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The Kuchingite, Jalan Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, Kuching (2026)

28/05/2026

💸RM100,000 For A Piece Of Sarawakian History!

Premier auction house Trigometric Auctions has listed a rare 1919 10-Cent Sarawak paper note for its 6th June 2026 auction, which is expected to fetch around RM100,000 (US$25,000).

The Rajah of Sarawak originally issued these small notes during a severe coin shortage in British Borneo and were widely used for daily transactions, but because most were heavily circulated, surviving examples in good condition are extremely rare today.

This particular note carries a PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) grade of 55, or About Uncirculated (AU) condition, meaning it appears nearly uncirculated with only minor signs of handling, typically limited to a single fold or two to three corner folds.

Spare change, anyone?

-The Kuchingite-

Source:Trigometric Auctions

25/05/2026

Why Did 🇲🇾Sarawak & 🇯🇵Japan Hit The Brakes On Hydrogen?

The H2ornbill Project in Bintulu, jointly developed by Sarawak’s SEDC Energy, Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp, and oil giant Eneos, initially aimed to utilize Sarawak's hydropower to produce 90,000 metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030 for export to Japan, but the plan has since been scaled back.

NO JAPANESE SUBSIDIES

The project is understood to be initially structured around Japanese government subsidies with attached conditions. A Nikkei report citing sources familiar with the matter revealed that the developers failed to secure vital subsidies from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, rendering the project financially unviable due to high transportation costs.

HIGH SHIPPING COSTS

In an April interview with Nikkei, SEDC Energy Chairman Abdul Aziz Husain noted that while Sarawak's cheap hydropower keeps hydrogen production under RM20 PER KG, the costly expenses of pressurizing, cooling and shipping the fuel inflated the final price in Japan to around RM50 PER KG.

RESTRUCTURED, NOT CANCELED

To address this, the Japanese partners are reportedly exploring alternative methods for transporting the hydrogen, such as converting it into ammonia or methanol.

In a separate Nikkei interview, Premier Abang Jo confirmed that the project is proceeding but has been scaled down to be more market-oriented. He noted that the accelerating global green transition has opened up new possibilities for selling hydrogen on the open market.

THE SARAWAK ‘GAMBLE’

As Sarawak embarks on this pioneering journey, challenges and setbacks are to be expected. The global hydrogen sector still struggles to evolve beyond isolated production experiments, often due to prohibitive costs, complex logistics, and the absence of a reliable, interconnected market demand.

Yet, rather than being deterred, Sarawak is stepping up as a crucial ecosystem builder for this nascent industry. The state is pairing its abundant renewable energy with clear policy frameworks in hopes of becoming a reliable supplier and exporter. At the same time, it is encouraging the local adoption of hydrogen technology, allowing policymakers and the public to interact with it on a daily basis, in hopes that practical, hands-on experience will help refine infrastructure and safety standards, and build the trust needed to establish the state as a credible leader.

Ultimately, this comprehensive approach positions Sarawak to reap the rewards should the global hydrogen economy ever fully realize its believed potential.

-The Kuchingite-

Source: NikkeiAsia: 'Malaysia-Japan hydrogen project scales back due to funding constraints'.

BorneoPost: 'Sarawak hydrogen projects scaled down on weak signals'.

13/05/2026

🛠️MIRI PROGRESS UPDATE: The RM30 million Piasau Nature Reserve Discovery Centre is set to become a new ecotourism focal point for Miri, featuring modern facilities and a new interpretation centre. Designed to provide an immersive educational experience integrating interactive displays with informative programs, the facility will showcase the area's rich biodiversity and natural heritage while highlighting critical marine conservation efforts.

Additionally, the facility will function as a centralized management hub by housing the administrative offices for the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park and the Luconia Shoals National Park. This consolidation is intended to streamline coordination and oversight for these significant marine protected areas, which are renowned for their vibrant coral reefs and unique underwater ecosystems.

The project, which is expected to be completed by August 2027, is just one of several initiatives by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and the state government to upgrade facilities and enhance the value of Sarawak’s parks and natural treasures.

Credit: Sarawak Forestry Corporation

-The Kuchingite-

11/05/2026

Highlights: A 100 Acre Heritage and Nature-inspired Destination in Bau. ⭐

The new Bau Tourism and Cultural Park is set to transform 100 acres of former gold mining land into a massive heritage hub, connecting important local landmarks like Gua Hantu, old gold mining ruins, and Bikajang Lake. Led by YB Henry Harry Jinep, this project will showcase the very best of our local history and nature in one destination.

Funding is already moving ahead, with RM7.5 million secured for Phase 1 by the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA). The committee is now reaching out for another RM12.5 million from The Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture to keep the momentum going for the next phases.

