datuk Ibrahim Baki.

The state deputy utility and telecommunication minister noted that demand for stolen cables remains one of the key factors driving such crimes despite various preventive measures being implemented.

“If there are no buyers, there will be no sellers. That is why we need to look at the entire chain of this activity and not merely arrest individuals who steal cables,” he said, according to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report.

He said this when met after officiating a smart street lighting project at Kampung Nombor Satok here on Friday.

Ibrahim pointed out that cable theft continues to affect public infrastructure and utility facilities, resulting not only in financial losses but also posing safety risks to the public.

“When lighting systems are disrupted, certain areas can be left in darkness, increasing the risk of accidents and criminal activities,” he said.

As such, he urged the police and relevant enforcement agencies to intensify monitoring, investigations and enforcement efforts in areas frequently targeted by cable thieves, including locations with public lighting systems and utility infrastructure.

Among the locations affected by cable theft is the Datuk Amar Juma’ani Bridge, he said, adding that security measures such as deploying personnel and installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be implemented as soon as possible.

“The Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) has also received an allocation to expand CCTV coverage at several strategic locations as part of efforts to strengthen urban security and protect public assets,” he said.

He commended Sarawak Energy Berhad for leveraging smart technologies, including drones and detection systems, to combat electricity theft and identify premises involved in illegal cryptocurrency mining activities.

“Such technologies have helped reduce losses and improve the effectiveness of enforcement efforts,” he added.

Earlier, Ibrahim launched the smart street lighting project, which has seen the installation of 579 smart streetlights in phases since 2020.

“The first phase of the project, which was carried out by DBKU, involved the installation of 210 LED streetlights, while the second phase in 2024, added another 369 units.

“In total, 579 smart streetlights have been installed in Kampung Nombor Satok, making the area brighter, safer and more attractive for both residents and visitors,” the Satok assemblyman said.

He also said that 42 streetlights were installed using allocations from the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) under Satok constituency in Green Road and Nanas Road areas to complement existing lighting facilities.

“The smart lighting system enables real-time monitoring through a dashboard developed by DBKU, making maintenance work more efficient and allowing immediate action to be taken whenever faults occur.

“If any problem arises, the system will detect the fault immediately, enabling DBKU personnel to take action without having to wait for public complaints as was previously the case,” he said.

Ibrahim said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve public safety and support Kuching’s smart city aspirations, while expressing hope that similar projects could be expanded to other areas in need of better street lighting facilities. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 10 — Matang Vocational College has brought pride to Sarawak and Malaysia after its robotics team secured a runner-up finish at an international robotics competition held in Taiwan recently.

The team won the Finalist Alliance Award in the League of Mecha-Clash (LOM) category at the STVE x MARC Open Championship 2026, held at the National Taiwan Science Education Centre in Taipei from May 30 to 31.

The championship attracted top robotics teams from various countries, providing a platform for participants to demonsrate their expertise in robot design, programming, engineering and strategic problem-solving.

KVM impressed judges and spectators throughout the competition, advancing to the final round before clinching second place in the alliance-based category.

The League of Mecha-Clash challenges teams to design and operate robots capable of completing tasks through both autonomous operations and manual control in a highly competitive environment.

Success in the category depends not only on the technical capabilities of the robots but also on teamwork, communication and effective collaboration among alliance partners.

KVM said the achievement reflects the dedication, hard work and perseverance of its students and mentors throughout the preparation and competition period.

The accomplishment also highlights the ability of Malaysian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students to compete successfully on the international stage while showcasing advanced skills in robotics and emerging technologies.

Organised by the Master AI Robot Cup (MARC), the STVE x MARC Open Championship promotes the application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence (AI), programming and engineering through real-world competition.

The college also expressed appreciation to all parties who supported the team’s participation in the championship.

It hopes the international recognition will inspire more students to pursue excellence in TVET education, particularly in robotics, automation and emerging technologies. — The Borneo Post 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — A 79-year-old man in Kuching has lost more than RM9 million after allegedly falling victim to a fraudulent online investment scheme involving non-existent share investments and initial public offerings (IPOs).

Kuching police chief Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu said the district police headquarters’ Commercial Crime Investigation Division had recently received a report from the victim, who suffered losses amounting to RM9.08 million.

