Latest news with #Borneo
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PDP-SUPP row continues, this time over Sibu councillor's post
Sean Wong, the grandson of PDP senior vice-president Wong Soon Koh, was appointed a Sibu municipal councillor in April. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The row between two Gabungan Parti Sarawak allies has continued with the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) defending the appointment of senior vice-president Wong Soon Koh's grandson as a local councillor in Sibu. Bawang Assan PDP chief Wong Hua said it was the party's right to nominate Sean Wong as a Sibu municipal councillor, fending off criticism from a Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) leader. Wong Hua said SUPP should mind its own business instead of concerning itself with the affairs of other parties, the Borneo Post reported. 'If you are questioning why Sean was recommended by our party, then all I can say is thank you very much for your concern. When SUPP recommended its councillors, PDP never commented on the appointments,' he said. He was responding to Dudong SUPP Youth chief Yiing Sy Huat, who is also a Sibu councillor, who questioned Sean's appointment to the post. Sean is the grandson of Bawang Assan assemblyman Soon Koh, the former state finance minister II who has had an ongoing conflict with SUPP since he was sacked from the party in 2014. Not long ago, Soon Koh was the Parti Sarawak Bersatu president as well as the opposition leader. However, the party was dissolved when he and other members joined PDP en bloc. Sean was appointed a Sibu municipal councillor in April. Wong Hua urged Yiing to focus on his job as a councillor instead of politicking, saying their energy should be spent on serving the public and developing the local community instead of meaningless arguments and personal attacks.
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sarawak police nab man in Kuching for flashing airsoft gun at traffic lights
KUCHING, June 20 — The police have arrested a motorist who was suspected of flashing what appeared to be a 'gun' while driving a car here. The arrest was confirmed by the Sarawak Commissioner of Police, Dato Mancha Ata when contacted. 'The suspect has been arrested, and an airsoft gun has been seized. The case is under investigation,' he said. Videos and photos of the person flashing a gun at a traffic light intersection have been widely shared on social media. The airsoft gun and some items seized by the police. – Picture from Facebook It is believed that the suspect was detained at his home. Airsoft guns are replica firearms that shoot small ball bearings using compressed air or gas, rather than bullets. They are prohibited in Malaysia under Section 36 of the Arms Act. Offenders, upon conviction, may face up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sarawak police: Man arrested in Kuching for flashing airsoft gun at traffic light
KUCHING, June 20 — The police have arrested a motorist who was suspected of flashing what appeared to be a 'gun' while driving a car here. The arrest was confirmed by the Sarawak Commissioner of Police, Dato Mancha Ata when contacted. 'The suspect has been arrested, and an airsoft gun has been seized. The case is under investigation,' he said. Videos and photos of the person flashing a gun at a traffic light intersection have been widely shared on social media. The airsoft gun and some items seized by the police. – Picture from Facebook It is believed that the suspect was detained at his home. Airsoft guns are replica firearms that shoot small ball bearings using compressed air or gas, rather than bullets. They are prohibited in Malaysia under Section 36 of the Arms Act. Offenders, upon conviction, may face up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah MP warns against ‘local vs national' rhetoric, calls for focus on results ahead of state polls
KOTA KINABALU, June 19 — Sabah DAP MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin has cautioned against the rising political rhetoric that divides parties into "local" and "national" blocs, calling it a 'false dichotomy' that oversimplifies Sabah's political dynamics as the 17th state election (PRN17) approaches. Chan noted that localism has always been a key element of Sabah's political identity, but one that has coexisted with national coalitions over time. 'It's not fair to divide parties as either 'local' or 'national.' Leaders from so-called national parties are Sabahans too. They've been here, working on local issues and championing rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he said. His comments come as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) mulls its election strategy amid tensions with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) and growing sentiment that Sabah should be led by a purely local bloc. 'Pakatan Harapan has UPKO, a local party. BN has PBRS. These are Sabah-rooted organisations. And many of us in DAP and PKR are Sabahans ourselves. So how do we say what's 'local' and what's not?' Chan reflected on his decision to join politics in 2007 when most local parties were under the BN coalition. 'I believed in reform and in fighting for justice across Malaysia. That's why I joined DAP. We've stood up for Sabah in Parliament many times. You can't lump all national parties into one box and call them oppressors,' he said. He warned that using the 'Sabah for Sabahans' narrative as a political campaign tool risks dividing communities and misrepresenting governance structures. 'This sentiment is stirred up for political reasons. But the truth is, even local parties like GRS and Warisan compete with each other. It's not a clear-cut local vs national fight — it's about delivery, not slogans,' he said. Chan added that no party, whether local or national, can effectively fight for Sabah's rights without maintaining a cooperative relationship with the federal government. 'With Pakatan in the state government now, we've resolved 13 MA63 issues so far. Only four remain: the 40% net revenue return, the Continental Shelf Act, one-third parliamentary representation, and stamp duty revenue rights. 'All of these are complex and require meaningful negotiation with the federal level. That doesn't change no matter who wins the election,' he said. Chan also pointed out that civil servants handle the technical groundwork while politicians set policy directions, underscoring the need for collaboration. 'People forget that. These documents and discussions are handled by the bureaucracy. Politicians come and go, but the federal system remains. If you're serious about Sabah's rights, you work with it — not against it,' he said. While acknowledging perceptions that Sarawak has been more successful in securing federal concessions, Chan said this was not due to a stronger local identity but rather effective strategy and communication. 'One example is Sabah's longstanding control over its ports, which has been preserved and recognised. Sarawak, on the other hand, recently 'regained' control over theirs. 'Sarawak always tells a good story. They're very public about their achievements. Sabah takes a softer approach. That doesn't mean we've done less,' he said. Chan concluded that the focus should be on results, not labels. 'At the end of the day, what matters is who gets the job done,' he said.
Dominion Post
a day ago
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Morgantown's Ariana Borneo named W. Va. girls soccer Gatorade Player of the Year
MORGANTOWN – Ariana Borneo has been one of the best girls' soccer players in the state since her freshman season. It was only fitting that the two-time state champion capped her final season at Morgantown High with the 2024-2025 W. Va. girls soccer Gatorade Player of the Year award, announced on Wednesday. 'I was very excited to see that I had won the award, that was a goal of mine this year,' Borneo said. 'I know the other candidates were also strong players, so I am honored.' Borneo led the Mohigans with 19 goals and 22 assists this season. This is the third consecutive season that a player from MHS was named to the honor (Gracie Brown won it twice in a row). 'Morgantown High School has always had a really strong program, and we've proved that over the years,' she said. 'Having three players from the team to win the award speaks volumes about our program and staff. We have produced some of the best players in the state.' Recently, Borneo has spent time playing with the Trinidad & Tobago U-20 women's national team and has her name in the selection pool for the senior roster. 'Last season, I was hoping to lead us to a third straight title, but I feel like we had a successful season overall,' she said. 'I held myself to a higher standard this year and was able to accomplish a lot of my goals.' Borneo recently graduated from MHS and has signed to play women's soccer for Ashland University (Oh.). She says her time at Morgantown High won't be forgotten anytime soon. 'I loved my time at MHS on and off the field,' she said. 'My teachers, coaches, trainers, and teammates all helped me grow into the person and player I am today. MHS girls' soccer is like a family to me, and I have lifelong friends, and I know I couldn't have achieved anything without them.'