Among the highlights for the initial 4 phases of the proposed park:

- Phase 1: Children's Paradise
Kickstarting the development is the Children’s Paradise, a 4.85 acres playground designed as a family day-trip destination. This zone is all about active fun, featuring everything from creative play areas and a skate park to a refreshing Water Plaza. Kids can captain motorized miniature boats on the recreational lake while parents relax under shaded canopies.

Phase 2: Arrival, Event And Festival Precincts
Phase 2 turns Bau into an event hub across three massive precincts. The Arrival Precinct welcomes visitors with a traditional Long House Arrival Center complete with a coffee shop and souvenir stalls, while the Event and Festival Precincts are built for the big crowds. Imagine lakeside concerts for 2,000 people, massive festivals for up to 6,000, and a stunning 23-meter waterfall with a lift to take you straight to the hilltop for the best views of the area.

Phase 3 Cultural Precinct
Spanning 13.38 acres, the Cultural Precinct is a vibrant tribute to Bau’s diverse roots. This zone honors Bau's strong Bidayuh heritage, along with dedicated Malay, and Chinese dedicated cultural centers. A planned Hakka Village featuring traditional Tulou-style houses explores the community’s history and influence as settlers in Bau. History buffs can explore the Mining Relic Park, while animal lovers can enjoy the pet farm garden, making it a blend of education, tradition, and interactive fun for all ages.

Phase 4 Forests, Hills And Nature
For the adventurers and nature enthusiasts, Phase 4 focuses on preserving Bau’s lush biodiversity. You’ll be able to walk among the canopy on an 8-meter-high Tree Walk, enjoy panoramic views from various hilltop platforms, or take the lift up for a more relaxed ascent. If you’re not ready to leave, you can spend the night under the stars at the dedicated campsites, try out glamping, or even stay in a cozy tree house.

With many other developments fast-tracking Bau into an important recreation and entertainment node, is this a transformation you're looking forward to?

-The Kuchingite-

05/05/2026

🛰️Sarawakian Tech Leader behind 🇲🇾Malaysia's satellites and undersea cables launches AI Data Centre campus in Kuching.

NASDAQ-listed healthtech firm Mobile-health Network Solutions or MNDR is building a 60MW AI data center campus in Kuching, thanks to a RM500 million investment from Sarawakian Dato’ Stanley Ling, who will also become the company's majority owner with a 65% stake. The center will tap into Sarawak's renewable energy to power the company’s advanced healthtech services, including telemedicine, AI-driven health tools, and virtual clinic infrastructure to empower patients and doctors. The first phase is expected to be fully operational by 2027. Location is yet to be disclosed.

This investment is part of Dato’ Stanley Ling’s wider involvement in advancing the tech infrastructure of Malaysia and Sarawak in particular:

- Founder of TerraXpace, which successfully launched TerraX-1 in October 2025, Malaysia’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite equipped with specialized radar technology that can "see" through clouds, smoke, and total darkness. Ling had successfully negotiated a partnership with China’s AirSat to bring the project from agreement to launch in just one month.

- Co-founded Irix (formerly PP Telecommunication), and worked on the Batam-Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS), a 700km undersea cable which gave Sarawak direct international internet connectivity, independent of Peninsular Malaysia.
Irix’s Kuching 1 DC in Santubong is also recognised as Malaysia's FIRST ever Tier IV certified data centre, the highest class of data centres.

- Teamed up with China tech giant Tencent in 2024 to launch Alto Cloud in Cyberjaya, bringing specialized "cloud dedicated zone" technology to Malaysia. This partnership allows local businesses to use advanced AI tools while keeping their sensitive information stored safely within the country.

Dato’ Stanley Ling is becoming a force to watch and a key contributor to Premier Abang Jo's vision in growing tech infrastructure landscape. His journey, setbacks and successes, and even the man behind the ventures, will be one to follow closely.

23/04/2026

After a series of “culture shock” videos featuring Sarawakians trying (and struggling) to use a road crossing in Pontianak went viral, the mayor even chimed in with a re-post, urging locals to improve their road safety habits as infrastructure continues to be upgraded. Naturally, it got people talking online.

Beyond these light-hearted moments, we’re seeing more of these daily interactions as the Sarawak and West Kalimantan regions become more interconnected than ever before. The two sides are bound to influence each other, ideally in a positive way. 🤝

21/04/2026

⚽️Back To Basics: The Rebirth of Sarawak Football.

The demise of the legendary Sarawak FA, and its less accomplished sibling Sarawak United, is a dark chapter in Sarawak’s sporting history, driven by years of mismanagement and political interference. To recap their final years:

-In 2017, Sarawak FA was ordered by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to pay RM118,000 to former players for wrongful contract termination.

