The Kuchingite

🛠️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-

⚽️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!

🗣️“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