04/06/2026

THURSDAY | JUNE 4, 2026

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Urgent call to halt logging in Magoh and Limbang

Arts, culture play important role in progress: Minister

IPOH: A city cannot thrive on physical infrastructure alone as arts, culture and human connection are equally important in creating communities with a sense of belonging and identity, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said while the government continues to focus on improving public infrastructure, upgrading amenities and building affordable housing, urban development must go beyond bricks and mortar. “A city cannot thrive on physical infrastructure alone. Without arts, culture and human connection, even the most modern city risks losing its soul. “We can build world-class skyscrapers, but if the people who live there cannot find joy and a sense of belonging, then we have not truly succeeded,” he said when officiating at the Madani Philharmonic Musical Concert 2026: A Tune of Friendship and Unity in Harmony at the RTM Auditorium Tuesday night. Nga said arts, culture and community initiatives play a crucial role in transforming cities into places where people genuinely feel connected and included. He said such programmes should serve as a platform to strengthen understanding, compassion and mutual respect among Malaysians from diverse backgrounds. Nga also said music remains one of humanity’s most powerful bridges as it transcends language, culture and geography. He added that Malaysia’s diversity should be viewed as an asset rather than a challenge, as it contributes to the country’s creativity, resilience and dynamism. “When we work together in harmony, we create something greater than the sum of our individual parts, a nation whose success captures the attention and admiration of the world,” he said. The concert featured performances by the Kinta Valley String Orchestra, Orchestra Kuala Lumpur and Feroci Philharmonic Orchestra. – Bernama Longhouses offer ‘ideal’ tourism draw KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak longhouses have unique advantages that make them ideal community-based tourism products, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. He said with the ministry’s Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme, longhouses offer a cultural experience not found anywhere else in the world. Tiong said in addition to preserving cultural heritage, developing community tourism could create economic opportunities for local residents through homestays, handicraft, traditional food, cultural performances and other activities. “Longhouses are not just a cultural heritage that needs to be preserved, but are a symbol of a harmonious, united community life that continues to grow in tandem with modernisation. “This uniqueness is what makes longhouses among the most authentic and valuable cultural tourism attractions to be introduced to the world,” he said in a Facebook post. He added that the media and visitors who have experienced longhouses should share their stories to correct misconceptions about indigenous communities in Borneo. “Longhouse communities live in a progressive and open environment, yet they remain steadfast in preserving their unique cultural identity. This is what makes longhouses not just a place of residence, but a symbol of unity among Sarawakians.” – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-two Penan communities from Magoh and Limbang in Sarawak are calling for the forest certification in the two areas not to be renewed, and for the continued official support of their preservation efforts. The Penan communities are urging the state government to halt logging activities in the two regions, following the expiration of a major forest certification. The certification for the Ravenscourt Forest Management Unit (FMU T/0294), one of the largest logging concessions in Magoh, expired yesterday, opening a rare opportunity to protect the forests. Keruan Organisation, an indigenous rights group in Sarawak said in a statement yesterday the Penan communities have submitted an official letter to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg on the request. “In the letter, we mentioned that Ravenscourt is a subsidiary of Samling, one of Sarawak’s largest timber conglomerates. o Penan communities urge state govt not to renew certification enabling activity as area forms wildlife corridor, zone for biodiversity preservation Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

us manage the forest as we did in the past. “Our second concern are the road projects, such as the Sarawak Sabah Link Road, and their impact on us. “The road seems to affect some of our villages and community in the Magoh and Limbang area. We have been informed that the village of Ba Magoh needs to be resettled. “Please do not resettle any village because of a road and please inform us about the exact plans and impact for us and the forest. “We fear that the road will bring logging (activities) and we want to make sure that with the Magoh project, we could keep the forest and our way of life for the future generations. “Our forests are rich in wildlife, also rare animals that are on the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List and are of global importance. “We wish that we can continue to live and take care of our forests and we have a vision for the area becoming a community managed Magoh Biosphere, that we would manage and earn a living from. “We hope that you can understand our wishes and the importance of respecting indigenous land rights and community stewardship of forests. We ask for your support in ensuring that after June 3, the Ravenscourt FMU is not recertified, and the road will not resettle villages.” The 870ha Magoh Biosphere Reserve covers an area in Sarawak’s interior, which is made up of primary and secondary rainforests with a high preservation value and plays an important role as a wildlife ecosystem. The reserve is home to various endangered wildlife such as the clouded leopard, pangolins and the sun bear, as well as several rare hornbill species.

“The logging concession in Limbang/North Magoh impacts many villages in the area, including Long Gita, Ba Nyakit, Ba Peresek and Long Tevenga, as well as the surrounding Batu Lawi National Park. “The affected area forms a critical wildlife corridor between the Mulu and Pulong Tau national parks, making it a key zone for biodiversity preservation. “With the concession now expired, there is a real opportunity to stop logging and secure long-term protection for one of Sarawak’s most important forest landscapes,” said Keruan director Komeok Joe. The letter sent to Abang Johari read as follows: “We, the undersigned, represent the Penan communities living in the forests of the Magoh Limbang area. “We have depended on these rainforests for generations for our livelihoods, culture and survival. We wish to continue living (here), sustainably using and protecting these forests, which are central to our identity and wellbeing as well as for Sarawak and the world. “We would like to be part of a community managed project and make the vision of the Magoh Biosphere, that we (proposed) in August 2024, (a reality) for us and our future generations, and hope for your support. “Currently, our main concern is the present logging concessions and we hope that they could be removed from the area before the renewal date in June 2026. “For protecting this important wildlife corridor between the Mulu National Park and Pulong Tau National Park, it would be a big chance to not renew Ravenscourt FMU (T/0294) after its expiry on June 3, 2026 and let Ravenscourt/Samling

The affected Penan communities are hoping to be allowed to form the Magoh Biosphere Reserve and manage the surrounding forests themselves for future generations. – PIC COURTESY OF KERUAN ORGANISATION

Upgrade of Lembah Kiara Park completed KUALA LUMPUR: Upgrading works at Lembah Kiara Park costing RM6.5 million have been completed, with most of the allocation spent on rehabilitating its drainage system, retention ponds and electrical infrastructure. walkways, two gazebos and related facilities, while the remainder was used for infrastructure upgrades and drainage rehabilitation. She said RM2.5 million was allocated to upgrade the electrical system, including feeder pillars, underground cables and the replacement of 233 damaged lamp posts.

construction of two eco-walls, desilting works and the installation of maintenance facilities to improve pond management efficiency and reduce future maintenance costs, Yeoh added. She said the park has reopened to the public following the completion of the upgrading works, with operating hours from 5.30am to 8pm. The project remains under a one-year defects liability period until April next year, during which the landscape department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage will continue to monitor the upgraded facilities, she added. – Bernama

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the recreational park, located within Bukit Kiara Federal Park, is managed by the National Landscape Department and not Kuala Lumpur City Hall. She said only about RM700,000 of the total project cost was allocated for landscaping works, including repairs to pedestrian

Speaking after inspecting the park on Tuesday, Yeoh said the remaining RM3.3 million was used for pond and drainage rehabilitation works, including the restoration of an upstream pond, sediment basin, streams and the main retention pond. The upgrading project also involved the