
PKR names new Sabah women leaders as state election intensifies
KOTA KINABALU, June 14 — PKR Wanita vice-chief Datin Rufinah Pengeran has been appointed the party's new Sabah Women's chief, while Kalabakan division Wanita chief Noraini Abd Ghapur has been named as her deputy.
PKR Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek said the appointments were decided during a meeting she chaired yesterday.
'These appointments are crucial to ensure the smooth operation of Sabah PKR Wanita's activities in preparation for the state election. I am confident in the strong commitment shown by the Sabah women's wing.
'Rufinah's leadership and experience will ensure the best preparations for the election,' Fadhlina said in a statement today.
She said Sabah PKR's women's wing had formed an election committee in January and is now actively operating to strengthen preparations at all levels.
'This is to ensure the women's machinery is ready to enter the election arena in an organised and strategic manner,' said Fadhlina, who also urged all PKR Wanita members in the state to stand united and work towards victory in the elections.
Noraini Abd Ghapur (front row, second from right) is the new Sabah PKR women's deputy chief. — Picture from Facebook/Noraini Abd Ghapur
The current term of the Sabah state legislative assembly expires on Nov 11. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Old school SMS becomes lifeline as Iran blocks roaming, WhatsApp amid escalating tensions, says Malaysia's ambassador
SEPANG, June 23 — As tensions in Iran escalated following Israel's retaliatory strikes, residents in the country were forced to rely on the old-school Short Message Service (SMS) to stay in touch with family members and relevant parties. Malaysia's Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, said roaming services in the country, including WhatsApp, are currently blocked. 'In Iran, SMS communication is still open between local Iranian numbers. Domestically, people can still stay in touch. However, if we try to call an Iranian number from here, it won't go through, as roaming services have been shut down. But calls from Iran to outside the country are still possible. So, we've resorted to the old-fashioned way, text messages, which not many people use anymore. 'WhatsApp messages and similar platforms were completely inaccessible, though I believe some access is gradually returning, but still tightly controlled to ensure that sensitive information related to security issues isn't leaked,' he spoke to reporters last night. He arrived from Iran with a group of 24 individuals, comprising 17 Malaysians, six Iranian dependents of Malaysian citizens, and one Singaporean. Khairi said the situation in Iran was volatile, with both foreign nationals and locals equally shocked by the severity of the attack, which he described as drastic. 'After a day or two, we began to observe a pattern in the attacks. They were more intense at night, while during the day, it seemed as though both sides had come to a mutual understanding to scale back the assaults. 'As we all know, they already identified the targets, and if one side launched a strike on certain facilities, the other side would respond. But we were always on high alert because if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could easily find yourself in a situation you definitely wouldn't want to be in,' he said. The government ordered the temporary closure of the Malaysian Embassy in Iran, instructing all embassy personnel in the country to return home immediately. Meanwhile, a trader, Fadhil Yusni, 33, expressed his gratitude at being reunited with his wife, Zainab Ganood, an Iranian national who was visiting her parents. 'I panicked because I couldn't reach my wife. Alhamdulillah, tonight I feel grateful. Thank you to the government and the Foreign Ministry for evacuating my wife out of Iran,' he said, adding that he is now finding the best way to help his wife's family leave the conflict-stricken country safely. Tensions erupted on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several locations across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to retaliate. — Bernama


Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia intensifies efforts for peace in Myanmar, urges OIC to boost relief aid and support ceasefire
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — As Asean Chair, Malaysia has called for enhanced collaboration between Asean and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, with a focus on ending violence, alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and supporting long-term peace in the country. Delivering a statement at the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar in Istanbul, Turkiye on Sunday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia is deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, particularly the plight of displaced Rohingyas, and stressed the need to ensure their safe, dignified and sustained return to Rakhine State. He added that it is crucial to create a safe, secure and enabling environment for the timely and effective distribution of aid to all affected communities, following the serious humanitarian crisis caused by the March 28 earthquake. 'Malaysia is committed to taking a constructive approach to address the situation in Myanmar. We have identified three key priorities, which are to promote inclusive political dialogue; ensure the cessation of violence; and to scale up humanitarian assistance. 'Malaysia encourages greater engagement between the OIC Member States and the stakeholders, while focusing on ending the violence, (and) alleviating the humanitarian crisis with a view of supporting peace in Myanmar,' he said. Mohamad said Malaysia, through the Asean Special Envoy, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, has intensified efforts to engage inclusively with all stakeholders; however at present, there are many stakeholders in Myanmar. He said such inclusive engagement would lay important groundwork for deeper cooperation on shared priorities, particularly in advancing humanitarian assistance. 'In this regard, Malaysia would like the OIC Contact Group and our Special Envoy to identify fields of collaboration that could further complement efforts in supporting a peaceful and inclusive resolution,' he said. On the humanitarian crisis following the deadly earthquake in Myanmar, Mohamad urged all parties to move towards a more permanent ceasefire and to work collectively towards a sustainable resolution to the crisis. At present, he said the conflicting parties had announced a unilateral temporary ceasefire. 'Despite these encouraging developments, funding for humanitarian efforts remains critically insufficient. 'We encourage members of the OIC to continue their support for relief efforts,' he said. Malaysia has contributed 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid consisting of essential supplies, deployed the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), and set-up a field hospital immediately after the earthquake — in Sagaing City, the area most affected by the earthquake. — Bernama

Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Ambassador says 12 Malaysians still in Iran, Foreign Ministry keeping watch
SEPANG, June 24 — At least 12 Malaysians reportedly remain in Iran and are being closely monitored by Malaysian authorities following a successful evacuation mission over the weekend. According to New Straits Times, Malaysian Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, said those still in the country include students and Malaysians married to Iranian nationals, currently residing in cities such as Tehran and Shiraz. 'We are keeping track of their whereabouts and ensuring they are safe,' he was quoted as saying during a press conference at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last night. Khairi reportedly led the evacuation of 24 individuals — comprising 17 Malaysians, six Iranian dependents and a Singaporean — who arrived safely in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after a 1,000km overland journey to the Turkmenistan border. 'It was a long and challenging journey, but Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly,' he said. The Foreign Ministry has temporarily closed Malaysia's embassy in Tehran and directed staff to return home. The evacuation follows nine consecutive days of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, with tensions further escalating after the United States entered the conflict by launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.