Preliminary investigations found that the man had become acquainted with the suspect around January before being introduced to what was presented as an investment opportunity promising substantial returns within a short period.

According to Alexson, the victim was persuaded to participate in the purported share investment and IPO scheme and subsequently made 27 separate transactions into nine different bank accounts provided by the suspect.

“Convinced by the offer, the victim transferred money in stages through 27 transactions into nine different bank accounts provided by the suspect.

“The total amount transferred was RM9,082,000, but the victim only received RM1,000 in returns from the investment,” he said in a statement today.

The victim only realised he had been deceived after repeated attempts to withdraw both his initial investment and the profits purportedly reflected in the TBGIA application proved unsuccessful.

Alexson said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

He urged the public to exercise caution when approached with investment opportunities, particularly those promoted through social media platforms and offering unusually high returns.

Members of the public were advised to verify the legitimacy of investment schemes with the relevant authorities, including Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, before committing any funds.

Those who suspect they have fallen victim to financial fraud should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via its 997 hotline, he added.

KUCHING, June 6 — The Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) provides an alternative platform for the public to lodge complaints related to police misconduct, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.

He said that previously, most complaints involving police misconduct were handled by the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS).

“The IPCC is another channel available to the public. Previously, JIPS was the only avenue, and some people may have felt uncomfortable because they perceived it as the police investigating the police. However, the situation is now different.

“The IPCC operates under the Home Ministry and has its own officers to conduct investigations into complaints received,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the book Integrity: Man of Integrity, Honour and Principle here today.

The IPCC is an independent oversight body established under the Independent Police Conduct Commission Act 2022 (Act 839) and has been operational since July 1, 2023. It aims to enhance integrity within the police force, investigate misconduct involving PDRM personnel and recommend disciplinary action.

The commission handles complaints involving misconduct such as corruption and torture, while also recommending improvements to strengthen public confidence in the police force. — Bernama

KUCHING, June 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend this year’s Sarawak state-level Gawai Day celebrations to be held here on June 21, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He added that the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar will be the guest of honour at the event, which is also expected to be attended by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadilah Yusof.

“We will hold the Niti Daun (parade) in Kuching on June 20, while on June 21 the highlight of the state-level Gawai Day celebration will be a gala dinner attended by distinguished guests,” he said.

He told reporters this at the 2026 Gawai Dayak Day Open House at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex here today.

According to him, Gawai Dayak continues to serve as an important platform for showcasing the culture, traditions and heritage of the Dayak community to people of all races.

“The tradition of ‘ngabang’ (visiting one another), which is practised by the people of Sarawak, symbolises unity, as every celebration is observed together regardless of race or religion,” he said.

At the same time, Uggah described the response to the Gawai Dayak Open House held today as encouraging, with attendance believed to have exceeded the initial target of 2,000 visitors. — Bernama

KUCHING, June 13 — A toddler aged around three-years-old was found alone and crying for help by the roadside in Taman Berlian, Kota Samarahan.

See Hua News Daily reported that the girl was discovered at around 2am today by some college students who were having their late-night meal at a coffeeshop in the area.

The child has since been taken to Samarahan police station before being sent to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) emergency unit for a medical check-up. She is currently under observation.

Samarahan district police acting chief DSP Barry William has confirmed the incident, saying that an investigation has been launched to determine how the girl ended up by the main road.

The authorities have also identified the child’s family members, and inquiries are ongoing.

At about 2.10am, the female college student had just finished her late-night meal at a café in the Taman Berlian residential area.

While she and a friend were riding a motorcycle home, they noticed a small child gesturing to them from the side of the road.

Unsure whether what they had seen was actually a child, they turned back to check and confirmed it was a young girl holding a feeding bottle.

The girl was crying for her mother and was carrying a blue towel and a small beaded basket. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 5 — A 28-year-old man who stole two Australian Wagyu beef cuts and two salmon trout from a supermarket here was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and fined RM1,500, in default one month’s jail.

Mohammad Hanim Suita pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan to a charge under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine upon conviction.

The offence was committed at a supermarket in a shopping centre along Jalan Canna here at about 12.30am on June 1.

Based on the facts of the case, a complainant at the shopping centre noticed a suspicious-looking man, later identified as the accused, leaving the premises.

The complainant, together with a security guard, subsequently apprehended the man on suspicion of stealing items from the supermarket.