-In 2018, FIFA ruled that Sarawak FA owed roughly RM550,000 in unpaid wages to coach Ian Andrew Gillan, despite having a large budget.

-Tensions grew as Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) and club president Posa Majais publicly clashed with the Sarawak government over funding assistance. After being relegated to the 3rd tier in 2019 and failing to register for the 2021 season due to financial problems, the club was never seen again.

⚽️Backdoor Entry

In 2020, the FAS led by Majais attempted a “backdoor” solution to maintaining a Sarawakian presence in the top division by acquiring a financially distressed Selangor United, relocating it to Sarawak, taking its slot in the league and rebranding it as Sarawak United FC! However, similar issues soon emerged:

-Imports Sandro da Silva and Taylor Regan filed complaints over unpaid wages, leading to FIFA rulings against the club and multiple transfer bans.

-Reports surfaced of players being evicted due to unpaid rent and salaries

-Eventually, the government withdrew financial support after repeated failures to settle debts. In November 2022, Sarawak United were forcibly relegated for salary arrears, and after failing to register for the 2024 season, the club ceased to exist.

⚽️Kuching City FC - Back To Basics

Founded in 2015, Kuching City FC was formed partly in response to the crisis in Sarawak football, as revealed by Premier Abang Jo. Starting from the grassroots level, the club steadily climbed the ranks and since 2023 has been playing in Malaysia’s top division. Under Chairman YB Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, KCFC is run like a private entity rather than relying on inconsistent government funding:

- A strict zero-debt policy ensures players are paid on time and avoids overspending. The club was praised by TMJ for its efficiency despite smaller resources.

-Player recruitment focusing on promising Sarawakian talent motivated by strong local ties, complemented by hardworking foreign players rather than expensive, ageing stars.

-A modern logo rebrand which was well received by the public, chosen via a public competition won by an Azril Al Fatt Hashim in 2020.

-A long-term sponsorship with home-grown retailer Lea Sports Centre from 2015 until 2030, ensuring locally sourced merchandise and accessibility throughout Sarawak.

-Corporate backing from companies such as Serba Dinamik and currently Press Metal, who injected RM1million in 2025.

-Increased revenue from rising stadium attendances, from just a few hundred fans in its early days to 19,855 spectators during the Malaysia Cup semi-final at Stadium Negeri.

-Increased national and global visibility from an active social media strategy, media collaborations with TVS and CATS FM, and its recent inclusion in Konami's eFootball video game in April 2026.

-Dato Fazzrudin became FAS President in 2025 and introduced the Sarawak Premier League, a grassroots, locals-only competition, creating a clear pathway for KCFC to identify and develop Sarawakian players.

Now, just nine years after its founding, KCFC, led by Singaporean coach Aidil Sharin Sahak, sits 2nd in the ongoing Malaysia Super League and has qualified for the 2026 Malaysia Cup Final, an achievement no Sarawak team has reached in 27 years. During the final on May 23, they will face defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. (JDT), widely regarded as the benchmark for a modern, well-managed Malaysian club competing against the best in Asia.

Growth in sports through good governance? Even for the casual fan, that’s something all of us can get behind!

07/04/2026

A 🇯🇵Japanese giant's huge bet in Sarawak once plunged it into crisis.
Today, their partnership with a 🇰🇷South Korean competitor and the World Bank positions 🇲🇾Malaysia as the first South East Asian country to produce a key semiconductor material.

In 2008, Tokuyama chose Samalaju, Bintulu to build two solar-grade polysilicon plants worth about US$2.4 billion, lured by Sarawak’s abundant water and low-cost hydropower.

The first plant struggled with technical issues and failed to produce polysilicon of sufficient purity. A global oversupply, mainly from China, caused prices to crash, making the second plant unprofitable. By 2013, the project was reportedly losing around US$90 million a year.

In 2017, Tokuyama was in serious trouble and sold its entire Malaysian operation to South Korea's OCI for just US$98 million, less than 5% of its original investment.

Amazingly, OCI turned things around. Using its technical expertise, it achieved product purity, lowered costs, and produced other materials on-site. It positioned itself as a non-China, tariff-free supplier and leveraged Sarawak’s renewable energy to charge a ‘green’ premium. It grew into the world’s second-largest polysilicon producer and employed over 700 people locally.

Their success attracted more foreign companies into Sarawak-and even brought Tokuyama back!

In 2025, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, a revitalised Tokuyama and OCI announced OTSM (OCI Tokuyama Semiconductor Materials), a joint venture to build the Southeast Asia’s first semiconductor-grade polysilicon plant in Bintulu.