Upon inspection, they found several food items believed to have been stolen in the basket of the man’s motorcycle. The accused was then handed over to the police for further action.

In mitigation, the accused pleaded for a fine-only sentence, saying he had stolen the food items to be resold to get medication for his sexually transmitted infection (STI).

However, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence commensurate with the offence.

The accused was unrepresented. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 15 — AirBorneo has clarified that it has not submitted an application for a direct Kuching-Bangkok service and that no such route has been formally confirmed at this stage.

The clarification comes following reports by Thailand’s The Nation that the Sarawak-owned airline had been allocated airport slots for a proposed Kuching-Suvarnabhumi route during the Winter 2026/2027 scheduling season.

In a statement issued to The Borneo Post, AirBorneo said while destinations across the region form part of its longer-term network planning, no application has been submitted for the recently mentioned Bangkok route.

“We appreciate and are thankful for the strong public interest in AirBorneo’s network expansion plans, and we can confirm that destinations across the region are part of our longer-term route planning.

“However, we wish to clarify that no application has been submitted for the recently mentioned Bangkok route at this stage, as nothing has been formally confirmed,” the airline said.

AirBorneo added that any future international service would be subject to the usual regulatory and approval processes before any announcement is made.

“As with any new international service, any future route would need to go through the standard regulatory and approval processes before it can be announced.

“We would caution against treating any specific route, frequency, or schedule as confirmed until that process is complete,” it said.

AirBorneo also stressed that its immediate focus remains on strengthening its existing operations following service disruptions earlier this month.

“Our current priority remains stabilising and strengthening our current intra-Borneo operations following the service disruptions earlier this month, which are now well into recovery.

“We are committed to getting the fundamentals right for our existing routes first,” it said.

The airline added that any confirmed network expansion plans would be announced through its official channels at the appropriate time.

The Nation, one of Bangkok’s English-language dailies, cited the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) as saying that AirBorneo had been allocated airport slots to operate 14 weekly flights on the Kuching-Suvarnabhumi-Kuching route during the Winter 2026/2027 schedule. — The Borneo Post

KUCHING, June 11 — The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is closely monitoring recent flight disruptions involving AirBorneo services across Sabah and Sarawak and has reminded the airline of its obligations to consumers under the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016 (MACPC).

In a statement, CAAM said the flight delays, cancellations and schedule changes were attributed by AirBorneo to operational and maintenance-related issues.

While stressing that safety must remain the highest priority in flight operations, the aviation regulator said affected passengers must continue to be treated fairly and in accordance with consumer protection requirements.

“AirBorneo is reminded to take all reasonable measures to minimise inconvenience to affected consumers and to ensure compliance with its obligations under the MACPC while maintaining the highest standards of operational safety,” said the authority.

CAAM advised passengers affected by the disruptions to check the latest status of their flights before heading to the airport and to contact the airline directly for updated information, available assistance and alternative travel arrangements.

The authority noted that under the MACPC, airlines are required to provide timely, accurate and updated information on flight delays, cancellations or schedule changes, including the reasons for the disruption and the options available to affected passengers.

It added that, depending on the nature and duration of the disruption, consumers may be entitled to care and assistance such as meals, communication facilities, accommodation, transportation, re-routing to their final destination or refunds, subject to the provisions of the code.

CAAM encouraged affected passengers to first seek resolution directly with AirBorneo through the airline’s official customer service channels.

“Airlines are required to address consumer concerns promptly and provide clear guidance on the available remedies and next steps,” it said.

Passengers who are unable to resolve their issues with the airline, or who are dissatisfied with the response received, may lodge complaints with CAAM via its FlySmart platform, online complaint form, email or consumer hotline.

The regulator said it will continue to monitor the situation and assess AirBorneo’s compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements under the MACPC.

“Airlines are expected to ensure that communication, assistance, re-accommodation and refund processes are carried out in a timely, transparent and accountable manner,” it said.

CAAM also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights while maintaining safety as the highest priority in Malaysia’s civil aviation sector.

In a statement earlier, chief executive officer Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin said the flight disruptions were caused by multiple aircraft becoming unavailable at the same time due to scheduled maintenance and technical rectification works.

He assured that the airline has been working around the clock to restore normal operations and minimise further disruptions. — The Borneo Post