On 30 March 2026, the World Bank’s private-sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), backed the project with a US$125 million (approximately RM502.7 million) loan, subject to strict environmental and governance conditions that OTSM, along with Sarawak, are well positioned to meet.

Despite Tokuyama’s earlier setbacks, the opportunity remains clear.

More than ever, semiconductors are essential to modern electronics, AI and robotics, and are at the center of trade wars and even potential military wars.

And semiconductor-grade polysilicon (as opposed to solar-grade), one of the purest materials on earth, is a vital component. Its production is dominated by China, followed by Germany, Japan, South Korea and the USA.

For Japan and South Korea, this partnership helps secure supply and reduce reliance on China, a geopolitical rival.

For Malaysia, it adds a vital component in its overall supply chain, and builds on its standing as the world's sixth-largest semiconductor exporter, with a 13% share of global assembly, testing, and packaging, while moving towards higher-value activities like chip design and innovation.

And Sarawak has no intention of just watching from the sidelines.

30/03/2026

🗣️“Why bring a 🇨🇳Chinese university into Sarawak?”

Founded in 1905, Fudan University in Shanghai is one of China’s most selective institutions, and a member of the elite C9 League, similar to the USA’s Ivy League (Harvard, Yale etc).

Today, it ranks among the world’s top universities, placing 30th in the QS World Rankings and 36th in Times Higher Education (2026). An elite institution from a world class megacity.

Now, plans are underway for its first Southeast Asian hub in Miri, starting with the Institute of Integrative Medicine, and with future plans for a full hospital and university campus in Kenyalang Smart City.

So why Fudan, and why Miri?

Firstly, Sarawak faces a shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals, and Fudan is globally recognised for excellence in clinical medicine and research. It is one of 2 medical schools from China recognised by the Malaysia Medical Council, and many of its medical degrees are taught in ENGLISH.

Beyond that, Fudan is a serious player in integrative medicine, combining modern Western practices with traditional Chinese medicine. This opens up unique opportunities for Sarawak.

With a planned joint research centre for innovative drug development at the doorstep of the highly biodiverse regions of Baram, Belaga and Kapit, our future researchers will be equipped to discover (or rediscover), develop and monetise new medicines from our bioresources, while having access to the fast-growing MULTIBILLION-Ringgit global traditional medicine market.

This allows us to learn from the best of both worlds (EAST & WEST) and become truly global players, while incentivising the protection and deeper understanding of our ecological treasures.

*As of March 2026, the project has been given the green light by Sarawak, Fudan University and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and is awaiting the Chinese government's final approval.

Dr Sim Kui Hian A True Kenyalang - Sebastian Ting 陈超耀

09/02/2026

Sarawak vs Sabah vs Pahang!

These 3 are on the Malaysian Space Agency’s shortlist for our first-ever rocket launch sites.

The idea isn’t new. Tun Mahathir talked about it in the 1990s. What’s changed?

The cost of spaceflight is falling, ASEAN & domestic demand for satellites is rising, & Malaysia now has deeper talent & industrial capacity in space-related fields.

Why these 3 specifically?
-Near the equator: Rockets get a free speed boost from Earth’s rotation, meaning lower fuel costs
-Next to open seas: Less risk from falling debris

Pahang’s proposed Aerospace City & spaceport (possibly in Pekan) integrates rail, sea, & road infrastructure, with access to existing aerospace supply chains and skilled talent in the Peninsula. The state has submitted a full feasibility study.

Sabah had conducted a feasibility study in 2023 with Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye State Design Office, & has teased a potential partnership with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia’s Roscosmos.

SARAWAK has also taken its own baby steps:
- Sarawak Aerospace Roadmap
- Proposed Kenyalang-1 microsatellite
- Spaceport Malaysia to explore developing SLASH or Sarawak Light Airlaunch System for High-Altitude and Orbital Access (rockets launched from aircraft)
- ICATS University College, Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak aerospace courses
- Collaboration with Japan's HighChem in Bintulu to develop advanced astronaut textiles

Over-ambitious moonshot? Maybe.
But as Sarawak continues to build bridges across mighty rivers & metaphorical ones across nations with AirBorneo, perhaps it’s time to plan the ultimate bridge of all: from Earth to space.

Sarawak Multimedia Authority Sagah Dr Annuar Rapaee Dr Sim Kui Hian Aerospace Society Malaysia Agensi Angkasa Malaysia - MYSA Chang Lih Kang

The Kuchingite

28/05/2026

25/05/2026

13/05/2026

11/05/2026

05/05/2026

23/04/2026

21/04/2026

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30/03/2026

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